Rolling exterior shutters provide safety, energy savings
Q. I want a strong window shutter for security and storms, but I don’t want it to block my outdoor view. Is a rolling shutter strong enough, and will it improve the efficiency of a large window?
A. Installing rolling shutters can protect your windows and sliding glass doors from damage during severe weather. In some hurricane-prone states, such as Florida and the Texas coast, those building new homes or doing major improvement projects are required to install approved rolling shutters. In other parts of the country, these shutters are popular because of energy savings and security benefits.
Energy savings with rolling shutters can be significant, especially over large windows and glass doors. Considering only the insulation value of the shutter slats, a rolling window shutter can triple the R-value of a standard window. Additional savings come from the dead air space that is created, reducing air leakage and blocking the sun’s heat and fading rays during the summer.
A rolling window shutter operates similarly to an old roll-top desk. The shutter is mounted in outdoor vertical tracks on each side of a window or door, and rolls up into a small box mounted above the window or door. The individual slats are often only 1 to 2 inches tall, and they interlock with each other. The mechanisms used to raise and lower the shades are indoors; there are also emergency hand-crank rods that can be used outdoors.
Some rolling shutters still allow natural light to come indoors when they are lowered to cover the entire window; each interlocking flange connecting the slats together has long, narrow holes. When the shutter is completely lowered against the sill, these holes are hidden. As the shutter starts to lift, the slats separate to expose the holes while the bottom slat is still resting on the window sill.
There are several options for slat design. The least expensive rolling shutters have slates made of hollow rolled sheet metal; the metal becomes stronger and stiffer from the rolling and forming operation. Another option is the same type of roll-formed slat, but with insulation in the cavity. This makes the slats a little stronger and provides more insulation. The strongest and most expensive slats are heavier extruded metal.
The type of opening device and controls will be determined by the type and size of the rolling shutters you install and the level of convenience you desire. If a shutter is difficult and inconvenient to open and close, you will end up just not using it as often as you should for the greatest energy savings and storm protection.
When installing a rolling shutter over a normal-size window, an inexpensive pull-strap operator is effective. For larger shutters or heavier extruded ones, a hand crank is a good choice; this is still reasonably priced and easy to use. For the most convenience, electric operators are available. With modern electronics, groups of shutters can be operated from just one control.
It is not difficult to install a rolling shutter yourself: Measure and mount the side tracks on the outdoor wall. Slide the support ends into the top of the tracks and secure them with screws.
I installed a very large Roll-A-Way shade with an electric operator over a 7-by-11foot picture window. Even with the help of three neighbors, the shade was awkward to handle because of its size, but it was a fairly simple project.
The following companies offer rolling window shutters: AC Shutters (800-745-5261, www.acshutters.com), Alutech United, (800233-1144, www.alutech.com), Roll-A-Way (866-749-5424, www.roll-a-way.com), Rollac Shutters (888-276-5522, www.rollac.com), Shade & Shutter Systems (800-522-1599, www.shadeandshutter.com) and Wheatbelt
(800-264-5171, www.rollupshutter.com).
Q. I am going to add some wall insulation to an old farm house when I re-side it. I plan to use real cedar-lap siding. What is the proper method to nail the siding after the insulation and sheathing are installed?
A. Ring-shank nails are best because they grip tightly and should not pop; use either aluminum or galvanized steel nails to eliminate rusting. Hammer the nail heads in just flush with the siding surface.
The proper nailing location is just above the edge of the piece of siding below. Never try to nail through two pieces of siding with the same nail. Do not nail up too far though, or the siding is more likely to split.
Considering only the insulation value of the shutter slats, a rolling window shutter can triple the R-value of a standard window.”