REKA Otomatik Yapı Teknolojileri
Summers in Cyprus are long and hot. Heat entering through windows in direct sunlight makes the air conditioning work harder and pushes up the electricity bill. Automatic roller shutters help keep your home cool by stopping the sun before it even reaches the window. In this article we explain how motorised shutters work, how they contribute to energy savings and what advantages they offer for homes in North Cyprus.
Why are shutters more effective than curtains?
Indoor curtains and blinds block sunlight only after it has entered the room; by then the heat has already passed through the glass. An external shutter mounted on the façade stops the sun's rays before they reach the glass. That is why, in hot climates, external shutters are more effective at keeping a home cool than indoor curtains.
How does an automatic roller shutter work?
In a motorised shutter, a tubular motor fitted into the shaft inside the shutter box rolls the slats up or unrolls them to lower the shutter. Control options include:
- Wall switch: The simplest and most common method.
- Remote control: Control shutters individually or in groups.
- Timer: Automatic opening and closing at set times.
- Central control: Manage all the shutters in the house from a single point.
- Sensor-assisted control: On suitable systems, automatic movement depending on sun or wind conditions.
Contribution to energy savings
The savings a shutter provides depend on the orientation of the house, window size, insulation and how you use it. The general principle is this: keeping the shutters closed on south- and west-facing windows during the hours of strongest sun reduces the heat coming in and eases the load on the air conditioning.
The real problem with manual shutters is forgetting to close them at the right time. A living room that takes the sun all day while nobody is home means the air conditioning has to run for a long time when you get back in the evening. An automatic shutter with a timer does this job regularly, even when you are not at home.
Recommended use room by room
| Room / façade | Recommended use |
|---|---|
| West-facing living room | Closed in the afternoon and early evening |
| South-facing rooms | Partly or fully closed around midday |
| Bedrooms | Closed at night, open in the cool morning hours for ventilation |
| North façade | Mostly open to make use of daylight |
Tip: In summer, opening the shutters early in the cool morning to air the house and closing them once the sun starts to rise is a simple but effective habit. A timer applies this routine for you.
Security and comfort benefits
- Security: Closed shutters create an additional barrier, especially on ground floors and when nobody is home.
- Holiday mode: With a timer, shutters opening and closing at different times can give the impression that the house is occupied.
- Dust and wind: They protect windows on dusty and windy days.
- Noise: They can reduce outside noise to some extent.
- Ease of use: No more lifting large, heavy shutters by hand — a particular convenience for elderly residents.
Points to consider during installation
- Condition of the shutter box: The existing box and shaft must be suitable for fitting a motor.
- Slat material: Aluminium slats are light and durable; insulated slat options are also available.
- Electrical infrastructure: A suitable power line must be run to the window for the motor.
- Motor selection: The motor must match the size and weight of the shutter.
- Limit settings: The fully open and fully closed positions must be set correctly.
Maintenance
Automatic roller shutters need little maintenance. Even so:
- The slats and side guides should be cleaned from time to time; dust build-up can make movement harder.
- If the shutter makes an unusual noise or gets stuck while going up or down, do not force it — contact the service team.
- Replacing slats or guides and adjusting the motor should be done by an authorised technical team.
Automatic roller shutters with REKA
As REKA Automatic Building Technologies, we install new automatic roller shutters in all regions of North Cyprus and convert existing manual shutters to motorised operation. We also offer roller shutter doors for shops and warehouses. Site surveys are free, and our systems come with a 3-year warranty; if periodic maintenance is carried out without interruption, the warranty can be extended to up to 5 years. You can fill in the form to get a quote or reach us on +90 539 102 13 13.
