ForceField vs Crimsafe: An Installer's Honest Comparison
By Steve ยท Owner & Licensed Security Installer (Master Security Licence #000105713)
Reviewed by Steve
Last updated: 18 June 2026
A licensed Sutherland Shire installer's honest take on Prowler Proof ForceField versus Crimsafe: 316 marine-grade versus 304 mesh, fully welded versus screw-clamp frames, warranty terms and coastal corrosion.
Key product notes
ForceField and Crimsafe are both premium, AS 5039 tested security screen brands, but they differ in two things that matter most on the coast: mesh grade and how the frame is built.
ForceField uses 316 marine-grade stainless steel mesh in a fully welded aluminium frame; Crimsafe uses 304-grade (Tensile-Tuff) mesh in a screw-clamp frame system.
Warranty differs in structure: ForceField carries a 10-year full replacement warranty, while Crimsafe offers a staged 15-year warranty that reduces in later years and is conditional on maintenance.
Shire Security Doors and Screens is a Prowler Proof Authorised Dealer in Engadine (Master Security Licence #000105713). Free measure and quote on 0410 474 256 or steve@shiredoors.com.au.
ForceField or Crimsafe: which should you choose?
For a coastal Sutherland Shire home, ForceField is usually the stronger long-term choice because it uses 316 marine-grade stainless steel mesh in a fully welded aluminium frame, which resists salt corrosion and removes the moisture entry points that screw fixings create. Crimsafe is a proven, AS 5039 tested 304-grade system that performs well inland but needs more maintenance near the surf. Both are premium products costing roughly
,200 to
,600 per installed door for premium ForceField.
As a Prowler Proof Authorised Dealer and NSSA member who has worked with both categories across the Shire, here is the honest, technical breakdown rather than the marketing version. The two genuine differences worth deciding on are the steel grade and the way the frame holds the mesh.
Coastal homes favour ForceField; inland homes can use either
316 vs 304 stainless steel: does the mesh grade matter?
Yes, near the coast the mesh grade is the single most important difference. ForceField mesh is 316 marine-grade stainless steel, which contains molybdenum. That added element gives it substantially better resistance to chloride, the salt in coastal air that pits and corrodes metal. Crimsafe's Tensile-Tuff mesh is industry-recognised as a 304 structural grade, which is strong and corrosion-resistant for most environments but does not have the same chloride defence.
For a home in Cronulla, Bundeena, Burraneer or Kurnell, within a kilometre or two of the surf, that difference is not academic. We have replaced plenty of screens across the Shire that corroded early because the grade or the frame could not cope with the salt load. Further inland, in suburbs like Kirrawee, Sutherland or Menai, 304-grade mesh is perfectly adequate.
316 marine-grade: molybdenum-added, superior chloride (salt) resistance
304 structural-grade: strong and corrosion-resistant for most inland settings
Within ~5km of the coast, 316 is the sensible specification
Both meshes are high-tensile and pass AS 5039 impact testing
Welded vs screw-clamp: how is the frame built?
This is the biggest construction difference. ForceField welds every aluminium frame corner and grinds it smooth, so the frame behaves as one rigid piece, and the mesh is chemically and mechanically bonded into it. There are no screws penetrating the frame and no clamp gaps, so there is nowhere for salt-laden water to sit and start corroding. Welded corners also do not loosen or flex under impact.
Crimsafe uses a channel-and-wedge system: the mesh sits in a groove and clamps held by screws are tightened to grip it. It is a proven method that passes AS 5039, but it creates multiple mesh penetration points. Over years of thermal expansion and contraction, screw tension can change, and in salt air the join between dissimilar metals becomes a potential corrosion point if moisture gets in.
ForceField: fully welded corners, mesh chemically and mechanically bonded, no frame penetrations
Welded joints do not loosen or flex; clamp tension can vary over time
Fewer penetrations means fewer corrosion pathways near the coast
Warranty: 10-year full replacement vs staged 15-year
On paper Crimsafe's 15 years sounds longer than ForceField's 10, but the structure matters. ForceField carries a 10-year full replacement warranty, meaning a manufacturing defect within that decade is fixed by replacing the whole product, with no pro-rata reduction and no depreciation, and the cover is transferable to a new owner.
Crimsafe's 15-year warranty is staged: full cover in the early years, then stepping down to roughly 60%, 40% and 20% in the final years, and conditional on a documented maintenance schedule that, if not followed, can void it entirely. In practice the comprehensive protection through the critical first decade is comparable to or stronger with ForceField, especially in a coastal setting where maintenance conditions bite hardest.
ForceField: 10-year full replacement, no pro-rata, transferable to new owners
Crimsafe: staged 15-year cover that reduces in later years
Crimsafe cover is conditional on a documented maintenance schedule
Compare what you are covered for, not just the headline number
Coastal verdict for the Sutherland Shire
If your home is within a few kilometres of the water, ForceField's 316 marine-grade mesh and sealed welded frame give it a clear edge against salt corrosion, and the full replacement warranty removes the replacement risk in the first decade. Crimsafe remains a legitimate, certified choice and performs adequately on the coast with disciplined annual washing and clamp inspection, and is perfectly sound further inland.
Whichever brand you lean toward, installation by a licensed dealer matters as much as the product. Shire Security Doors and Screens installs under Master Security Licence #000105713 and backs every job with both the manufacturer's warranty and our own workmanship guarantee. For an honest recommendation for your specific home, call Steve on 0410 474 256 or email steve@shiredoors.com.au.
Coastal homes: ForceField for corrosion resistance and full replacement cover
Inland homes: either brand suits at comparable premium pricing
Crimsafe near the coast needs disciplined annual maintenance
Licensed installation matters as much as the brand you pick
Both are premium AS 5039 tested brands. ForceField has the edge for coastal homes thanks to its 316 marine-grade mesh and fully welded frame, which resist salt corrosion better than Crimsafe's 304-grade screw-clamp system. Inland, both perform well, so location, warranty preference and maintenance commitment should guide the choice.
What grade of stainless steel does Crimsafe use?
Crimsafe uses a proprietary high-tensile mesh marketed as Tensile-Tuff, which industry analysis identifies as 304-grade stainless steel. ForceField uses 316 marine-grade stainless steel, which contains molybdenum for significantly better salt corrosion resistance, the key reason it outperforms in coastal suburbs like Cronulla and Bundeena.
What does a fully welded frame actually mean?
A fully welded frame has its aluminium corners welded and ground smooth into one rigid structure, rather than four pieces joined by screws. The mesh is then chemically and mechanically bonded in. This removes flex at the joints and eliminates the screw penetrations and clamp gaps where salt water can collect and corrode.
Is Crimsafe good for coastal homes?
Crimsafe performs adequately near the coast with regular maintenance, including annual washing and inspection of the clamp screws. However, its 304-grade mesh and screw-clamp construction create more potential corrosion points than ForceField's welded 316-grade system, so within a kilometre or two of the surf ForceField is the more durable choice.
Is ForceField more expensive than Crimsafe?
Pricing is broadly comparable; both sit in the premium bracket at roughly
,200 to
,600 per standard door installed for premium ForceField, depending on size, configuration, colour and hardware. ForceField often delivers better long-term value through lower maintenance and a 10-year full replacement warranty that removes replacement risk in the first decade.
Does ForceField really have a 10-year full replacement warranty?
Yes. Prowler Proof offers a 10-year full replacement warranty: if a manufacturing defect causes failure within ten years, the entire product is replaced at no cost, with no pro-rata reduction or depreciation. It is also transferable to a new property owner, adding value if you sell.
Are both brands Australian Standards compliant?
Yes. Both ForceField and Crimsafe are tested and certified to AS 5039 for security screen doors and window grilles, covering impact, anti-jemmy and knife-shear testing. ForceField also carries AS 5040 installation compliance. Always ask your installer to provide current test certificates for the exact product quoted.
Can I get ForceField installed in the Sutherland Shire?
Yes. Shire Security Doors and Screens is a Prowler Proof Authorised Dealer based in Engadine, servicing the entire Sutherland Shire and surrounding Sydney suburbs. We offer a free on-site measure and quote, custom manufacture and licensed installation. Call Steve on 0410 474 256 or email steve@shiredoors.com.au.