Every car enthusiast wants his car to always be safe. To achieve this goal, you can install roller garage doors. Today, these designs are very popular, but before purchasing it is necessary to study not only their advantages, but also their disadvantages. When choosing, you should understand the varieties, installation technologies and other parameters in order to buy a product that is suitable for a particular case.
You can make similar gates yourself
What are roller shutter gates?
Roller shutter gates, by their design, are very difficult to break into.
An aluminum or steel profile of varying thickness is used as the basis for roller shutters . Aluminum products are quite durable, last a very long time, and are not subject to corrosion. The slats of the structure are tightly connected, which increases the anti-vandal effect, and to increase strength they are provided with additional stiffening ribs.
Structures made from steel profiles are the strongest and best resist unauthorized entry. To prevent steel roller shutters from suffering from moisture, galvanized metal is used for them.
Additional insulation of the structure protects against heat loss through the gate; for this purpose, a special heat-insulating material is fixed around the perimeter of the gate. It will help maintain a favorable temperature in the garage even in severe frosts outside.
Garage roller shutters are produced in 2 types: with horizontal and vertical movement of the gate. It is possible to open the structure manually or using automation. Roller doors are easy to install, easy to operate, and can be placed both outside and inside the garage opening.
Installation procedure for roller shutters in a garage
It is better to install roller gates from scratch with one or two assistants. It is problematic to complete such a volume of work alone, even if you have the skills. First you need to install the guides and assemble the frame.
Fastening the guides
Holes with a diameter of 4 mm are drilled into the guides. The distance between adjacent holes should be no more than half a meter.
Step-by-step instruction:
- a groove is made in the room to install a spring supporting the control mechanism;
- a box is formed: the body is connected to the sides using aluminum rivets;
- a spring is inserted to the right of the shaft;
- the shaft is connected to the box located on the ceiling;
- the frame is attached and the fasteners are marked;
- holes are made and guides are mounted;
- the lace is threaded into the spring;
- the frame is screwed in with self-tapping screws;
- the holes are closed with plugs.
The lower and upper holes should be made at a distance of up to 15 cm from the edge. If this restriction is not observed, the frame may not be attached firmly enough. In this case, the gate will quickly fail.
Installation of roller shutters
When the frame is fixed, they begin to install the canvas. Its ends are fixed from below with a special profile. A pair of holes with a diameter of 6 mm are made in the bottom bar. Stoppers are installed in these grooves to support the slats. Then the roller shutter is closed with a lid. A roller is screwed onto the inside of the lintel. Evenness is controlled by the building level. Upon completion of the work, the smoothness of the movement of the canvas is tested: it is raised up and lowered.
Automation device
Automation for rolling gates
So that the gate can be opened from a certain distance, you can install an automatic block. When connecting the electric drive and other devices, you must strictly follow the instructions. The wires are mounted in such a way as to protect them from violating the integrity of the protective sheath and contact with moisture.
Stages of setting up and adjusting the gate
To adjust the limit switches on industrially produced blades, the hexagon supplied in the kit is suitable. It is necessary to determine the lowest and highest positions of the canvas. They are set thanks to the corresponding switches located on the side of the box. The upper position is adjusted so that one of the lamellas is in the opening of the guides. The front part of the box is strengthened using self-tapping screws. To evaluate the quality of sliding of the canvas, you need to open and close the gate several times. If the result is satisfactory, remove the protective film from the slats and wipe off the dust.
Advantages and disadvantages
Roller shutter gates are attractive in appearance and easy to install, but making them yourself will be expensive.
The positive qualities of roller shutter gates include the following:
- These designs relieve you of the need to remove snow that has fallen in front of the garage in the winter;
- They are easy to install, do not require special care during operation, and a properly installed structure will serve for a long time;
- Roller shutter gates are very compact and require little space for installation. Unlike other gate designs, they do not take up additional space when opening;
- The profile used in the manufacture of the structure saves heat. In addition, it protects against dirt, so your garage will always be clean and warm.
- Automatically controlled roller shutter gates can be opened remotely without leaving the car.
But there are also disadvantages:
- They do not retain heat well, since when opened they let in a lot of air from the street;
- The mechanisms and slats of the gate leaf may freeze; in winter, moisture in the cracks between the slats turns into ice, and opening the gate may be problematic. You will need to lightly tap on the canvas, and only then open it;
- Making your own roller shutter gates will put a significant dent in your pocket.
Doorway installation
Before installing roller gates, the opening must be prepared. The wall must be monolithic and free of voids. If it is made of brick with slots or foam blocks, the opening is edged with a metal corner with dimensions of 75x75 mm.
The finishing touches must be completed before work.
If there is a 30-40 cm ceiling inside the room, and there are no pipes or other structures in the gate installation area, the door can be placed inside the garage. Sometimes overhead roller shutters are installed at the entrance. In this case, stable columns must be prepared in advance.
Types of roller shutters and their features
The modern construction market offers roller shutters made of different materials
This design, in addition to its main function - protecting the premises, hides the garage from street noise and direct sunlight. You can find many different roller shutters on sale, which differ in manufacturing method, construction material, operational purpose and installation method.
These products are also divided according to the installation method: overhead and built-in. Overhead roller shutters are placed on the outside of the opening, and built-in shutters are mounted inside it.
Professionals advise using roller shutters with internal installation of the structure, as they better withstand external mechanical stress, do not bend and look prettier.
According to the material used, roller shutters are divided into:
- Plastic.
Such roller shutters cannot be used in wide openings, but they have an attractive appearance. The products protect the room well from noise, but do not withstand external influences well; - Steel.
Made from galvanized or painted metal profiles, they resist external influences well, but the material is afraid of corrosive processes; - Aluminum.
Such structures are similar in their characteristics to steel ones, but all elements weigh less. They are mainly used by owners of apartments on the ground floor and shop owners; - Armored.
They are made from aluminum profiles with increased strength. They are used for premises that need to be protected as much as possible from criminals. Often, at the factory, such roller shutters are equipped with an electric drive and remote control; - Wooden.
Wood structures are used mainly for decoration. These roller shutters have high environmental safety. They are able to protect the room from street noise, low temperatures and sunlight; - Perforated.
Such products are made from a metal profile with plastic inserts. These inserts can be of any configuration; they are expensive, but made of very high quality.
Attention! Professionals prefer to use these structures where regular ventilation is necessary; they are mainly installed in shop windows.
Roller shutters come with manual opening and mechanical opening. In the first design, the garage owner needs to make an effort to close and open the shutters, but with a mechanical drive, you only need to press a button on the remote control.
Garage roller shutters are almost impossible to move even with the help of a cable; it is very difficult to get inside, and it will not be possible to do it silently. To improve the protection of the garage, it is recommended to install structures made of solid steel or aluminum. Unfortunately, these roller shutters are not cheap.
Types of gates
All garage door roller shutters are characterized by the same design; the differences are in size, cost, materials from which the slats are made, method of installation and control, as well as the degree of protection.
As mentioned above, lamellas are available in steel or aluminum. Steel is characterized by high strength, reliability and long service life. In addition, the structures have soundproofing and anti-burglary characteristics, but their cost is high.
Aluminum products look presentable, the material is corrosion-resistant, lightweight, but quite durable. The structures are much cheaper than their steel counterparts.
If the device has an electric drive, operation is carried out using a key fob or control unit. Mechanical products are driven by a handle. It should be noted that if the gate weighs more than 30 kg, it is necessary to install an automatic system, because manually lifting such a structure will be very problematic.
According to the degree of protection, all roller shutter structures are divided into several types. Some of them:
- Products marked P1 and P2 can be classified as classic designs with a low degree of protection. Their main property is to prevent dust from getting inside, as well as slight sound insulation.
- Devices designated as classes P3 to P5 are average in terms of protection. They are often made from steel, which provides structural strength.
- Devices with indicators P6-P8 are considered the most durable. These are usually bulletproof and armored products.
Another criterion for the classification of roller blinds is the methods of fixing the structures. They come in several types:
- Overlays are installed on the internal or external wall of the room above the opening. The protective box is fixed there.
- Built-in ones are placed inside the opening at the top. Experienced craftsmen believe that this is the best option for providing reliable protection against intrusion by strangers.
- The combined method involves fastening the protective box in a special recess, which is located above the opening.
Gates are classified according to several bases
Subtleties of choice
In order not to make mistakes when choosing a design that is suitable for you, it is important to decide on several points:
- What degree of protection do you need?
- Is there uninterruptible power supply?
- Which opening method is preferable - automatic or manual;
- Frequency of equipment use;
- Priority of operating comfort or cost.
The answer to any of these questions can greatly change the price of the structure. To save money and time, you can consult with professionals.
Rolling gates - general description and design
In addition to the roller shutter, sectional doors contain the following elements:
- a drive shaft that winds the fabric around itself;
- lifting device;
- body where the canvas is placed;
- mechanical control;
- electric drive that drives the canvas;
- guides for moving the web along them;
- rollers, brackets and fasteners.
Performance characteristics
Rolling gates are a rather interesting solution that has pros and cons. Those who use this design often speak quite positively about it, but this option is not suitable for every owner.
Any design has disadvantages, and this gate is no exception, so let’s take a closer look at them:
- Price. It can be quite high when choosing large sizes of rolled fabric.
- Gate. It is simply impossible to install it in this type of canvas, therefore, when entering/exiting the garage, you need to raise and lower the main canvas every time.
Many owners of such gates are satisfied with their purchase, since the design has many more advantages and here are the most important ones:
- Space saving. This design is installed where space in front of the garage is limited.
- Speed of work. The flexible sash closes and opens quickly and easily.
- Thermal insulation and sound insulation. It is provided by porous insulation inside the lamellas.
Sectional doors or roller doors – what to choose?
Before making a choice, you need to understand the design features of the two types of gates.
Let's take a closer look at them:
- Design. Sectionals need free space under the ceiling. Rolled ones are rolled into a roll and hidden in a box that does not take up much space.
- Dimensions. Sectional ones are used in large openings, since bulky structures can be closed and opened manually easily. Rolled ones have restrictions on length, no more than 6 meters and height no more than 3 meters, and more than 3 meters in width are adjusted only automatically.
- Material. The slats of sectional doors can be made with or without insulation. Rolled ones do not retain heat and are mounted in unheated rooms.
- Automation. The sectional structure for the garage does not need to be automated due to the fact that the spring mechanism compensates for the weight. Rolled ones are equipped with automatic systems and a manual lifting system in case of an accident.
- Anti-vandal resistance. Sectional ones are more burglar-resistant; they are well secured to a rigid frame. Rolled ones are also quite safe, with the exception of designs where the lamellas are single-layered.
Differences between different roller shutter drives
In addition to the material of manufacture, roller shutters differ in the type of drive
Electric drive.
This method of controlling the operation of roller shutters allows the use of emergency opening devices and remote control. With this drive you can use automatic locks. The main disadvantage is the size limitation on the width of the opening (minimum 60 cm)
Cardan drive.
A cheap and reliable device for controlling roller shutters. You can choose to use a fixed or removable unit. The downside is that the weight of the door leaf should not exceed 36 kg.
Cable drive
. This reliable and inexpensive device can be installed directly on the wall or attached to a rail. The cable drive, unfortunately, cannot work in conjunction with perforated roller shutters. A prerequisite is the installation of a lower lock.
Belt drive.
The cheapest and easiest way to control roller shutters. The disadvantage is the restriction on the weight of the door leaf (no more than 15 kg). This system cannot be routed through a wall.
Roller shutters for the garage: general information
Rolling garage doors are a modern solution that has already deservedly achieved popularity among car owners. They are designed for small buildings, which means they are ideal for arranging a garage space. roller shutters for a garage yourself; production is carried out only in factory conditions.
But installation can be done on your own, without involving hired specialists in the task.
It is recommended to install shutters with your own hands inside, not outside.
If you choose this option, the reliability and degree of protection from intruders will increase sharply.
The main elements of the gate are metal slats . The structure turns out to be hollow, so insulation is added to the voids. The most common material remains polyurethane foam .
As a rule, the slats are made of aluminum so that the weight is not too large. The resulting structure is strong, burglary-resistant and durable thanks to the metal base.
But one should not place excessive hopes on the protective properties, since if desired, criminals can still break the canvas with a strong blow. Additional security can be ensured by using security locks and some other solutions.
Read the article on how to choose a garage door lock.
Metal panels are treated with a polymer-based protective coating that prevents scratches and chips. The gates use structural solutions that prevent pinching of hands and fingers, so they are absolutely safe. The insulation provides decent thermal insulation.
Based on the type of manufacturing, there are two types of products – extruded and rolled technological process. Extruded products have increased resistance to sunlight, precipitation and other environmental influences. Rental models are characterized by increased durability, this can be achieved thanks to a special two-layer coating.
In addition to the above-mentioned advantages (durability, strength), roller garage doors absorb noise . The most important advantage, undoubtedly, is the operation process. Automatic systems allow you to open the entrance to the garage without leaving your car.
For this purpose, a special remote control , which sets the slats in motion. If the electricity was suddenly turned off, you can use a manual mechanism .
Models from this category are especially suitable for garages in which it is impossible to install up-and-over or sectional doors. A typical reason may be the size of the opening . In addition, only roller shutter models provide the highest speed . This is due to the high degree of automation and their design.
Electric garage doors:
Self-production of roller shutter gates
The procedure for manufacturing roller shutter gates
Before starting work, you need to decide on how to install the garage door. There are built-in, external and internal installation of roller shutter gates.
Self-taught craftsmen in most cases use external installation, in which the box is mounted above the opening. This technology is attractive because it does not require additional preparatory work.
Types of installation of garage doors-roller shutters
The production of roller shutters consists of 3 stages:
- Preparatory stage - taking all measurements necessary for work, checking the level of the gate opening and the quality of the slopes;
- Selecting a suitable material, which takes into account the required installation depth of fasteners, taking into account the strength of the material of the garage walls;
- Installation of roller shutter gates.
Tools
To complete the work, you need to prepare the following tools:
- Hammer;
- Screwdriver;
- Electric drill;
- Bulgarian;
- Sledgehammer;
- Bench hammer;
- Pliers;
- Hacksaw;
- Wire cutters;
- Scissors for cutting metal;
- File;
- Screwdriver Set;
- Keys;
- Silicone gun;
- Electrical tester;
- Soldering iron 60 W;
- Electric carrier 20-30 meters long;
- Electric indicator;
- Roulette 5 meters long;
- Calipers;
- Drills for concrete and metal;
- Protective glasses;
- Scaffolding or ladder for performing work at the top of the gate opening.
Drawing and design of roller shutter gates
Roller shutter gate design
When preparing for work, first calculate the main dimensions of the gate span and the dimensions of the required roller shutter and all its components, manufactured by cutting long blanks into the required sizes.
After this, a detailed drawing is prepared, which indicates the dimensions of the roller shutter (height and width). All dimensions depend on the dimensions of the garage opening and the method of installing the gate.
In addition, the drawing indicates:
- roller shutter blade size,
- tire length,
- box dimensions
- length of the octagonal shaft.
Main works
The procedure is divided into several successive stages:
- Cutting individual lamellas of the canvas to the required length and removing burrs on the sections;
- Installation of the seal in the profile, fastening of the locking strips and installation of the lock;
- Cutting guide bars to length and removing burrs on cuts, installing special seals in them;
- If necessary, make beading in tires;
- Making a protective box for protection, cutting out a window intended for installing mechanism controls;
- Trimming the octagonal shaft, after which the cut area is polished;
- Formation of the door leaf from individual lamellas;
- Installation of a protective box and installation of drives in it.
To make shutters for rolling gates yourself, you need to prepare special devices and tools, such as:
- Tables on which it will be convenient to cut workpieces;
- Special machines designed for cutting roller shutter parts;
- Miter saw;
- Mechanic's workbench;
- Air compressor.
To install roller shutter gates correctly, you will need simple tools. Before starting installation, it is necessary to prepare the span for installing the gate. It is necessary to eliminate all defects and level out unevenness on the walls, otherwise the roller shutter gates will not be airtight, the tires will not fit tightly and gaps may even form.
When preparing holes you will have to work especially hard.
The most difficult work is preparing the necessary holes and installing fasteners . The holes are drilled using a hammer drill at a distance of 50 cm, the fastening is selected taking into account the material from which the walls are made.
To install roller shutter gates on concrete walls, you need to use steel anchors, screwing them into plastic dowels. Metal structures require the use of self-tapping screws, and steel anchors are driven into brick walls. Wood requires studs or screws.
After preparing the fastening, the frame is erected, the tires are mounted and the drive mechanism is installed. The installation of the tires and the box must be leveled by checking with a level. Electrical wiring is connected to the drive.
At the end, the door leaf is assembled, traction springs and locks are installed. After this, all that remains is to seal all the remaining holes and install various accessories.
Preparing for work
Parts of rolling gates
Before manufacturing the gate, it is necessary to make a drawing of it. You can use ready-made sketches or design the structure yourself. The diagram indicates the width and height of the canvas, the dimensions of the lamellas and the box, and the length of the tire. If it is planned to equip a homemade gate with automation, the locations of the corresponding devices and the wiring routes are also indicated. In addition, you need to calculate the project estimate in advance.
To make a roller gate with your own hands, you will need a hammer drill and an electric drill with a set of several drills that vary in length. You also need a set of screwdrivers for the job. The fasteners you will need are 1 cm long anchors, screws and dowels. You need tools for measuring and checking evenness - a construction tape and a level.
Typical mistakes
In order for the design to function for a long time and reliably, several nuances must be taken into account during operation. There are typical mistakes that novice installers often make:
- The guides are not level during installation. Deviation from a vertical or diagonal line may cause the blade to jam. Often such a nuisance occurs in the summer, at which time the metal heats up and because of this increases in volume;
- The box is not sealed, as a result moisture gets into it, which leads to corrosion of metal elements and a decrease in the service life of the mechanism. If it rains often, then it is advisable to place a seal between the base of the box and its lid;
- When closing the door leaf, it must cover the fastening bolts. Otherwise, it will be easy to unscrew them, and the protection of the structure will be minimal. If you encounter such a problem during installation, you will need to drill out the screw heads to make the job much more difficult for intruders. Of course, if you need to remove the roller shutter gates, you will also have to suffer a little to unscrew them.
Construction device
The products resemble ordinary blinds in appearance, only slightly improved. The composition contains elements that are assembled into a roll during the opening/closing procedure. Main parts of the roller blind:
- Steel or aluminum lamellas that make up the canvas.
- Guide rails, when installed, are positioned vertically, and the base moves along them.
- Shaft. The slats are wound onto it when the gate is raised or lowered.
- The box contains the shaft, as well as the canvas after twisting.
- The drive can be mechanical or electric. In the first case, it consists of a gearbox and a handle, in the latter there is a motor.
- If an electric drive is used in a roller shutter gate, then an unblocking lever is a mandatory component. With its help, in the absence of electricity, the gate is opened/closed.
- Locks.
In this video you will learn about rolling gates:
In addition, the gates can be equipped with an alarm system, a control and heating system for structures, as well as sealing cuffs made of rubber or silicone. The cost of finished devices directly depends on the components of the product.
Caring for roller shutter gates
Garage shutter doors, among other things, need to be cleaned regularly
Care consists of several operations:
- The door leaf must be regularly cleaned of dust and dirt. Otherwise, it will begin to stick to the shaft, which will significantly reduce its service life;
- It is necessary to regularly remove ice and accumulated snow from the canvas. This may cause the mechanism to jam. You can simply tap them slowly, and the ice and snow will fall off;
- All parts of the mechanism must be lubricated. If creaking or extraneous noise appears, it is necessary to immediately carry out maintenance work on the equipment.
Don’t forget that properly selected and installed garage doors will protect your car not only from theft, but also from weather surprises, ensuring the serviceability and safety of the vehicle.
Sizes and manufacturers
The cost of roller shutter construction differs depending on the parameters chosen by customers. This applies to the material of manufacture, the features of the opening for which the roller shutters are made. The design of the box and the presence of additional sensors also have an effect. If you have a task to choose a budget design with a manual drive, then you should choose aluminum roller shutters. The larger the area of the roller shutter fabric, the higher their cost will also be. Measurements of the roller shutter design should be carried out by professionals who can take into account all the nuances and ensure an accurate fit of the canvas and guides. The table below shows the approximate cost of roller shutter designs, indicating the drive and dimensions.
The name of the manufacturer plays an important role in determining the price of a roller shutter design. The most expensive can be considered roller shutters from the German manufacturer Hormann. But the high price also hides the ideal quality of the products. In addition, the plant provides a 10-year warranty on finished roller shutters, subject to proper installation and operation. If your budget is limited, then you can look towards the products of the Russian DoorHan plant. Production is so established that it was possible to enter the Chinese market. The optimal solution in terms of price and quality ratio can be considered the purchase of roller shutters from the Belarusian plant Alutech. In addition to roller shutters, the plant produces all kinds of automation and other types of gates.
Note! There are certain gate width standards that are used depending on the vehicle. For example, for a motorcycle, an opening of 180 cm is considered optimal. If we are talking about a passenger car, then this is 250 cm; for an SUV, the opening will have to be expanded to 280 cm.
Calculation method
To calculate the approximate cost of the finished structure, preliminary calculations should be made. They take into account the following characteristics:
- Gate type: will a roller shutter system be installed, or will roller shutters be installed?
- Opening dimensions.
- Method of installation of the structure (built-in, overhead).
- Type of profile for roller shutters: the most reliable ones will have a high cost.
- Type of box: round, with 45, 20 degree rounding, built-in.
- Control method: automatic, manual.
All calculations are carried out taking into account average market prices. Additionally, the costs of transporting the entire structure, as well as the cost of installing the system, add.
Workpiece cutting dimensions
The garage door, which looks like a roller shutter, is prepared according to preliminary measurements.
Measurement procedure:
- measure the width of the opening, it will be equal to the width of the roller shutters;
- overhead or combined installation requires calculating this parameter in this way: add the width of the guide rail, multiplied by 2, add to the width of the opening;
- the height of roller shutters (built-in type of installation) is determined as follows: the height of the frame plus the height of the end profile plus the height of the gate span;
- the length of the lamella is calculated by the formula: subtract from 6 to 100 mm from the width of the roller shutter (this parameter depends on the type of profile and the dimensions of the guide rail);
- the size of the guide rail is determined based on the specific type of guides (adding or decreasing the height by 20 mm);
- the size of the protective box is equal to the height of the opening minus 10 mm.
Mechanical roller shutters: how they work, principle of operation
The main difference between manual (mechanical) roller shutters is the principle of their operation. The absence of a torsion spring forces users to lower and raise roller shutters without using a remote control, which is sometimes inconvenient and energy-consuming.
The principle of operation of the device is quite simple:
- During the rotation of the drive, the blinds are rolled up (unfolded).
- The slats on the canvas are firmly connected using grooves; the roller shutter bends in the desired direction without damage when it is necessary to remove (roll) them.
- When the mechanism is rolled up, the protective cloth is located in a special box that protects from dust, damage, and premature wear.
- When open, when the blinds are lowered down (unfolded), they are fastened at the bottom using a locking system. The lock can only be opened from the inside. This protects the interior from prying eyes and at the same time allows those inside the house to easily lower/raise the canvas.
The described scheme is a classic version of how window blinds work. Typically, such mechanisms are found in small rooms, and they are installed in window openings, and not on doors.