Applications · Rolling Shutter Guide
Can rolling shutters enclose a patio, lanai or carport?
Yes. A patio, lanai or carport is usually closed with one shutter per bay, each running in its own guide rails between posts, with its box on the beam above. Because nothing stands behind the curtain, insulated-slat shutters should get a storm bar. One shutter can span up to 224 in on the 55 mm insulated slat.
Key facts
- Roll-A-Shield's measure sheet calls a storm bar highly recommended for patio and carport enclosures, or any shutter without a solid backstop, to help stop the slats being blown out in strong winds. Roll-A-Shield data
- Every shutter has its own box, guide rails and motor; two side-by-side motors can share one power feed, and one remote can run both. Roll-A-Shield data
- The widest single shutter is 224 in on the 55 mm insulated slat, 222 in on 63 mm single-wall and 159 in on 38 mm insulated, within each slat's area limit. Roll-A-Shield data
- Roll-A-Shield guide rails are 2.0875 to 3.346 in wide per side, depending on the slat, so each post needs a flat, solid face at least that wide to fasten a rail to. Roll-A-Shield data
- There is no standard product for a sloped slab: each one is a custom solution, and a U-channel bottom track cannot be used where people walk. Roll-A-Shield data
Applies to: Rolling shutters closing open-sided patios, lanais, porches and carports, any make; Roll-A-Shield shutters with 38 mm or 55 mm insulated or 63 mm single-wall slats, motorized or manual.
A shutter over a window has the wall and the glass right behind it. A shutter that encloses a patio, lanai, porch or carport has open air behind it, and that changes three things: how the openings are split, how the rails are mounted, and whether the curtain needs a storm bar. Roll-A-Shield encloses patios and carports often, including for seasonal owners who close everything up for the summer and leave furniture and carts inside.
How is a patio or carport laid out for shutters?
Usually one shutter per bay, between the posts. Every rolling shutter runs in its own pair of guide rails, so where two shutters meet, each needs a solid post or mullion to fasten its rail to.
- Each bay is its own shutter. Every shutter has its own box and its own motor; two shutters cannot share one housing or one motor.
- Power can be shared. One motor's power lead can be run into the next box, so power only has to be brought to one spot, and one remote can control several shutters.
- Measure the open space. The shutter only needs to cover the opening, not run ceiling to floor; the width then decides the box size.
- Wide open spans. A wide span is split into two shutters where there is a post or filler in the middle to split it at. If the span is completely open with nothing in the middle, talk it through with a rep before ordering.
What do the posts and beam need?
A flat, solid surface on each side for the rails, and a beam or header above for the box. Roll-A-Shield's rails are 2.0875 to 3.346 in wide per side, depending on the slat, so each post needs a flat face at least that wide. On individual recorded calls, staff have asked for at least 3 in of mounting surface on each side of the opening, and for the house, box and rails to sit on the same plane; treat those as examples and confirm your own openings with a rep.
Every structure is different, so send photos or have the openings measured before anything is ordered, so a rep can check the mounting surfaces.
How wide can one patio shutter be?
It depends on the slat, and on area as much as width.
| Slat | Widest clear opening | Tallest | Largest area |
|---|---|---|---|
| 38 mm insulated | 159 in | 216 in | 112 sq ft |
| 55 mm insulated (motorized only) | 224 in | 216 in | 156.5 sq ft |
| 63 mm single-wall | 222 in | 216 in | 200 sq ft |
Area usually binds before width: a full-width 55 mm shutter cannot also be full height. Beyond the limits, split the span into two shutters at a post; see Can one shutter cover a 16 to 20 ft opening?.
Does a patio shutter need a storm bar?
On insulated slats, usually yes. Roll-A-Shield's measure sheet calls a storm bar highly recommended for patio and carport enclosures, or any shutter that lacks a solid backstop, to help prevent the slats from being blown out or damaged in strong winds. With open air behind an insulated curtain, wind can push the slats back and out of the rails; there is no width rule, and the bar is chosen per shutter when it is ordered.
The alternative on a very exposed patio is the 63 mm single-wall slat with end retention, which holds the slats in the rails and never takes a storm bar. Full details: Does my patio shutter need a storm bar? and What is end retention?. A storm bar is a brace, not a wind rating; for tested figures, see How much wind can a rolling shutter take? and Are rolling shutters hurricane-rated?.
What if the slab slopes?
Carport and patio slabs often slope for drainage, and that is handled as a custom job. There is no standard sloped-floor product: the two side rails can be made to their own true lengths, with the box height set from the taller side. On a carport, the storm bar can be set to stop above the slope, or the low spot filled with concrete. A U-channel bottom track cannot be used where people walk, because it is a trip hazard. Photos of the slab at each post help.
Motor or manual?
Size usually decides it. Strap and crank operators are limited to a curtain of about 50 lb, and a big patio curtain passes that quickly; the 55 mm insulated slat is built only as a motorized shutter. Curtain weight is width x height x the slat's weight per square foot, divided by 144; see the weight table. Smaller openings, such as the panels of a screened porch, can use spring-loaded shutters that you reach up and pull down.
A wired motor needs a power source within 3 ft of the shutter; solar and battery motors need no wiring. Mains wiring is for a licensed electrician.
What about a lanai near the coast?
Near the coast, Roll-A-Shield recommends a motorized or single-wall shutter, does not recommend spring-operated units, and offers a rust-mitigation treatment. See Rolling shutters near the ocean.
What next
Send photos of each bay with its width and height, the posts and beam, and where power is. For pricing, see How much do rolling shutters cost?. In metro Phoenix a rep can measure on site; elsewhere, call (480) 921-0200 or request a quote.
Watch it done
Storm Bar Basics
The written steps on this page are the reference; the video shows the same job.
Frequently asked questions
How wide can one patio shutter be?
Up to 224 in (18 ft 8 in) of clear opening on the 55 mm insulated slat, or 222 in on the 63 mm single-wall slat, if the height stays inside the slat's area limit. Wider spans are split into two shutters at a post.
Can I enclose just one side of a carport?
Yes. A carport can be closed on one side to control access, or on every open side to enclose it fully.
Will shutters keep dust and rain off the patio?
They help a lot but do not seal it. Aluminum keeps out more water than a breathable fabric screen, but dust still moves through any gap, so expect less of it rather than none.
Does the shutter have to go from ceiling to floor?
No. It only needs to cover the opening; give the size of the open space, and the width sets the box size.
Parts and next step
Need a part or a hand?
Replacement motors, remotes, straps, slats and hardware ship from our Tempe, Arizona factory. Phoenix-area owners can book a service visit; everywhere else, our technicians help by phone. Call (480) 921-0200; the factory answers technical questions for any rolling shutter, not only ours.