Slats, materials and performance · Rolling Shutter Guide
How long do rolling shutters last?
Roll-A-Shield tells owners that a well-maintained aluminum rolling shutter typically lasts about 20 to 30 years; that is service experience, not a lab figure. The parts that wear out first are the cheap ones: straps, remote batteries and solar battery packs. Motors and shutter parts carry a 5-year warranty.
Key facts
- Roll-A-Shield's guidance to owners is that a well-maintained rolling shutter typically lasts about 20 to 30 years; this is service experience, not a measured test. Roll-A-Shield data
- Warranty: 5 years on shutter parts, 5 on motors, 2 on electronics and 1 on labor for local installs, from the date of installation. Roll-A-Shield data
- Gaposa states a solar-motor battery lasts 3-5 years.
- Gaposa puts the typical battery life of its Emitto remotes at about 2 years.
- Roll-A-Shield's service-desk guide puts broken straps at about 40% of its service calls. Roll-A-Shield data
Applies to: Aluminum rolling shutters (roll-down security and storm shutters) of any make; Roll-A-Shield 38 mm and 55 mm insulated and 63 mm single-wall shutters with strap, crank, spring, wired, radio or solar operation.
There is no lab figure for the life of a rolling shutter, and Roll-A-Shield does not publish one. What it has is decades of building and servicing shutters since 1979, and a clear picture of which parts wear and which do not. The aluminum slats, rails and box last longest; the parts that move the shutter wear first.
How many years does a rolling shutter last?
About 20 to 30 years for a well-maintained shutter: that is what Roll-A-Shield's sales and service staff tell owners, most often as 25 to 30 years. It comes from experience with installed shutters, not from a measured test. How a shutter is used, how much sun and salt it sees, and whether it is kept clean all move that number.
Which parts wear out first?
The small, inexpensive parts, long before the curtain or the box.
| Part | What to expect | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Whole shutter | About 20 to 30 years with care | What Roll-A-Shield staff tell owners |
| Factory finish | Fades slowly over many years, sooner in all-day sun | Roll-A-Shield sales guidance |
| Pull strap | A wear part; broken straps are about 40% of Roll-A-Shield service calls | Service-desk guide |
| Remote batteries (Gaposa Emitto) | About 2 years | Gaposa |
| Solar-motor battery | 3-5 years | Gaposa |
| Motor | No measured figure; 5-year warranty | Roll-A-Shield warranty |
| Electronic components | 2-year warranty | Roll-A-Shield warranty |
A strap that runs at an angle from the diamond roller into its box wears out early, so a strap that keeps breaking is worth a look at how the box is mounted. See replace a broken strap.
What does the warranty cover over that time?
Roll-A-Shield's warranty runs 5 years on shutter parts, 5 years on motors, 2 years on electronic components and 1 year on labor for local installs, all from the date of installation. Manual shutters with a 15 mm strap carry 1 year. Outside the Phoenix area the warranty covers parts only. The full terms are on what a rolling shutter warranty covers.
What shortens a rolling shutter's life?
Mostly how it is treated, plus a few environments.
- Slamming a manual shutter into the box. Raising it so fast that it hits the housing damages the entry guides and the parts inside.
- Forcing a stuck shutter. If it will not move, stop; forcing it can damage the slats. Start with why won't my shutter go up or down?.
- The wrong cleaning or lubricant. Use mild soap and water, never a pressure washer, and not in extreme heat; harsh household cleaners damage the finish. Lubricate only the guide rails, with dry silicone, and never oil the motor or the crank box.
- Salt air. Steel parts, such as springs, deteriorate near the ocean; see rolling shutters near the ocean.
- Size and heat. Over the years, large shutters in Arizona heat can develop a slight sag or belly in the curtain; see why wide shutters sag.
- Paint. Painted slats can stick together, and they void the warranty; see can I paint my rolling shutters?.
How do I make a shutter last longer?
Clean it twice a year with mild soap and water, keep the guide rails clear, use dry silicone on the rails only, and run the shutter at a steady pace instead of letting it slam. The full routine is on how to clean and maintain rolling shutters. If you need help, Roll-A-Shield schedules cleaning visits in metro Phoenix: see rolling shutter cleaning service.
When is an old shutter worth replacing?
When the expensive parts go together. A repair that needs both a new motor and a new slat curtain is effectively a new shutter, and some older systems, such as the old battery-operated switchboards, are no longer made, so a failure there may mean converting to a current battery or solar system. Roll-A-Shield may ask for a photo first, and may suggest a sales visit instead of a repair when a shutter looks to be in poor condition. See repair or replace an old rolling shutter?, or call (480) 921-0200.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a rolling shutter motor last?
Roll-A-Shield has no measured motor-life figure. Motors carry a 5-year warranty, and a motor replaced on a service call gets its own new 5-year term.
Do rolling shutters fade?
Slowly. The finish is baked on at the factory and made for full sun, but over many years it does fade, sooner on a shutter that faces direct sun all day.
Is an old shutter worth repairing?
It depends on which parts have failed. A repair that needs both a new motor and a new slat curtain is effectively a new shutter, and some old systems, such as the old battery-operated switchboards, are no longer made. Send a photo before booking a repair.
Does the warranty transfer if I sell the house?
No. The Roll-A-Shield warranty covers the original purchaser only and is not transferable.
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.