Some houses don’t look right with a plain black mesh door across the entry. A Federation home with leadlight panels, or a weatherboard with a bullnose verandah, has a character that a flat modern screen can cover up.
Colonial grille doors were made for these homes. They add a lockable barrier at the front door, and the decorative pattern suits the rest of the house.
What Is a Colonial Grille Door?
A colonial grille door is a screen door with an ornamental metal grille set inside the frame. The grille usually has scrolls, curves or arched shapes, like the cast iron lacework on older Australian verandahs. Behind the grille sits a mesh layer that keeps insects out and, depending on the mesh you choose, adds privacy or extra strength.
Most modern colonial grille doors are made from powder-coated aluminium. That keeps them lighter than old cast iron or steel, and they won’t rust.
Why Homeowners Still Choose Them
They Suit Period Homes
Federation, Edwardian and Victorian homes have plenty of detail: fretwork, lacework, leadlight and turned timber. A colonial grille door picks up on that detail. A plain modern screen can look out of place on the same house.
They Work on Newer Homes Too
Colonial styling isn’t only for older houses. Many newer homes are built in a classic or Hamptons style with verandahs, panelled front doors and traditional trims, and a colonial grille door fits that look well.
They’re a Visible Deterrent
A grille door is obvious from the street. Anyone walking up the path can see there’s a locked barrier in front of the main door, and that alone can put off an opportunistic intruder.
They Let the House Breathe
With the colonial door locked, you can leave the front door open to let a breeze through. On a warm Melbourne evening, that’s often the easiest way to cool the house down without running the air conditioner.
Choosing the Mesh Behind the Grille
The grille provides the look, and the mesh behind it does most of the day-to-day work. Common options include:
- Fly mesh for basic insect protection and airflow
- Pet mesh, which is tougher and stands up to scratching and pushing from cats and dogs
- Privacy mesh, which makes it harder to see in from outside
- Stainless steel mesh, for a stronger infill behind the grille
The right choice depends on how the door is used. A front door facing a busy street might need privacy mesh. A back door where the dog comes and goes needs something that can take a beating.
Security Door or Barrier Door?
This is worth checking before you buy. In Australia, a door should only be called a security door if it has been tested to AS 5039, the Australian Standard for security screen doors and window grilles.
Some decorative grille doors are built and tested to that standard. Others are barrier doors. They still lock and keep insects out, but they aren’t designed to resist a determined break-in.
Ask the supplier directly whether the colonial grille security door you’re looking at complies with AS 5039 and get the answer in writing. Also check the frame strength, how the grille is fixed into the frame, the hinges and the lock. A triple-lock system, which locks at three points instead of one, is much harder to force.
Hinged or sliding?
Colonial grille is most common on hinged front and back doors, but some suppliers can also make it as a sliding security door for patio and balcony openings.
A sliding security door runs on its own track in front of your glass slider, so you can open the glass for air while keeping the opening locked. If you want the colonial look carried through to the back of the house, ask whether the design is available in a sliding format and what size limits apply. Large sliding panels need a strong frame to stay square and run smoothly.
Matching the Door to Your Home
Colonial grille doors are powder coated, so you can match the frame colour to your window frames, front door or house trims. Heritage colours such as cream, heritage green and deep red suit period homes, and black or charcoal works well on newer homes.
The pattern matters too. Some designs are busy and ornate; others are simpler with a few curves. Stand back and look at the whole front of the house before choosing.
Installation and Care
A colonial grille door needs to be measured and fitted carefully, especially on older homes, where door frames are often out of square. A made-to-measure door, fixed securely into solid timber or masonry, will close properly and lock every time.
Upkeep is simple. Dust the grille and wash the frame and mesh every few months with mild soapy water. Lubricate the hinges and lock now and then and repair any torn mesh before the tear spreads.
Colonial Grille Doors in Melbourne
PA Flyscreens is an Epping-based business that makes and installs colonial grille doors in powder-coated aluminium for homes across Melbourne. Its doors are available up to 2400 mm high and 1200 mm wide, with privacy, stainless steel, fly and pet mesh options behind the grille. The business also offers security doors and other screen styles if you want a mix across the house.
Classic Style with a Practical Purpose
A colonial grille door protects the entry, lets the house cool down and keeps insects out, while still suiting a period or classic-style home.
Pick a pattern that suits your home, choose the right mesh behind it and check the security rating before you commit. Done well, a colonial grille security door will look like it has always been part of the house.
Disclaimer: The information in this article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute professional, legal, or safety advice. Security door standards, compliance requirements, product specifications, and pricing vary by manufacturer, state, and jurisdiction, and may change without notice. Readers should verify all product certifications, AS 5039 compliance, warranty terms, and installation requirements directly with the supplier and relevant authorities before purchasing. Any mention of specific companies or services does not imply endorsement. The author and publisher disclaim any liability for decisions made based on this content.
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