Roller shutters built towork every day, acrossPeterborough and London

Security roller shutters for shopfronts are typically made from galvanised or aluminium interlocking laths, sometimes perforated to allow visibility and some airflow into the shop when closed, which is popular with retailers who want the shutter down without the frontage looking completely blank. These shutters are usually electrically operated with a manual override, and locking is either integral to the bottom rail or via separate ground bolts depending on the level of security needed.

For higher-risk premises, solid lath shutters with reinforced bottom rails and anti-lift guides offer a stronger deterrent, and can be specified with insurance-rated locking mechanisms where a policy requires it. We survey the specific risk profile of the unit before recommending a specification, rather than fitting a standard shutter regardless of what the premises actually needs.

Industrial roller shutters used on loading bays and yard openings are built from heavier gauge steel or insulated slat construction, designed to withstand frequent cycling, vehicle proximity and weather exposure. Insulated shutters are increasingly common where the building behind needs temperature control, such as cold storage or food handling areas, and these use a double-skin lath with foam insulation between the layers.

Wind loading is a genuine consideration on larger industrial openings, particularly on exposed sites, and guide rail specification needs to account for this to prevent the shutter flexing or jumping the track in high winds. We factor this into the survey for any external, larger-format shutter.

Fire-rated roller shutters form part of a building's compartmentation strategy and are designed to close automatically on activation of the fire alarm system, sealing an opening to stop the spread of fire and smoke. These shutters use a fusible link or an electrically released drop-arm mechanism, and correct installation and commissioning is essential, since a shutter that fails to close fully defeats the entire purpose of the compartment line.

Because of their safety role, fire shutters need regular testing and maintenance, and this is an area where a planned maintenance contract is genuinely important rather than a nice-to-have, given the shutter's function is only ever proven in an actual fire event.

Manual shutters, operated by a push-up mechanism or a strap and pulley system, remain common on smaller units and low-frequency openings, and are simple to maintain but do rely on correctly balanced springs to operate smoothly. Electric shutters use a tubular or side-mounted motor, controlled by a keyswitch, remote, or integration with a building management system, and are the standard choice for higher-frequency commercial use.

Safety devices such as bottom edge safety sensors are a requirement on powered shutters to prevent injury or damage if something is caught beneath the shutter as it closes, and these need to be tested as part of any service visit, not just assumed to still be working.

Commercial roller shutters are specified for far higher cycle counts and heavier use than domestic garage-style shutters, and the steel gauge, motor rating and guide construction reflect that. A shutter cycling multiple times a day on a retail unit needs a different specification to one used a handful of times a week on a smaller residential application.

With correct installation and regular servicing, a well-specified roller shutter commonly runs for well over a decade, though springs, laths and motors do wear with cycle count and exposure, which is exactly what a planned maintenance contract is designed to catch early.