Retractable security grilles
Collapsible and removable steel grilles for doors, windows and shopfronts.
A retractable security grille is a folding steel lattice that slides across a door or window and locks in place, then concertinas to the side when not needed. It gives visible protection without a shutter box, and is often fitted inside the glazing.
- Grilles & gates
- From £445 + VAT
- UK-wide
Get a free quote
Send the postcode and rough size. We reply with a guide price and book a free survey.
How retractable security grilles work
Retractable grilles fold to the side of the opening, so there is no box above the window or door. Fitted inside the glazing, they usually avoid the planning issues of external shutters, though listed buildings may still need consent. The open lattice lets light in and keeps displays visible, which suits shops and offices. Top and bottom tracks keep the grille rigid and hard to lift or push in.
Grilles can be fitted to rear doors, stock rooms and vulnerable ground-floor windows as well as shopfronts. Removable bar grilles can be lifted out during the day for windows that do not need daily operation. Powder-coated grilles in black or white blend with most frontages.
Locks are built into the grille, often with a key on one side and a thumb turn on the other where escape matters. Some grilles are tested to security standards such as LPS 1175 or STS 202 if a rated product is needed. Grilles on escape routes need to be openable quickly from the inside, which is checked against the fire risk assessment.
Options we can specify
- Folding lattice that stacks to the side
- No shutter box needed
- Top and bottom tracks for rigidity
- Integral locks, keyed or thumb turn
- Internal or external fitting
- Removable bar grilles for windows
- Powder coated in black, white or RAL
- Rated products available on request
Typical specification
| Type | Retractable (collapsible) lattice or removable bar grille |
|---|---|
| Tracks | Top and bottom tracks; floor track options |
| Locking | Integral cylinder lock; thumb turn where escape is needed |
| Fitting | Inside or outside the opening, no box required |
| Finish | Powder coated black, white or RAL |
How much do retractable security grilles cost?
Retractable security grilles typically cost £445 to £1,795 ex VAT (£534 to £2,154 inc VAT) for the common sizes we fit, depending on width, operation, lath type and finish. Larger or specialist jobs are priced after survey.
| Option | Ex VAT | Inc VAT |
|---|---|---|
| Removable or bespoke grilles | After survey | After survey |
| Retractable grille for a shopfront, up to 3m | £845 to £1,795 | £1,014 to £2,154 |
| Retractable grille for a single door | £445 to £945 | £534 to £1,134 |
Guide prices assume a straightforward opening. Your fixed price is confirmed in writing after the survey, before anything is ordered.
Work out your own guide price
Enter the width and height, choose the operation and lath type, and the quote tool draws your shutter to scale with a price range.
Rules that apply
What the law and planning system expect, by nation. We check these at survey.
Planning permission for shopfront shutters
England
In England an external shutter on a shopfront is usually treated as development that needs planning permission from the local planning authority, and a listed building also needs listed building consent. Many councils' shopfront design guides favour internal shutters, perforated or open-grille designs and boxes hidden behind the fascia, and some refuse solid external shutters in conservation areas and on main shopping streets.
Wales
In Wales an external shopfront shutter normally needs planning permission from your county or county borough council, or the national park authority, and a listed building also needs listed building consent. Welsh councils' design guidance often prefers internal or open-pattern grilles to solid shutters, particularly in conservation areas.
Scotland
In Scotland fitting an external security shutter to a shopfront normally needs planning permission from the council, and listed building consent if the building is listed. Councils often ask for the box to be concealed and for open or perforated designs rather than solid shutters in conservation areas.
Northern Ireland
In Northern Ireland planning permission for an external shopfront shutter is decided by your local council, which took over most planning decisions in 2015, and a listed building also needs listed building consent. Design guidance generally favours shutters that keep the frontage visible.
What happens next
Tell us about the opening
Send the postcode, a rough size and a photo if you have one, using the form or a call.
Free survey
We measure, check the structure, power supply and planning position, and talk through options.
Written fixed price
You get a written quote with the product, finish, controls and price before anything is ordered.
Made, fitted and handed over
The shutter is made to measure, fitted, commissioned and handed over with its documents.
Retractable security grilles: common questions
Do retractable grilles need planning permission?
Grilles fitted inside the glazing usually do not need planning permission, though listed buildings may need consent. External grilles are treated like other external security and often need permission.
Are grilles as secure as shutters?
A good grille with top and bottom tracks is a strong deterrent and hard to defeat quickly. For tested security, rated grilles are available.
Can a grille be fitted on a fire exit?
Only if it can be opened quickly from the inside without a key, and the fire risk assessment allows it. We check this before fitting.
Do grilles get in the way during the day?
Retractable grilles fold neatly to the side of the opening. Removable grilles can be lifted out and stored.
Is the survey free?
Yes, for new shutters, grilles and doors: the survey and written quote are free and there is no obligation to go ahead. Repair and servicing visits are charged, and we tell you the price before we visit.
Are your prices fixed?
Yes. After the survey you get a written price for the agreed specification, confirmed before anything is ordered or any work starts. If you change the specification, or a hidden problem such as a weak lintel is found during fitting, we price it and agree it with you before carrying on.
Related services
Roller grilles
Open-lattice roller grilles for shopping centres and frontages that must stay visible.
Shop front shutters
Shutters for high street shops, takeaways and offices, designed with planning in mind.
Perforated & punched shutters
Shutters with perforated, punched or micro-perforated laths so displays stay visible.
LPS 1175 high-security shutters
Shutters certified to the LPCB LPS 1175 standard for premises that need tested security.
Who uses retractable security grilles
Retractable security grilles near you
Choose your county or area for local details and towns we cover.
England
- Bedfordshire
- Berkshire
- Bristol
- Buckinghamshire
- Cambridgeshire
- Cheshire
- Cornwall
- Cumbria
- Derbyshire
- Devon
- Dorset
- County Durham
- East Riding of Yorkshire
- East Sussex
- Essex
- Gloucestershire
- Greater London
- Greater Manchester
- Hampshire
- Herefordshire
- Hertfordshire
- Isle of Wight
- Kent
- Lancashire
- Leicestershire
- Lincolnshire
- Merseyside
- Norfolk
- North Yorkshire
- Northamptonshire
- Northumberland
- Nottinghamshire
- Oxfordshire
- Rutland
- Shropshire
- Somerset
- South Yorkshire
- Staffordshire
- Suffolk
- Surrey
- Tyne and Wear
- Warwickshire
- West Midlands
- West Sussex
- West Yorkshire
- Wiltshire
- Worcestershire
Scotland
Ready for a fixed price?
Free survey, made-to-measure shutters and a written quote before any work starts.