practical guide with everything you should know

Roller shutters are placed on the outside or inside of a balcony or window to regulate the passage of light, provide acoustic and thermal insulation and control privacy. They were born from the need to create a more manageable and practical device than curtains. With this practical guide you will learn everything you need to know about roller shutters to install them in your home.

In its beginnings, the roller blinds They were made up of such natural, simple and rudimentary materials as rods obtained from tree branches and ropes made from vegetable strips that joined them in a flexible way.

Although they are in disuse, there are still rural populations that preserve in their collective memory -and without the need for tutorials-, how to make them. Without a doubt, exterior roller shutters made of wood are the most popular.

Nothing similar to those that are manufactured now for doors, steps to patios, balconies and others. The latest generations of roller shutters are made of PVC slats, among other materials, using sophisticated plastic injection molding machinery or laminators.

What is a roller shutter?

As you already know, roller blinds are items for windows made up of slats that can be made of different materials. They fold by curling on themselves thanks to a cord that surrounds their structure. In fact, its operation is very simple:

• A rope anchored from its upper stopper wraps around its body turning it upside down.
• This rope returns to said end by entering a pulley that can be made of plastic or metal.
• It can also be inserted through a hole, usually made of PVC, which acts as a pulley.

It is a very light and manageable device even when it is large, as is the case with those for doors. For example, PVC roller blinds weigh little as they are hollow, so they are very easy to install.

There are even lighter ones, such as the popular Ceylán or mat blinds, which provide multiple possibilities to create an infinite number of environments.

Types of exterior roller blinds

The best known and most traditional roller blinds are the ones from Alicante, mainly those made with wooden slats that are joined by galvanized steel staples. But there are other ways:

• The wooden roller blinds They usually have a wide variety of decorative applications and are the favorites of many terraces and restaurants with views. They are also especially decorative and functional for windows on porches and over pergolas.
• The PVC roller shutters They are more resistant to weather and outdoor climates due to their high level of impermeability. They are good as thermal insulation and improve energy efficiency.
  They are ideal for access to patios, for back doors or for any type of access to the outside that is more exposed.
• Aluminum roller shutters are practical and functional, since most of them include a thermal insulator inside. In addition, they are very resistant and have great acoustic insulation power.

How to choose the most suitable roller shutter

When buying roller blinds, it is advisable to choose those that have a certified guarantee, as is the case with all those from Persianasalicantinas.com, since they are made of top quality plastic or PVC. In addition, we must take into account the use that the blind will have (decorative, avoid excess light, isolate noise…). For this reason, it must be taken into account that:

• The wooden ones are safe, decorative and offer good insulation, but they require continuous maintenance.
• PVC ones are economical, resistant, safe and offer acoustic and thermal insulation.
• Aluminum ones insulate, are safe and easy to maintain, but they are also the most expensive

We must also consider the room in which the blind is going to be placed and its light needs, as well as the style of our decoration and budget.

How to install roller shutters

First of all, it will be necessary to know how to measure roller blinds. In this sense, it is essential to be clear about whether we want to install them inside or outside their location hole:

• In the event that it is outside the opening, we must measure the opening of the window and add the space that we want our external roller blinds to protrude from it.
• To install them inside the hole, we will measure its height and width, subsequently counting one centimeter for each of the two measurements.

Once we are clear about the measures, we will proceed to install them by following these steps:

1. Two pairs of eyebolts will be inserted, as they will be sufficient for any of the external roller shutter models. One of the two pairs must be open eyebolts. They can be inserted at the rear of the front bumper or at the top, the latter being the appropriate one if we have to install them inside the hole.
2. We will take the center or pulley as a reference to divide it imaginarily into two equal parts, each of which we will find the center. This center will be the insertion point for each eyebolt.
3. Next, it will be presented perpendicular helping you with a level and the symmetrical points to the eyebolts will be marked. There the other two will be inserted with a drill.
4. Finally, hook the closed eyebolts into the open ones and you will have your roller shutter installed.

On the other hand, the lateral insertion of the eyebolts in roller shutters is normally used for doors, while the upper insertion of the eyebolts is the most used for windows.

Cleaning and maintenance tips for roller blinds

For proper maintenance and cleaning of roller shutters there are a series of recommendations depending on the material in which they have been manufactured:

• Wood: dust and accumulated dirt must be removed with a damp chamois and varnished once a year. In this way, the shine will be restored and its impermeability and resistance to sun and cold aggressions will increase.
• PVC: for cleaning, use a dishwashing product diluted in water and a damp cloth.
• Aluminium: It is recommended to pass a duster daily to remove dust and prevent dirt from accumulating.

I hope this roller shutter guide help you find the one that best suits your home and makes it more practical and comfortable. If you liked this post, you can find many more decoration guides at .