Homes Plus
Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/1496985
Dear Jim: We could use some storm shut- ters over two large windows. I like the rolling shutters that disappear above the window. Are they strong enough to provide protection? — Christina K. Dear Christina: To protect your windows and sliding glass doors from damage during severe weather, installing rolling shutters cannot be beat. In some hurricane-prone states, such as Florida and the Texas coast, new homes or ones doing major improve- ment projects are required to install approved rolling shutters. In other parts of the country, they are also popular for energy savings and security benefits. Energy savings with a rolling shutter can be significant, especially over large win- dows and glass doors. Considering only the insulation value of the shutter slats, a rolling window shutter can triple the R- value of a standard window. Additional sav- ings come from the dead air space which is created, reducing air leakage and blocking the sun's heat and fading rays during sum- mer. A rolling window shutter operates simi- larly to an old roll-top desk. It is mounted in outdoor vertical tracks on each side of a window or door and rolls up into a small box mounted above the window or door. The individual slats are often only 1 to 2 inches tall and interlock with each other. The mechanism to raise and lower them is indoors. There also is an emergency hand crank rod that can be used outdoors. When the shutter is lowered covering the entire window, some shutters still allow nat- ural light to come indoors. Each interlock- ing flange connecting the slats together has long narrow holes. When the shutter is com- pletely lowered against the sill, these holes are hidden. As the shutter starts to lift, the slats separate to expose the holes while the bottom slat is still resting on the window sill. There are several slat design options. The least expensive is made of hollow rolled sheet metal. Metals become stronger and stiffer from the rolling and forming opera- tion. Another option is this same type of roll-formed slat with insulation in the cavi- ty. This makes it a little stronger and pro- vides more insulation. The strongest and most expensive slats are heavier extruded metal. The type of opening device and controls will be determined by the type and size of the rolling shutter you install and the level of convenience you desire. If a shutter is difficult and inconvenient to open and close, you will end up just not using it as often as you should for the greatest energy savings and storm protection. When installing a shutter over a normal- size window, an inexpensive pull strap oper- ator is effective. For larger shutters or heav- ier extruded ones, a hand crank is a good choice. This is still reasonably priced and easy to use. For the most convenience, elec- tric operators are available. With modern electronics, groups of shutters can be oper- ated from just one control. It is not difficult to install one yourself. Measure and mount the side track on the outdoor wall. Slide the support ends into the top of the tracks and secure it with screws. I installed a very large Roll-A-Way one with an electric operator over a 7-by-11-foot pic- ture window. Even with the help of three neighbors, its size was awkward to handle, but it was a fairly simple project. The following companies offer rolling window shutters: AC Shutters, 800-745-5261, www.acshutters.com; Roll-A-Way, 866-749- 5424, www.roll-a-way.com; Rollac Shutters, 888-276-5522, www.rollac.com; and Wheat- belt, 800-264-5171, www.rollupshutter.com. (Send inquiries to James Dulley, Conley Media, 6906 Royalgreen Drive, Cincinnati, OH 45244 or visit www.dulley.com.) HOME APRIL 2023 4 JAMES DULLEY Rolling shutters are great in severe storms Design options vary Photo by James Dulley James Dulley writes he installed a Roll-A-Way shutter over a large picture window in his family room. Photo by James Dulley James Dulley said he selected an electric operator because of the size of the shutter and to minimize wall penetrations.