We are thinking of buying and installing roller shutters on our windows. We would like to review and research the claims made by companies as to their security, insulation, noise muffling, etc, but we cannot find any independent reviews of roller shutters.
Choice mention them briefly in a paragraph on insulation. There are claims of 50% cooler and 60% warmer, fire protection, etc online by the manufacturers/vendors.
I would really like to find some independent reviews and comparisons.
Can you help? Have you installed roller shutters? What are your real-life views?
Totally worth it Greg. I bought one ten years ago to shield a sliding door that got heavy weather in winter and hot location in summer and it made that room liveable. They need to be cleaned and the mohair replaced after five years to stop them rattling but they do keep out the weather and dull traffic noise to some extent. The fire claims are rubbish - they give no more protection that heavy drapes because they will just melt and fall apart.
The only issue is their marketing ploy where they give you a huge discount on other stuff you probably don’t need, but if you ignore that stuff and just say you want the best price up front without the discounts for pointless maintenance on your roof or whatever and put down a minimal deposit to seal the deal you should be happy. Shop around as they vary in price and don’t get drawn into putting them where you don’t want them and you’ll be ok.
I fortunately live in a fairly safe ‘n’ secure country town and when I occasionally have need to travel through the burb’s I reckon the number of homes with roller shutters on windows defines the area. A lot of homes to me suggest a higher crime rate than normal.
There are two things that have struck me as negatives about roller shutters, first is the issue of egress through a shuttered window in an emergency and second is when you see a house with all the shutters down it screams that the house is empty and all the occupants are away either at work or holidays etc, it must appear so inviting to the nefarious.
An alternative to roller shutters for certain heat issues are outdoor sunscreen blinds. They do not have the connotations of local crime that @tndkemp mentioned re roller doors.
They are essentially a perforated material. I put one on a double garage door sized window that takes direct sun for 4 months of the year and warmed the room to a pretty uncomfortable level when it was not cloudy in the morning.
I remain pleased and surprised at how effective it is as a heat shield. As @mael alluded, there are some dodgy companies and dodgy sales people in the business so doing one’s homework is imperative.
It would be wise to carefully check out the vendors, installers and support options. Particularly if you live in a rural district. They don’t like to travel more than 40km. Beware of dodgy L10 motors. We’ve had 4 fail in 8 years and little or no support. Also beware of dodgy installers and firms that go bankrupt or sell on so you get no support or backup at all.
If your main concern is fire rating, there are shutter makers who specialise in these. As our house burnt down in a bushfire in 2014, I researched these thoroughly for rebuilding. I don’t know if we are allowed to provide names of specific suppliers, however, if you do a search for BAL rated shutters (bushfire attack level) you will no doubt find some. In order to be BAL rated they must have independent proof to back up such claims, which these makers have. They are expensive though. The domestic run-of-the mill roller shutter suppliers make claims about being effective against fire but I could not find any that were BAL rated with the evidence to back it up.
Thanks lcowans. After my sister’s experience in Rivett in Canberra a few years back when the fires roared through residential areas, I would like to get ones with a decent fire rating. We could easily get grass fires within a few 100m from our house.
The BAL rating is something new to me, and I will definitely be using as a reference and factor in my decision.
Certainly worth it Greg. At my old house (SE Qld) I had a motorised one on the western window (in the Lounge) which cut heat and glare dramatically. I had no hesitation in putting roller shutters on the two bedroom windows that face west here in the new SE Qld house. Again they are working a treat.
Thanks mcziel2. This was much of what I was expecting from roller shutters. And with the Sun seemingly getting hotter year by year, roller shutters sound like a good way to go.
I’m also wondering how their insulation properties are…to keep the heat in when using the heater in winter, and keeping the house cool in summer without overusing the aircon.
I have had one installed on my bedroom window for 15 years, I had similar ones fitted to the other two front windows for about 12 years as well as one on a back window. The cost for each of them was about half the cost of the original. Many more suppliers on the market. I have only had problems with the original replacing a roller and strap twice. Hand wound.
Keeps the room darker and quiet, sleep better and longer. Keeps heat out in summer, front faces the descending sun. Keeps heat in in winter, one has only to feel the temperature difference between window uncovered and those with shutters shut. Boon for shift workers!
I am looking to getting outdoor shutters on all my windows and sliding doors for extra security and I would like to get some comparisons on which are the best and good value.
There have been some discussion on the site regarding shutters. I have included links that might help you (one discusses AirCons but there are parts that may help you):
Doing a search of the site on shutters or similar terms should get you a few hits that might help as well.
I’m also sure you will get further great advice from those who respond to your topic.
I have moved your post to the first thread @grahroll referred you to, as I think these people would be best to assist you with information on roller shutters.
Roller shutters that are metal, are secured in a side track and have an automated mechanism at the top of the opening to roll up the shutter when not in use.
External hinged shutters (plantation shutters) manually opened and closed, with fixed louvres or adjustable louvres.
If you require security, for either option the shutters need to be securely installed. The shutters and installation requirements will need to comply with the applicable Australian Standard, EG AS5039/5041.
Depending on your state there may be additional requirements to be met re the sale and installation of security equipment.
Depending on design roller shutters are typically marketed as providing insulation benefits, and noise reduction. They also block light and ventilation as a consequence.
Deciding your priorities and needs for convenience might point towards a particular design option. It’s also worth considering that systems designed to secure a property can work against occupants in the instance of the need to escape. EG house fire, flood etc. Our choices have put escape ahead of security.
