External Shading
External roller shutters
One product that does the work of several. Luxaflex aluminium roller shutters roll down over the outside of a window or door to deliver security, insulation, complete blackout and weather protection all at once, then roll back up into a slim cassette above the window when you want the light back. Every shutter is made to measure and can be operated at the touch of a button.
One shutter, several jobs
A roller shutter is a curtain of interlocking aluminium slats that rolls down on the outside of the glass and stores in a compact cassette above the opening. Closed, it forms a solid, secure layer across the window. Open, it rolls back up into its cassette above the opening and leaves the glazing completely clear.
Because that layer sits on the weather side of the glass, it tackles several things at once that a single interior blind never could: it locks the opening down, insulates it, blacks it out and shields it from the elements. It is the most complete of our external shading options.
For how external shading compares with interior blinds and shutters in a Scottish climate, see our guide to external versus internal shading, with guide prices.
Security you can see
Rolled down, the aluminium slats form a physical barrier across the opening. That makes the shutter both a genuine obstacle to a would-be intruder and a visible deterrent, which is why roller shutters are a popular choice for ground-floor windows, patio doors and holiday homes left empty for stretches at a time.
Lock the house up, close the shutters, and the vulnerable openings are covered whether you are asleep upstairs or away for a fortnight.
Warmer in winter, cooler in summer
Closed over the glass, the shutter traps a layer of still air between itself and the window. In winter that insulating gap helps hold heat inside and takes the edge off cold nights. In summer it does the opposite, stopping much of the sun's heat before it ever reaches the glass, so rooms stay cooler without the curtains being drawn all day.
Stopping solar heat on the outside is far more effective than trying to block it with an interior blind once it is already through the glass, which makes external shutters a strong choice for large or south-facing windows prone to overheating.
Complete blackout
When the shutter is fully closed, the solid slats block the light across the whole opening, giving a true blackout that an internal blind, with its edges and fittings, cannot match. For bedrooms, nurseries and anyone who works shifts or simply values dark, uninterrupted sleep, that is often the single biggest benefit.
Because the shutter is motorised, blacking out a room or letting the morning in is a one-button job, with no cords or wands anywhere in the room.
Weather and noise protection
Scotland's weather is hard on glazing. A roller shutter closed over a window takes the brunt of driving rain, wind and dust, protecting the glass and frame behind it. The slats are rated to withstand wind up to class 3 under the EN 13659 standard, size depending.
The same solid layer that keeps weather out also helps keep noise out, softening traffic and other outside sound for a quieter interior.
Where roller shutters work best
Roller shutters are particularly well suited to:
- Bedrooms and nurseries needing true blackout
- Ground-floor windows and patio doors where security matters
- Holiday homes and properties left unoccupied
- Large or south-facing windows prone to summer overheating
- Homes on busy roads wanting to cut outside noise
Made to measure
Every roller shutter is built to the exact opening, so the price depends on the size of the window or door, the colour and the controls you choose. Because they are fitted on the outside and hard-wired to a motor, the installation is quoted for each job individually, taking access and the type of opening into account.
For a price for your own windows, send us the recess width and height for each opening and we will prepare a quote. Get in touch.
Specification at a glance
- Manufacturer
- Luxaflex (AR-40 standard, AR-41T bi-colour)
- Material
- Aluminium roller slats in a compact head cassette
- Maximum size
- Up to 3370mm wide and 3100mm high (up to 9.44m² per shutter, model dependent)
- Colours
- 18 standard colours on the AR-40; the AR-41T is fixed anthracite outside with white inside for a softer look from the room. Custom RAL colours available.
- Operation
- Somfy IO motorised, controlled by remote; wind and sun sensors available
- Light control
- Complete blackout when fully closed
- Wind resistance
- Up to class 3 (EN 13659), size dependent
- Warranty
- 5-year manufacturer warranty on motors
Frequently asked questions
What is an external roller shutter?
It is a shutter made of interlocking aluminium slats that rolls down over the outside of a window or door and stores in a slim cassette above the opening. Closed, it forms a secure, insulating, blackout layer across the glass; open, it rolls back up into the cassette above the window.
Do roller shutters give full blackout?
Yes. When the shutter is fully closed the solid slats cover the whole opening and block the light, giving a true blackout across the window that an interior blind cannot match. It is one of the main reasons people choose them for bedrooms.
How are they operated?
Our roller shutters are motorised with a Somfy IO motor and operated by remote control at the touch of a button. Optional wind and sun sensors can move the shutters automatically, and they can be linked into a smart-home system. A mains electrical supply is needed at each shutter.
Will they help with overheating?
Yes. Closing the shutter stops much of the sun's heat on the outside, before it reaches the glass. That is far more effective than an interior blind at keeping a room cool, which makes roller shutters a good option for large or south-facing windows that overheat in summer.
Are they suitable for a new build?
Very much so. Fitting roller shutters is easiest when planned into a build, as the cassette and a mains supply can be allowed for before decorating. If you are building or renovating, talk to us early and we will advise on what to ask your builder to provide.
What colours are available?
The standard AR-40 comes in 18 colours, and the AR-41T is finished anthracite on the outside with white on the room side. Custom RAL colours are also available, so the shutters can be matched to your windows and render.
What Our Customers Say
"I absolutely love the pirouettes and the shutters. There is simply no other company we would deal with."
Kim Wilkinson
"I have been really impressed with the company. The friendly nature, the speedy response to queries, the fantastic guidance from David and the advice we received during our visit to the design studio. I wish all companies were the same."
Ian Robins, Dunfermline
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