Size is the first thing that shapes a roller shutter door quote. It decides the slat profile, the operation (manual, chain or motor) and, in the end, the price. Most roller shutter doors are made to measure, but knowing the typical sizes and how to measure your opening will help you plan your budget and get an accurate quote faster.
Typical roller shutter door sizes
There is no single “standard” roller shutter door, because every door is made to fit its opening. These are the size ranges we see most often:
| Application | Typical width | Typical height | Usual operation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shopfront or kiosk | 2–4 m | 2.4–3 m | Manual or motorised |
| Home garage (single / double) | 2.4–3 m / 4.5–5.5 m | 2.1–2.4 m | Manual or motorised |
| Workshop or storage unit | 3–4 m | 3–4 m | Chain or motorised |
| Warehouse or loading bay | 4–6 m | 4–5 m | Motorised |
| Large industrial opening | 6 m and up | 5 m and up | Motorised, heavy-duty |
Older buildings rarely have perfectly square, standard-sized openings, so we always confirm sizes on site before manufacturing.
How to measure your opening
You don’t need to be exact for a first quote — we’ll confirm everything on site — but these measurements help us price accurately from the start:
- Width: measure between the walls at the widest point of the opening.
- Height: measure from the finished floor to the underside of the lintel or beam.
- Headroom: measure the space above the opening. The door rolls up into a coil or box that usually needs about 300–600 mm, depending on the door’s height.
- Side room: measure the wall space on each side of the opening for the guide rails — typically around 100–150 mm per side.
- Floor: check that the floor is level across the opening. A sloping floor leaves gaps under the door.
- Obstructions: note pipes, lights, beams or cabling near the top of the opening.
Tip: take a few photos of the opening with a tape measure in the shot and send them with your enquiry. It helps us spot anything unusual before the site visit.
Manual, chain or motorised?
The right operation depends on the door’s size and how often you open it.
- Manual (push-up): spring-balanced and simple. Best for smaller doors such as shopfronts and single garages that open once or twice a day.
- Chain-operated: a geared chain lifts heavier mid-sized doors without a motor. A practical middle ground for workshops and storage units.
- Motorised: the best choice for large or heavy doors, doors opened many times a day, or where you want remote operation. Warehouse doors and loading bays are almost always motorised.
What drives the price of a roller shutter door?
Two doors of the same size can differ in price. These are the main factors:
- Size: the bigger the opening, the more material and the heavier the components.
- Material and finish: galvanised steel or aluminium, and whether you want a powder-coated colour.
- Slat profile and thickness: heavier slats give more security and strength, especially on wide doors.
- Operation: manual, chain or motorised — and the motor size for larger doors.
- Extras: locking options, wicket (pedestrian) doors and vision panels.
- Site conditions: access, working height, the state of the existing structure and whether an old door needs removing.
Because every door is made to measure, we give you a fixed quote once we have your measurements or have done a site measure.
Replacing an existing door?
If you already have a roller shutter door that is sticking, noisy or damaged, it may not need replacing. Our guide Repair, Replace or Upgrade explains how to decide. For larger commercial and industrial projects, read our Industrial Roller Shutter Doors Buyer’s Guide.
Get an accurate quote
Send us the following and we’ll come back with a quote and, if needed, book an on-site survey:
- Width and height of the opening (and headroom if you have it)
- A few photos of the opening
- Your location
- How often the door will be opened, and whether you want it motorised
Need a roller shutter door made to measure? Premier Roller Shutter Doors manufactures, installs and repairs roller shutter doors from our Germiston base, across Gauteng and nationwide. Request a quote or call us to book a site measure.