With the evolving needs of both residential and commercial spaces, the once perfect roller shutter door may no longer meet your requirements. Whether it's due to heightened security needs, increased vehicular height, or the simple desire for a more convenient access option, upgrading your roller shutter door can be a transformative choice. This comprehensive guide will delve into increasing the height of your roller shutter but also convert it from a manual to an electric operation, addressing common concerns and providing expert advice.

Before diving into the specifics of the upgrade, it's vital to understand the underlying reasons for such a decision. Are you looking to accommodate taller vehicles, seeking better security measures, or perhaps wanting to enhance ease of use for daily operations? Recognising your primary motivator is the first step in ensuring a seamless upgrade process.

One of the most common requirements in upgrading roller shutters is increasing their height. This might be necessary due to changes in vehicle sizes, usage of the space, or enhanced security measures.

Assessing Structural Integrity: The first step involves a professional assessment of your existing space and shutter's structural integrity. Can the current architecture support a taller door, or are modifications necessary for the surrounding walls and ceiling?

Considering the Roller Shutter Design: The Roller shutter has been specifically designed and build to suit the size of the opening. Making the shutter taller will require additional slats, which will means additional weight. The existing door has not been designed to carry this additional weight.

Coil Sizes: Increasing height of the door will require additional slats, which in turn will increase the weight and coil of the curtain. Does the the shutter box have enough room for additional slats.

Expert advice is paramount in this phase to avoid structural compromise, ensuring your roller shutter provides security and convenience without posing risks due to improper installation.

Modernising your roller shutter door involves embracing the convenience of automation. Here's how and why you should consider this upgrade:

Ease of Operation: Electric roller shutters enhance user experience by eliminating the physical effort needed with manual types, ideal for frequent daily use.

Advanced Security Features: Automated systems come with options for advanced security measures, like integrated alarms or direct connections to security systems, offering peace of mind.

Professional Installation: This process involves intricate electrical work and fitting of the motorised system. Hiring experienced professionals guarantees safe installation, ensuring all safety protocols and electrical standards are met.

Maintenance Considerations: While electric roller shutters are a convenience, they do require regular maintenance checks to ensure the motor and electrical components remain in top working condition.

Unfortunately, there are a lot of doors in use that are not fitted with a safety brake. The brake is designed to kick in, if the motor/spring/chain snaps, which prevents the doors dropping like a guillotine. Safety Brakes are a legal requirement on all shutters fitted over doorways. It is the responsibility of the building owner/occupier to ensure the doors are safe.

A lot of the doors that don't have brakes fitted are usually very old. The old parts are not generally available or they are in poor condition. Retro fitting a safety brake is generally a very big and costly job. Generally its more cost effective to replace the whole axle assembly.

Upgrading your roller shutter door is not without its challenges. Here are potential issues and how to preemptively address them:

Budgeting Appropriately: Upgrades are investments. While initial costs for these enhancements may be significant, the convenience, security, and efficiency pay off in the long run. Plan your budget with unexpected contingencies in mind.

Dealing with Downtime: Construction or installation work means temporary downtime for your entryway. Schedule your upgrades during a less busy period or arrange alternative access points to minimize disruptions.

Compliance with Regulations: Upgrades should always be compliant with local building regulations and standards. If you alter an existing door, then by law you must bring it up to the latest safety standards. Professional installers can help navigate these requirements, ensuring your new roller shutter door is up to code.

Upgrading your roller shutter door is NOT straight forward, we would advise getting professional advice before you consider the upgrade. Security Direct would normally recommend replacing the full door with a new door to suit your new requirements. Initially this can be slightly more expensive, but it ensures the door is fit for purpose, safe to use and CE Marked. With a new door you will get a Warranty for long term peace of mind and it fully compliant with the latest regulations. Any parts used for upgrading come with no warranty and can lead to issues and unreliability.

Contact our Sales Team today for advice or a quotation.