When choosing roller shutters, roller shutter gates or grilles, one of the key steps is selecting the profile. You are usually offered foam-filled and extruded options. They differ in price and characteristics, and it is not always easy to work out the advantages and disadvantages of each. Let's look at what they are and which option is the better fit.

Structural Differences

Foam-filled profiles are the most common in Ukraine. They are made from an aluminium or steel strip 0.3-0.5 mm thick. They are also called roll-formed profiles, because they pass through a system of rollers to be given the required shape. The final production stage is filling the blank with polyurethane foam. Thanks to this material, the profiles gain their characteristics: high strength, reliability and good insulating properties, while remaining lightweight.

Extruded profiles are made differently. Aluminium heated to a liquid state is pushed through an extruder. After cooling, an extruded profile is obtained. A distinctive feature is the presence of internal stiffening ribs. In terms of strength and wear resistance, such profiles surpass their counterparts. But they also have a few downsides: for example, greater weight and poorer insulating characteristics.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Foam-Filled Profiles

First, let's look at the advantages of choosing foam-filled profiles:

1. Light weight: thanks to this, you can install more affordable control systems and reduce mechanical loads on the components, which extends the service life of the structures.
2. Excellent insulation: thanks to the polyurethane, these profiles provide good thermal insulation, which can lower heating costs. They also offer sound protection, creating a calmer environment when the shutters are closed.
3. Affordable price: their simple production process and the use of inexpensive lifting mechanisms can reduce the cost.

However, foam-filled profiles have their disadvantages:

1. Vulnerability: because of the thin walls of the profiles, they can be easily damaged by an impact or collision, requiring repair or replacement of the slats.
2. Noise: due to the lightweight construction, vibration and noise are possible in strong wind.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Extruded Profiles

Extruded profiles have their advantages:

1. Greater strength: thanks to their thick walls, they have higher strength and a longer service life.
2. Protective characteristics: thanks to their strength, they provide a greater level of protection.
3. Larger size: thanks to their rigidity, they can cover a larger open space at the same curtain height.
4. Weather resistance: they are more resistant to the negative effects of weather.

However, it is worth considering the following disadvantages of extruded profiles:

1. Heavy weight: this requires the installation of expensive control mechanisms and can increase the cost of the shutters.
2. Control options: only automatic control is available for large-area shutters.
3. Thermal and sound insulation: although extruded profiles offer better insulation compared with other materials, they may not match the thermal and acoustic characteristics of foam-filled profiles.

In addition: choose foam-filled profiles if you have a limited budget for installing shutters. Extruded profiles usually cost 1.5-2 times more, but they stand out for their protective quality. Your choice depends on your specific needs and budget.