Slats, materials and performance · Rolling Shutter Guide
What are rolling shutters made of: aluminum, steel or PVC?
Rolling shutters are made of aluminum, steel or PVC. Every shutter Roll-A-Shield builds is aluminum: foam-filled roll-formed slats or solid extruded slats, in aluminum guide rails under an aluminum box, with steel in parts such as some axles and the springs. For maximum-security jobs it sources steel shutters; it does not make PVC.
Key facts
- Roll-A-Shield's insulated slats are roll-formed aluminum around a polyurethane foam core; its 63 mm single-wall slat is solid extruded aluminum. Roll-A-Shield data
- The axle a shutter winds on is either an octagonal aluminum extrusion or a steel tube, in 40, 60 or 70 mm diameters. Roll-A-Shield data
- Sizing weights run from 0.92 lb per sq ft (38 mm insulated) to 1.14 lb per sq ft (63 mm single-wall). Roll-A-Shield data
- Spring-operated shutters use steel springs, and Roll-A-Shield does not recommend them near the coast; a rust-mitigation treatment is available for coastal installs. Roll-A-Shield data
- Roll-A-Shield manufactures aluminum shutters in-house and sources steel shutters for projects that need the most physical security. Roll-A-Shield data
Applies to: Roll-down (rolling) shutters for windows, doors, patios and storefronts; Roll-A-Shield 38 mm and 55 mm insulated and 63 mm single-wall shutters.
Rolling shutters are built from aluminum, steel or PVC, and the slat material decides much of what the shutter can do. Roll-A-Shield builds only aluminum shutters in its Tempe factory; every slat it makes is aluminum, either foam-filled or solid extruded.
What are the slats made of?
The curtain is a row of interlocking aluminum slats, in one of two constructions.
| Slat | Material | What it is for |
|---|---|---|
| 38 mm insulated | Roll-formed aluminum skin, polyurethane foam core | Smaller openings; heat, noise and light control |
| 55 mm insulated | Roll-formed aluminum skin, polyurethane foam core | Wider openings on homes; insulation and blackout |
| 63 mm single-wall | Solid extruded aluminum, no foam | Security, storefronts, wide spans |
| 63 mm perforated | Solid extruded aluminum, punched with small holes | Security you can see through when closed |
Foam-filled slats give better insulation, quieter operation and full blackout; extruded slats give maximum strength and security. The comparison is on Foam-filled vs extruded aluminum slats.
The color range and finish are on Rolling shutter colors and finish.
What are the other parts made of?
Almost all of the rest is aluminum too; the main steel parts are some axles and the springs.
| Part | Material on Roll-A-Shield shutters |
|---|---|
| Box (housing) | Aluminum, in two halves (bottom-front and top-back) |
| End caps and their "ears" (which slide into the rails) | Cast aluminum |
| Guide rails | Aluminum channels with a felt, plastic or rubber weather strip where the slats run |
| Axle | Octagonal aluminum extrusion or steel tube, 40, 60 or 70 mm |
| Springs (spring-operated shutters) | Steel |
| Bottom slat seal | Rubber weather strip that presses on the sill when closed |
| Caps over the rail screw holes | Plastic, colored to match the rails |
Whether an axle is aluminum or steel is decided by the factory for each build, with rust taken into account near salt water. The full parts list is on What are the parts of a rolling shutter?.
Why are most rolling shutters aluminum?
Roll-A-Shield treats aluminum as the best mix of security, durability and easy operation for most homes and businesses. Easy operation comes down to weight, because the curtain is lifted every time the shutter opens: Roll-A-Shield's sizing weights run from 0.92 lb per square foot for the 38 mm insulated slat to 1.14 lb per square foot for the 63 mm single-wall slat, and strap and crank operators stop at a curtain of about 50 lb.
Are steel shutters stronger?
For brute physical security, steel is the step up, and that is when Roll-A-Shield turns to steel shutters: for projects that need the most physical security, it sources them rather than building them. For most storefronts, the 63 mm extruded aluminum slat running in end-retention rails is the heavy-duty option. See What is end retention? and rolling shutters vs roll-up doors and security grilles.
What about PVC or vinyl shutters?
Roll-A-Shield does not build them. All of its slats are aluminum, and its insulation comes from the foam core rather than from the slat material. If you have a PVC shutter from another maker and need parts, Roll-A-Shield cannot supply matching PVC slats; see Can you get parts for older or other-brand shutters?.
Does the material matter near the ocean?
Yes, mainly for the steel parts. Spring units are not recommended in salt air, so near the coast Roll-A-Shield recommends a motorized or single-wall shutter and offers a rust-mitigation treatment on the order. More on Rolling shutters near the ocean.
For anything not covered here, call (480) 921-0200.
Frequently asked questions
Do you make steel or stainless steel rolling shutters?
Roll-A-Shield builds aluminum shutters in its own factory. For projects that need the most physical security, it sources steel shutters; call (480) 921-0200 to discuss one.
Do you make vinyl or PVC rolling shutters?
No. Every Roll-A-Shield slat is aluminum, either foam-filled or extruded.
What is the foam inside the slats?
Polyurethane. It fills the roll-formed aluminum skin of the insulated slats and is what gives them their heat and noise insulation; the extruded single-wall slat has no foam.
Will aluminum shutters rust?
The slats, rails and box are aluminum, but the steel springs in spring-operated shutters are not recommended in salt air. Near the coast, Roll-A-Shield recommends motorized or single-wall shutters, not spring units, and offers a rust-mitigation treatment.
Parts and next step
Need a part or a hand?
Not sure which material or slat suits your opening? Tell us what it needs to do and we will recommend one. Call (480) 921-0200; the factory answers technical questions for any rolling shutter, not only ours.