Why Families in Mumbai & Pune Install Invisible Grills
By Sushil Shinde, Founder & Installation Head, SafeNest · Updated November 2026
The main reasons families choose invisible grills
Safety for children and pets
Tensioned stainless steel cables, set about 2 inches apart, form a strong barrier across balconies and windows that is hard for children and pets to climb over or slip through.
The view stays open
From a few steps away the cables almost disappear. You keep the sea, the hills or the city view, plus daylight and breeze.
Built for salty, humid air
Genuine SS316 marine-grade wire resists rust far better than mild-steel box grills, which need painting every few years in Mumbai's climate.
An openable section for emergencies
On request, a section can be made openable or removable, so you can get out, and fire fighters or AC technicians can get in.
Fits society rules
Invisible grills do not change the look of the building, so many societies that do not allow box grills accept them.
Stops things falling
Toys, pots and cushions stay on the balcony instead of falling onto people or cars below.
What the news shows: falls from homes around Mumbai and Pune
Falls from balconies, windows and open ducts are reported again and again in Mumbai, Thane, Vasai-Virar and Pune. These are some recent cases reported in the news. We share them only as a reminder that most such accidents can be prevented with the right protection and supervision.
- Naigaon, Vasai-Virar, July 2025: a young girl died after falling from a 12th-floor flat through an opening that had no grill. (Free Press Journal, PTI via ThePrint)
- Katraj, Pune, July 2025: a 4-year-old girl left alone in a 3rd-floor flat slipped out through the window grille and hung from the sill until an off-duty fireman pulled her in. She survived. (PTI via The Week, Free Press Journal)
- Virar West, April 2025: a 7-month-old baby fell from a 21st-floor window after the mother slipped while closing it. Police said the window did not have full protective grills. (Free Press Journal)
- Mumbra, Thane, April 2025: a 10-year-old girl died after falling into the open ventilation duct of a 10-storey residential building. (Free Press Journal)
- Dombivli, January 2025: a 6-year-old girl died after falling from a 4th-floor gallery where no grill had been installed. (Free Press Journal)
- Kandivali, Mumbai, July 2024: a 9-year-old girl died after falling from a 3rd-floor window when the window she was leaning on was opened. (PTI via Newsdrum)
- Virar West, October 2023: a 4-year-old girl alone at home died after falling from a 4th-floor window of a new building that had no window grilles. (Free Press Journal)
- Vasai, July 2022: a 3-year-old girl alone at home fell from a 7th-floor balcony while reaching for a falling phone. (Free Press Journal)
Box grills, fire safety and escape
Fixed box grills can trap people inside during a fire. In April 2022, Mumbai's chief fire officer Hemant Parab appealed to residents to keep window grills only if they can be opened, with a lock that can be broken during an evacuation, because box grills obstruct rescue (Free Press Journal).
- Masjid Bunder, Mumbai, August 2020: four people trapped at a 4th-floor box window climbed onto the grills, and firefighters had to cut the grills to bring them down by ladder. (Free Press Journal)
- Katraj, Pune, October 2023: during a flat fire, a 9-year-old girl was found clutching the iron grill of a 2nd-floor window. Firefighters reached her through a neighbour's terrace and by ladder. (Free Press Journal)
This is one reason we can fit an openable or removable section in an invisible grill on request, so you can get out and rescuers can get in. In July 2026 the Bombay High Court also directed the State government to frame clear rules on installing grills and similar protective structures on windows, terraces and open spaces (Free Press Journal). Always check your society's rules and the current local rules before fixing anything on the facade.
What makes an invisible grill safe
- Wire grade: we recommend SS316 marine-grade stainless steel, especially for sea-facing and high-rise flats.
- Wire thickness: 2 mm or 2.5 mm suits most flats; 3 mm is stronger for high floors and wide spans.
- Gap: a 2-inch gap is the standard we recommend for homes with children and pets.
- Fixing: tracks anchored into the RCC slab or beam, with a tension lock on every cable.
- Checks: get the tension checked once a year under our warranty plan, and keep furniture away from the grill.
Read more: Are invisible grills safe for children and pets? and SS304 vs SS316 wire.
Common myths
| Myth | Fact |
|---|---|
| "Thin cables cannot be strong." | Each cable is tensioned and locked, and a properly installed grill is designed to hold a heavy load. |
| "All stainless steel wire is the same." | It is not. SS201 and uncoated wire can show rust spots within a year. Ask to see the grade marked on the spool. |
| "An invisible grill is a burglar bar." | Invisible grills are designed mainly for fall protection. For ground and first floors, pair them with a door sensor or a stronger grill. |
| "Pigeons cannot get through." | Pigeons can squeeze through a 2-inch gap. If pigeons are a problem, add a pigeon net behind the grill. |
Invisible grill FAQs
Why are invisible grills popular in Mumbai and Pune?
Families in high-rise flats want child and pet safety without losing the view, and many societies do not allow box grills on the facade. Invisible grills meet both needs.
Are invisible grills better than box grills?
For most flats we recommend invisible grills: they keep the view open, resist rust and can include an openable section. Box grills can be stronger against break-ins on lower floors.
Can I fit an invisible grill on a window?
Yes. We fit invisible grills on windows, French windows, balconies, terraces and staircases.
Do I need society permission?
Many societies ask for a simple written NOC for anything fixed to the facade. We give you a drawing and specification sheet to attach to the application.
How do I get a quote?
WhatsApp us your area and a few photos of the balcony or windows. We book a free site inspection, measure everything, agree the materials and quality with you, and share the price quote by email or WhatsApp.