Why choose a manual roller shutter in 2026?
In an age when everything is connected, the manual roller shutter still holds arguments that motorisation cannot match. The first is price: for the same dimensions, a strap-operated model costs 30 to 50% less than an electric one, installation included. The second is reliability: with no motor, no electronics and no remote control, the possible points of failure can be counted on one hand — and every wearing part can be replaced for a few tens of euros.
The third advantage often clinches it for tenants, landlords and second-home owners: no electrical connection is needed. No channels cut into the wall, no electrician to coordinate, no power cut that leaves your windows unusable. A manual shutter works in all weathers, in all circumstances, for decades. It is the sensible choice for standard-sized windows, studio flats, cellars and utility rooms, bathrooms and toilets — or for any home where you want to keep the budget firmly under control. If you rent out property in Paris, it is also the option with the lowest maintenance overhead between tenancies.
Strap, crank handle or direct pull: which operation to choose?
Strap operation
A classic of Parisian apartments, the strap passes through the wall or the box and winds onto a small reel inside. It offers quick, intuitive handling, ideal for windows up to about 1.60 m wide. We fit swivelling reels and reinforced straps that resist wear far better than the originals.
Crank handle operation
The crank winch multiplies your effort: it lets you operate wider or heavier curtains without straining, up to French doors and small glazed bays. It is also the most discreet operation from inside, with a simple universal joint emerging below the box. We set the exit angle of the joint so the movement stays natural, even behind a curtain or a piece of furniture.
Direct pull
On very small openings — dormers, oeil-de-boeuf windows, cellar windows — a curtain fitted with compensation springs is simply pushed up and pulled down by hand, with no intermediate mechanism at all. It is the most stripped-back solution, and therefore the most durable, provided the opening stays within easy reach.
Your manual roller shutter, fitted fast
Free quote within 24 hours, careful installation across the whole of Île-de-France.
Materials and finishes available
- PVC curtain: the best value for standard dimensions, with good insulation and upkeep limited to a simple wash.
- Double-walled aluminium curtain: slats filled with polyurethane foam, more rigid and slimmer, recommended once the width exceeds 1.80 m or when break-in resistance matters.
- Box mounted on the façade or under the lintel: aluminium or PVC, angled or rounded profile, matched to the colour of your window frames.
- Matching guide rails: white, anthracite grey, beige, brown or any RAL colour, to respect the harmony of the façade — a point Parisian co-ownership rules frequently insist on.
- Locks and stops: curtain stoppers, with optional automatic anti-lift locks for ground-floor windows.
Renovation or new build: how we work
In renovation — the most common case in Paris, Asnières-sur-Seine or Maisons-Alfort — the complete shutter (box, guide rails, curtain) is fixed onto the existing window frame or the masonry, with no heavy building work. Measuring is everything: we take the dimensions of each opening at three points, check that the reveals are plumb and confirm the depth available for the box before the made-to-measure unit goes into production.
In a new build or extension, we install lintel-integrated boxes or complete window-and-shutter units that are invisible from the street. On installation day, our technicians protect the room, fix the guide rails perfectly parallel, drill the strap or crank passage with an insulating sleeve to avoid any thermal bridge, then adjust the tension and the end stops. Fitting a manual shutter generally takes half a day per opening, removal and disposal of the old shutter included. And if you change your mind later, a roller shutter motorisation remains possible: on request we fit motor-ready roller tubes from the start.
Indicative prices for a manual roller shutter, fitted
- Standard window (up to 1.20 m): €250 to €400 in PVC, €350 to €550 in aluminium.
- Large window or French door: €400 to €700 depending on material and operation.
- Crank handle operation: €40 to €80 more than strap operation.
- Removal and disposal of the old shutter: included in our replacement packages.
These figures cover supply and installation, to be refined against your exact measurements in the free quote. To compare calmly with an electric version, see our page on electric roller shutter installation — we always present both options side by side.
Where do we work?
Our fitters install manual roller shutters in homes across Paris and the whole of Île-de-France: Asnières-sur-Seine, Drancy, Maisons-Alfort, Poissy, Savigny-sur-Orge, Fontainebleau, Ermont and the surrounding towns. If an existing manual shutter fails — snapped strap, jammed winch — our emergency roller shutter team is available 7 days a week, and our roller shutter maintenance visits extend the life of your equipment year after year.
Recent roller shutter installations
Frequently asked questions about manual roller shutters
How long does a manual roller shutter last?
Properly fitted and maintained, a manual shutter works for 20 to 30 years. The only wearing parts are the strap (replaced roughly every 8 to 12 years) and the crank winch — two quick, inexpensive repairs.
Is a manual shutter less secure than an electric one?
No — not for the same curtain. Break-in resistance depends above all on the slat material and the locks. We fit manual shutters with automatic anti-lift locks that hold the curtain firmly in the closed position, exactly as on a motorised model.
Up to what width can a manual roller shutter be fitted?
With a strap, we recommend staying below about 1.60 m; with a crank handle you can go up to 2.40 m depending on the weight of the curtain. Beyond that, the effort becomes uncomfortable and motorisation is the better choice.
Can a manual shutter be converted to electric later?
Yes. If the roller tube is compatible, the winch is simply replaced by a tubular motor. Mention the idea when you request your quote: we will fit a motor-ready tube from the start, at no significant extra cost.
Do I need permission to install a manual shutter?
In a co-owned building, the syndic's approval is often required to preserve the harmony of the façade (colour, box type). For a house, some communes and protected areas require a prior declaration. We guide you through these formalities during the technical visit — including what they mean if you are not used to French procedures.