RAL Colours on Alu-Clad Windows/Doors

Quack13

I am considering buying my windows & doors from 2 seperate companies.

My question is if I choose the same colour from both companies (according to the specific RAL code) are they guaranteed to be the same?

I'm guessing the colouring is mixed in accordance with the specific code, but am curious as to whether there is variance in shades from different companies.

Also would the colours likely wear at the the same rate, both being painted aluminum.

mr_edge_to_you

Hey, my understanding is that Ral colour codes ensure you are getting a specified standard colour no matter who you source the product from. However, I imagine that there is a potential issue down the line as to how the colour will wear on the aluminium as the alu cladding may be of different standards. I could be totally wrong on that! I know wood is a natural product so variations are inevitable but how will your wooden interiors match between the doors and the windows? Can I ask as to why you're sourcing the window and doors from different suppliers? This does sound unusual. If you are worried it would be much safer to buy both from one supplier, to be sure to be sure! Mr Edge.

Mike2006

Q,

In theory, the coulour should/will be the same but what could make the windows 'look' a bit different would be the method of how the paint was applied to the windows/doors. It will be either Powder Coated or Spray painted.
Powders do have an advantage over liquid paint here. If you can, imagine how a liquid coating dries or cures. Solvent has to escape from the film as it "dries down". If you were to look at this under a microscope, you would see a bunch of little pinholes that look like small volcanoes. Powder simply melts down at cure temperature and (usually) isn’t prone to pinholing.

My choice would be to go with the powder coated ones as the pinholes that occur in the liquid spray painting is an avenue for moisture and chemicals to penetrate the film more quickly, accelerating corrosion. Powder coating also usually leaves a thicker layer of paint on the surface so more protection there. They will both be affected the same way by UV light etc..

If both are powder coated, as long as they both use the same resins etc in theor powder coating then, they should be the same..
You could ask both for a spec of their powder coating material and compare or get a sample of aluclad from both of the same colour and compare..

Mike.

Quack13

Thanks for that lads.

I will look into the powder coating details a little more Mike.

I know it certainly is not ideal getting windows & doors from different suppliers.

The situation is that they are relatively similar products, but one companies doors are far more expensive than the other and vice versa the other companies windows more expensive.

The reality of it being it should save me around 6K, on an already overrunning budget in this area.

Nick Elsulphide

Different powder suppliers can have a slightly different take on the same RAL code particularly if they are using silicone based coatings such as syntha pulvin instead of the more common polyester powders. You can also get caught out on differnt gloss levels of the same RAL colour.
If different formulations have been used then differing fade rates are a possibility on elevations with southerly exposure. Darker colours have more noticeable fading. Ask the suppliers for evidence of durability testing they have carried out on their finishes. The application procedure is just as critical as the powder quality.

Nick Elsulphide

Mike2006 wrote: »

My choice would be to go with the powder coated ones as the pinholes that occur in the liquid spray painting is an avenue for moisture and chemicals to penetrate the film more quickly, accelerating corrosion. Powder coating also usually leaves a thicker layer of paint on the surface so more protection there. They will both be affected the same way by UV light etc..

PVDF fleuropolymers are liquid coatings. If it was a money no object situation I would take them over powder coatings any day. Not a frequent option on windows unfortunately.

Mellor

The simple answer is that there may be some tiny differences when under a microscope,
but to the naked eye they should be the same (bar a mistake somewhere)