Your customers need fully functional roller shutters that blend in seamlessly with their busy lives. In simple terms, shutters that work around their needs and comfort levels. So it’s important that every mechanism of their roller shutters – like the roller shutter winder – is in constant perfect working order. But what do you do if the winder needs to be replaced?
At CW Products, your success is our success. Unlike other roller shutter and home automation suppliers, we don’t compete with you – we partner with you and support you. Backing you, helping to build your business and supporting your sales as if they were our own.
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 how-to manual on how to replace a roller shutter winder.
How does a manual roller shutter work?
Manual roller shutters work by raising or lowering a curtain that is guided by vertical tracks or guides. The curtain is then rolled onto an axle within the pelmet in order to open the shutter. This keeps the curtain safe and clean from the outside elements and gives the shutter a clean, modern look.
The axle can operate in different ways – for example, by a winder mechanism or spring. To lower the curtain, the axle rotates in the opposite direction. When the curtain touches the bottom, it will close the slat perforations that allow light to pass before closing fully. This gives your customer complete block out – no matter what time of day it is.
At CW Products, our manual roller shutters can be operated in several ways:
- Strap winder
- Cord winder
- Steel cable winder
- Strap coiler
- Cord Coiler
- Spring-loaded with a key lock
What is a roller shutter winder?
Roller shutter winders are the housing of the shutter’s strap, cord or cable that pulls the curtain up and down. They are found solely on manual non-spring loaded roller shutters and can be installed on either the inside or outside of the home.
The winder is operated by a crank which you wind in order to open or close the shutters. The whole system is usually constructed from hard-wearing aluminium but can also be made from steel or plastic.
Why would I need to replace a roller shutter winder?
You suspect the strap or cord is damaged
The strap or cord is the most important component of any manual roller shutter – after all, they carry the weight of the entire shutter and pull it up and down. So a frayed, broken or twisted strap/cord can have disastrous effects on your clients’ shutters.
When your customer’s roller shutters aren’t working, the most common reason is a damaged strap or cord. A quick look into their winder can help you identify the problem so you can get the issue resolved as quickly as possible.
Read our blog, ‘How to fix manual roller shutters’.
The winder is rusted, old or damaged
Just like any mechanism, your customer’s roller shutter winder is prone to wear and tear. And if their winder is located on the outside of their house, it’s also exposed to the harsh Australian climate – constantly frying in the hot summer sun or being pelted with rain or hail. Of all the roller shutter parts, the winder is often the most neglected.
As it’s responsible for protecting the strap or cord, a damaged, rusty or old winder can ultimately affect how the shutter operates. Replacing it with a new one can immediately get your client’s roller shutters operating like new again.
Dampness has damaged the winder’s components
Extra moisture in your client’s home or business may not seem like a big issue – until it begins to deteriorate their building. Dampness can cause severe damage in the form of mould, which can destroy furniture, walls and flooring. It can even corrode roller shutters.
Most roller shutter winders are made from durable aluminium. And while aluminium doesn’t rust in damp conditions, it can corrode. A corroded winder will need to be replaced in order to maintain the functionality of the roller shutter.
How to replace a roller shutter winder
If you’ve identified that your customer’s roller shutter winder needs to be replaced, our simple step-by-step guide will ensure that everything goes smoothly.
- Before you start, make sure that the roller shutter is in the down position.
- Remove the roll of the winder from the wall and open the existing winder.
- Remove the tape from the winder pulley.
- Open up the new winder.
- Take the existing tape coming from the wall inside the roller shutter and through the wall and feed it through the winder pulley on the new winder.
- Refit the pulley into the winder and reassemble it together.
- Put the cover back on and fix the winder to the wall.
- Put the handle into the winder and test the roller shutter for smooth operation by pulling it up and down.
Need help? We’re here to support you
If you find that you need some guidance or support, CW Products has a technical support line available with a friendly, knowledgeable team that can assist you in helping guide you to resolve your issue on-site. Contact us to have one of our knowledgeable specialists help you with your roller shutter today.
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.