Things you cannot buy in America?
3. Exterior roller shutters (Rollladen) In much of Europe, homes feature heavy shutters integrated into the exterior of the window, enabling total blackout and better insulation. Sleeping in true, complete darkness—not “blackout curtain” darkness, but can’t-see-your-hand darkness—is an experience most Americans will never have. These shutters are nearly impossible to get in the USA because […]…
The wire material discusses a list of items that Americans may find difficult to purchase or find in the United States. One such item mentioned is exterior roller shutters, also known as Rollladen, which are common in much of Europe. These shutters provide a complete blackout and better insulation for homes. However, according to Daniel Frank, they are nearly impossible to obtain in the USA due to several reasons.
Firstly, these shutters are built directly into the home during its construction, making them incompatible with standard American wood-frame, siding, and drywall construction. This incompatibility means there is no domestic supply chain to support their installation. The author also notes that it is debatable whether a "grass roof" would be obtainable in the USA.
Overall, the list serves as an interesting exploration of "possibly thwarted markets in everything" in the United States.
Written by urgent.news from Marginal Revolution's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
