11/04/2024
When it comes to safeguarding your shop or warehouse after hours, having a roller shutter is essential. Nothing quite matches the security it offers against break-ins and lock tampering, not to mention the convenience of rolling it out of the way when reopening the next day.
Roller shutters need to be strong and durable, which is why most roller shutters are made of either steel or aluminium. However, knowing which metal best suits your needs isn't always obvious. While both provide excellent security for your business, there are several things that set them apart from each other.
With years of experience installing, maintaining, and repairing roller shutters in Kent and South East London, the team at Quay Facilities are often asked whether steel or aluminium is best. To help you make an informed decision, we've outlined the pros and cons of each below, so you can select the best shutter type to protect your business.
Steel Roller Shutters
Pros of Steel Roller Shutters
- Strength and Security: Put simply, steel roller shutters provide the best possible line of defence against potential vandalism and thieves. Steel is significantly stronger than aluminium, making steel shutters much more resistant to forced entry and break-ins. This enhanced security makes them ideal for high-risk locations like jewellery stores, banks, or industrial facilities.
- Durability: Steel is a more robust material, offering greater resistance to wear and tear, dents, and scratches. This translates to a longer lifespan for steel shutters compared to aluminium ones, especially in harsh environments.
- Fire Resistance: Steel has a higher melting point than aluminium, providing superior fire resistance. This can be crucial for businesses or buildings with a high fire risk or where fire safety regulations are paramount.
Cons of Steel Roller Shutters
- Heavier Weight: Steel's inherent weight makes it cumbersome to operate manually. It usually requires electric motors, which adds to the cost and complexity of the system.
- Limited Aesthetics: Steel shutters typically come in a standard industrial grey finish, offering fewer customisation options in terms of colour and design compared to the wider variety available with aluminium.
- Higher Cost: Due to the material and potential motorisation, steel shutters generally have a higher initial cost than their aluminium counterparts.
Aluminium Roller Shutters
Pros of Aluminium Roller Shutters
- Lighter Weight: Aluminium is significantly lighter than steel, making it easier to handle and operate, especially for larger shutters. This also puts less strain on the operating mechanism and building structure.
- Lower Cost: Aluminium is generally less expensive than steel, making it a more budget-friendly option.
- More Versatile: Aluminium is more malleable than steel, allowing for greater customisation in terms of size, shape, and design. Additionally, aluminium shutters come in a wider variety of colours and finishes, offering greater aesthetic flexibility.
- Quieter Operation: Due to their lighter weight, aluminium shutters tend to operate more quietly than steel shutters, which can be a benefit in noise-sensitive areas.
Cons of Aluminium Roller Shutters
- Lower Security: Aluminium is weaker than steel, making them less resistant to forceful break-ins and vandalism. They're better suited for less 'heavy-duty' applications where the risk of a serious break-in attempt is lower.
- Susceptibility to Denting: Aluminium is a softer metal and can dent more easily than steel under impact. This may not be a major concern for everyday use, but it's a factor to consider if your property is in a high-risk area or prone to heavy winds.
- Less Visual Deterrence: The sturdier appearance of steel shutters can act as a stronger visual deterrent against potential intruders compared to the lighter look of aluminium shutters.
Should You Choose Steel or Aluminium Roller Shutters for Your Business?
When choosing between steel and aluminium roller shutters for your business, there are a few factors to consider: your budget, security needs, durability requirements, and your aesthetic preferences.
In general, steel shutters are great for maximising security in high-risk environments, industrial setups, and buildings needing fire resistance. Aluminium shutters, on the other hand, are better suited for environments with low-to-medium risk levels, where factors like budget and appearance matter more than sheer strength.
Ultimately, the best choice depends on what matters most to you. If you're unsure, consider reaching out to professionals like the team at Quay Facilities. They can help assess your security needs and recommend the roller shutter material that fits your business best.
Talk to London and Kent's Go-To Roller Shutter Specialists
Need help finding the perfect roller shutter for your Kent or South East London premises? Our experienced team can recommend, supply, and install bespoke steel or aluminium shutters to meet your specific needs. We have years of experience securing all types of businesses, and we're happy to help you choose the right shutter for top-level protection. Book a free consultation online or call us on 0208 2266 247 today!
