For many of your customers, operating their roller shutters is a normal part of their daily routine. Every morning, they welcome the new day by winding their shutters up. And in the evenings, they say goodnight as they pull their shutters down again. While the functionality of their roller shutters makes their lives easier and more comfortable, your customers rarely think about the shutter components – like the roller shutter pelmet box. Until something goes wrong, that is.
When your customers’ roller shutters get stuck, it’s time to open up the roller shutter pelmet box. The strap, cord or cable may have become torn or tangled, or there might be something blocking or caught in the shutter’s mechanisms. But how do you open the roller shutter pelmet box safely and without causing damage?
At CW Products, we believe that working in partnership with you to support your business is the foundation of long-term success for both of us. That’s why we’ve put together this step-by-step guide on how to open a roller shutter box.
What is a roller shutter box?
The roller shutter pelmet box is often referred to by many different names, such as header, head box or, most commonly, pelmet. But they all describe the same thing – the structure that protects and houses the roller shutter curtain when it rolls up. The pelmet completely encloses the roller and keeps it safe from the outside elements like rain, storms and hail.
Depending on the model, you’ll find the pelmet mounted above the roller shutter either on the top or in front of the window. They also come in various sizes and materials based on the size and function of your shutter. At CW Products, we manufacture high-quality pelmets made from a durable aluminium construction to ensure that they last the test of time. We also use premium paint to double coat and lacquer our pelmets for an abrasion-resistant finish.
We always recommend installing a pelmet as it improves aesthetics and helps protect the internal components of the roller shutter, which improves the shutter’s longevity.
Learn more about our Wholesale Roller Shutter Lengths, Components & Accessories here.
How to open a roller shutter box
Drilling out or opening up your roller shutter pelmet is a simple process that doesn’t require many tools or experience. All you need is:
- A cordless drill or driver.
- A standard screwdriver bit mixed set.
Step one
When examining the pelmet, you’ll notice that the pelmet cover interlocks with the back. You should also see rivets on each side of the face of the pelmet, including two rivets on both the left and right, one on the front and one on the bottom.
Step two
Choose an appropriately sized drill and drill bit. In our experience, the 3.2-millimetre drill bit is the most commonly used. Carefully and slowly drill out each rivet whilst holding the roller shutter pelmet in place. This avoids the possibility of the pelmet falling onto you or onto the ground and potentially getting damaged.
Step three
Once you’ve lifted out or drilled out all four holes, wiggle the pelmet cover a little bit, push it out towards you and pull it slightly down. The top lip of the roller shutter pelmet cover will begin to free from the pelmet back.
Read ‘How to fix manual roller shutters’ here.
What if I can’t open the roller shutter pelmet box?
Over time, roller shutter boxes may become stuck or hard to open. It might be damaged or corroded in place. If this happens, don’t attempt to open the pelmet yourself. It’s times like this you’ll need to call an expert.
If you have a question about our roller shutters or automation products, or if you’re having trouble with your roller shutter, we can help. Contact us through our Support page, and we’ll be in touch as soon as possible.
Roller shutter glossary
Curtain
The roller shutter curtain is made up of precision roll-formed or extruded interlocking aluminium profiles that roll up and down between the side guides.
Guide channels
The side guides are aluminium extrusions that sit on either side of the roller shutter. They hold the roller shutter curtain in place and allow it to run up and down.
Bottom bar
The bottom bar is an aluminium extrusion that interlocks on the bottom of the roller shutter curtain. It provides the curtain with added strength and neatly finishes the roller shutter curtain, improving its aesthetic appeal.
Side frames
Also known as end plates, the load-bearing side frames support the pelmet and internal roller shutter components – including the axle that the curtain rolls onto. These side frames should be secured to the building with appropriate fixings.
Axle
Also known as the roller tube or shaft, the axle is the component within the pelmet that facilitates the up-and-down movement of the curtain. When opening, the curtain rolls around the axle.
At CW Products, you can call on our expertise and knowledge of our specialty products and applications to provide market-leading training and upskilling for your salesforce and installers. We’re always happy to help you and your team learn in-house, so you can consistently deliver amazing customer service. Contact us today to speak to one of our experienced team members.