Roller shutters

TYPES OF ROLLER SHUTTERS

Standard roller shutters fully cover windows, block light, and provide effective thermal and acoustic insulation. They help maintain optimal indoor temperatures in both summer and winter, making them suitable when indoor comfort and energy efficiency are priorities.

Perforated (VISION) roller shutters feature a lighter construction – the perforations in the profiles allow daylight to pass through, ensure air circulation, and give the facade a modern appearance. However, due to the perforations, they offer lower thermal insulation and are more suitable when light transmission and visual lightness are desired.

COMPONENTS

Roller shutters consist of a slat profile, a housing in which the slats roll up, a tube inside the housing, guide rails, and a control mechanism. These shutters can be mounted on the window frame, within a recess, on the recess, on the wall, or integrated into the window frame.

The height and thickness of the moving slats (curtain) are important for roller shutters. Larger and thicker slats result in stronger, more durable shutters. This type of roller shutter meets Class III wind resistance standards.

MECHANISM COLORS (housing, guide rails, bottom profile, slats): white, gray, anthracite, brown.

ALUMINUM PROFILES

Two types of aluminum profiles are used – classic “warm” profiles with a polyurethane core, and extruded aluminum profiles – strong and durable.

Aluminum is mechanically robust, weather-resistant, and does not rust. All components are painted, providing additional mechanical protection, the desired color finish, and better integration with the building’s color scheme.

Polyurethane is currently the building material with the best thermal insulation properties, with a thermal conductivity of 0.021 W/mK – approximately 40% lower than commonly used insulation materials such as mineral wool or expanded polystyrene (thermal conductivity 0.037 W/mK). Therefore, polyurethane of the same thickness is 40% more thermally efficient than mineral wool or polystyrene foam.

A layer of stationary air forms between the roller shutters and the window glass, acting as an additional thermal insulation layer. If the interior of the shutter slats is filled with polyurethane instead of being hollow, this provides additional mechanical strength, enhanced thermal insulation, and improved acoustic insulation.

MAIN FEATURES OF STANDARD ROLLER SHUTTERS

• Designed to protect windows of residential, storage, and commercial buildings (including display windows, salons, and shops).
• Suitable for covering not only windows but also doors and garage gates.
• Protects windows from breakage (e.g., near basketball courts, tennis courts, or intentional vandalism).
• Prevents unwanted visibility from passersby.
• Reduces external noise entering through windows (including rain hitting the glass) by up to 10 decibels.
• Contributes to building energy efficiency: reduces heat loss during the cold season and helps maintain cooler indoor temperatures during the warm season.
• Room darkening:

*Near-complete darkening when shutters are slightly raised, with some light passing through gaps between individual slats.

*Partial adjustable darkening when shutters are partially raised.

*Complete darkening when shutters are fully lowered, protects windows from dust, wind, and hail.

MAIN FEATURES OF PERFORATED (VISION) ROLLER SHUTTERS

• Made of durable aluminum profiles with perforations.
• Reduces the need for artificial lighting.
• Ensures air circulation without additional openings.
• Provides lower thermal insulation due to perforations in the profiles.
• Modern, lightweight construction suitable for various building facades.
• Applicable in both commercial and private spaces.

Roller shutters can be operated manually (using a cord, crank, or spring mechanism) or automatically (using a motor with a lock, switch, or remote control). Shutters can be programmed to rise automatically in the morning and lower in the evening.

The control method is generally selected based on the weight of the roller shutters. Lighter constructions are suitable for simpler and less expensive cord operation, while heavier shutters are better operated with a crank or automatic system.

CORD OPERATION – the most economical option. A cord is installed in the roller shutter housing and guided through the window frame into the interior. Pulling the cord rotates the tube inside the housing, raising or lowering the shutter curtain. This method is recommended for shutters weighing up to 5 kg.

CRANK AND CORD OPERATION – designed for heavier constructions and is more expensive. The shutters are raised and lowered using a special rotating crank. A larger shutter housing with a built-in gearbox is required. The crank is guided through the window frame or wall into the interior. This method is suitable for lifting heavier roller shutters.

SPRING MECHANISM OPERATION – ideal when operation from the exterior is desired. A strong spring is installed in the shutter housing to facilitate movement. Pulling the shutter curtain from below raises it, with the spring automatically rolling it into the housing. Lowering is done manually by pulling the curtain down. Spring operation can include a lock installed at the bottom of the shutters, providing convenient exterior operation.

AUTOMATIC OPERATION – a motor installed in the shutter housing raises and lowers the shutter curtain. DEXTERA roller shutters use motors manufactured by Somfy.