When buying a roller shutter, customers often ask which materials are good. Normally, the more expensive the material, the better its quality. But a better material does not automatically mean a better door. What really counts is the manufacturer’s quality control in production and installation. The key is to pick a shutter that fits your requirements. More expensive is not always better.
Today’s shutter fabrics fall into two main groups: polyester fiber wrapped in PVC, and glass fiber wrapped in PVC. For both groups, the shared technical parameter that measures light transmission is the mesh opening rate. That is the share of the fabric taken up by holes, per unit area. Fabrics usually come in 1%, 3%, 5%, 8%, or 10% mesh opening rates, used for different places and functions. Installed indoors, a darker fabric of the same mesh rate transmits light and view better; a lighter fabric does the opposite. Used outdoors, a fabric with an aluminum coating or a darker color is better, because the coated fabric reflects more heat and the dark fabric absorbs more.
Roller shutter materials include: grid, color steel, aluminum alloy, stainless steel, PVC, and crystal.
Aluminum alloy roller shutter — The most common and most traditional type. Strong on looks and eco-friendliness, but its main drawback is the noise.
Color steel roller shutter — Comes in many colors. You can choose different panel thicknesses and add window panels or a pass door.
Grid roller shutter — Breathable and light-transmitting while still theft-resistant. Very modern looking.
Crystal roller shutter — Made with PC bulletproof-glue crystal slats. Widely used in clothing malls. Very stylish.
PVC roller shutter — Made from PVC, as the name says. Blocks dust fast and effectively, with strong insulation, warmth retention, and soundproofing.
Stainless steel roller shutter — Panels made of stainless steel. Glossy surface that resists wear and scratches.
Fire-rated roller shutter — Built for fire and heat isolation at large building openings. The design and installation play a real technical role. Fire-rated shutters are used widely in industrial and civil buildings as fire compartments. They stop fire from spreading and protect life and property. They are a necessary fire safety feature in modern buildings.
The main types of fire-rated roller shutter are: composite steel fire shutter (fire and smoke resistant), inorganic premium fire shutter (twin-track, twin-curtain), premium steel water-mist fire shutter, steel composite side-mounted fire shutter, steel composite horizontal fire shutter, inorganic premium folding fire shutter, and various types with pass doors in the curtain.
Among all these materials, fire-rated shutter material is what people in building fire safety use most. Different materials give different shutter styles and fire ratings. RHidoor has laid out this detailed material list for customers as a reference. We believe you will find the right shutter for yourself. To learn more about roller shutters, follow the RHidoor website.