I would like to design in to my new house thermal shutters. I saw an excellent example on a modern house designed by the Edinburgh architect Richard Murphy at Pitmedden about ten years ago, where large panels rolled out from a cassette in the wall, pulled on overhead runner with the aid of a yacht winch. The shutters were light panels faced with ply and filled with PIR insulation. There were also other panels that hinged up to cover rooflights. RM had also used same idea in a basement extension in Edinburgh.

Such panels would only provide excellent insulation if they had a good thermal seal top and bottom and sides.
Has anyone here any experience of designing this sort of feature, or any advice on detailed design?

Posted By: collonachSuch panels would only provide excellent insulation if they had a good thermal seal top and bottom and sides.

I did quite a bit of research early in my design process but in the end I haven't incorporated any of it!

There are quite a few external shutter systems around. One of the German housebuilders - Baufritz? - builds big external sliders. The problem I see with external shutters is dirt and leaves etc clogging either the seals or the mechanisms, plus designing for wind loads. So I'd definitely recommend using an existing proven design if possible. I was tempted more by internal shutters but the extra expense and complexity didn't seem worth it at the final cut.