How Roller Shutters Work

Roller shutters are often used to protect shops and windows from vandals. They slide up and down over the front of the shop and lock into place. If you’re wondering how they work, we have put together a simple guide to teach you more about roller shutters.

The Basic Function of Roller Shutters

Essentially, roller shutters are slats of metal attached at the sides. They run up and down through tracks or guide channels set along the sides of the door. When in the up position, the curtain of metal slats rolled into a cylinder that sits above the door on the inside.

The metal slats are insulated, double layers of aluminium and they’re interconnected to make it almost impossible to get through. Intruders will need to have some tools to make it through these shutters and most won’t even attempt once they’ve seen the security measures in place.

Parts of a Roller Shutter

There are many parts that make up the roller shutter. These include:

Bearing: This is fitted into the cheek plate and it helps maintain barrel movement as long as the brake isn’t activated.

Bottom Rail: At the bottom of the curtain, you’ll find a sturdier rail that is built in the shape of a T or an L. This has extra support to prevent entry and it is also what is connected to the bottom.

Canopy Cowl: This helps protect the roller workings and curtain from the elements and sits above the door. It’s also a security measure.

Cheek Plate: The finish or end plates hold the shutter in place. They can hold the entire weight of the curtain and maintain the upper part of the door.

Guides: These U-shaped guides run down the sides of the doorway and the shutter rolls or slides within them.

Flag Post: This supports the cheek plate. It’s welded to the highest guide and angled to help the installer get the shutter into place. It also provides extra support.



Roller Assembly: The roller assembly is between the cheek plates and contains a hollow motor in the roller. It simply rolls up the curtain or rolls it out, depending on the need.

Safety Brake: The brake is needed to help ensure the shutter doesn’t slam down. This is only necessary though if the motor fails.

Slat Curtain: The metal slats make up the majority of this curtain, but it also has tubes and links to help keep it strong and hold everything together. As you can see, roller shutters are far more than they seem. If you really want to improve the security in your space, this is the best method to do so.

Need a security roller shutter installed? Shuretech can help. We offer a range of security shutters and grilles for your security needs. Get in touch with us today to discuss your requirements.