Timber Window Frame - Internal RAL Colour

PROJECT K

Hi all,
Just about to place order for windows on a new house and trying to make final decision on interior window frame colour. The house is a contemporary open plan design, loads of natural light, tiled floor throughout (bright off white colour with 'glass chip' effect - TBC of course!!!) with the exception of the living room (lower level) which will have a dark timber floor (probably Walnut).

The windows come with pine/bright wood frames as standard which isnt going to work so we were thinking of an off white colour, ivory, cream etc. We dont intend to have skirting boards but window boards, internal doors and all other joinery including stairs will match the floor in the living room. Some say cream will be too dark others that off white will look dirty - its hard to visualise in window showrooms as the lighting varies a lot. We had thought of black as the walls will be painted a shade of white but im not convinced. I guess what i am really asking here is what shade of white or other colour works best with dark wood/walnut...!!! Any pics or links anyone?!
Thanks
PK

antoinolachtnai

The advice I got was a charcoal colour, that is a bit off black. RAL 7021 is what my notes say. The rationale for this from the architects is that the dark colour will not be as noticeable as a bright colour when you are looking out the window at the garden. In addition, that colour fits well with the black rubber gaskets on the windows. I got this, and I am pretty happy with the results. (It was for a large sliding door.)

PROJECT K

antoinolachtnai wrote: »

The advice I got was a charcoal colour, that is a bit off black. RAL 7021 is what my notes say. The rationale for this from the architects is that the dark colour will not be as noticeable as a bright colour when you are looking out the window at the garden. In addition, that colour fits well with the black rubber gaskets on the windows. I got this, and I am pretty happy with the results. (It was for a large sliding door.)

Thanks Antoin, had a major rethink after your post and further research (lived on Houzz.com for a few months!) - theres defintely merit in having dark frames in fact i am now convinced to go for black (RAL 9005 - Jet Black) internally. We had planned for a fairly neutral interior and the black frames really do look the business! Did you use the same colour externally?

I am thinking of using a lighter colour (mid to dark grey - RAL 7015, 7016 or maybe 7037) externally (also on alu cills and flashings) but havent seen this combination done before - any one done anything similar?!

Thanks

antoinolachtnai

Mine are the same inside and out. I think you would be really happy with the 7021, but who knows, you might be even happier with that combination! It is honestly hard to say without knowing what your building actually looks like. I prefer the darker greys with a concrete outside finish, but it depends what the materials are and depends on taste too.

The only think about the dark black is that maybe dust would be more noticeable on it? I really don't know.

I have a feeling you are at the point where you are down to quite small differences in shade. To be honest, you will not really notice the difference between those shades, or even the difference between the 7021 and the 9005 once it is fitted. It is the same sort of thing. I would certainly take advice from the window manufacturer (mine was http://www.foldingslidingdoors.ie) or architect if you have one.