Parts, boxes, rails and mounting · Rolling Shutter Guide
What screws do I use to mount a rolling shutter on stucco, brick, wood or metal?
Use Tapcon screws 1-1/4 to 3 in long in brick or concrete, self-drilling screws at least 3/4 to 1-1/2 in long in metal, 2 to 3 in wood screws in wood, and 4 to 6 in wood deck screws through stucco. Every screw head must be smaller than 3/8 in, and the box must go into a strong, stable structure.
Key facts
- Roll-A-Shield's install guides recommend Tapcon 1-1/4 to 3 in (brick or concrete), self-drilling at least 3/4 to 1-1/2 in (metal), wood screws 2 to 3 in (wood) and wood deck screws 4 to 6 in (stucco). Roll-A-Shield data
- Whatever the wall, the screw head must be smaller than 3/8 in. Roll-A-Shield data
- The box takes one screw in each corner near the metal safety plates, plus a third in the middle if the shutter is over 8 ft wide. Roll-A-Shield data
- The parts kit includes a bag of standard fasteners and the square-drive screws that pin a U-channel to the rails; buy screws to suit any other wall. Roll-A-Shield data
- On metal studs use self-tapping screws, not the wood screws that ship in the box. Roll-A-Shield data
Applies to: Surface-mounted and recessed rolling shutters of any make fixed to brick, concrete, block, metal, wood or stucco; the fastener guidance in Roll-A-Shield's current install guides for every operator type.
On a self-installed rolling shutter you often buy the mounting screws yourself, and the right ones depend on the wall. This table comes from the appendix printed in every Roll-A-Shield install guide; the rest of the page covers which screws come in the box, how many go where, and how tight to make them.
Safety: The shutter box must be securely fastened to a strong, stable structure. A box that is not securely mounted can come loose and damage property or injure someone.
Which screws for which wall?
The screw type changes with the wall; the head-size rule does not.
| Wall | Screw | Length | Head |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brick or concrete | Tapcon | 1-1/4 to 3 in (32 to 76 mm) | Smaller than 3/8 in (9.5 mm) |
| Metal | Self-drilling | At least 3/4 to 1-1/2 in (19 to 38 mm) | Smaller than 3/8 in (9.5 mm) |
| Wood | Wood screws | 2 to 3 in (51 to 76 mm) | Smaller than 3/8 in (9.5 mm) |
| Stucco | Wood deck screws | 4 to 6 in (102 to 152 mm) | Smaller than 3/8 in (9.5 mm) |
The same table appears in the guide for every operator type, strap and crank, spring, switch, remote, solar and battery. If the wall is framed with metal studs, use self-tapping screws rather than wood screws.
Which screws come with the shutter?
The parts kit includes a bag of standard fasteners and the rail plugs. Roll-A-Shield normally supplies screws for mounting into wood; on concrete or another wall, plan to buy your own to suit. The kit also has the square-drive screws used to pin a U-channel to the rails. How many rail screws you need varies with the size of the shutter, because the rails come pre-drilled at intervals set by the size of the shutter.
How many screws go where?
Every part has its own count.
| Part | Screws | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Guide rails | One in each pre-drilled hole | Smaller holes go against the wall, larger holes face out |
| Shutter box | One in each corner near the metal safety plates | Add a third in the middle if the shutter is over 8 ft wide |
| U-channel (if used) | One at the center to fix it | Then pinned to the rails with the supplied square-drive screws, through a 9/64 in hole about 1/4 in from each outer edge |
| Anti-lift brackets (manual) | Three each | Inside the box, on the back wall |
| Diamond roller (strap) | Two | Over the strap hole |
| Pull-strap box | Two | Directly below the diamond roller |
| Crank box | Four | Directly below the diamond roller |
How tight should the screws be?
Snug at first, then tight, but never overtightened. Fix the rails snug so they can still be adjusted, and tighten them only after the box is seated and screwed in.
- Box screws: overtightening can distort the box and make the slat roll rub.
- Rail and U-channel screws: most walls are not perfectly flat, and overtightening can warp or obstruct the rails.
- If the shutter sticks after installation, adjust the tightness of the rail or U-channel screws until it runs freely.
How do I fix the rails and box to the wall?
Pre-drill every hole, then screw. You need a drill with Phillips and square bits, a drill bit extension, bits to pre-drill for your screws, a large level, a pencil, your screws, and caulk.
- Hold each rail in place, plumb and level (on a U-channel, flush with its end), and mark its mounting holes.
- Remove the rail and pre-drill a hole for each screw.
- Screw the rail to the wall snug, not tight. Check that the distance between the rails is the same at the top and the bottom.
- With the box seated in the rails and the curtain down, drive one screw in each box corner near the metal safety plates, plus a third in the middle if the shutter is over 8 ft wide.
- Tighten the rail and U-channel screws without overtightening.
- Run the shutter up and down several times and adjust screw tightness if it sticks.
- Fit the plastic rail plugs into the holes on the front of the rails and seal the perimeter with caulk. Use a paintable caulk, not silicone.
On an end-retention rail, the screws go into a channel that is then hidden by a snap-on aluminum cover instead of plugs.
What if trim or a handle sticks out from the wall?
Fit furring first. If a doorknob, window hinge or trim stands proud of the wall, furring strips go on the wall to give the rails a flat, plumb surface, lined up with the outside of the shutter. See What is furring (build-out)?.
Stop: If you cannot find solid structure to screw the box into, or the wall crumbles as you drill, stop and call (480) 921-0200 before you hang the shutter.
Frequently asked questions
Does a rolling shutter come with screws?
The parts kit includes a bag of standard fasteners, normally wood screws, and the square-drive screws that pin a U-channel to the rails. For brick, concrete, metal or stucco, buy screws to suit the wall from the table.
Does the screw head size matter?
Yes. Roll-A-Shield's install guides require a head smaller than 3/8 in for every wall type, so check the head size as well as the length when you buy.
Can I use the wood screws from the kit on metal studs?
No. Metal studs need self-tapping screws; the wood screws that ship in the box are for wood.
How tight should the guide rail screws be?
Snug while you set the shutter up, then tightened once the box is in place, but never overtightened: most walls are not perfectly flat, and overtightening can warp or obstruct the rails.
Parts and next step
Need a part or a hand?
Not sure what your wall is made of, or whether it will hold the shutter? Send a photo of the opening and wall before you order or install. Call (480) 921-0200; the factory answers technical questions for any rolling shutter, not only ours.