Rolling Shutter Guide
Repair and replacement
- Can I convert a manual rolling shutter to motorized?In many cases, yes, but as a service rather than a kit: Roll-A-Shield does not sell a motorize-later kit. A conversion normally replaces the axle with a larger one that has a tubular motor inside, sized by curtain weight, and adds power: a wired or radio motor needs a 120 V source within 3 ft, while solar needs no wiring.Read the guide →
- How do I lift a heavy rolling shutter curtain onto the axle?Don't lift it whole. Either use the shutter's motor as a winch, with mule tape tied from the axle through holes drilled in the top slat, or split the curtain into sections, hang one slat on the T-straps and slide the sections on one at a time, jogging the motor to wrap them. Use at least two people.Read the guide →
- I lost the keys to my rolling shutter lock. Can it be rekeyed?A shutter key can be copied by a hardware store or locksmith, but only from an original, and Roll-A-Shield does not keep copies. If every key is lost, the standard bottom-bar lock cannot be rekeyed, so Roll-A-Shield supplies a new lock plate for the bottom slat. Call (480) 921-0200 with a photo of the lock.Read the guide →
- Can a new motor go in my old rolling shutter?Usually yes. The box, guide rails and curtain can often stay, and only the tubular motor inside the roll tube is changed. The new motor must match the control type (wall switch or radio), lift the curtain's weight and fit the tube with the right crown and drive. Very old shutters with round axles may need a new axle.Read the guide →
- How do I replace the bottom bar (base slat) on a rolling shutter, including a locking one?Raise the shutter, take off the box cover and remove any stops on the back of the bottom bar. Roll the curtain up slightly, lift the bar out past the entry guides, remove its end fastener, slide the old bar off the last slat's hinge and the new one on, then reassemble and test.Read the guide →
- How do I replace a broken rolling shutter strap?Buy flat nylon strap at least three times the opening height. Lock the spring drum in a pull-strap box (or free the band on a crank box), pull the old strap out through the wall, feed the new one down through the diamond roller, cut it to length, slit the end and hook it on the drum or band.Read the guide →
- How do I replace or re-spool a rolling shutter crank box?First try cranking slowly the other way; most crank shutters that won't move with an intact strap are being cranked the wrong way. To replace the box, crank the strap out, unclamp it from the metal band, swap the box below the diamond roller, re-clamp the strap and crank clockwise. Never open the crank box.Read the guide →
- Can I replace just one damaged slat on a rolling shutter?Usually yes, without buying a whole curtain. Slats are joined by hinges and slide apart sideways, so the curtain is split at a hinge and the damaged slats are slid out and new ones slid in. Insulated slats are freed by clipping a side lock; end-retention slats by backing out a bolt. A mid-roll dent typically takes about four slats.Read the guide →
- How do I replace a rolling shutter pull-strap box?Lower the shutter fully, open the old box, unhook the strap from the spring drum and lock the drum with its locking tab. Unscrew the box, mount the new one at waist height directly below the diamond roller, hook the slit strap end on the drum lug, then release the spring so the strap coils.Read the guide →
- How do I replace a rolling shutter motor?Rule out power, the remote battery and thermal cut-out, then size the new motor by curtain weight, not square feet. With the shutter down and power off, open the box, drill out the end-cap and T-strap rivets, slide the tube out, move the crown and drive to the new motor, reinstall, have an electrician connect it, and reset the limits.Read the guide →
- How do I replace a rolling shutter wall switch?Buy an up/down shutter switch, not an ordinary on/off switch. Roll-A-Shield's are Decora-style paddles, momentary or maintained, and fit its shutters of any age. The switch is on a 120 V circuit, so a licensed electrician fits it with the power off; call Roll-A-Shield with your address to get the right one.Read the guide →
- How do I replace the slat curtain on a rolling shutter?The box and rails stay. With the cover off, free the bottom slat from the rails, then lower the curtain outside the rails, rolling it up by hand. Slide the old roll off the top slat, hang one new slat on the T-straps, slide the new roll onto it, feed the bottom slat into the rails and lower.Read the guide →
- How do I replace the weather seal, entry guides or end caps on a rolling shutter?Entry guides, at the top of each rail, come out once the box cover is off: each is held by one Phillips screw, and left and right differ. The bottom seal sits in a slot in the bottom bar and can be removed. An end cap carries the axle or motor, so changing one means supporting the roll: call first.Read the guide →
- What replacement crank handle or wand does my rolling shutter need?Match the fitting first. A crank box takes a short handle in its square opening. A universal joint below the shutter box takes a bell-ended wand, 5 ft long on Roll-A-Shield shutters. A hole in the box takes a 7 mm hex wand: 48 in for curtains under 72 in tall, longer above that.Read the guide →
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.