Comparison
Electric vs Manual Roller Shutters
Manual roller shutters cost less up front and have fewer parts to maintain. Electric shutters are easier to use every day, especially for large, heavy or hard-to-reach openings, and are common on shopfronts and warehouses. If you already have manual shutters, many can be converted to electric later.
Updated
Side-by-side comparison
| Manual | Electric | |
|---|---|---|
| Up-front cost | Lower | Higher — motor, controls and wiring |
| Daily use | Strap or crank; effort grows with size | Switch or remote |
| Large openings | Can be heavy to operate | Well suited |
| Maintenance | Straps and winders wear over time | Motor and controls; occasional limit adjustment |
| Power | None needed | Needs a power supply installed by a licensed electrician |
| Power outage | Unaffected | Plan for manual override or backup — ask what's available |
For businesses
For shopfronts, warehouses and workshops opened and closed every day, electric operation saves time and effort and makes it more likely the shutter is closed properly every night. Large commercial shutters are often impractical to run by hand.
For homes
Manual shutters suit small or rarely used windows. Electric makes sense for large sliding doors, high windows and anyone who wants to close every shutter from one place.
Converting manual to electric
Many existing manual shutters can be motorised without replacing the whole shutter. Whether yours can depends on the shutter's condition, size and access to power — it's assessed on site.
A note on DIY
Fixed electrical work for motors must be done by a licensed electrician, and large shutters are heavy. Installation and conversion are best left to professionals.
Have manual shutters already?
Find out whether your existing shutters can be converted to electric.
Manual-to-electric conversionQuestions
Frequently asked questions
Keep reading
Related pages
Motors and controls.
Upgrade existing shutters.
For business premises.
What affects cost.
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