After making up your mind that the right way to secure your property is using the shutters, the next thing that you have to decide on is whether to use the manual or the motorised. On the face of it, it may appear to be nothing more than a matter of convenience, whether you want to draw the shutter yourself, or would you prefer to press a button? However, it is not the choice that is that simple. Both are good, and the correct one will depend on your budget, the size of the openings you will be covering, and how you will use them on a daily basis.
The traditional one is the manual shutters. They have a simple pull or crank mechanism and they do not require electricity to operate. That renders them easy, trustworthy and usually cheaper to instal. Manual shutters are usually very convenient with smaller windows or doors. They are strong, they get the job done and since you are not dealing with a motor there is less part to get tired. This is a sensible option to homeowners that only require shutters on a few windows.
Speed and convenience on the other hand are introduced by motorised shutters. Shutters in a whole shop front or a few windows of your house can be closed or opened with the press of a button. This is especially important to businesses. Employees who lock up at night do not want to be spending ten minutes on cranking down shutters manually. A flick of the switch and all is safe. The same can be said about bigger properties, where the big shutters would be physically demanding or simply time consuming to operate manually.
One of the differences is cost. Manual shutters are less expensive to purchase and instal. Motorised shutters cost more initially, and in case the motor goes dead, repairs become an added cost to the lifetime cost. Nevertheless, lots of entrepreneurs believe that the extra convenience is justified. The fact that it is easy to shut down at night and do so safely without the hassle of opening and closing heavy shutters is worth the investment.
Another factor is reliability. Manual shutters contain fewer moving components, and this usually implies relatively less to break. They also do not require power and thus in case of power failure you can still use them. Motorised shutters are also dependable, though they are also electrically powered, although most have manual overrides in case of emergency.
Both types are fairly easy to maintain. The tracks and panels are kept in good working condition by cleaning frequently. Motorised models might require the motor service occasionally whereas manual models would only require springs and handle cheques. In either case, some maintenance will go a long way.
Both can be customised in terms of appearance. You may have powder-coated finishes, perforated designs, or solid panels either hand operated or motorised. The decision is not so much about appearance, but about the way you will utilise it and how convenient you will be.
In the case of homeowners the choice usually boils down to size. Two of those little shutters on back windows? Manual is likely to work the trick. Big shutters on the sliding doors or on several windows? It may be more convenient to use motorised. In the case of businesses, motorised is most likely to be the choice due to time saved in opening and closing every day.
Manual and motorised shutters offer equivalent degree of security at the end of the day. They both make a good fence that secures your property. The difference is in the way that you relate to them. Manual shutters are inexpensive and are very simple mechanically. Motorised shutters are faster, convenient and somewhat contemporary comfortable.
When considering the option, look at the frequency of their use, the size of the shutters and what fits your budget. Whichever way, you will be putting in place a good solid, trustworthy layer of security on your home or business and that is the win.