We were in europe last year and noticed almost everyone house and many businesses have rollup shutters. There is an obvious security with the shutters but can they also provide significant insulation factors? Are there shutters that have more insulation factor than others? I have searched the web and have found some supplers in the US but very few and I have not found any in Canada. The ones that I did see were very very expensive - I think for our house it would exceed $10 K - why are they so expensive? I can not see them as being that hard to install - are they a product that a do-it-yourself can handle? Saskatoon
Answer:
Roll shutters were used in the Orient of some centuries and in Europe for over a hundred years and they are good for light control, privacy, security, energy conservation and aesthetics - among other things. they are expensive if you have expensive tastes. Some that I've seen cost less because they are not electrically controlled. Only the patio door and the overhead garage door need electricity normally and that custs the price significantly. One of the reasons for the high cost could be that the motors used in all the ones I've seen have only one manufacturer so the monoply effect comes into play. Installation is certainly within the abilities of even novice DIY-ers. You'll hve to keep searching the WWW for suppliers in your area.
