Troubleshooting by symptom · Rolling Shutter Guide
Should I repair or replace an old rolling shutter?
Repair it when the box, guide rails and curtain are sound and one part has failed: a strap, crank, remote, switch or motor. Lean toward replacing when it needs both a new motor and a new curtain, when photos show poor overall condition, or when an old battery switchboard has failed, since those are no longer made.
Key facts
- Roll-A-Shield asks for a photo before booking when in doubt about a shutter's condition; if it looks to be in poor overall condition, the owner may need a sales appointment for a replacement instead of a service call. Roll-A-Shield data
- A new motor can be fitted to a shutter more than 20 years old case by case, but an in-person look is preferred because photos do not show wear on the internal parts. Roll-A-Shield data
- The old battery-operated switchboard (BOS) system is no longer manufactured; when one fails, the shutter is usually converted to a new battery or solar system. Roll-A-Shield data
- Very old Roll-A-Shield shutters with round axles cannot take current axle adapters, so a motor retrofit on one may mean changing the axle too. Roll-A-Shield data
- With care, rolling shutters typically last 20 years or more. Roll-A-Shield data
Applies to: Rolling shutters of any brand and age, manual or motorized, including legacy OZRoll and battery-switchboard (BOS) units; Roll-A-Shield specifics are labeled.
Many old rolling shutters are worth repairing, because what fails is often one replaceable part, not the shutter. Broken straps alone are about 40% of Roll-A-Shield's service calls, and motor changes and conversions are standard service jobs. The decision turns on whether the long-lived parts are still sound, and on whether parts still exist for what you have.
Repair or replace: a quick guide
| Situation | Usually | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Broken strap, crank, remote or wall switch | Repair | These are routine replacement parts; on a Roll-A-Shield shutter, age alone does not rule out a replacement switch. |
| Motor failed, box and curtain sound | Repair: replace the motor | Motor changes are a standard service, and the box can often be reused if the tube is compatible. |
| One or a few slats bent | Repair | Damaged slats can be replaced once the slat type is confirmed. |
| Curtain badly damaged, box and rails sound | Replace the curtain only | Replacement slat rolls are made to match the existing shutter. |
| Needs both a new motor and a new curtain | Compare against a new shutter | At that point most of the shutter is being replaced anyway. |
| Old battery switchboard (BOS) failed | Convert | The system is no longer made; the usual fix is a new battery or solar system. |
| Legacy OZRoll unit needs parts | Repair if the part is in stock, otherwise convert | OZRoll parts are no longer resupplied in the US. |
| Photos show poor overall condition | Likely replace | The owner may need a sales appointment rather than a repair visit. |
How old is too old to repair?
Age alone does not decide it. With care, rolling shutters typically last 20 years or more. Roll-A-Shield fits new motors to shutters more than 20 years old case by case, but prefers to see them in person first, because photos do not show how worn the internal parts are. What makes an old shutter hard to repair is usually a discontinued part, not its age.
Can a new motor go into my old shutter?
Usually, if the box and the tube inside it are compatible. When quoting a motor retrofit, Roll-A-Shield collects the box height, width and depth, the guide-rail thickness, the current motor's details and the tube type, and the box can often be reused. A retrofit often also needs a new motor bracket, end cap, idler, bearing or axle inserts.
One exception: very old Roll-A-Shield shutters can be recognized by a round axle, and current axle adapters do not fit round axles, so the axle may have to be changed along with the motor. The full job is on Can a new motor go in an old shutter? A manual shutter can also be converted to a motor as a service; see converting a manual shutter to motorized.
What about old battery shutters?
They are the most common "replace or convert" case. The old battery-operated switchboard system (BOS) is no longer manufactured; when it fails, the shutter usually needs converting to a new battery or solar system. Older OZRoll battery shutters can be serviced case by case with OZRoll parts Roll-A-Shield has on hand, but the maker does not ship to the US, so parts are limited to existing stock. See legacy battery shutters for chargers, batteries and controllers.
What if Roll-A-Shield didn't make my shutter?
Send a photo before anything else. If the address is not in Roll-A-Shield's records, the shutter is usually another maker's, and parts for some older imported shutters are limited to what is in stock. Owners rarely know who made their shutter, so identify it by what you can see, then check parts for older or other-brand shutters.
How do I get a straight answer on mine?
Send a photo of the shutter with its approximate size, how it operates (strap, crank, wall switch, remote, battery or solar) and what is wrong. If the shutter was bought from Roll-A-Shield, the address lets the team pull the original order, including the shutter type, size and operator.
Keep in mind that the Roll-A-Shield warranty covers the original purchaser only and does not transfer when a house is sold. A repair on a shutter that came with the house is therefore charged, which is worth weighing against a new shutter with a new 5-year parts and 5-year motor warranty.
What next
In metro Phoenix, Roll-A-Shield repairs rolling shutters of any brand; call (480) 921-0200 or send photos. For replacement pricing, see what rolling shutters cost or request a quote.
Frequently asked questions
Does the warranty transfer if I bought a house with shutters already on it?
No. The Roll-A-Shield warranty covers the original purchaser only and does not transfer to a new owner, so repairs on a house you bought are charged as normal.
Can you repair a shutter Roll-A-Shield didn't make?
In metro Phoenix, Roll-A-Shield repairs rolling shutters of any brand. Parts for some older imported shutters are limited to what is in stock, so send a photo first.
Can I keep the box and rails and just replace the curtain?
Often, yes. Replacement slats and slat rolls are made to match an existing shutter once the slat type has been confirmed, which is easiest when the original order is on file.
How long should a rolling shutter last?
With care, rolling shutters typically last 20 years or more.
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.