Sizing and engineering · Rolling Shutter Guide
How much does a rolling shutter weigh?
A rolling shutter curtain weighs roughly 0.9 to 1.15 lb per square foot. Roll-A-Shield sizes 38 mm insulated slat at 0.92 lb, 55 mm insulated at 1.11, 63 mm single-wall at 1.14 and 63 mm perforated at 0.98, so a 6 x 7 ft door curtain is about 40-49 lb before the box and rails.
Key facts
- Sizing weights per sq ft of curtain: 0.92 lb (38 mm insulated), 1.11 lb (55 mm insulated), 1.14 lb (63 mm single-wall), 0.98 lb (63 mm perforated). Roll-A-Shield data
- Curtain weight in lb = width (in) x curtain height (in) x weight per sq ft / 144; the curtain height is the opening height plus about 2 in. Roll-A-Shield data
- The sizing weights include a safety margin, so they read slightly high against a scale. Roll-A-Shield data
- Strap and crank shutters are limited to a curtain of about 50 lb; above that the shutter is spring-loaded or motorized. Roll-A-Shield data
- A rolled curtain heavier than 80 lb ships separately from its box. Roll-A-Shield data
Applies to: Roll-A-Shield 38 mm and 55 mm insulated and 63 mm single-wall (solid and perforated) aluminum rolling shutters; other makes with similar slats will be close but not identical.
The curtain, the rolled-up sheet of slats, is most of a rolling shutter's weight and the part everything else is sized to: the operator, the motor, the axle and how it ships. Its weight is close to proportional to its area, so one number per slat type does the job.
How much does each slat weigh per square foot?
| Slat | Sizing weight | Metric |
|---|---|---|
| 38 mm insulated | 0.92 lb per sq ft | about 4.5 kg per sq m |
| 55 mm insulated | 1.11 lb per sq ft | about 5.4 kg per sq m |
| 63 mm single-wall | 1.14 lb per sq ft | about 5.6 kg per sq m |
| 63 mm perforated | 0.98 lb per sq ft | about 4.8 kg per sq m |
These are the figures Roll-A-Shield sizes operators and motors with. They include a safety margin over the bare slat, so a curtain on a scale weighs a little less; do not "correct" them toward a lighter spec-sheet figure when choosing a motor.
How do I work out my shutter's weight?
Multiply the width by the curtain height and the slat's weight per square foot, then divide by 144 to turn square inches into square feet. The curtain height is the clear opening height plus about 2 in, because the bottom slat stays in the rails below the box when the shutter is up.
- Measure the clear opening width and height in inches.
- Add 2 in to the height to get the curtain height.
- Multiply width x curtain height x weight per sq ft.
- Divide by 144.
Example: a 72 x 84 in door on 38 mm insulated slat is 72 x 86 x 0.92 / 144, about 40 lb.
Weight table by size
Curtain weight in pounds, rounded; "–" means the size is beyond that slat's limits.
| Clear opening (W x H, in) | 38 mm insulated | 55 mm insulated | 63 mm single-wall | 63 mm perforated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36 x 48 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 12 |
| 48 x 60 | 19 | 23 | 24 | 20 |
| 72 x 84 | 40 | 48 | 49 | 42 |
| 96 x 96 | 60 | 73 | 74 | 64 |
| 120 x 96 | 75 | 91 | 93 | 80 |
| 144 x 96 | 90 | 109 | 112 | 96 |
| 192 x 108 | — | 163 | 167 | 144 |
| 216 x 96 | — | 163 | 168 | 144 |
The size limits behind the dashes are on How wide and tall can a rolling shutter be?.
What does the weight decide?
- Manual or motor. Strap and crank shutters are limited to about 50 lb of curtain; spring-loaded and motorized shutters go higher. See How big can a manual shutter be?
- Motor size. The motor is chosen by the curtain weight plus a margin of 5 lb or 5 percent, whichever is larger. A 10 Nm motor lifts about 33 lb on a 60 mm axle; the largest lift about 370 lb. See What size motor do I need?
- Axle. A motorized 55 mm shutter moves from a 60 mm to a 70 mm axle above 140 lb of curtain (or above 144 in wide), and a motorized 63 mm single-wall shutter does so from 100 lb.
- Shipping. A rolled curtain over 80 lb ships separately from its box and is loaded onto the axle on site.
- People to lift it. On Roll-A-Shield's own jobs, shutters over 9 ft wide are scheduled with two technicians, and units approaching roughly 200-250 lb with a crew of three or four.
Safety: Do not lift a large curtain or box on your own. Plan the lift with enough people before the shutter arrives; see Lifting a heavy curtain.
How much do the box, rails and motor add?
It varies with the box size, the rail type and the motor, so there is no single per-foot figure. As one production example, a shutter about 218 in wide had a rolled curtain of about 160 lb and was estimated at roughly 250 lb assembled. For your own order, ask when you get your quote; for large orders Roll-A-Shield can get the box dimensions and pallet details from production so you can plan the pickup and the install.
What next
Get a quote with your sizes on the quote request page, or call (480) 921-0200. How shutters are packed and shipped is covered in How are rolling shutters packed and shipped?.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a whole shutter weigh, with the box and rails?
More than the curtain alone, and the extra depends on the box size, rail type and motor. On one very wide shutter, about 218 in across, the rolled curtain was about 160 lb and the assembled shutter was estimated at roughly 250 lb. Ask about the weight of your order before planning the lift.
Why does the weight matter for the motor?
Motors are chosen by the curtain weight they have to lift, with a small margin on top: the larger of 5 lb or 5 percent.
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.