Shop front shutters in London: choosing the right type
A shop front shutter, also called a roller shutter or security shutter, protects the glass and entrance of your premises when you are closed. The type you choose changes how strong it is and whether people can see into the shop. London City Group has supplied and installed roller shutters for shops and retail premises in London and nationwide for 30 years. This guide compares our solid, perforated and aluminium grille shutters, the lock upgrades and the RAL colours available. Our shop front shutters start from £450 for supply only. Request a free quotation.
What is a shop front roller shutter?
A roller shutter is a curtain of horizontal slats that runs in a guide on each side of the opening and rolls up into a housing above it. When it is down, it covers the glass and the entrance. The slats can be solid, perforated or part of an open aluminium grille, and that is what separates the shutter types below.
Which shop front shutter is right for you?
The main choice is between strength and visibility. Here is how our shutter types compare:
| Shutter type | What it is | Best suited to |
|---|---|---|
| Solid roller shutter | Solid slats with no openings. It is the strongest option in our range. | Premises where strength matters most and nobody needs to see in when the shop is closed. |
| Perforated or punched-hole roller shutter | Slats with holes in them, so passers-by can see into the shop when the shutter is down. | Shops that want the window display and interior to stay visible after closing time. |
| Aluminium grille shutter | An aluminium rolling grille with open sections, so the shopfront stays visible when it is closed. | Shops that want a clear view into the premises with an open-style shutter. |
Strength or visibility?
A solid shutter is the stronger choice, but it hides the shop when it is down. Perforated and grille shutters let people see your display after hours. Tell us which matters more for your premises and we will help you choose. You can see our range on the roller shutters page.
Shutter lock upgrades
Locking on your shutter can be upgraded. The options are a side bullet lock and a floor lock. Ask for the lock to be named in your quotation.
Shutter colours
Shutters can be supplied in any RAL colour. Tell us the RAL number you need, for example to match your fascia or your landlord's requirements.
Planning and landlord consent
A shutter on a shopfront may need planning permission or your landlord's consent. Please confirm with your local authority or landlord before ordering.
How much does a shop front shutter cost?
Our shop front shutters start from £450 for supply only. The final price depends on the shutter type, the size of the opening, any lock upgrade and the colour, and it is confirmed in your quotation. Supply and installation is priced in your quotation. The main factors are:
- the shutter type: solid, perforated or grille
- the width and height of the opening
- lock upgrades
- the colour
- supply only, or supply and installation
- access arrangements on site
How a shutter project works
- Share photographs and rough measurements of the shopfront with us.
- We carry out a site survey and record the opening.
- Your quotation names the shutter type, lock and colour.
- Installation follows, or we can supply the shutter only, depending on what suits you.
Shutter repair and emergency help
If a shutter needs repair, see shopfront repair. 24/7 emergency roller-shutter and shopfront glass repair and make-safe support is available. No specific response time is promised.
Changing more than the shutter?
If you are updating the whole frontage, see our guides to glass shopfronts and aluminium shopfronts.
Request a free quotation
Photograph the shutter opening and note rough measurements, the shutter type you are considering and the RAL colour you want, and we can talk through the next steps. Request a free quotation. Our projects gallery shows examples of completed installations.
Shop front shutter questions
What is the difference between a solid and a perforated shutter?
A solid shutter has no openings and is the strongest option in our range. A perforated shutter has holes in the slats, so people can see into the shop when it is down.
Can people see into the shop through a perforated shutter?
Yes. Perforated shutters let passers-by see your window display and shop interior when the shutter is closed.
How much does a shop front shutter cost?
Our shop front shutters start from £450 for supply only. The final price depends on the shutter type, the size of the opening, any lock upgrade and the colour, and it is confirmed in your quotation.
Can I upgrade the lock on my shutter?
Yes. A side bullet lock and a floor lock are available as upgrades.
Can I choose the colour of my shutter?
Yes. Shutters can be supplied in any RAL colour.
What should I send for a quotation?
Photos and approximate measurements of the shopfront, the shutter type you are considering, any lock upgrade you want and the RAL colour you need.
Will I need planning permission or my landlord's agreement?
A shutter on a shopfront may need one or both. Please confirm with your local authority or landlord.
Is supply-only available, or can you install it too?
Yes, both are available, whichever suits your project.
