When enhancing your customers’ windows and doors, colour plays a vital role. A well-known system for colour identification is RAL, which categorises shades using specific codes.
In this blog, we explore what RAL colours are, their uses, the significance of understanding their limitations, and how Formula One Range can support you.
What is RAL?
Developed in Germany during the 1920s, RAL is a standardised colour matching system that has become popular worldwide. This system includes over 2,500 colours, each assigned a unique RAL code, and is employed across various sectors, including architecture, automotive, and glazing.
One of the primary benefits of using RAL colours is that they offer a standardised reference for communicating colour. RAL codes are universal and easily comprehensible for manufacturers, installers, and customers, ensuring consistency and accuracy in colour application.
In the glazing industry, where consistent colour reproduction is essential, RAL colours are particularly advantageous. They help guarantee that the colours of different components, like panels, mullions, and top rails, match seamlessly.
What are the Limitations of RAL Colours?
While the RAL system is highly beneficial, it’s important to recognise that RAL colours only represent a small portion of the full colour spectrum. Colours are complex and nuanced, with countless shades, tones, and variations that RAL codes may not fully capture.
Chartwell Green is a notable example; many people mistakenly believe it is included in the RAL colour chart.
Installers often face confusion when homeowners request that perfect shade of green—whether for touching up a forgotten cill or matching a door to a foiled frame—the specific RAL shade often seems elusive, leading to shared frustration.
A quick Google search for Chartwell Green RAL codes might produce some results, but rather than finding an exact match, you’ll likely come across suggestions based on the closest visual approximations.
Why Can’t I Find the Exact Colour I’m Looking For?
The prevalence of close matches without exact equivalents stems from the foil range offered by specialists.
Foils are adhesive plastics applied to window and door frames to enhance their aesthetics with both texture and colour.
The available colour options are thoughtfully curated and include well-known shades like Chartwell Green, Anthracite Grey, Agate Grey, White, and Cream. A solid selection serves as a benchmark for the entire glazing industry.
For example, if a PVC door manufacturer opts for a Chartwell colour for their frames, the door must match precisely. This requirement also applies to window frames and other products that cannot be foiled.
While colours are inspired by shades available in the market, adjustments are often necessary to align with specific production methods, which is a common practice among many manufacturers.
How Can Formula One Range Help You?
As a leading manufacturer of UPVC windows and doors, we have dedicated time to thoroughly understand the range of foils, investing in precise matching to these colours and expanding our standard colour offerings.
We can arrange for products to be sprayed to help you coordinate trims. If you are looking to match existing windows and doors with a newly installed product, please reach out to a member of the Formula One Range team today for assistance in finding exact matches.
