In the real world — where shutters for shop must always work, customers don’t want surprises, and installations must hold up over the years — choosing the right rolling shutter is never just a technical matter.
It’s a question of reliability, maintenance, safety and aesthetics.
Because every store has different needs. Every context requires a tailor-made solution.
And when the product is wrong, problems are not immediately visible… but they always arrive.
In this guide we go into detail about what really matters:
- types of rolling shutters for shops , with a focus on the most commonly used materials (and why)
- structural and functional differences
- options for electrification and automation
- the characteristics that define a truly effective security shutter
Types of rolling shutters for shops
Anyone who works in the sector knows it: talking generically about “shutters” today makes no sense.
A shutter for shops is a technical element that must do many things at once: protect, last, isolate, function well, integrate with the environment, and do it every day without becoming a problem.
And no, there is no one-size-fits-all solution.
The type of business, the area, the exposure, the frequency of opening, the level of risk… everything matters.
This is why in SIPAR we offer three main typologies, all customizable, all designed for real contexts and not “from the catalogue”:
- Extruded aluminum → for those looking for precise structure, reliability and a clean aesthetic impact
- Insulated aluminum → for those who want insulation and lightness, without sacrificing durability
- Insulated steel → for those who put safety first and want a product that will last forever
Three different solutions. Same goal: to provide the right answer to the real need , not a generic product that works for everyone.
Extruded aluminum shutters
Extruded aluminum has structure, strength and precision unlike the weight of steel and the limitations of thin slats. It is the right material when you need a lightweight but solid shutter , which maintains its shape and fluidity even after years of use.
What does this mean in practice?
- Which holds well on wide openings , without flexing or stability problems
- Which flows smoothly and silently , even in environments where noise is a factor to be kept under control (shops, galleries, showrooms)
- Which does not fear rust or degradation , because aluminium, especially if treated, cannot be ruined by smog, rain or salt
From an aesthetic point of view, extruded aluminum lends itself to high-level finishes: anodized, painted, customized.
Those who want a clean, modern and technically reliable result often choose it without hesitation.
Insulated aluminum rolling shutters for shops
If you need a shutter that protects, insulates and lasts over time, without adding weight or structural problems , insulated aluminum is the most practical and intelligent choice.
We are talking about double-walled profiles with internal polyurethane foam, designed to offer excellent thermal and acoustic insulation with a low weight.
What advantages does it offer?
- It keeps the temperature inside better , therefore less waste, less dispersion, lower costs
- It reduces noise , useful for those who work in busy areas, but also for those who simply want a more comfortable environment
- It puts less strain on the motors and guides , because it weighs little and slides well.
In addition, like extruded, it does not rust , does not swell, does not flake. And it does not need to be continuously treated.
It is a concrete choice, often adopted in street shops or in businesses where opening is frequent and silence makes the difference.
Insulated steel shutters for shops
If your priority is real safety, then you inevitably end up with insulated steel.
It is not the lightest choice, nor the cheapest at the beginning. But it is the one that will make you feel at peace for years.
We are talking about profiles made of high-resistance steel sheets , with an insulating core of polyurethane foam inside .
A combination that unites two values that are often difficult to reconcile: mechanical robustness and insulation .
In concrete terms:
- Resists impacts, deformations, break-in attempts and forced lifting
- maintains good thermal and acoustic insulation , despite its compact structure
- It does not bend , it does not crack, it does not give in under stress
- can integrate advanced safety systems: anti-lifting, motorized locks, self-locking
It is the most suitable solution for:
- shops in isolated areas or at risk of theft
- boutiques, jewelry stores , businesses with valuable goods
- large surfaces that require structural integrity even on very wide openings
Without forgetting an often underestimated aspect: perceived value.
An insulated steel shutter transmits strength. And that, sometimes, is enough to make people give up.
Electric shutters for shops
Today, not automating a commercial shutter means accepting slowness, wear and tear and avoidable margins of error.
Electrifying a shutter means transforming it from a passive component to an active element of the shop.
Integrating a motorized system brings short and long-term advantages that should not be underestimated:
- speed up the daily routine , especially in stores with multiple openings
- preserve the structure of the shutter : the motors manage the winding uniformly, reducing mechanical stress and extending the useful life of the entire system
- automate management : possibility of connecting timers, sensors or home automation systems for programmed opening, remote control or emergency closing
- eliminate physical effort : useful not only for the comfort of the operators, but also to comply with regulations related to safety at work
SIPAR engines
SIPAR motorized systems work at 230V / 50Hz and are designed for 60 or 70 mm rollers , adaptable to most commercial installations.
Night&Day range offers three options, each designed for a specific operational need:
- FMI – Standard motors with wall switch
The simplest and most direct motor: reliable, essential, perfect for installations where manual control from a fixed point is preferred.
- FMM – Motors with emergency handle
Designed for contexts where the shutter must be operational even in the event of a blackout. The integrated manual operation allows opening/closing without power. No operational block, no risk of having to force the shutter.
- RADIO – Motor with integrated remote control
The most advanced: equipped with a built-in radio receiver for use with remote control and an anti-obstacle sensor , which blocks the descent if something is detected in the area below. Useful, for example, in shops where it is easy to forget displays or mobile furnishings near the entrance.
More safety, fewer accidents.
All engines are designed to easily integrate additional safety systems , such as Autolock or anti-lift devices, while maintaining a consistent and centralized system logic.
Autolock: Security Shutter System for Shops
In a motorized system, automatic closing is not enough if it is not also securely locked.
Autolock is an integrable smart lock that makes the shutter not only closed, but truly protected , every time it is lowered, without the need for manual intervention.
It is not a lock like the others: it is a patented system, developed by SIPAR to resolve a critical point of many motorized installations, that is, the lack of an effective mechanical lock .
In practice:
- automatically locks the shutter at the end of its travel , without the need for keys or padlocks
- prevents forced lifting , acting as a deterrent against rapid break-in attempts
- It is certified for safety, robustness and reliability requirements
- it integrates perfectly with home automation systems , opening up to remote management and complete automation of perimeter security
Autolock is a system designed for those looking for more security, less stress and greater control , without complicating the daily use of the shutter.
Whether it is a shop in the city center or a sales point in an industrial area, choosing the right shutter means combining safety, practicality and durability , without compromise. Each material, each system, each accessory affects the daily use and the real protection of spaces.
And if you also deal with residential or mixed commercial, we also point you to this complete guide to the garage door – another element often overlooked, but central to the safety of a building.
At SIPAR we design and manufacture custom-made shop shutters , in aluminum or insulated steel, with the possibility of complete customization of materials, dimensions, finishes and safety elements.
Each solution is designed to meet real needs for protection, reliability and architectural integration , with constant technical support for you and your customers.
