Guide
Manual or electric roller shutters?
Manual shutters suit small openings and lighter curtains, while electric shutters suit wider openings, daily use and anyone who struggles with the weight. A roller shutter is £1,495 to £3,695 ex VAT per shutter, with size and operation moving the figure. If several people open the shop, or the curtain is heavy, electric is usually the easier choice.
Last updated 3 November 2026. General guidance only: confirm anything legal with your council or adviser.
When is a manual shutter enough?
A manual shutter is lifted by hand, with springs in the barrel taking much of the weight, and usually locks at the bottom rail. It suits a small opening, a side door or a rear window, and has fewer parts to fail. The drawback is bending to a floor lock on a wet pavement, and a worn spring makes the lift hard work.
When does electric make more sense?
A motor does the lifting, worked by a key switch or remote. That suits wide or heavy curtains, and shops opened by different staff on different days. Because nobody has to bend to a floor lock, opening up is safer on a dark street. Electric shutters cost more to buy and add a motor to maintain, but staff are less likely to leave one half open.
What are the safety rules for electric shutters?
Commercial shutters fall under BS EN 13241, with BS EN 12453 covering the safety of powered doors in use. In Great Britain, the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 say a powered door must not trap people, an upward-opening door needs a device to stop it falling back, and there must be a manual option unless it opens on power failure.
What happens in a power cut?
A motorised shutter needs a manual override, usually a hand chain or crank. Ask to be shown how it works, and keep the handle where staff can reach it. A shutter over a fire exit should be open while anyone is inside, a point covered in England and Wales by the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.
What servicing do they need?
Both types need regular attention. Keep the guide rails clear of grit, and have springs, motors and safety devices checked at the interval the manufacturer gives. Motors are covered by the manufacturer's warranty, so keep the paperwork safe. Shutter repairs are £125 to £695 ex VAT for most repairs.
Planning permission may apply to a new shutter of either type, because the rules look at the shutter and its box, not how it is opened. Read our shutter planning guide and confirm with your council before you order, especially in a conservation area.