Repair and replacement · Rolling Shutter 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.
Key facts
- On Roll-A-Shield shutters each plastic entry guide is held by a single Phillips screw under the box cover, and the left and right guides are different parts. Roll-A-Shield data
- End caps are riveted to the box; Roll-A-Shield's tutorial drills the end-cap rivets out with an 11/64 in bit, and the cap goes back with a rivet or self-drilling screw, pulled tight against the back cover. Roll-A-Shield data
- The rail pile is matched to the rail: a low 0.200 in pile for mini and mini-wide rails, a taller 0.380 in pile for standard and end-retention rails. Roll-A-Shield data
- For a gap under a closed shutter, Roll-A-Shield fits a bottom slat with a thicker built-in seal, about 3/8 to 1/2 in. Roll-A-Shield data
- Most Roll-A-Shield shutters have plastic entry guides; entry rollers fit only boxes of 10 in and up, and some builds use flared rail tops instead. Roll-A-Shield data
Applies to: Roll-A-Shield rolling shutters (foam-filled and single-wall, manual and motorized) and the older roll-out-cap shutters common in metro Phoenix. Other makes use similar parts, but check sizes before ordering.
These are the small wear parts of a rolling shutter: the guides that lead the curtain into the rails, the seal under the bottom bar, the pile (felt) inside the rails, and the end caps at each end of the box. The entry guide is a simple swap, a seal problem is usually fixed by changing the bottom bar, rail pile is ordered by rail type, and an end cap is a bigger job than it looks.
Following this Roll-A-Shield guide does not void your warranty; mains wiring must be done by a licensed electrician.
| Part | Where it is | How it is held | DIY? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry guide | Top of each rail, under the box cover | One Phillips screw | Yes |
| Bottom seal | Along the underside of the bottom bar | Sits in a slot | Call first |
| Rail pile (felt) | Inside the slat channel of each rail | Matched to the rail type | Order by rail type |
| End cap | Each end of the box | Riveted; carries the axle or motor | Call first |
How do I replace an entry guide?
An entry guide is the plastic piece at the top of each rail that steers the slats into the rail. On Roll-A-Shield shutters it is held by a single Phillips screw and comes out once the box cover is off. The left and right guides are different parts, so order the side you need.
- On a motorized shutter, switch off its breaker before you open the box.
- Take out the cover screws while holding the cover so it does not drop, and lift it off.
- Back out the Phillips screw holding the entry guide and pull the guide out.
- Fit the guide for that side in the same position and refit its screw.
- Refit the cover and run the shutter up and down to check the curtain feeds into the rail cleanly.
Most shutters have plastic entry guides, but not all. Some motorized shutters in 10 in and 12 in boxes have entry rollers instead, and some builds use flared rails, where the top of the rail itself flares out to lead the curtain in; no roller fits a box of 9 in or smaller. See Flared rails and entry rollers.
Older shutters around metro Phoenix, including thousands built by Roll-A-Shield and its predecessor, use roll-out entry guides that fit into the end cap. Roll-A-Shield stocks these as a service part, sold in pairs, in white and dark brown.
Why do entry guides break?
On manual shutters, a common cause is raising the shutter so fast that it slams into the box, which damages the entry guides and the parts inside. Raise it steadily and let it stop at the top.
How do I replace the bottom seal?
The seal under the bottom bar sits in a slot and can be removed. Roll-A-Shield has its operations team review any third-party seal before it is fitted, so call (480) 921-0200 before buying an aftermarket one.
If the reason you want a new seal is a gap or a line of light under the closed shutter, Roll-A-Shield's fix is a bottom slat with a larger built-in seal, about 3/8 to 1/2 in thick. That is a bottom-bar swap; see How to replace the bottom bar. A gap with the rails touching the sill can mean the rails were cut down in the field during installation.
What about the felt inside the rails?
The pile (felt) lining each rail's slat channel is matched to the rail: a low pile for mini and mini-wide rails, and a taller one for standard and end-retention rails.
| Rail | Pile height | Backing width |
|---|---|---|
| Mini and mini-wide | 0.200 in | 0.270 in |
| Standard and end-retention | 0.380 in | 0.270 in |
To keep it working, clean the rails with a soft brush without pulling the pile out, and use dry silicone spray on the rails only if they feel stiff. For all seal and felt sizes, see Weather seal and rail felt sizes.
Can I replace an end cap myself?
Call first. The end caps are more than covers: on a motorized shutter one carries the motor bracket and motor and the other the bracket and bearing that the axle turns in. They are riveted to the box: in Roll-A-Shield's motor tutorial the end-cap rivets are drilled out with an 11/64 in bit, and the cap goes back with a rivet or self-drilling screw in the corner, pulled tight against the back cover. Because the cap holds one end of the roll, taking it off means supporting the axle and curtain, so have a helper and call (480) 921-0200 with a photo and the box size before you drill.
End caps are cast aluminum and can be damaged if too much force is applied.
What next
For entry guides, rail plugs (the hole covers on the rails), seals, rail pile, bottom bars and end caps, check the Roll-A-Shield parts store or call (480) 921-0200 with a photo and the box size. In metro Phoenix, Roll-A-Shield's service team can fit them.
Frequently asked questions
Can I add a brush seal under my shutter to close a gap?
Ask first. Bottom seals slide out of their slot, but Roll-A-Shield has its operations team review any third-party seal before it goes on, and its usual fix for a gap is a bottom slat with a thicker built-in seal.
Why did my entry guide break?
A common cause on manual shutters is raising the shutter so fast that it slams into the box, which damages the entry guides and the parts inside. Raise it steadily and stop before the top.
Can I replace the felt in the guide rails myself?
Roll-A-Shield does not publish a felt replacement procedure. The pile has to match the rail type, so call (480) 921-0200 with the rail size or a photo. To keep it working, clean the rails with a soft brush without pulling the pile out.
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.