External and internal roller shutters - what to know before choosing

Many customers replacing their windows also ask about roller shutters - a natural complement to window joinery that genuinely affects year-round comfort in a room.

External roller shutters

Installed on the outside of the building, in front of or above the window. Their biggest advantage is stopping solar radiation before it reaches the glass at all - in summer they protect against a room overheating far more effectively than any internal solution, because they don't let the heat in in the first place. On top of that, a lowered external shutter creates a noticeable thermal barrier in winter (an extra layer of air between the shutter and the glass), makes break-ins harder and dampens outside noise.

Internal roller shutters/blinds

Installed on the room side - simpler to fit, usually cheaper, and easier to replace or repair than external shutters. They work well for blocking light and as a decorative element, though they're less effective at preventing a room from overheating in summer, since solar radiation has already passed through the glass by the time it reaches them.

Which solution to choose

If your priority is protection from summer heat, winter energy savings and extra security, external shutters offer genuinely more benefits, though they cost more and require work on the façade. If you mainly want to darken a room on a lower budget, internal shutters will be enough.

Service and repair

Like windows, roller shutters need periodic maintenance - straps, guide rails and the winding mechanism wear out over time. We also handle repair and maintenance of external and internal roller shutters, regardless of whether we installed them ourselves.

Roller shutters and insect screens - can they be combined

Yes, external roller shutters and insect screens are fitted to different parts of the window structure and don't conflict with each other - shutters are mounted in a box above the window or on the facade, while a screen sits directly in the window opening or on the outer side of the frame. The only thing worth planning ahead when ordering windows is allowing enough installation space in advance - it's easier and cheaper to plan for this at the time of the window order than to add a shutter box afterwards.

If you're planning a window replacement and considering adding roller shutters - ask about it when requesting your window quote, it can often be arranged in a single visit from the crew.