Slats, materials and performance · Rolling Shutter Guide
What are the specifications of 38 mm, 55 mm and 63 mm rolling shutter slats?
Roll-A-Shield builds three slats: a 38 mm insulated slat (1 1/2 in face, 3/8 in thick, up to 159 in wide), a 55 mm insulated slat (2 3/16 in face, 9/16 in thick, up to 224 in wide) and a 63 mm single-wall extruded slat (2 1/2 in face, up to 222 in wide). All reach 216 in tall.
Key facts
- Largest shutter by slat: 38 mm insulated 159 in wide or 112 sq ft; 55 mm insulated 224 in or 156.5 sq ft; 63 mm single-wall 222 in or 200 sq ft. Roll-A-Shield data
- Sizing weights used to choose the motor, spring and axle: 0.92 lb per sq ft (38 mm), 1.11 (55 mm), 1.14 (63 mm solid) and 0.98 (63 mm perforated). Roll-A-Shield data
- The area limit usually binds before width times height: a 159 in wide 38 mm shutter caps at about 101 in tall. Roll-A-Shield data
- The 55 mm insulated slat is made only in the vented form and only with a motor. Roll-A-Shield data
- The 63 mm single-wall slat always runs in an end-retention rail and cannot be vented. Roll-A-Shield data
Applies to: Roll-A-Shield 38 mm and 55 mm insulated (foam-filled, roll-formed aluminum) slats and the 63 mm single-wall extruded aluminum slat, solid and perforated. Figures are Roll-A-Shield's own; other makers' slats with similar names differ.
A rolling shutter slat is named by its face height in millimeters. Roll-A-Shield builds three profiles: two insulated slats (roll-formed aluminum around a polyurethane foam core) and one single-wall extruded aluminum slat, which also comes perforated. The tables below are Roll-A-Shield's own figures, taken from the factory configurator that every order is built from; other makers' "38 mm" or "55 mm" slats are different profiles with different limits.
What are the dimensions of each slat?
Face height is the visible height of one slat in the curtain; thickness is the overall depth of the profile, front to back.
| Slat | Construction | Face height | Thickness |
|---|---|---|---|
| 38 mm insulated | Roll-formed aluminum, foam core | 1 1/2 in (38 mm) | 3/8 in (about 9.5 mm) |
| 55 mm insulated | Roll-formed aluminum, foam core | 2 3/16 in (55 mm) | 9/16 in (about 14 mm) |
| 63 mm single-wall | Extruded aluminum | 2 1/2 in (63.5 mm) | 1/2 in (12.7 mm) |
| 63 mm perforated | Extruded aluminum, perforated | Same 63 mm profile as the solid slat | Same |
The spec sheets also list an overall "total height" for each profile: 1.8 in for the 38 mm slat, 2.6 in for the 55 mm slat and 2.7 in for the 63 mm slat.
How big can a shutter be with each slat?
Each slat has three limits that apply at once: a maximum width, a maximum height and a maximum area of the opening.
| Slat | Maximum width | Maximum height | Maximum area |
|---|---|---|---|
| 38 mm insulated | 159 in (4,039 mm) | 216 in (5,486 mm) | 112 sq ft (10.4 m2) |
| 55 mm insulated | 224 in (5,690 mm) | 216 in (5,486 mm) | 156.5 sq ft (14.5 m2) |
| 63 mm single-wall, solid | 222 in (5,639 mm) | 216 in (5,486 mm) | 200 sq ft (18.6 m2) |
| 63 mm single-wall, perforated | 222 in (5,639 mm) | 216 in (5,486 mm) | 200 sq ft (18.6 m2) |
These are the largest sizes Roll-A-Shield will build. Insulated shutters wider than 145 in (38 mm) or 216 in (55 mm), larger than 86 or 129 sq ft, or taller than 180 in on any slat, are reviewed by the factory before they are confirmed.
The area limit is usually the one that binds. A 159 in wide 38 mm shutter, for example, can be only about 101 in tall before it reaches its area limit. Openings wider than a single shutter are split into two; see covering a very wide opening.
How much does each slat weigh?
The configurator sizes the motor, spring and axle from a sizing weight per square foot of curtain. These figures include a safety margin, so they run slightly above the bare weight of the slat.
| Slat | Sizing weight |
|---|---|
| 38 mm insulated | 0.92 lb per sq ft |
| 55 mm insulated | 1.11 lb per sq ft |
| 63 mm single-wall, solid | 1.14 lb per sq ft |
| 63 mm single-wall, perforated | 0.98 lb per sq ft |
Curtain weight in pounds = width (in) × height (in) × sizing weight ÷ 144. A 48 in × 48 in curtain in the 38 mm slat therefore weighs about 15 lb for sizing; the same opening in the 55 mm slat is about 18 lb. Strap and crank operators stop at a curtain of about 50 lb; heavier curtains need a spring or a motor. For whole-shutter weights, see How much does a rolling shutter weigh?.
Which options go with each slat?
The slat decides which venting, rail, operator and colors are available.
| Option | 38 mm insulated | 55 mm insulated | 63 mm single-wall |
|---|---|---|---|
| Venting | Vented (standard) or non-vented | Vented only | Cannot be vented; the perforated slat is the see-through version |
| End retention | Not available | Not a standard option | Always, in every other slat or every slat |
| Operators | Pull strap, crank, spring, battery or motor | Motor only | Mainly motor or spring; ask about other manual operators |
| Colors | 7 | 7 | 5 |
| Box sizes (by curtain height) | 6.5 to 9 in; 10 in for curtains over 134 in | 8 in and up, by curtain height | 6.5 to 12 in |
The full color list is on Rolling shutter colors and finish, and the box chart by curtain height is on Why do taller shutters need bigger boxes?. Changing from an insulated slat to the single-wall slat also changes the guide rails, because single-wall curtains run in an end-retention rail.
Why do the spec sheets show different maximum widths?
Older Roll-A-Shield spec sheets and brochures quote rounded or out-of-date widths (12, 18, 19 and 20 ft appear in different documents). The figures on this page come from the configurator that checks every order, so they are the ones that apply. If a document you hold disagrees, ask for a current drawing; see Spec sheets, drawings and samples.
Which slat should I choose?
Choose by the job first and the size second: insulated slats for heat, noise and light control on homes, the single-wall slat for security, wide spans and storm exposure. The comparison is on Foam-filled vs extruded aluminum slats. Prices by size are on How much do rolling shutters cost?, or call (480) 921-0200.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between the 38 mm and the 55 mm slat?
Both are insulated (roll-formed aluminum with a polyurethane foam core). The 55 mm slat is taller and thicker, spans wider openings (up to 224 in against 159 in) and is sold only motorized and vented. The 38 mm slat suits smaller openings and every operator, including straps, cranks and springs.
How thick is the aluminum in the slats?
The thickness figures published here are the overall depth of each profile, not the metal wall. Roll-A-Shield does not publish a wall gauge for its slats; if a project specification needs one, call (480) 921-0200.
Can one shutter cover a very wide opening?
Only up to a point. The widest single shutter is 224 in (55 mm insulated) or 222 in (63 mm single-wall), so wider openings are split into two shutters.
Is the 55 mm slat available with a strap or crank?
No. The 55 mm insulated slat is offered only with a motor. For a manual shutter, the 38 mm insulated slat takes a pull strap, crank or spring.
Parts and next step
Need a part or a hand?
Need drawings or a submittal for a project, or not sure which slat fits your opening? Send the opening sizes and we will spec it. Call (480) 921-0200; the factory answers technical questions for any rolling shutter, not only ours.