Roma roller shutter curtain - bent and scraping

Hello everyone,

I am a bit puzzled and am not really being supported by the architect and window manufacturer. The new building is less than 5 years old, therefore still under the architect’s warranty, who also acted as the general contractor.

Already last year we noticed that the roller shutter curtains (Roma, plastic, with aluminum rails for windows wider than 2m) were bulging on the southwest side. Meanwhile, this is also noticeable on the southeast side. It is annoying when the curtains now get caught on the subsequently installed insect screens and therefore have to be removed again. The curtains bulge by a good 2-3 cm.

The architect and window manufacturer (contacted already November last year) refer to the Roma operating manual, which, in short, states the following: the roller shutters must not be completely closed when exposed to sunlight. Well... it is basically ridiculous that a blackout cannot be fully closed, but we never did that anyway: during the summer heat they were only opened a little bit as no one wants to sit in the dark during the day. Nevertheless, the curtains are demonstrably deformed, which makes me doubt their suitability and Roma’s statement.

The window manufacturer contacted Roma by email, but there is no response (at least not to me). The architect continues to refer to "incorrect operation" on our part after inquiries.

My question: What does the forum think? Do I have to go to a lawyer / get an expert opinion? Or does that even make sense? I find the "burden of proof," meaning that it lies with me, more than cheeky. The window manufacturer also said that Roma had won lawsuits before – but I cannot even find similar reports online and I am uncertain. I have already considered having running rails installed – but actually this is all nonsense and it must be due to defective materials and therefore be covered by the warranty.

Cheers, Mac

So I find several reviews after 2 minutes... I would talk to the architect again. It is still within the 5 years and the roller shutter slats don’t cost a fortune. However, the last summers were also very, very hot. That can definitely happen. Otherwise, come to an agreement with the window fitter. For example, the installation and your material. How much does such a slat cost? 50-100€?

Hello Dainxf,

thank you very much for the feedback.
Something like that would really be something, but the cost is the problem - there would be 7 roller shutters of 2x2.4m to do + 3 with about 2x1.4m + 2 with 1x2.4m... that's quite a lot. Since I no longer trust the plastic stuff, it would have to be aluminum and those large 2x2.4m shutters already cost around €200 each if I used a configurator online correctly. In a pinch, I would do it - but I am also almost certain that the gentlemen will not take it on in any way.

Regarding the search: can you send me the search terms? I find nothing about warped Roma roller shutters, warped, heat damage etc. If links in conversations are allowed, feel free to send those links as well. Maybe I am just blind...

Cheers,
Mac

I can't find Roma shutters specifically. I thought you meant it in general terms. So I simply typed "Roma shutter slats bent" and the first result was a hit. However, there is no information about the manufacturer there.

I would talk to the window installer again. He also has very different purchase prices for the shutters. At the beginning, I would just say that you are paying the extra cost for the aluminum shutter and not everything right away. Then you might still have room for negotiation. Otherwise, the only option is the tedious way through expert assessors, etc.

Hi,
I am currently having similar discussions, here the plastic shutters are also falling apart. They also wanted to tell me the "do not close in sunshine" story, which is nonsense because such an exclusion is not foreseen in the DIN standard. In other words, according to the DIN, the shutters have to withstand it. Unfortunately, they do not. As far as I could find out, some additives were banned in the plastic shutters a few years ago and since then these things are simply no longer heat-resistant. I was told off the record that basically all shutters available on the market are affected by this and strictly speaking, none of them can meet the standard.
Apparently, it is said that anything over 1 m in width can no longer be made durable with plastic. In other words, wide plastic shutters are now a wear part!

Btw: Plastic with 2.4 m is really quite daring...

After much back and forth, all shutters here are now being replaced with aluminum shutters. We are paying a bit more for this than the surcharge on aluminum would originally have cost us, but I don’t want to get involved in an expert and legal battle over a three-digit amount.

If you have them replaced, I strongly advise aluminum; with a width of 2.4 m, the new ones won’t last long either.

Regards,

Andreas

Have aluminum things and even the hooks also sometimes in summer