Roller shutter

Roller shutters on windows.

Security roller shutters in a dead mall.

A roller shutter, roller door or sectional overhead door is a type of door or window shutter consisting of many horizontal slats (or sometimes bars or web systems) hinged together. The door is raised to open it and lowered to close it. On large doors, the action may be motorized. It provides protection against wind and rain. In shutter form, it is used in front of a window and protects the window from vandalism and burglary attempts.

Applications

Roller shutters have many applications, including doors for vans, garages, kitchens, schools, prisons and warehouses. In some parts of the world, roller shutters are subsidized by local governments due to the inherent security benefits. In areas that are frequently exposed to inclement weather, roller shutters are used as a method of insulation and can protect windows against hail damage.

Types and operation

Built-on Roller Shutter Doors

Describes the type where the roller shutter box is fixed to the exterior of the building facade.

Built-in Roller Shutter Doors

Where the roller shutter box is built into the lintel above the window.

Integrated roller shutter

A roller shutter and window combined as a single unit.

Roller shutter with tilting laths

A roller shutter with laths that tilt, similar to an external venetian blind.

Manual

With gear drive from the shutter roller traced through the building facade to a universal joint on the room side that is operated by a cranked winding handle.

Manual tape

A tape drive around a flange on the roller is traced through the building facade with pulley guides to an inertia reel on the room side.

Electric

With a tubular motor fitted within the roller. Automatic operation can be added.

Fire Shutter

Can either be manual roller shutter or electric roller shutter, which uses Woods Metal and a weight bar to close the roller shutter or can be linked to Fire Alarm System to close automatically on event of fire alarm activation.

Components

Lath

Steel, aluminium, single or multi wall.

Roller (or roller tube)

Steel, aluminium tube supported at either end by an end plate.

Shutter box

Formed steel or aluminium extrusions designed to protect the roller assembly.

Shutter spring

1. Spring wire. Made from the spring wire, it also called torsion spring.

2. Flat spring. Formed by hardened and tempered steel strips in coils. Common steel grades C67, CK67, SAE1070, etc.

Guide rail (or track)

Steel or aluminium to retain the shutter curtain. Rubbing strips to reduce rattle and draught strips can be added.

Bottom lath

Steel, aluminium or PVC to match the lath. Rubber tubes to reduce draught can be added.

Lock

Important part of shutter lock to secure shutter in place, can be locked with Bullet Lock or Shutter lock with arms that lock shutter to frame

See also

• Roller blind
• Roll-down curtain