Front-Mounted, Top-Mounted or Concealed? Roller Shutter Boxes Compared

When planning roller shutters or external blinds, you choose not only the curtain or slats but also the type of box installation. It determines how the house looks from the outside, how well the area above the window is insulated and how much work the installation involves. The three common options are front-mounted, top-mounted and concealed.

Front-mounted roller shutters: the retrofit solution

With a front-mounted roller shutter, the box sits outside in front of the window – in the window reveal or on the façade. The guide rails are fitted at the sides. Because neither the window nor the masonry has to be altered, front-mounted shutters are ideal for retrofitting existing houses.

• Installed in a few hours, without mess indoors.
• The thermal insulation remains untouched because the box sits outside the building envelope.
• The aluminium box is visible but can be colour-matched to the window or façade.

Top-mounted roller shutters: ideal when replacing windows

The top-mounted box is fitted directly onto the new window and installed together with it. It can be rendered over on the outside so that only the guide rails remain visible. Modern top-mounted boxes are well insulated and airtight – a big step forward compared with old, draughty roller shutter boxes.

• Perfect for new builds and window replacement, because window and box form one unit.
• Maintenance via an inspection opening, from inside or below depending on the system.
• The box takes up space in the wall opening – this must be taken into account when planning the window size.

Concealed roller shutters: invisible in the façade

With a concealed system, the box disappears into the lintel or the façade insulation. Nothing is visible from outside and the façade remains smooth. This option is suitable for new builds and for renovations in which an external thermal insulation system (ETICS) is being added anyway. External venetian blinds can be hidden just as elegantly.

• The best possible appearance, especially with modern architecture.
• Requires early planning with the architect or façade contractor.
• More effort and usually higher costs.

Which installation type is right?

• Want to retrofit existing windows? A front-mounted roller shutter is the simplest and most affordable solution.
• Replacing your windows? A top-mounted roller shutter is supplied and installed together with the new window.
• Building new or insulating the façade? A concealed system keeps the façade smooth and the sun protection invisible.

Still unsure whether to choose a roller shutter or an external blind? Read our comparison Roller shutters or external venetian blinds. You will find our solutions under roller shutters and external venetian blinds – with motor and smart home control on request.