The Complete Guide to Rolling Shutters Winter Maintenance

White House with Rolling Shutters Installed at Windows and Doors

Winter is approaching, bringing the potential for snow, ice, rain, and cooler temperatures. As the seasons shift, preparing just as you would for your car and home is essential. One key item that needs your attention is your rolling shutters, whether in your home or business.

At Rollac, all of our outdoor products require seasonal care. That includes rolling shutter winter maintenance. Regardless of the type of exterior rolling shutter you have or the severity of your winter, when the seasons start changing, it’s time to maintain them.

Whether you’re a business owner looking for information on retail rolling shutters for the winter or are considering customizing your year-round roller shutters, Rollac can help. With over 40 years of rolling shutter experience, we can guide you through the selection process to ensure you select the most suitable window and door coverings from your home or business-year round!

Why Is It Important to Maintain Your Shutters Before Winter?

Without regular, adequate rolling shutter maintenance, they can quickly deteriorate in quality and effectiveness in the following ways.

Protection from Harsh Weather

Winter maintenance is crucial for rolling shutters because the strong winds common during this season can cause them to become loose or even detach. Regular care of your residential or commercial rolling shutters ensures they remain securely fastened and operate smoothly when needed.

Though rolling shutters are often associated with protecting structures from hurricanes, they can offer alternative storm protection from snow, rain, and ice during winter.

Whether protecting your storefront or keeping your pharmacy windows and doors secure from vandals, roller shutters can also protect your structure from heavy snow build-up, drifting, and freezing rain, which can crack or break windows and doors.

Additionally, if the howling winter winds are unsettling, just lower your rolling shutters. Their built-in insulation will create a quieter and more peaceful environment in your home or business.

Insulation and Energy Efficiency

Rolling shutters in the winter are important for controlling the amount of natural sunlight entering your home or business. This not only prevents glare and protects furnishings or your inventory from UV damage, but it also improves energy efficiency. By blocking excessive light, shutters help maintain a stable indoor temperature, reducing heat loss and lowering heating costs. Additionally, they provide privacy and can enhance the overall comfort of your living space during the shorter, colder days of winter.

Though they keep indoor temperatures cool during the hot summer, they can help keep the heat inside in the winter. Proper rolling shutter winter maintenance will ensure they close tightly and function as intended, thereby preventing drafts and heat loss.

Security

Whether you select automated or manual roll-down shutters, they may no longer lock correctly if they’re not properly maintained. Security is one of the primary benefits of rolling shutters. Regularly checking the locking mechanisms to confirm that they’re working properly is particularly important during those long winter nights or during the holiday season when businesses and homes are more susceptible to break-ins.

Preventing Mechanical Failures

One of the biggest rolling shutter trends in 2024 is fully realizing the benefits of automation, such as installing smart shutters which can be controlled through an app or remotely using a smartphone.

But if the moving components of a rolling shutter, such as its motor aren’t properly maintained throughout the winter, they can become stiff or damaged due to excessive cold or moisture. Maintaining your roller shutters in the winter is critical to preventing a major mechanical failure.

Avoiding Costly Repairs

Minor rolling shutter issues can quickly become more extensive and costly if not addressed promptly. Rolling shutter winter maintenance can help identify and fix minor problems before they escalate, saving time and money.

Maintaining Your Shutters in Cold Weather and Freezing Temperatures

Winter can present unique challenges to the upkeep and maintenance of your rolling shutters. But you can adopt several techniques to ensure they’re in peak condition regardless of how harsh your winter gets!

Weather-Seal Inspection

Most commercial and residential rolling shutters are equipped with weather seals. The shutters’ seals and other rubber components can stiffen and crack as the temperature drops. Regular rolling shutter winter maintenance, including inspection, will ensure that they continue to weatherproof your home or business.

Keep them Clean

Let’s say you own a gas station covered with security shutters. It’s located on a busy road in your city, and thanks to this year’s heavy snowfall, your shutters are coated in the gravel, salt, and slushy snow synonymous with this season. Part of a regular rolling shutter winter maintenance routine includes keeping your security coverings clean so they can open and close properly.

It’s important to remember when cleaning your rolling shutters to avoid using heavy abrasive powder cleaners such as Comet, Ajax, and Bon Ami, as well as anything with bleach. Any of these products can damage your coverings.

Prevent Ice Buildup

Any ice accumulation on your rolling shutters should be removed as soon as it’s noticed.

For example, suppose you’ve installed rolling shutters on the exterior of your equipment rental space for security. One evening, you try to close your automated shutters only to realize that the ice build is preventing them from shutting correctly.

Avoiding ice build-up is crucial to ensuring your shutters don’t incur any damage and continue to function correctly.

Lubrication

Regularly lubricating your roller shutter doors is an essential part of winter maintenance. At Rollac, we recommend using lubricant specifically designed for rolling shutters. Some examples include:

Silicone-Based Lubricants: Renowned for their versatility and water resistance, these lubricants create a protective layer, ensuring the smooth operation of moving parts.
Graphite Lubricants: Best suited for high-temperature applications, providing lubrication for door tracks and other components.
White-Lithium Grease: A heavy-duty lubricant that clings to surfaces, offering excellent protection against rust and corrosion.
Teflon-Based Lubricants: These lubricants reduce friction and minimize wear and tear on moving components.

Maintain the Appropriate Temperature

One of the factors to consider when purchasing commercial rolling shutters is where they will be used.

For example, suppose you’re utilizing rolling shutter doors to protect your electrical supply company’s loading dock and other entrances, but you live in a frigid climate six months out of the year where equipment often freezes, breaks and seizes to work altogether due to the cold.

In that case, you may consider investing in a heating system to ensure they’ll always work correctly. It’s crucial to remember that too much cold can damage your coverings and the space they’re protecting.

When to DIY and When to Ask a Pro for Repairs and Maintenance

Even with regular winter maintenance of your rolling shutters, there will be occasions when only a professional can resolve the issue including the following:

Safety and Warranty Considerations

Safety should always be a priority. Rolling shutters, whether they’re covering doors or windows, can be very heavy and cumbersome and can cause serious injury if they’re not handled properly.

Additionally, any DIY repairs can nullify your roller shutter’s warranty because most stipulate that repairs must be performed by a qualified technician. That’s why hiring a professional ensures that your warranty remains valid, potentially saving you money in the long run.

Specific Tools or Technical Expertise

Certain repairs require more than just basic tools and a manual. Rolling shutters have complex mechanisms such as motors, tracks, and chain systems that require specialized expertise. A qualified technician is trained to handle these components without causing additional damage.

Attempting complex repairs without the necessary knowledge could create an emergency situation. That’s why trusting a professional who understands the technical details of your rolling shutters will save you time, money and possible unnecessary frustration.

The Importance of Choosing a Quality Rollac Rolling Shutter

One common myth is that rolling shutters are expensive to maintain, that isn’t necessarily true. While the cost of exterior rolling shutters can vary based on size and customization, you can easily keep costs under control by performing regular winter maintenance and investing in a high-quality product from Rollac. Don’t let these misconceptions keep you from protecting your home or business-choose Rollac for reliable, durable rolling shutters that are designed to last.