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Frequently Asked Questions

There are no Stupid Questions.  Any unanswered questions - Contact Us

"How expensive are roller shutters?"

This really depends on what type of roller shutter is required for the application.  The type of roller shutter will depend on the size of the opening, manual/electric operation, security requirements, vision/airflow, colour, and how you want to use the shutter.  Roller shutters are made to measure and priced to suit your application.  Below are some approx. prices, based on different scenarios.

The Lightweight Roller Shutter, which is ideal to close off an opening where security is not a high priority, ie; Bars, Serveries, Residential - For a size of approx 1m x 1m Manual Operation in White = £286 ex VAT and Delivery.

If you want something more heavy duty and electric operation, then the compact aluminium roller shutter will cost around £466 ex VAT and Delivery for a 1m x 1m opening.

For larger openings, the Metal Security Roller Shutters are ideal for commercial and shop fronts.  For an opening 5m x 2.5m, you will be looking at approx. £1126 ex VAT and Delivery.

For industrial openings, the price will depend on the number of uses and how it is controlled.  For a basic 3 Phase, Industrial Door approx 4m x 5m, you will be looking at approx. £2141 ex VAT and Delivery.


"Are Electric Roller Shutters, much more expensive than Manual Shutters?"


Not anymore! This was true until recently, but some models of electric shutters are now as cheap or cheaper than manual shutters. However, remote control systems will increase the price.  We suggest that you get a quote for both and you can see the difference.  You do need to take this into consideration. 


"What is the most cost effective type of roller shutter?"


This really depends on the size of the opening.  For smaller openings where Manual operation is required, the Lightweight Aluminium roller shutters are the most cost-effective type of roller shutter.  For larger openings and electric operation, the Single Skin Galvanised Steel Roller Shutters tend to be the most cost effective type of roller shutter.


"Are roller shutters worth it?"


Yes, they provide a Physical barrier and visual deterrant.  They also give you peace of mind that your property is safe from intruders when the property is empty or occupied.


"Are the Shutters Guaranteed?"


The Shutters are guaranteed against defect of material or workmanship, subject to the correct installation, maintenance, and operation for a period of 2 years from the date of purchase.   

In addition, the Tube Motors are guaranteed for 5 years against faulty materials and workmanship.

Where a warranty is upheld, we will supply all necessary parts to enable installers to complete satisfactory repairs.   The warranty terms does not extend to cover labour and consequential loss arising from any claim.


"What are the best roller shutters?"

This really depends on what you class as "Best"? 

Does this mean the Highest Level of Security?   Usually the higher the level of security, the more expensive the product.   We have a large range of Security Rated products that have been independently tested by the LPCB to LPS1175.  The products are tested using a variety of tools over a set period of time.  They start at Security Level 1 or Category A and go up to Level 6 and Category D.  You can read more on the security testing.

I think the best roller shutter, really depends on your application and budget.  Call our sales team today and we will help you select the Best Roller Shutter to suit your requirements.


"Do roller shutters block or reduce noise?"

Roller shutters are not tested for their acoustic properties, like our acoustic steel doors.   Some roller shutters can help reduce noise levels, normally the Insulated roller shutters.  As general rule, the thicker the slat insulation, the more it will help to reduce noise. 

The Insulated Roller Garage Doors and Insulated Industrial Doors have an insulated slat and brush seals in the guides, which help to reduce noise levels.   The Insulated Industrial Sectional Doors provide the most insulation, as the panels can go up to 67mm thick and provide a U Value of up to 0.51W/(m2k).


"Can you put roller shutters on sliding or bi fold doors?"

Yes.  The roller shutters can be fitted externally or internally to protect the doors.  A popular choice is the Compact Aluminium Roller Shutter, as it has a compact box and provides a neat solution.  For openings wider than 4m, the RA6 High Security Aluminium Roller shutter will cover up to 6m wide.  Usually these domestic roller shutters are electric operation, for ease of use.



"Can roller shutters be painted?"

New roller shutters can be easily painted a large range of BS or RAL colours during manufacture, using a powder coating process.  The items are degreased, electrically charged, then a powder is applied which sticks to the metal and then they are baked in an oven.  This provides a good hard wearing and long lasting finish.   

Painting existing roller shutters is not easy.  It is usually not financially viable to powder coat an existing roller shutter.  The shutter would need completely stripping down, then shot blasted and cleaned, powder coated and re-installed.  The majority of the time, these shutters are old anyway and its normally more cost effective to replace the whole shutter with a new shutter.

The most cost effective way to paint an existing roller shutter is to hand paint it.   Firstly, you will need to thoroughly clean down the roller shutter and sand off any flaking paint.   You will then need to apply an adhesion primer to suit the material of the roller shutter ie; Galvanised Steel or Aluminum.  You can then apply the Top Colour Paint to suit your requirements, which can be brushed or sprayed.   

Another option is to contact a local mobile car spray company, as they will come to the site and may be able to spray the roller shutter up for you.  They are already equipped with the paint and machinery.


"Do Roller Shutters need planning permission?"

Unless the building is listed, then I am not aware of any planning restrictions if the roller shutter is fitted internally.  Any roller shutters fitted externally may require planning permission.  We advise that you speak to your local planning department, who will advise on what is required. 

The majority of people don't bother going down the planning route, due to the time and costs.  People think that replacing old shutters or their next door neighbour has shutters, they won't need planning.  We have had customers that have ignored our advice and fitted the shutters without planning.  The local council has made them remove the shutters and then go through the planning process.

If planning allows roller shutters to be installed externally, they normally have a few requirements.  They usually like some sort of vision through the curtain, so the emergency services can see through the shutter if required.  They are also trying to get away from the solid metal looking shutter, which can look ugly.  They also require the roller shutter to be painted to compliment the building.  They don't want to see the silver metal roller shutters, that look industrial and ugly.


"My roller shutter won't go up?"

If your roller shutter won't go up, there are a few things you can check, before calling an engineer;

1)    Does your roller shutter have any mechanical locks?  If so, have they been disengaged?

2)    Is there power going to the shutter?  Have you checked the Power Supply?  Has the fuse/fuse board tripped?

3)    Is the shutter making any noises?  Is the motor trying to lift the shutter curtain?

4)    If your shutter has a control panel fitted, does it display any flashing lights or show any error codes?


"My roller shutter won't go down?"

This usually happens due to:

1)   Is the shutter within the guide rails at both sides?  It's common for window cleaners to push the curtain upwards, out of the guide rails.  When you then go to operate the shutter, the shutter just goes around in the box and no longer travels up and down within the guides.   Normally the curtain will hang below the box and within the guides by a minium of 50mm each side.

If this happens, then stop operating the shutter as this could cause damage to the shutter and motor.   If it is safe to do so, try and feed the curtain back into the guides rails, whilst someone is pressing the up and down button.  Be very careful not to trap your hands!!

2)   Do you have safety sensors fitted to your roller shutters?   If so, there could be a fault with the safety device.   If a safety device is not working correctly, then it will prevent the shutter closing, as it thinks there is a safety issue.   It could be something simple like it has come out of alignment or it could need a new battery.   If this is the case, then you can usually keep your finger pressed on the close button and it will override the safety.

Photo Cells -  These are usually hardwired, so don't need to worry about batteries.  On one side of the shutter, it will be Laser Beam, which fires a beam across the opening to a reflector.  If everything is OK, the reflector bounces the beam back to the sensor.  If the sensor doesn't receive the returning beam, it presume s there is a problem and won't allow the shutter to close.   

The reflector and sensor head can get dirty and prevent the beam from working correctly.  Simply wipe clean the reflector and sensor.   Photo cells can easily get knocked out of alignment, by people and animals.   You can simply try and re-align the sensors, by simply bending the sensor.  The sensors usually have LED lights which indicate they are paired up correctly.  I


SAFETY EDGE -  This is a rubber strip that runs along the bottom of the shutter curtain.  Inside the rubber strip, there is a laser beam, which runs the full width of the curtain.  If the rubber compresses, it stops the laser beam and the shutter will stop.

Some safety edges are Battery Operated and ideally need the batteries changing every 12 months.   If you have a battery safety edge, you will see some LED lights on the sensor box at the back of the shutter curtain.  If there are no lights, then the battery may need replacing.   Some control panels will also show that this is the issue.   Sometimes, the rubber can perish or become compressed.  If this is the case then you can try squash the rubber out or it may need replacing.



Any unanswered questions - Contact Us

 

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