Ask most North Queensland households which part of the house gets the least use for the effort it deserves, and there's a good chance it's the patio. It's usually the best-positioned space in the place: catches the breeze, looks out over the garden or the pool, and is exactly where you'd want to be having breakfast or a quiet drink at the end of the day. And yet it's often the space that sits half-used, closed up before rain, swept clear of leaves after a blow, and enjoyed properly for maybe half the year.

There's a reason so many homes across Townsville and the surrounding region are moving away from traditional diamond grill and toward SecureView stainless steel mesh, and it's not just about keeping people out. It's about not having to trade security for the things that make living up here worth it: the light, the breeze, the view, the indoor-outdoor flow that's basically non-negotiable in a North Queensland home.

If you've started looking into security screens, you've probably noticed there isn't just one type. Wander through the options and you'll come across diamond grill, stainless steel mesh, and perforated aluminium, and it's not always obvious what actually separates them, or why one might suit your home better than another.

Enclosing your patio can be a great way to add value to your home. By giving you another room and keeping insects out, you can sit out on the back patio and not worry about flies or mozzies.

​Enclosing your patio can be a great way to add value to your home. By giving you another room and keeping insects out, you can sit out on the back patio and not worry about flies or mozzies.