Roller shutters for full blackout
A roller shutter is the only shading that gives full blackout and protects the window from the weather at the same time. We fit external shutters with a cassette, and retrofit versions onto existing joinery.
Blackout a curtain cannot give
The shutter comes down in front of the glass and the slats seat against each other, so light only enters through the ventilation slots if there are any. That is why shutters go on bedrooms and children's rooms — sleeping in daylight in summer is not the same as sleeping in the dark.
Besides light, a shutter also stops the view in. When it is down the room is closed off from the street as well, with no need for an extra curtain.
Extra insulation, winter and summer
A layer of air stays between the lowered shutter and the glass. In winter that layer slows heat loss through the window; in summer it stops the sun from heating the glass — which is more effective than any internal shading, because the heat is stopped before it gets in.
That is why shutters make most sense on south and west facing windows: that is where the sun hits hardest at the hottest part of the day.
External, retrofit and motorised
- External with cassette — the cassette is built in together with the window and usually stays hidden in the façade. The cleanest solution, but it has to be done alongside the joinery.
- Retrofit — the cassette mounts outside above an existing window. The answer when the joinery stays and a shutter is added later.
- Strap — the classic webbing pull, cheap and needing no power.
- Motorised — driven by a switch or remote. Necessary on large heavy shutters and convenient on high windows.
Cassette and slat colour
Cassette and slats are made in a colour that matches the joinery — white with white, anthracite with anthracite, or a wood finish. On retrofit shutters the cassette is visible from outside, so the colour has the greatest effect on how the façade looks.
Specification
| Slat material | PVC or aluminium |
|---|---|
| Version | External with cassette, retrofit |
| Operation | Strap or motor |
| Motor | Switch or remote |
| Effect | Full blackout |
| Colours | Matched to joinery, RAL |
| Fits | Existing windows too |
Frequently asked questions
Can shutters be fitted to existing windows?
Yes, with the retrofit version. The cassette mounts outside above the opening, the guide rails at the sides, and the joinery stays as it is. At the measuring visit we check there is enough room above the window for the cassette.
Can a strap be replaced with a motor later?
On most shutters it can. A motor goes into the roller tube in place of the strap mechanism, and a power supply has to reach the cassette — which is the bulk of the work if the wiring was not prepared.
How is a shutter cleaned?
Wash the slats while the shutter is down, with water and a soft cloth, from the outside. Do not use abrasives, as they scratch the slat surface. Clear dust from the guide rails now and then so the shutter runs without snagging.
Related services
Measure before you decide.
Measuring is free, and the quote comes back with every item priced separately.