Slats, materials and performance · Rolling Shutter Guide
Do rolling shutters work in snow and ice?
Yes, within the motor makers' limits. Somfy rates its Altus RTS motor to -20 C (-4 F) and Gaposa rates its XQ5 tubular motors and Autonomo solar motor to -10 C (14 F); Roll-A-Shield has no cold-weather test data of its own. Ice between closed slats can jam a shutter, so never force one that will not move.
Key facts
- Somfy rates its Altus RTS radio motor for working temperatures of -20 to +60 C (-4 to 140 F).
- Gaposa rates its XQ5 tubular motors, and its Autonomo solar motor, for -10 to +40 C (14 to 104 F).
- Roll-A-Shield has installed motorized shutters in cold climates without known cold-weather failures, but has not tested its own cold-temperature limits. Roll-A-Shield data
- Never force a shutter that will not move; forcing it can damage the slats. Roll-A-Shield data
- A motor that is run again and again can trip its thermal cut-out, which stops it for about 15 minutes. Roll-A-Shield data
Applies to: Aluminum rolling shutters in freezing climates; Somfy Altus RTS and Gaposa XQ5 and Autonomo solar motors, Gaposa Emitto remotes, and strap, crank and spring manual shutters, including Roll-A-Shield's.
Most rolling shutters are sold in warm states, but they are also used on cabins, mountain homes and businesses that see real winters. Roll-A-Shield has motorized shutters in cold climates without known cold-weather failures; it has not tested cold limits itself, so the numbers on this page are the motor and remote makers' own ratings.
How cold can a motorized rolling shutter run?
As cold as its motor is rated for, which depends on the maker and the model. Read the model on the motor label and check the maker's rating before you rely on it in a hard freeze.
| Device | Maker's rated working temperature | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Somfy Altus RTS radio motor | -20 to +60 C (-4 to 140 F) | Somfy |
| Gaposa XQ5 tubular motors | -10 to +40 C (14 to 104 F) | Gaposa |
| Gaposa Autonomo solar motor | -10 to +40 C (14 to 104 F) | Gaposa |
| Gaposa Emitto remotes | -5 to +40 C (23 to 104 F) | Gaposa |
These are the makers' working ranges. Roll-A-Shield does not publish its own minimum temperature, because it has not tested one. A manual shutter (strap, crank or spring) has no motor or electronics to rate.
What does ice do to a rolling shutter?
Ice is the bigger problem than cold. When a shutter is left closed in freezing, wet weather, ice can build up between the slats. Roll-A-Shield's service team has handled a case in a harsh-winter climate where an owner reported that the iced curtain no longer rolled to the right place and stopped too high or too low. The technician's view in that case was that once a curtain bunches up inside the box it may not run correctly again, and running it can damage the motor.
Stop: If a shutter will not move in freezing weather, do not force it, and do not keep pressing the button. Forcing a stuck shutter can damage the slats, and running the motor again and again can trip its thermal cut-out, which stops it for about 15 minutes. Roll-A-Shield has no published thawing procedure; call (480) 921-0200 before trying to free a frozen shutter.
If the curtain has come down on ice or bunched up, follow what to do when a shutter comes down on something. Some motors stop or reverse when the curtain meets resistance; which ones is set out on obstacle detection. Gaposa also lists an ice-protection function among the Sense features of its Autonomo solar motor, which needs specific adapters; ask before relying on it.
Do solar rolling shutters work in snow country?
They can, with the right kit. Gaposa says its Autonomo system manages power so it can charge without direct sunlight, and that a full battery runs the shutter for 35 days in extreme weather at two cycles a day. Gaposa also says the kit can take a second panel or battery where the region needs it, and that owners in high-latitude regions sometimes need a battery charger instead of a second panel.
Roll-A-Shield's own advice is to mount the panel where it gets direct sun. Gaposa puts the solar battery's life at 3-5 years. See how solar shutters work, and where the panel goes.
What is the best shutter for a cabin in snow country?
It depends on power. A cabin with no power needs a manual shutter (strap, crank or spring) or a solar or battery motor, which need no wiring. Manual shutters can take a lock in the bottom bar (key, thumb-turn or slide, depending on the slat) so they can be locked from outside. See locking up a cabin or seasonal home and motor types compared.
Frequently asked questions
Will a rolling shutter keep snow out?
A closed shutter covers the window or door completely, and the bottom slat has a weather seal that presses on the sill. Ice can still build up between the slats of a closed shutter in freezing, wet weather.
Do remote controls work in the cold?
Gaposa rates its Emitto remotes for -5 to +40 C (23 to 104 F).
Can I leave a shutter closed all winter at a cabin?
Many owners close shutters over a property they leave for months. In freezing, wet weather, ice can form between the slats while the curtain is down, so check it before you run it when you return.
What if my shutter is frozen shut?
Do not force it, and do not keep pressing the button. Roll-A-Shield has no published thawing procedure, so call (480) 921-0200 before trying to free it.
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.