Are Roller Shutters Secure?

It’s one of the most common questions we get asked here at Excel Roller Shutters, and the simple answer is… it depends. There are many variables when trying to determine the security levels of roller shutters. The purpose of this article is to take a look into those variables and give a fair assessment on how secure security roller shutters are.

There are a few things we need to consider when judging the security levels of a roller shutter, which includes:

• The type of shutter you have installed
• The material it is made from
• The location of the building it is installed to
• How well maintained they are
• How well installed they are

Only by considering all of the above can we make a fair assessment of how secure roller shutters are.

How Strong Are Roller Shutters?

As you can imagine, a roller shutter’s strength rests on two main factors:

1. The material it is made from
2. The design of the roller shutters

Roller Shutter Material

There are two main materials used to make roller shutters, steel and aluminium, each with its own ideal usage.

Aluminium is much lighter and more malleable than steel. This means that more than anything aluminium is good for roller shutters that need to serve as a visual deterrent, rather than actual break-in prevention. Some examples of this might be a shop in a shopping centre after hours, a first/second-floor window or a generally low crime area.

Alternatively, you might use an aluminium roller shutter if it going to open and close often. It is much lighter than steel and thus raising and lowering it will put much less strain on the motor or the user if it is made of aluminium, thus potentially increasing its longevity.

Also, due to how easily aluminium can be formed into shapes it is perfect for making insulated roller shutters. These shutters feature slats which are infilled with a special foam. This foam has a high level of insulation and therefore helps manage heat much better than its single-skinned counterpart.

Steel, on the other hand, is much more resistant to damage than aluminium. This means that it is often used when security is vital, such as on a busy high street or in a high crime area. But when considering the security level it is not just the slats that warrant attention, but the surrounding components, along with the locks. Thieves know how to look for weak spots and if the guides or housing is of poor quality then this will be taken advantage of. It is vital that the entire roller shutter be constructed from high quality steel, without any obvious gaps, and with a smooth operation.

With this comes additional weight, but again this means an increased level of security. This extra weight needs to be taken into consideration if the roller shutter is to be manually operated, but if it is electric then the motor is upgraded accordingly.

Roller Shutter Design

Along with the material, the design of a roller shutter plays a huge part in its security levels. Thankfully, there are as many designs of roller shutters as there are applications for them. This means you will likely be able to find something which suits your needs. For the most part, this is a question of balancing visibility with security.

A roller shutter such as a tube and link shutter has a high level of visibility, which makes them perfect for shop fronts, but because of that, their security rating is slightly reduced. While the shutter itself is not necessarily weaker, there is more room for purchase and/or access to the window behind it. Below is a list of security shutter styles, in visibility – strength order.

High Visibility Roller Shutters

• Tube & Link Roller Shutters
• Window Security Grille
• Punched Lath Roller Shutters
• Perforated Steel Roller Shutters
• Insulated Roller Shutters
• Sectional Overhead Doors
• Roller Shutter Doors

How Secure are Roller Shutters Compared to Other Security Products?

Roller shutters are among the most secure physical security solutions, offering a strong, visible barrier that actively deters and prevents break-ins. They provide superior protection and are even more effective when paired with alarms or security cameras for comprehensive coverage.

Roller Shutters Vs Security Cameras

Security cameras are a deterrent. Obviously, a burglar’s worst fear is being caught, therefore the presence of a camera may deter them away from your property and steer them to targeting someone else. Conversely, it is not hard for a thief to cover their face in a bid to evade identification.

Roller Shutters Vs Burglar Alarm

Arguably these are only effective if someone is home as, in reality, how many neighbours respond to a burglar alarm sounding? However, if a thief suspects someone is home and the burglar alarm trips they will likely abandon their efforts immediately.

Security Shutters Vs Double Glazing

The most common way for a burglar to enter a property is simply through the door, by either kicking it or breaking through the lock. They tend to avoid windows due to the noise of glass breaking and the risk of being cut as they climb through. This thought process can be amplified when speaking about double-glazed windows. However, while the glass is likely to remain untouched, any locks or openings on the window represent a weak point for burglars to target.

Security Roller Shutters

In our experience and from evidence we have found that simple roller shutters, or an equivalent product, be one of the most effective ways of preventing break-ins.

If you are unsure of which way to go when securing your property the best thing to do would be to simply pick up the phone and call us. We’re more than happy to have a chat about your options. Contact us today on 0800 135 7834.