Roller shutters have been used in the UK for decades. Commonly seen in its more traditional steel format, frequently installed over shop windows and door ways it is also used for industrial units and garages. Although not particularly aesthetically pleasing it serves a purpose in protecting the property primarily for security reasons but also vandalism.
This style of roller shutter in its most basic form consists of a galvanised steel curtain with a steel box and guide rails. A very popular choice for a strong cost effective budget Roller Shutter. Used in the right environment they offer a reasonable level of security. Unfortunately when many shutters are used on several shops adjacent to one an other it can create a feeling of negativity and in extreme cases creates a ghetto type of appearance. In fact a long row of shutters is too good an opportunity to miss for graffiti artists and fly poster gangs. Galvanised shutters do not weather particularly well; although the actual galvanising process protects the shutter adequately the appearance of the shutter curtain becomes dull and bland very quickly.
- Cost effective
- Offer a reasonable level of security
- Reliable if serviced frequently
- Can be manually operated or electrically operated
- Unsightly if vandalised or fly posted attached to them
- Planning permission may be required to install them
- Shutters can be Powder Coated any colour
- Can have perforated laths
Aluminium shutters have been widely used on the continent for many years particularly in Germany where foam filled aluminium shutters have been used in domestic applications, retail and commercial. Here in the UK the aluminium shutter has been around for twenty five years or so. What was seen as an inferior material in comparison to steel, aluminium was initially though to be weaker and less robust. The opposite is in fact the case. The laths from an aluminium shutter curtain are actually an extruded section meaning it is twin walled with a hollow centre which can be filled with foam or resin.
Although extremely light weight the extruded aluminium laths are incredibly strong and surprisingly tough. Once powder coated (virtually any colour) aluminium shutters have an outstanding flawless finish. Being aluminium means they have excellent resistance to the elements and look good for years with periodic cleaning of the roller shutter curtain with hot soapy water. The aluminium shutter laths are as a general rule smaller in structure than the steel laths and therefore can coil up into a tighter roll meaning they can be housed in a small head box.
Using aluminium guide rails lined with a brush edge seal the shutter when operating is virtually silent. Due to the light weight of aluminium shutters they can span greater widths than steel shutters and still be manually operated. The aluminium shutters also have a wide range of laths available and can be perforated or punched with a polycarbonate inserts for security. The appearance of aluminium shutters is more aesthetically pleasing than steel shutters and can even compliment a buildings appearance.
- Slightly more expensive than steel shutters
- Range from low security to high security with the highest having LPCB certification
- Very reliable
- Can be manually or electrically operated
- Have a superior finish in comparison with galvanised steel shutters
- Better weather protection than steel shutters due to their aluminium construction
- Can be powder coated a variety of colours
- Can have perforated or punched laths
The roller shutter as a general rule is usually an after thought, installed over doors or windows on existing buildings either as a deterrent to crime or after an actual burglary has taken place. This added on type of roller shutter can be face fitted to the surface over the opening or installed within the reveal/recess of the opening. A reveal fix tends to look neater and usually more secure due to the nature of the fixing going into the side of the substrate as opposed to the face.
Shutters installed as an add on also can be a security risk especially if they are installed on the face of the opening. This is because the roller shutter canopy/box protrudes some distance from the wall making an ideal platform form from which burglars can access windows on the first floor. Shutters that are an after thought and added to an existing property can result in an unsightly installation and can in some cases require planning permission.
The Built In Roller Shutter is exactly the same as the built-on roller shutter except it is usually allowed for from the design stage by the architect or builder. The concept is simple; the shutter is installed in such away that the guide rails and head box are hidden from view with in the fabric of the building. The guide rails are neatly installed within the cavity of the walls and the box sits above the lintel or in some cases actually acts as the lintel.
Due to the built in design features of these shutters they offer a higher level of security as both the guide rails and the shutter box are totally hidden from view preventing them from being attacked or used as an aid to gain access to the property. When the shutter is in the open position with the curtain coiled up inside the box they have no visual impact on the appearance of the property as they can not be seen and the observer unless advised other wise would not even know that the building had shutters installed. When operated and in the closed or down position the shutters present a very neat looking security solution. As mentioned earlier the shutter box can be used as an integral part of the structure of the building. The lintel manufacture from steel is designed to house the roller shutter curtain and support the structure at the same time giving it a dual purpose and saving costs.
Built In Shutters tend to favour the lighter but stronger extruded aluminium laths, steel laths are also used and have various advantages and disadvantages over aluminium. Other styles of built in shutters use a neat white plastic head box with a removable rear panel for maintenance. These shutters tend to be a cheaper alternative to the built-in lintel systems.
All the above shutters are available from QSec. We can offer advice on which is the best system for you to use from the initial design stage right through to installation.
- Built-in Shutters rarely require planning permission
- They are favoured by architects and councils due to their aesthetic appeal and unobtrusive design
- Are available in either steel or aluminium
- Very reliable
- Can be punched or perforated
- Can be powder coated any colour
- Built-in shutters are more secure than standard built-on shutters
