How it is made · Rolling Shutter Guide
Are rolling shutters powder coated or painted, and how is the finish specified?
Roll-A-Shield prefers powder coating to paint for the aluminum parts it has colored: single-wall slats, guide rails, bottom bars, furring and boxes bought in mill finish. Insulated slats are formed from aluminum coil that arrives already in color. Powder holds up better in shipping than paint and needs no drying time before packing.
Key facts
- Insulated slats come in 7 colors and single-wall slats in 5. Roll-A-Shield data
- Furring (build-out) is 1 x 2 in rectangular aluminum tube, powder coated to match the shutter color. Roll-A-Shield data
- The local coating line takes parts up to 13 ft long; the larger lines Roll-A-Shield uses take up to 20 ft and 30 ft. Roll-A-Shield data
- A 224 in mill-finish extrusion is cut into an 11 ft (132 in) piece and a 7 ft 8 in piece so both run through the local line without a separate batch. Roll-A-Shield data
- Painted parts need drying time before they can be packed, and painted build-outs have been damaged in transit; powder-coated parts travel better. Roll-A-Shield data
Applies to: Roll-A-Shield rolling shutters: 38 mm and 55 mm insulated slats, 63 mm single-wall slats, guide rails, bottom bars, boxes and furring.
Is a rolling shutter powder coated or painted?
Powder coated, as a rule. Roll-A-Shield prefers powder coating to paint for the aluminum parts that are colored after they are made.
The reasons are practical:
- It travels better. Powder-coated parts hold up better through long-distance shipping; painted build-outs have arrived damaged.
- No drying wait. Painted parts need drying time after coating before they can be packed.
If you are thinking of repainting shutters you already own, see can I paint my rolling shutters? first.
Which parts are powder coated, and which arrive already finished?
It depends on how the part is made. Extruded parts are coated after extrusion; the foam-filled slats are made from aluminum that is colored before the slat is formed.
| Part | How it gets its color |
|---|---|
| Insulated slats, 38 and 55 mm | Formed from aluminum coil that is already in color; they arrive finished and are not powder coated by Roll-A-Shield |
| Single-wall slats, 63 mm | Powder coated |
| Guide rails and bottom bars | Powder coated |
| Furring (build-out tube) | 1 × 2 in aluminum tube powder coated to match |
| Boxes | Some colors are bought in mill finish and powder coated; black boxes arrive factory-finished |
The difference between the two slat families is covered on insulated vs extruded slats.
How is the powder finish specified?
Each color is specified as its own powder product with its own product code, and the colors offered depend on the slat type.
| Specification | Roll-A-Shield standard |
|---|---|
| Colors, insulated slats | White, Grey, Metallic, Bronze, Black, Beige, Sand (7) |
| Colors, single-wall slats | White, Metallic, Bronze, Black, Beige (5) |
Matching the parts. When one color is chosen for the whole shutter, it is carried to the box, slats, end slat and guide rails wherever that part is made in that color; where a part is not, the nearest standard color is picked, and the color of each part can be set on its own for a two-tone shutter. Colors are taken from the standard palette rather than custom-matched to a house or RAL color. See rolling shutter colors and finish for swatches and availability.
Where is the coating done?
Mostly on outside powder-coating lines. Many extrusions arrive already coated; others are bought in mill finish and coated afterwards, and a local coater handles small and quick-turn batches. Large runs go to lines that need big minimum loads, so low-volume colors are bought in mill finish and coated in smaller batches. Cutting, machining and assembly happen in Tempe; see how a rolling shutter is made.
How long a part can be powder coated?
Coating lines have a maximum part length, so long extrusions are planned around it.
| Line | Longest part |
|---|---|
| Local coating line | 13 ft |
| Larger coating lines | Up to 20 ft, and up to 30 ft |
For the local line, the shop's working limit is 11 ft (132 in) per piece. A 224 in mill-finish extrusion, for example, is cut into an 11 ft piece and a 7 ft 8 in piece so both run through the line without a separate batch and its extra setup cost.
Does the color change the lead time?
Sometimes. Color and material availability can lengthen lead time when the powder or a pre-finished part is not in stock, so the date for your color is confirmed when you order. The standard build time is about 10 business days; see how long a custom shutter takes.
How do I look after the finish?
Wash it with mild soap and water, twice a year; no pressure washer; not in extreme heat. Use dry silicone spray on guide rails only; never oil the motor or crank box. More on cleaning and maintaining rolling shutters, and for coastal homes, rolling shutters near the ocean.
What next
To see the colors on your house, request a quote or call (480) 921-0200. For prices, see how much rolling shutters cost.
Frequently asked questions
Are the box and rails the same color as the slats?
By default, yes: choosing one color for the shutter carries it to the box, slats, end slat and rails wherever that part is made in that color. Not every part comes in every color, so the nearest standard match is used, and two-tone combinations from the standard colors can be ordered.
Can you match my house color or an RAL color?
Shutters are built in Roll-A-Shield's standard colors, and the team helps you pick the one closest to your house. For anything outside the standard palette, call (480) 921-0200 before you order.
Does the color affect lead time?
It can. A color whose powder or pre-finished part is not in stock takes longer, so the date for your color is confirmed on the quote.
Can I paint my shutters a different color later?
Before repainting a factory finish, read Roll-A-Shield's guidance on painting rolling shutters. The factory finish itself needs only washing with mild soap and water, twice a year; no pressure washer; not in extreme heat.
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.