Which covers are safer: roller shutters or external shutters, surface-mounted or external roller shutters?

A particularly increasing trend is observed in home burglaries and break-ins, especially in the current times. What many consumers do not know is that 94% of burglars enter homes for break-ins through the entrance door, windows, balcony doors, and kitchen doors. Therefore, what protects our home from unwanted intrusions (thefts, break-ins, etc.) are the external covers of the frames, and consequently, the question inevitably arises: which covers are safer, roller shutters or external shutters, surface-mounted or external roller shutters?

First, we must clarify that there are no inviolable frames, but in order to prevent a break-in, it is enough to delay the entry of the aspiring burglar for 3-4 minutes. The security of frames and their resistance to a potential break-in are measured by specialized laboratories with resistance classes WK (Widerstand Klasse), depending on the difficulty required to break into a window, the time required, and the tools (crowbars, grinders, extractors, etc.) that the aspiring burglar uses. See all categories in detail in our article frame security.

There are many ways to secure our frames. The most common are roller shutters (external or surface-mounted), hinged external shutters, armored glass panes, retractable security grilles, iron bars, etc. Let’s look, then, initially at which covers are safer: roller shutters or external shutters (hinged external shutters).

Which covers are safer: roller shutters or external shutters?

The question of which covers are safer, roller shutters or external shutters, is not easy to answer because there are dozens of types of slat profiles for roller shutters (plastic, polyurethane, heavy-duty, etc.) and dozens of ways to construct hinged external shutters, which is why we will examine them separately.

Roller Shutters and Burglary Security

As mentioned above, roller shutters and their security against burglary depend on how they are constructed. Let’s look, then, at some ways to increase the security of roller shutters:

• The slats of roller shutters play a decisive role in their security. Plastic slats (PVC) as well as polyurethane aluminum roller shutter slats offer no security, as they can be opened silently with a blowtorch and are only suitable for room darkening.
• Roller shutter slats with aluminum profiles (heavy-duty) offer greater security against burglary. Their resistance to burglary varies depending on the type of slat, as there are several qualities of heavy-duty slats. See all heavy-duty roller shutter slats.

• Security pins (roller shutter security bolts) can be installed on all roller shutters and offer additional security, as the aspiring burglar cannot lift the roller shutter. In the case of simultaneous use of electric motors and security pins, controlled torque roller shutter motors should be used to prevent damage to the motors if someone tries to operate the roller shutters with the pins locked.

• The use of roller shutter guides with a fin is particularly effective and offers additional security, as the roller shutter guide, due to its special fin, is screwed behind and together with the frame casing (window), making it more difficult to use crowbars and remove the guides.

• The use of reinforced roller shutter guides is also effective, as it hinders a common practice of burglars to pull the roller shutter slats and remove them from the guides.

• On the market, there are shafts, on which the roller shutter slats rotate, which do not allow reverse rotation when the roller shutter is lowered and closed.
• Special attention should be paid to the selection of roller shutter slats, so that they do not form “bellies,” usually due to large width (large roller shutters), and detach from the roller shutter guides.
• All roller shutters have the advantage that they do not have externally visible components and hinges.

External Shutters and Burglary Security

As with roller shutters, hinged external shutters and their security against burglary depend on how they are constructed. Let’s look, then, at what increases the security of external shutters.

• Plastic external shutter slats (PVC) offer no security, as they can be opened with a blowtorch and are only suitable for darkening.
• Aluminum slats for external shutters offer satisfactory security depending on their type. See all external shutter slats.

• The type of locking mechanism for external shutter leaves plays a primary role in their security. There are simple locking mechanisms and external shutter mechanisms with additional security on the handle, as well as reinforced security shutter rods that prevent the mechanism from being unlocked with a simple screwdriver.

• A decisive role in the security of external shutters is played by the multiple – autonomous locking of each leaf.
• Hinges (mascula) can be installed on external shutters, which screw into the inner part of the frame, which is not visible to aspiring burglars.
• External shutters can also be constructed with closed panels (traditional external shutters) which increase their security.
• Sliding external shutters are less secure than hinged ones.
• External shutters that have integrated frames with the glass are safer than external shutters that have separate frames.

• A special case of security is external shutters with integrated grilles of the Europa Safety type.

Which are safer: roller shutters or external shutters?

In conclusion, the security of external covers and which covers are safer, roller shutters or external shutters, depends on how they are constructed, the materials used, and the mechanisms. Our empirical opinion is that hinged external shutters with aluminum slats and multiple locking are safer than polyurethane-filled aluminum roller shutters. Also, heavy-duty roller shutters with fin guides are safer than all external shutters (hinged – sliding). However, for such a claim to be officially verified and measured, all types of external covers would need to be tested and certificates issued by notified laboratories, as is done for frames. See how frames are evaluated and how certificates and technical specifications for frames are issued.

Which roller shutters are safer: external or surface-mounted?

In our article external roller shutters or surface-mounted roller shutters, we extensively analyzed the aspect of security. Surface-mounted roller shutters are those whose box reduces the overall height of the frame. External roller shutters are those whose boxes are installed on the exterior of the masonry, and their box does not reduce the height of the frame. To the question of which roller shutters are safer, external or surface-mounted, the answer is surface-mounted with fin guides, because the guides of external roller shutters are very easily detached with a crowbar. See everything about roller shutter security in our article external or surface-mounted roller shutters.

As mentioned above, the security of frames is relative, and inviolable frames do not exist. The goal of most external covers is to delay the aspiring burglar. One way to increase the security of roller shutters and external shutters, to a very large extent and prevent a potential break-in, is the use of retractable security grilles. Most consumers consider, and rightly so, retractable security grilles unaesthetic. In some cases, when the grilles are installed between the glass and the external cover of the frame (roller shutter or external shutter), we dramatically increase the security of the frame as well as the aesthetic result. See photos and actual frames in frame security with retractable security grilles.