Roller shutters, also called rolling shutters, are available in various materials and can be electric or manual. Depending on the material, roller shutters (and their associated insulation systems, roller shutter boxes) can act as heat and sound insulators.
In this article, we'll provide a valuable guide to help you purchase roller shutters online, starting with instructions on how to take measurements so you can install them yourself.
Our instructions will be useful if:
Each roller shutter has its own sliding guide and there are two types of installations:
First of all, I want to give you some advice on how to take the right measurements for the shutters you want to purchase.
Regardless of the material you choose, it's crucial to take the correct measurements. When purchasing roller shutters online, it's essential to enter the correct measurements for both the width and height of the roller shutter.
Please note that these measurements are calculated differently depending on the lateral sliding guide in your home. If you have an exposed or external guide, you should take the following measurements:
Until a few years ago, electric shutters were only found in large hotels and luxury villas, but today they can be seen even in ordinary homes.
If you have a new home, you can purchase electric shutters directly. If you already have manual ones, you can replace the old ones operated manually by a strap or cord with ones activated by an electric motor via a button or remote control.
Replacement is very simple as electric roller shutters (like manual ones) have a tubular lifting rod, so all you need to do is insert an electric motor inside this rod which will rotate it to lower or raise the roller shutter.
Electric shutters cost based on their weight and range from €150 per square meter for a medium-sized push-button shutter to €250 per square meter with a remote control.
If you need to replace your manual shutter, you'll need to add the installation costs, which include the motorization kit to convert the manual shutter to an electric one. The cost varies between €30 and €50 for a 20 kg shutter. For larger, heavier shutters, a motorization kit and a more powerful motor will be required, so the costs will be higher. No construction work is required.
Interested in a roller shutter motor? Click here to discover the dedicated category in the Windowo online store. You'll find the most suitable tubular motors for moving any type of roller shutter.
Aluminium roller shutters combine aesthetics and resistance and represent an appropriate solution when we want a non-deformable material for our windows that protects us from intrusions and break-ins.
Aluminum shutters are highly appreciated for their resistance to external atmospheric agents, in fact they protect us from rain and hail, letting sunlight filter through.
Although they're relatively lightweight compared to other materials, they're considered difficult to break into due to their sturdiness. However, aluminum is a natural conductor , and therefore, compared to shutters made from other materials, it has poorer insulating properties, meaning it won't offer as much acoustic and thermal protection.
To address acoustic problems, simply install high-quality window frames; to address thermal issues, however, purchase insulated aluminum shutters , inserting polyurethane foam inside them to enhance their insulating properties.
In addition to these insulated shutters, there are also extruded aluminum shutters on the market which have the characteristic of being thicker and are used as an anti-intrusion security system .
Compared to other materials, the cost of aluminum shutters is lower, but the insulation work required to make them insulating increases the price.
The cost ranges from 35 to 80 euros for a roller shutter insulated with high-density polyurethane foam. If, however, we need extruded aluminum roller shutters because we live in an isolated area and are afraid of being robbed at home, we must consider a significantly higher price, from 150 euros and up.
Roller shutters or blinds differ in the material they are made of. There are various types, including aluminum, steel, PVC, and wood.
Before purchasing roller shutters online, it's essential to take the correct measurements of the light points where you want to install them, calculating both the length and width.
These measurements are calculated differently depending on the sliding guides they will have: if you have an exposed or external guide, you will have to measure the width of the window opening from wall to wall or marble to marble and then subtract a 0.8 cm tolerance from this measurement, 0.4 cm per side. The height of the roller shutter, on the other hand, must be calculated by measuring the window opening from the floor to the bottom of the box and adding to this measurement 20 cm to allow for the roller shutter to roll up in the box.
If you have a recessed slide, the height is calculated the same way as a visible slide, so the only difference is the width calculation: you measure it by taking the distance between the right and left sides inside the slide and then subtracting a 0.8 cm tolerance, 0.4 cm per side. This tolerance must always be calculated whether the slide is recessed or exposed.
After taking the correct measurements, you can customize them to suit your home, both in terms of colors—there are many for some materials—and the control mechanism, which can be manual or motorized; the material—wood, PVC, aluminum, and steel—and security, for example, by adding anti-burglary mechanisms.
The cost of roller shutters or blinds varies depending on the material you choose and any optional extras you wish to add.
PVC shutters are certainly among the most used shutters and, compared to aluminum shutters, combine affordable costs and functionality.
PVC stands for polyvinyl chloride, one of the most widely used plastics in the world. PVC shutters are custom-made, so it's essential to accurately measure the light fixtures in your home.
PVC is an excellent insulator and therefore, compared to aluminum, you will not have problems with heat and cold in your home and you will not have problems with external noises either, so you will have acoustic and thermal insulation .
Other advantages include good weather resistance, excellent value for money, and low maintenance.
The disadvantages of PVC shutters :
Adjustable roller shutters are roller shutters that can be adjusted like blinds. Their main feature is that, when installed in your rooms, they allow you to filter air, diffuse light, and protect you from the sun's rays.
Adjustable roller shutters are the most advanced version of standard roller shutters, combining the aesthetic beauty of shutters with the functionality of standard roller shutters. The rotation of their slats provides both security and privacy, while also providing excellent acoustic and thermal insulation. For this very reason, their purchase is eligible for eco-bonus tax incentives to improve your home's energy efficiency.
The advantages of adjustable shutters are many:
Like traditional roller shutters, adjustable roller shutters can be operated manually or motorized via a wall-mounted button panel or remote control. They can also be controlled remotely using a mobile phone app.
The motorized mechanism not only acts on the opening and closing of the adjustable shutters but it can also be used to adjust the degree of opening of the slats.
While they are quite sturdy, they are not completely burglar-proof. There are also models equipped with anti-lift systems and armored models.
You can choose the color and above all the material that best suits your home:
I'm Elia Caneppele, author of this article and founder of Windowo, the Italian shop specialising in the online sale of products for windows. My speciality is doing SEO for ecommerce, which, in simple terms, means getting people to find us on the Internet.
Since 2014 I have been a digital entrepreneur and, in addition to managing Windowo, I also deal with the communication of Autismo.it. I create content trying to convey as much value as possible to our customers.
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