What to Look for in Roller Shutters

Window covering solutions can mean many things in many situations. For most of our customers, that means blinds, shades, smart home automation. Lots of really great covering options. For some homes and businesses they need a covering option that is more secure. To that end, this time on the Budget Blinds of Tempe & Central Phoenix blog, we’re talking about roller shutters!

What Are Roller Shutters

Roller shutters, security shutters, they have a few names. These are any sort of door or window shutter that is made up of horizontal slats that are hinged together. To open the door or window, the shutters are raised into a storage area often shaped like a cylinder. When closed the shutters provide total cover from wind, rain, fire, or theft.

This kind of heavy duty shutter is most commonly used in commercial settings, to fully protect businesses during off hours. They also see a lot of use in garages, kitchens, prisons, schools, and warehouses, or in areas that have inclement weather (unlike us here in the Valley!) Roller shutters  are a real solution when vandalism or burglary. Roller shutters first saw prominence in the 1970’s and they’ve been a mainstay of businesses ever since.

There are a few different kinds of roller shutters out there. Here is the briefest of rundowns on the names and unique features of the different kinds of roller shutters.

• Built-In Roller Shutter Door

• This is when the roller shutter box is built into the lintel in the top of the door or window

• Built-On Roller Shutter Door

• The roller shutter box for this type is added on to the exterior of the structure, rather than built in.

• Roller Shutter with Tilting Louvres

• You’ll remember louvres from our blog on shutter construction. These roller shutters have laths that tilt, like a souped up venetian blind.

• Integrated Roller Shutters

• Integrated is the clear distinction here, these shutters and window are a combined structure, the shutters are a part of the window.

• Manual Roller Shutter

• Manual roller shutters are operated through a crank handle and gear drive. The roller shutter may built into the building itself.f 

• Motorized Roller Shutter

• These roller shutters are automated, using a roller axle tube and motor to open and close them via remote, switch, or even a smart phone app.

How Much do Roller Shutters Cost?

Roller shutters have a wide range in price, from the low hundreds to thousand plus depending on the size and material. Most shutters are made from a metal, steel or aluminum being the most common. Small manual roller shutters can be a couple hundred dollars while larger electric powered shutters will be in the high triple digits. 

How Do Roller Shutters Stand Up To Weather?

Roller shutters can block out moisture, condensation, and sunlight completely when they are fully closed. They also can prevent heat loss of up to about 80% from your home. If the window/door is properly insulated heat loss drops even lower.

How Secure are Roller Shutters?

By our understanding, very! Because roller shutters can be either motorized or manually operated from a crank indoors, they have a real structural integrity to them that makes it very hard to damage them or break through.

Now, there is no doubt a ton more to know about roller shutters, their variants, and how to best install them but, to be honest that’s not where our expertise lies. Here at Budget Blinds of Tempe & Central Phoenix we focus on all sorts of other shutters, but security or roller shutters aren’t quite in our wheelhouse. If you’re looking for great plantation or cafe shutters to decorate your home, then give us a call and schedule your free consultation!