Rolling Shutters

• We suggest, if you have a masonry house, Tapcon fasteners be used. The #14, x 2.75" will do the job.
  Tip: A good hammer drill will be indispensable
  
  
• if you have frame construction, we suggest you use #14, 2-1/2" stainless screws for mounting the shutter. The hood and end caps are assembled using #10, x 3/4" tech screws.
  Tip: A 12-14 volt battery drill will be indispensable.

Pre-Installation

The installation of your roll shutter is critical to overall operation and your satisfaction. We ordinarily would tackle the hardest part of the project first; but since this is your first shutter installation, let's choose the easy one to learn.

Open the boxes for the shutter you want to install and review the contents. One box will have the hood, end caps, roll tube and miscellaneous items such as hangers or operators. The next box will contain the slats all rolled up. The third box will have the side tracks and other miscellaneous items.

Assemble the hood and drive tube following the instructions provided.

Installation Steps (click on image to enlarge.)

1. Attach hood assembly to wall. I suggest you attach the hood assembly to the wall centered on the opening with 2" of the wall showing under the hood. The fasteners should be in the uppermost corner of the shutter when installed. If the hood is over 48" wide, use 2 attach points to avoid stressing the hood. (Make sure the hood is level.)
   
   
2. Side Tracks. Find the 2 side tracks and slide one onto the legs of each end cap. You can do this prior to attaching the hood if you can maneuver the assembled hood and side tracks together. Then plumb the side track up and attach them to the wall. This step is the critical part. The side tracks must be perfectly vertical (plumb), and the hood assembly must be level (parallel to the ground) or the shutter may not work properly. I would then add additional fasteners as desired to the hood and or end caps. Remember hurricane winds can suck the shutter off the house as easily as push it inward.
   
   
3. The operator is next. If you are using a motor, then simply drill a hole in the side cap where the cord should exit to the electrical connection. If this needs to exit the rear of the box, a long 1/2" drill 16" long will be a big help. If the walls are very thick and the drill is not long enough, we use a 24" 1/4" drill to complete a hole for the wire. Then we use the 1/2" drill from inside using the 1/4" hole as a guide.
   
   Assuming an outside mount gear, you can complete this at the end of the installation. If the shutter is to be operated from inside using a gear and universal, I suggest the following. Make sure the gear is oriented so the universal arm will be square to the wall. Then, using the 1/4" drill, simply slide the drill bit through the opening in the gear; and drill a hole through the wall. Using the hole inside the house as a guide, use the 1/2" drill to enlarge the 1/4" hole through the wall.
   
   Then, install the universal shaft through the wall into the gear. The gear has a square opening that the universal shaft will slide into. If the shaft is to long, cut it to the appropriate length.
   
   
4. The slats are next. Operate the shutter until you see a row of slots. Then, attach the hangers to the roll of slats. You can only do it one way. Then, pick the roll of slats up and attach the hangers to the roll tube by compressing the hook end of the hanger into the slot. You may want to try this once with a single hanger before you try to pick up the roll of slats. The roll must be situated so it will roll away from the shutter. Also, the hangers must go behind the roll tube and over the top of the roll tube and then be attached to the roll tube. You will understand why it must go behind and over the top of the roll tube during the next step.
   
   
5. Operate the roll tube so the top of the tube moves forward. As you slowly operate the shutter, adjust the slats so they roll onto the tube centered inside of the end caps. If the slats aren't centered, they could hit the end caps damaging the slats or the end caps; not to mention ruin your day. Continue rolling the slats onto the roll tube until the are nearly done. Then, insert the last slats in the roll into the side tracks. Now, simply reverse the operator so the slats slide down the side tracks. Proud?
   
   
6. The side tracks may need stops at the bottom to prevent the slats from simply continuing out the bottom as you operate the shutter to close. We can't have that! If you require the stops, install them now.
   
   
7. Test Drive. Now, operate the shutter up and down a few times to insure smooth operation. Everything OK? Good! I told you the side tracks must be plumb and the hood level. Now you can see why!
   
   
8. Install the hood cover and check that the universal is securely installed inside the house.
   
   
9. Caulk the side tracks and across the hood and end caps.
   
   
10. Relax! Go inside find the easy chair order your favorite beverage have a seat and plan which opening you are going to install next.