Sizing and engineering · Rolling Shutter Guide
Are rolling shutters custom-made, or do they come in standard sizes?
Roll-A-Shield builds each rolling shutter to order for one opening, because the rails, box, curtain, axle and motor are all sized from that opening's width and height. Sizes are carried to the nearest 1/8 in. For a standard 48 x 48 in window there are also six ready-specified units, sold exactly as configured.
Key facts
- Every custom Roll-A-Shield shutter is built to order from the opening's measurements, with its sizes rounded to the nearest 1/8 in. Roll-A-Shield data
- Six stock units fit a 48 x 48 in clear opening; they are sold exactly as configured, with no changes. Roll-A-Shield data
- Custom sizes run from about 10 in wide overall (strap) up to 224 in wide and 216 in tall, depending on slat and operator. Roll-A-Shield data
- A custom shutter takes about 10 business days to build and about 2 weeks to reach your door; Phoenix-area installs take 3-4 weeks. Roll-A-Shield data
Applies to: Roll-A-Shield rolling shutters: custom-built 38 mm and 55 mm insulated and 63 mm single-wall shutters, and the six stock 48 x 48 in units.
A rolling shutter is a box, two guide rails and a curtain that all have to fit one particular opening, so Roll-A-Shield builds them to order. There is one exception, a small range of stock units for a common window size, covered below.
Why are rolling shutters made to size?
Because every part of the shutter is worked out from the opening. The guide rails are added to the clear width, the box and about 2 in are added to the clear height, and the curtain is made to fit between them. The curtain's weight, which follows its width and height, then decides the axle, the box and the motor.
Roll-A-Shield works out the overall size, clear opening and rail lengths to the nearest 1/8 in, so a shutter is built to your opening, not to the nearest catalog size. How the sizes fit together is on clear opening, overall size and curtain width.
What can I choose on a custom shutter?
The Roll-A-Shield measure sheet, the form used to order a self-install shutter, asks for these for each opening:
- Size and mount: the width and height, and whether the shutter mounts on the wall face or inside the opening.
- Slat: 38 mm insulated, 55 mm insulated, or 63 mm single-wall, solid or perforated.
- Color: 7 colors on the insulated slats and 5 on single-wall.
- Operation: pull strap, crank, spring-loaded, or a wired, remote, solar or battery motor.
- Control side: which side the strap, crank or motor is on.
- Extras the opening needs: a U-channel where the sill isn't flat, furring where a handle or trim sticks out, and storm bars where the opening needs them.
The box size, rail type and axle are not on the list: the factory picks them from the slat and the size.
How small or large can a custom shutter be?
From about 10 in wide overall for a strap shutter, 28 in for a typical motorized one and 31 in for a spring-loaded one, up to these maximums on the clear opening:
| Slat | Max width | Max height | Max area |
|---|---|---|---|
| 38 mm insulated | 159 in | 216 in | 112 sq ft |
| 55 mm insulated | 224 in | 216 in | 156.5 sq ft |
| 63 mm single-wall | 222 in | 216 in | 200 sq ft |
The area limit usually comes first, and the operator narrows the range further; see why slat choices narrow and the smallest shutter we can build.
Are there any standard-size rolling shutters?
Six ready-specified Roll-A-Shield shutters for a 48 × 48 in clear opening, for surface mounting:
| Slat | Operation | Color | Overall size |
|---|---|---|---|
| 38 mm insulated | Spring-loaded, two slide bolts | White | 52-1/8 × 56-5/8 in |
| 38 mm insulated | Hand crank | White | 52-1/8 × 56-5/8 in |
| 38 mm insulated | Hand crank | Bronze | 52-1/8 × 56-5/8 in |
| 38 mm insulated | Hardwired Gaposa motor | White | 52-1/8 × 56-5/8 in |
| 38 mm insulated | Remote Gaposa motor | Black | 52-1/8 × 56-5/8 in |
| 55 mm insulated | Remote Gaposa motor | White | 54-3/4 × 58-1/8 in |
They are sold exactly as configured, with no modifications. Before ordering one, check that your opening really is 48 × 48 in and that the wall has room for the overall size, which is larger than the opening. Connecting the hardwired motor to mains power is a job for a licensed electrician.
How long does a custom shutter take?
About 10 business days to build and about 2 weeks to reach your door; in metro Phoenix, Roll-A-Shield installs are usually 3-4 weeks out. More on timing is on how long a custom rolling shutter takes.
Most buyers still go custom. To get one sized, measure with the measuring guide and request a quote, or call (480) 921-0200. Typical prices are on what rolling shutters cost.
Frequently asked questions
Can I buy a stock unit and have it cut down to fit?
The stock units are sold exactly as configured, with no modifications. If your opening is not 48 x 48 in, or you need a different slat, color or operator, order a custom shutter instead.
Will a stock shutter fit a window of the same size?
Only if there is room on the wall around it. The 48 x 48 in is the clear opening; the whole 38 mm unit is 52-1/8 x 56-5/8 in and the 55 mm unit 54-3/4 x 58-1/8 in, and that surface has to be free for a surface mount.
Does a custom shutter take longer than a stock one?
A custom Roll-A-Shield shutter takes about 10 business days to build and about 2 weeks to arrive; Phoenix-area installs are scheduled 3-4 weeks out. Ask about current timing on the stock units when you order.
Is a custom size more expensive?
Roll-A-Shield prices a shutter by its width, height, slat and operator, so a custom size is priced the same way as any other. See what rolling shutters cost for typical ranges, or request a quote for your opening.
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.