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03.11.2025

Retrofitting Roller Shutters in old buildings: options, costs and tips

ROMA Roller Shutters in the dining room

Retrofitting roller shutters in old buildings is an effective measure for more living comfort, improved energy efficiency and to increase the value of your property. Retrofitting is particularly worthwhile for existing buildings without modern sun protection - whether for reasons of thermal insulation, darkening or burglary protection with roller shutters. Find out in this guide what options are available, what the costs are and what you should look out for when choosing Roller Shutters.

Retrofitting Roller Shutters in old buildings: the most important facts in brief

  • Retrofitting Roller Shutters in old buildings: technically possible without any problems - even without existing electrics

  • Particularly suitable roller shutter types: Front-Mounted Roller Shutters and Solar Roller Shutters

  • Retrofitting improves: thermal insulation, darkening, privacy and security

  • Costs: vary depending on window type, material and control system

Replacing roller shutters in old buildings: which types of roller shutters are suitable?

If you want to replace the existing roller shutters in an old building or retrofit roller shutters for the first time, you are faced with the question: Which systems can be integrated sensibly, efficiently and in a visually appealing way? In existing buildings in particular, structural interventions are often costly or not possible due to listed buildings, the fabric of the old building or a lack of electrics. This is where roller shutter solutions that can be easily retrofitted score particularly well - without major conversions, but with high added value for convenience, energy efficiency and security.

House with Front-Mounted Roller Shutters from ROMA at dusk

Front-Mounted Roller Shutters

Front-Mounted Roller Shutters are installed on the outside of the façade or in the reveal - ideal for retrofitting, as no intervention in the existing building fabric is required. ROMA offers aesthetically sophisticated Front-Mounted Roller Shutters that blend harmoniously into the façade.

More about Front-Mounted Roller Shutters

House with solar roller shutters from ROMA and clinker bricks

Solar roller shutter

Roller Shutters with solar drive are particularly suitable for old buildings without an on-site power supply. Thanks to the integrated battery and solar panel, no power connection is required - perfect for windows that are difficult to access or listed buildings.

Solar Roller Shutters

Apartment building with TERMO 2 Top-Mounted Roller Shutters from ROMA

Top-Mounted Roller Shutters

The TERMO 2 Top-Mounted Roller Shutters have been specially developed for renovation projects. With or without window replacement, this Renovation Roller Shutters uses existing lintel boxes.

More about Top-Mounted Roller Shutters

Retrofitting Roller Shutters in old buildings: costs

The cost of retrofitting Roller Shutters in old buildings varies depending on the design, equipment and structural situation. Several factors play a role here.

Price-determining factors:

  • Type of Roller Shutters (manual, electric or solar-powered)

  • Material and insulation quality of the Roller Shutter Profiles

  • Size and number of windows

  • Installation situation and structural conditions on site

  • Control system (e.g. switch, radio, integration of the Roller Shutters into the Smart Home)

  • Color design and special features (e.g. insect screens)

  • Installation work by the specialist company

A general price estimate is therefore not possible. Only an individual consultation and planning by the ROMA specialist partner will provide reliable information on the actual costs - tailored to your building and your wishes.

Subsidy for Roller Shutters retrofit

External sun protection such as solar-powered Roller Shutters can be subsidized via BAFA or tax measures - especially in the context of energy-efficient refurbishment. Use the ROMA funding assistant to find out whether your project is eligible for funding.

Check funding for Roller Shutters now

Replacing or renewing Roller Shutters in old buildings

Many old buildings already have outdated Roller Shutters - often manually operated, poorly insulated or visually unsuitable. It is worth replacing the Roller Shutters in old buildings.

The advantages at a glance:

  • Improved thermal insulation thanks to modern foam-filled profiles

  • More convenience thanks to electric or smart control

  • Visual enhancement of the façade

  • Security thanks to burglar-resistant systems

ROMA also offers customized solutions for renewing Roller Shutters in old buildings - including Smart Home compatibility.

Close-up view of old building with two Roller Shutters from ROMA, one almost all the way down, the other only a third down

Step-by-step: This is how the retrofit works

1. advice from ROMA specialist partners

2. measurement and selection of the right Roller Shutters system

3. installation by trained specialist personnel

4. integration into existing control system or Smart Home

5. instruction and handover

With the right partner at your side, retrofitting in old buildings is clean, fast and reliable.

ROMA - Your partner for high-quality Roller Shutters in old buildings

Front-Mounted Roller Shutters, Solar Roller Shutters, Top-Mounted Roller Shutters TERMO 2 and completely new Smart Home-capable systems - with ROMA, you can rely on tested quality, innovative technology and aesthetic design. All products are manufactured in Germany and offered exclusively by qualified ROMA specialist partners.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ) about retrofitting Roller Shutters in old buildings

Which Roller Shutters are suitable for retrofitting in old buildings?

Front-mounted roller blinds are the most suitable, as they can be installed without major intervention in the building fabric. They can also be solar-powered as an option. Solar-powered Roller Shutters are ideal if there is no electricity or if the façade is a listed building.

How much does it cost to retrofit Roller Shutters in old buildings?

The cost of retrofitting Roller Shutters in old buildings depends on the system, the fittings and the number of windows. Factors such as electrical control of the Roller Shutters, Smart Home connection or special colors also influence the price. An individual consultation with a ROMA specialist partner will provide clarity.

Can you simply replace old Roller Shutters in old buildings?

Yes - replacing Roller Shutters in old buildings is usually technically possible without any problems. Modern systems significantly improve thermal insulation, comfort and appearance. ROMA offers customized solutions for every old building as well as for new buildings.

Are there subsidies for Roller Shutters retrofitting?

Yes - under certain conditions, Roller Shutters with solar drive and other forms of external sun protection are eligible for subsidies. Use the ROMA BAFA subsidy helper to check possible subsidies.

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