Insulate your windows with roller shutters
Foam-filled slats and a pocket of still air between shutter and glass slow heat transfer in both directions. Cooler in summer, warmer in winter.
Are roller shutters good insulation?
Yes, for the one part of your home that usually has none: the windows. Ceilings and walls get insulation; glass is left bare, and it's where homes lose warmth in winter and gain heat in summer. A closed shutter adds foam-filled aluminium plus a still-air gap over that glass, slowing heat transfer both ways. They complement double glazing and ceiling insulation; they don't replace either.
Foam-filled roller shutters: three layers doing the work.
Each part of the closed shutter plays a role in slowing heat transfer. Here is how the barrier comes together.
Insulation inside every slat.
A window is the thermal weak point in most walls: a thin sheet of glass where the insulation stops. Each slat is aluminium filled with CFC-free polyurethane foam and sealed at both ends, so heat is slowed at the slat itself. Closed over the window, the shutter works like a layer of insulation you can raise and lower.
One continuous barrier.
Insulation only works if it is continuous, which is why gaps in ceiling batts matter. The same rule applies at the window. When the shutter closes, the slats interlock along their full length into one unbroken layer over the whole opening, cut and assembled to your window size in our Melton workshop.
Still air against the glass.
The closed shutter sits a small distance off the glass and traps a pocket of still air across the window, the same principle that makes double glazing work. The pocket slows heat moving in either direction: summer heat trying to get in, winter warmth trying to get out. It costs nothing to run.
"What's the R-value?"
No Australian roller shutter brand publishes a verified R-value, and we won't make one up. Lab conditions don't reflect a real window on a real wall. What we can say plainly: the shutter reduces heat transfer at the window in both directions, the effect is strongest on single-glazed homes, and customers feel it most on winter mornings and summer afternoons. If a competitor quotes you an R-value, ask for the test report.
I recently had roller shutters installed by SM Roller Shutters and couldn't be happier with the entire experience. From the initial consultation right through to installation, everything was handled professionally and efficiently.
Summer heat and winter cold: one shutter, two seasons.
The same layers work in both directions. Here is how to run the shutters each season.
Insulated roller shutters vs curtains, blinds and plantation shutters.
External shutters stop heat outside the glass. Plantation shutters and thermal curtains trap some of it against the glass, but most has already entered the room. Here is the honest split.
| External roller shutters | Plantation shutters | Curtains and blinds | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heat blocked outside the glass before it enters | Yes | No | No |
| Sealed edges with no gaps for heat or draughts | Yes | No | No |
| Also delivers security, blockout and noise reduction | Yes | No | No |
| Decorative interior styling | No | Yes | Yes |
| Lower upfront cost | No | Yes | Yes |
No Australian roller shutter brand publishes a verified R-value, and we will not make one up. Lab test conditions do not reflect real-world performance with the air gap behind the shutter. If certified lab data is essential to your decision, double glazing is the path that gives you that.
How much do insulated roller shutters cost?
Insulated shutters start at $880 per shutter, fully installed, with GST and the licensed electrical work included. Every shutter is cut and assembled to size in our Melton workshop and backed for 10 years. We are a family business with 13 years in the shutter industry and more than 11,000 shutters fitted across Melbourne. Use the calculator below for a ballpark figure before you commit to anything.
Includes motorisation, installation and GST. Australian-made shutters with a 10-year warranty. Fixed written quote on the spot, locked for 30 days.
-
Same-day callback
Enquire now and we ring back the same business day to confirm.
-
Measure and quote
We measure and give a fixed written quote on the spot, locked for 30 days.
-
Built in Melbourne
A 30 percent deposit confirms it. Cut and assembled to your opening size.
-
Install day
Fitted and wired, most homes in a day. Balance paid only once the job's done.
Prefer to spread the cost? Humm finance is available: $0 upfront, up to 36 months interest-free, subject to approval.
Ready when you are
A home that holds its temperature.
Free measure, fixed written quote on the day, no pressure. One install that works in January and July.
Their quote was reasonable. Quality was good. Installation was completed on time with great attention to details. I highly recommend them.
Common questions, answered straight.
What's the R-value of your roller shutters?
No Australian roller shutter brand publishes a verified R-value, and we won’t make one up. The product reduces heat transfer at the window noticeably. Most customers report cooler summers and warmer winters. If certified lab data is essential to your decision, double-glazing is the path that provides standardised R-value ratings.
Do they work as insulation in winter too?
Yes. Closed shutters overnight reduce heat loss through the glass and create a still-air pocket that slows convection. Open them during the day for solar gain through the window, close them at sunset to retain heat.
Are foam-filled slats safe?
Yes. The polyurethane foam is CFC-free and fully enclosed inside the aluminium slat. No exposure during normal use or installation. The aluminium itself is recyclable at end of life.
Do they replace the need for window insulation?
They add to window thermal performance significantly. They don’t replace double-glazing for total thermal control, but they’re more cost-effective for most retrofit homes and they deliver other benefits (security, blockout, noise reduction) that double-glazing alone doesn’t.
Will they help my Energy Rating?
Possibly, depends on your home’s existing rating and how shutters are factored into your assessment. We don’t make specific claims about a number, your NatHERS assessor would.
Do I need them on every window?
No. Most customers start with the rooms that run hottest in summer or coldest in winter, usually west-facing living areas and bedrooms. You can add more later in a second install round.
Should I get shutters or double-glazing?
Different jobs. Double-glazing improves window R-value with certified lab data. Shutters add an exterior thermal barrier plus security, blockout, and noise reduction in one product. For most retrofit homes, shutters give more comfort improvement per dollar. For new builds chasing a specific energy rating, double-glazing is the path.
Book a free measure.
We walk the home with you, quote only the windows that matter, and put the price in writing on the spot. No pressure either way.
What else do these shutters do?
Every SM shutter does all of this as standard. One product, one install.
