Understanding Roller Shutters - Shutters & Blinds Sydney

Understanding Roller Shutters

May 17, 2018

Roller shutters are the best choice to be used on windows opening on to the outside of the house. Small sized roller shutters are also a good option of window furnishings in kitchens and washrooms.

If we look into the details of roller shutters extensively, we’ll find that they are window furnishing structures of interconnected slates made of metals. Roller shutters made of aluminium are fire resistant, and people living in the suburban areas of Sydney can find these window treatments to be a better option for the exterior facade of their houses.

Since roller shutters are different among all the other window furnishings due to their unique mechanism of working, let’s look at its components in a little more detail to understand how they come together to function so effectively.

Roller Shutters

Roller Shutter parts include the ff.:

Cheek Plate – Bearing the Full Load

The roller parts holding the curtain slates in their original position is supported by 2 load-bearing cheek plates. These cheek plates are sturdily attached to the building structure using adequate fittings. This allows them to take the full load and weight.

Flag Post – Providing Additional Support

Cheek plates are fixed at a vertical angle, but in some cases they are also attached to the top of the guide, giving these shutters the look of a flag post. The vertical angle of the guide is also latched on to the building structure to provide additional support. It also helps in the installation of the shutter.

Roller Assembly – Holding the Slates

The shutter slates are held in a fixed place by a full width roller. Cheek plates support the roller at each end. The roller consists of a steel tube with a tubular motor and a shaft that is fit at either side of the tube.

Tubular Motor – Assisting the Movement of Roller Shutters

Shutter’s overhead barrel assembly contains a tubular motor. The motor head that comes out of the barrel integrates a manual override crank handle. The electric wire network and limit switches control the maximum displacement of the shutter slates. The motor is also fit with a brake to hold the shutter static in its upper position.

Safety Brakes – a Precautionary Measure

These emergency brakes are fit to seize the plunge of the shutter in the case of an electrical or mechanical failure of the motor. The safety brakes will set off in two cases to bring the movement of the shutter to a complete halt.

When an operational brake of the motor is unable to hold the shutter in upper static position
If the shutter descends due to its own weight

You have to manually reset the brakes once they get activated in the case of sudden descent. Roller shutters that are not incorporated with safety brakes often have a bearing or U-Cup tied to the cheek plate to support the barrel.

Guides – Rail track of Roller Shutters

Guides are like rail tracks through which roller slates move up and down.

Curtains – Shutter’s Main Body

Curtains are basically the interconnected slates of aluminium, steel or any other material that are considered to be the main body of the shutter. The bottom section of the curtain is usually in an ‘L’ or ‘T’ shape to provide extra stiffness to the whole shutter setting.

Hood or Canopy Cover – Weather Protector

They are used to protect the curtain and barrel of roller shutters from the effects of weather. The instalment of the canopy is usually optional. You can also design canopies to increase the curb appeal of your house.

If you want to enhance the presence of aluminium shutters, have them anodized to provide a lustrous look. The finishing will also make your shutters more reflective and reduce the heat impact of sunlight. If you want quality roller shutters for your house or showrooms, then you should get in touch with a premium window furnishing store.