Last Updated: December 16, 2017
Whether you’re talking about interior walls, exterior doors, roof shingles, or cabinets, choosing colors for your home decor is always difficult. Not only are you investing a lot of money in this renovation, but you will be living with it (and looking at it) every day. That’s why choosing between aluminum railing colors is so tough. Should you pick a solid or a textured rail? Will it be white, beige, black, brown, sandy shore or even speckled walnut? Do you know how to select the best color for your project? Scroll down for some helpful tips.
Aluminum Railing Colors
Your Options
First, let’s talk about your options. Aluminum railing is typically covered in a powder coating, which is how the railing gets its color. The powder clings to the railing due to an electrostatic charge, and heat melds the powder and cures it. The preparation stage involves several rounds of cleaning and drying the equipment parts to ensure that the surface is meticulous and ready to be coated.
This coating is very durable and maintenance-free. Plus, it’s offered in a variety of colors. Although most manufacturers offer a set of standard colors for their aluminum railings, they will sometimes offer custom colors for an added fee. Standard colors include white, beige, brown, black, and bronze. These colors are available in various finishes as well. Some are solid, others are speckled. Some are satiny, some are textured, some are glossy, and some are metallic. Your choices will vary wildly depending on the manufacturer you choose and the style of railing you desire.
The manufacturer’s website will probably have swatches of the various colors available, but realize that these colors are only a close representation of the color. If you want to see the true color (and get a feel for how it will change depending on the light), you’ll need to consult actual samples.
At MMC Fencing & Railing, we are proud to be a distributor of Digger Specialties, Inc (DSI). DSI offers twelve standard colors:
- Satin Black (DSI 101)
- Black Fine Texture (DSI 106)
- Ninety Bronze (DSI 131)
- Bronze Fine Texture (DSI 107)
- Speckled Walnut (DSI 121)
- Sandy Shore (DSI 122)
- White Fine Texture (DSI 123)
- Gloss Beige (DSI 104)
- Chocolate (DSI 124)
- Gloss White (DSI 102)
- Silver (DSI 125)
In addition to the standard colors listed above, DSI can create a custom color that perfectly fulfills your project goals. So if you want a railing that matches a very specific hue (a school’s colors, a business’s logo, your favorite shade of blue), simply ask.
AAMA Specifications
The American Architectural Manufacturing Association (AAMA) publishes specifications for a variety of architectural products, including coating specifications. All of the standard aluminum railing colors offered by DSI are verified AAMA 2604 compliant, and you have the option to upgrade to a verified 2605 compliant finish.
AAMA 2604 is easier to attain but still more strict than the standards for coatings used on products like bicycles, lawn mowers, and railings from less reputable manufacturers. AAMA 2605 is very strict and difficult to attain, and because it requires more thorough preparation and coating processes, it costs a bit extra. These specifications tell you about several features of the powder coating:
AAMA 2604
- Color Retention: In 5 years, the finish will fade no more than 5 Delta E
- Chalk Resistance: In 5 years, chalking must reach no greater than 8 according to the ASTM 4214 test
- Gloss Retention: In 5 years, the finish will retain 30% of its gloss
- Erosion Resistance: In 5 years, no more than 10% of the finish will have eroded
- Dry Film Thickness: 1.2 mils minimum
- Pretreatment System: Chrome or chrome free
- Accelerated Testing – Salt Spray: 3,000 hours
- Accelerated Testing – Humidity: 3,000 hours
AAMA 2605
- Color Retention: In 10 years, the finish will fade no more than 5 Delta E
- Chalk Resistance: In 10 years, chalking no greater than 8 according to the ASTM 4214 test
- Gloss Retention: In 10 years, the finish will retain 50% of its gloss
- Erosion Resistance: In 10 years, no more than 10% of the finish will have eroded
- Dry Film Thickness: 1.2 mils minimum
- Pretreatment System: Chrome or chrome free
- Accelerated Testing – Salt Spray: 4,000 hours
- Accelerated Testing – Humidity: 4,000 hours
Choosing a Color
Struggling to make a decision amidst all these options? Use the following tips as you compare aluminum railing colors:
- Look carefully at the space where the railing will be installed. Do you want to match its color to any surrounding items, like doors, stairs, shutters, or a fence? Also consider the architectural style of the space. Blue railing may look strange on a traditional colonial home, for example, but white would fit in nicely.
- Consider the lighting of the space. How will light affect the color? It’s important to realize that color changes throughout the day. What looks like tan in the day can appear pink in the late afternoon. This is part of why it’s important to request samples of your color options, so you can place them in the actual location and see how the color looks in the light of day.
- Decide whether you want a high-contrast color or a color that blends in. Do you want the railing to blend in with its surroundings, so that it doesn’t call much attention to itself? Or would you prefer a strong contrast? For example, a darker, natural shade like bronze will fade into the background if the railing is near trees, while bright white would look striking and bold. You could also go somewhere in between, using a color that’s complementary but not starkly different, like a dark beige.
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As you sort through aluminum railing colors, the most important thing to remember is to take your time. This is a big decision, so you need to consider it carefully and make a thoughtful decision. Good luck!
Finally, if you’re in the market for an aluminum railing, do yourself a favor and check out MMC Fencing & Railing. You might be interested in the Westbury Aluminum Railing systems, which are available in a variety of styles and colors. With names like Tuscany, Riviera, Montego, and Veranda, you can trust that these railings are both elegant and understated. Or, if you’re concerned about pesky insects, learn more about Screenrail, an aluminum railing with heavy-duty screen panels to keep out mosquitos and other bothersome bugs.
For more railing options, please check out the MMC Fencing & Railing online store or give us a call at 1-866-931-5002.