Hello,
Our new build is scheduled to start in November. It will be a townhouse, similar to a Tuscan-style house, built to KfW 70 standard.
We have now reached the topic of roller shutters. We didn’t realize there was so much to consider...
If we choose built-in roller shutters, the lintels on the ground floor would need to be altered, and a floor height increase would be required on the upper floor. Before signing the contract, we discussed with our builder getting a quote for both built-in and surface-mounted roller shutters (for later installation). This way, for financial reasons, we could decide whether to install the shutters during the initial construction or afterward. However, the structural changes to the lintels and the floor height increase were never mentioned at that time! We were surprised by the builder, who later presented us with an additional offer.
If we opt for surface-mounted roller shutters instead of built-in ones, the shutter installation would either involve working into the masonry or require a frame extension, correct?
So, which option would be best for a KfW 70 house? Do you have any tips for us?
We really don’t know what to do right now but need to decide soon!
Thank you very much for your help!
Best regards,
Hannah
Our new build is scheduled to start in November. It will be a townhouse, similar to a Tuscan-style house, built to KfW 70 standard.
We have now reached the topic of roller shutters. We didn’t realize there was so much to consider...
If we choose built-in roller shutters, the lintels on the ground floor would need to be altered, and a floor height increase would be required on the upper floor. Before signing the contract, we discussed with our builder getting a quote for both built-in and surface-mounted roller shutters (for later installation). This way, for financial reasons, we could decide whether to install the shutters during the initial construction or afterward. However, the structural changes to the lintels and the floor height increase were never mentioned at that time! We were surprised by the builder, who later presented us with an additional offer.
If we opt for surface-mounted roller shutters instead of built-in ones, the shutter installation would either involve working into the masonry or require a frame extension, correct?
So, which option would be best for a KfW 70 house? Do you have any tips for us?
We really don’t know what to do right now but need to decide soon!
Thank you very much for your help!
Best regards,
Hannah
Hello Hannah
If the developer gave you a quote stating additional costs up to... for this or that... those are basically FINAL PRICES. Period!
If they forgot to include something in the calculation or have no real idea about it... it doesn’t matter. An offer is an offer. Everything related to this or that decision in terms of construction is included!
If you now decide on a certain option, it is the developer’s responsibility to implement it, regardless of whether the contractor might claim extra costs later... those should have been identified beforehand. So ultimately, that is the developer’s problem, not yours.
Furthermore, these should obviously be equipped with an electric drive, which means they cannot simply be retrofitted if the connections are missing! So don’t let yourself be easily pushed into accepting further additional costs... put some pressure on the developer if the offers were formulated accordingly.
If the developer gave you a quote stating additional costs up to... for this or that... those are basically FINAL PRICES. Period!
If they forgot to include something in the calculation or have no real idea about it... it doesn’t matter. An offer is an offer. Everything related to this or that decision in terms of construction is included!
If you now decide on a certain option, it is the developer’s responsibility to implement it, regardless of whether the contractor might claim extra costs later... those should have been identified beforehand. So ultimately, that is the developer’s problem, not yours.
Furthermore, these should obviously be equipped with an electric drive, which means they cannot simply be retrofitted if the connections are missing! So don’t let yourself be easily pushed into accepting further additional costs... put some pressure on the developer if the offers were formulated accordingly.
Good morning BauLine,
Thank you for your message. I just realized that I expressed myself incorrectly because what we discussed with our builder was only verbal, which is why the roller shutters were not included in the contract for services.
However, the builder did not pass this agreement on to his construction company, so we were later surprised by these different options.
We have already planned on motorized roller shutters, the only question is which ones?!
They should be as cost-effective as possible, as secure as possible, as energy-efficient as possible, and as stylish as possible...!
Do you have any tips for us?
Many thanks and best regards
Hannah
Thank you for your message. I just realized that I expressed myself incorrectly because what we discussed with our builder was only verbal, which is why the roller shutters were not included in the contract for services.
However, the builder did not pass this agreement on to his construction company, so we were later surprised by these different options.
We have already planned on motorized roller shutters, the only question is which ones?!
They should be as cost-effective as possible, as secure as possible, as energy-efficient as possible, and as stylish as possible...!
Do you have any tips for us?
Many thanks and best regards
Hannah
Good day Hannah
Alright, this is a somewhat different starting point...
I would recommend box-type roller shutters in this case. Delivered directly with the window, matching the window color exactly. This option is still cheaper than those mounted later on the exterior plaster, because that would require an additional measurement and potentially adjusting the exterior windowsill to accommodate the added thickness, which would also incur extra costs.
Therefore, the first option is more cost-effective, even if only slightly. Additionally, part of the shutter box will then be embedded within the window reveal. However, this might need to be coordinated with the facade if you have external insulation.
A minor downside when viewed from the inside is that the upper window frame will be thickened by the height of the box—usually 16–19 cm (6–7.5 inches). So you may see more wood or plastic here, although this might be concealed again by the curtains.
Alright, this is a somewhat different starting point...
I would recommend box-type roller shutters in this case. Delivered directly with the window, matching the window color exactly. This option is still cheaper than those mounted later on the exterior plaster, because that would require an additional measurement and potentially adjusting the exterior windowsill to accommodate the added thickness, which would also incur extra costs.
Therefore, the first option is more cost-effective, even if only slightly. Additionally, part of the shutter box will then be embedded within the window reveal. However, this might need to be coordinated with the facade if you have external insulation.
A minor downside when viewed from the inside is that the upper window frame will be thickened by the height of the box—usually 16–19 cm (6–7.5 inches). So you may see more wood or plastic here, although this might be concealed again by the curtains.
Hello BauLine,
thank you very much for your advice. I now have a quote for Alulux external roller shutters, CD 137 Varimaxx.
We can practically already plan frame extensions with the builder and later install the shutters inside the reveal as desired. Or install them on the ground floor first and later upstairs if the budget is tight or there are more urgent priorities. This seems to me to be a good alternative, especially since it doesn’t require directly altering the masonry.
The installation method that requires lintel adjustment and floor height increase, as mentioned, will probably be out of the question due to the cost, I’m afraid. It would cost us over 10,000 euros (€) in total! With the external installation, it would be a maximum of 7,000 euros (€).
Which option did you mean exactly? The one delivered together with the window?
Best regards,
Hannah
thank you very much for your advice. I now have a quote for Alulux external roller shutters, CD 137 Varimaxx.
We can practically already plan frame extensions with the builder and later install the shutters inside the reveal as desired. Or install them on the ground floor first and later upstairs if the budget is tight or there are more urgent priorities. This seems to me to be a good alternative, especially since it doesn’t require directly altering the masonry.
The installation method that requires lintel adjustment and floor height increase, as mentioned, will probably be out of the question due to the cost, I’m afraid. It would cost us over 10,000 euros (€) in total! With the external installation, it would be a maximum of 7,000 euros (€).
Which option did you mean exactly? The one delivered together with the window?
Best regards,
Hannah
Hello construction expert,
yes, the builder does offer roller shutters afterward.
However, this is not standard.
We also need to consider the additional costs for the increased floor height on the upper floor as well as the frame widening.
We simply hadn’t factored that in.
Good luck
yes, the builder does offer roller shutters afterward.
However, this is not standard.
We also need to consider the additional costs for the increased floor height on the upper floor as well as the frame widening.
We simply hadn’t factored that in.
Good luck
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