Thursday, 11 April 2019

The Different Types of Roller Shutter.

roller shutters and fire doors in Worthing and Brighton



You may have recently undertaken some new home improvements for your home in Worthing or Brighton in Sussex, perhaps an extension or just a complete revamp of the interior. So you may now be thinking about doors, garage and roller shutter doors and windows for the property and whether they need updating or replacing. If that’s the case, then the sheer range of items out there can be overwhelming.


If you’re looking for a new type of door or window protection, there are a number of different options available. From fire doors to roller shutter doors to garage roller shutters and steel security doors in Worthing, Sussex, Brighton and beyond. All have their pros and cons but often, it can be difficult to find out what the different types are. So here, we thought we’d start you off by outlining the different types of roller shutter. But before we do that, what exactly is a roller shutter and what is it used for?

What is a Roller Shutter?

A roller shutter is a door or window, which consists of rows of steel or aluminium slats, all joined together. When the frame of the door or window is lifted up, or lowered down, the slats loop around a rolling cylinder, forming a coil. They are most commonly used on garage doors, or garage roller shutters as they are more commonly known. They can also be used on windows and can be effective as a form of insulation and energy efficiency. They are often a popular choice due to their lightweight design but their comparative hardiness and ability to withstand consistent bad weather. This combination of durability with a sleek design aesthetic and the ability to increase your energy efficiency make them a popular choice for both doors and windows.

What are the different types of roller shutter?

Built-in and Built-on roller shutter doors


It can often be a common mistake to confuse these two types of roller shutters.  Built-on roller shutters are often used on garage doors. Often made from steel or aluminium, they have a polished, modern look that appeals to many homeowners. They work by placing the cylindrical tube or coil inside an external projection (usually above the garage door). This is then covered over, to match with the aesthetics of the house. When the door is lifted, often by a motorised component, the slats curl round the hidden cylinder and the door lifts up. They can often look like a new and interesting feature to the house, if installed and fitted correctly.

A built-in roller shutter door is slightly different from a built-on roller shutter, in that the reeling mechanism and guide rails are built into the wall during construction, meaning that they are hidden from view. This gives a more flawless look to the design and a sleek aesthetic. Many people choose this option when they are undergoing major refurbishments as the building work is already being completed. They can often be modernised with remote control available and energy efficiency options. They can also be a good security measure, if you don’t already have steel security doors.


Manual Roller Shutters


Unlike their motorised counterparts, manual roller shutters are, you guessed it, operated by hand. They can often be spring assisted, where the blind pops up when it is opened at the base. It then locks back down when the blind is lowered. The spring mechanism is usually only used for smaller shutters on windows as the heavier doors are far more cumbersome to operate in this way. For this reason, people often choose to go for a motorised design, as they can be more efficient and easier to use.

For the heavier doors, if you don’t want a motorised option, then the usual choice is a chain operated roller shutter. Working as a pulley system, the chains are pulled to open the shutters but this is often a laborious and slow task, so isn’t a great option for a door or window that has frequent use. Many people choose a motorised option for sheer ease of use and they often are comparable in terms of pricing. Take a look at roller shutter doors or garage roller shutters in Worthing, Sussex, Brighton or other areas to see what would suit you.

Integrated roller shutter windows

Like the built-in roller shutter doors, these work in a similar way. When building a new house, or performing considerable construction work on an old house, the shutters are built into the wall along with the window. This means that the mechanism is hidden, as well as the blinds when they are lifted. They are reeled into the wall above the window, meaning that you get a flawless look when you don’t need them. These are often chosen as another way to increase energy efficiency, while also appealing to the design concerns for your home.