INDUSTRY TRENDS

PURPLE? NO PROBLEM! Aluminum railing manufacturers can create near limitless custom colors using powder coatings. (Photo by Duradek)

Become a deck railing color expert

Selling from the growing spectrum of options

Twhite vinyl railings on every dec have given way to a rainbow of railing colors, enabled by the latest manufacturing technologies and the expanding imaginations of designers. With now near-unlimited options, how can dealers help guide customers to the best color choice for their dec railing pro ect

“Choosing the right railing defines your home, and selecting the right color is as important on the outside of the home as it is on the inside,” says Andrew Pantelides, P of mar eting and business development for Regal ideas. “When it comes to doors, trim, shutters and furniture, the color trends we are seeing are ones of eye-catching colors that define personality and style. More and more homeowners are viewing their outdoor spaces as an extension of their indoors.”

Certainly, railing color choice is a critical decision in planning a pro ect. When you wal out onto a dec , your eyes are usually going to see the railing first.

According to Steven Phillips, product manager in charge of railing for rex, “ ur focus is on ma ing sure consumers have safe but inspiring choices that complement any dec ing color. Earth tones li e intage Lantern a chocolate brown compliment safer choices li e Classic White and Charcoal Blac . Softer tones li e Rope Swing and Gravel Path give consumers more outside-the-box options that aren t too polarizing. owever, ma ing sure the channel can support inventory re uirements is always critical, so the color palette has to be selected carefully.”

Fairway s aluminum systems come in three different colors, steel railings in two, and cellular P C in white. “ hose three railing technologies aluminum, steel and cellular P C cover three color categories in blac , bronze and white, which represent about of mar et demand,” said Chase Moritz, mar eting manager for parent Envision ec ing. “Within those technologies, we offer varying finish options as well. extured colors are some of our fastest growing products.”

SpecRail has been twea ing its color options based on customer feedbac . Standard colors for its aluminum railings are blac , white and bronze. he company used to offer green and sandstone as standard, but they were discontinued due to lac of demand. “Blac is the prominent color for both our

railing and fence products by far,” shared oseph Moriarty, new business development manager. “ epending on certain regions of the country, white is preferable. Bronze is still popular and a viable preference for many pro ects.”

SpecRail also offers custom colors, usually “one-offs” to meet the re uirements of certain obs. Recently, custom red has been popular. “Customers provide a RA color code,” Moriarty said. “ hese situations re uire a specific supplier uote on coating material and our set-up process time based on pro ect volume.”

Making the Choice CONSTRUCTION IS UNDERWAY on a new TFL plant in Klamath Falls, Before choosing a railing color, dealers should understand Or., to meet growing demand in the West. the customer s style and home architecture including materials used li e wood or composite, and how they use their out-Wilsonart Expands TFL in West door area. RailF s Brenda Collons says, “ his will li ely Wilsonart Engineered Surfaces has broken ground on drive a customers selection of railing style do they want a new thermally fused laminate (TFL) facility in Klamath the railing to blend in, ma ing a la e or mountain view the Falls, Or. hero, or stand out as a design feature And will the outdoor Expected to be fully operational by July 2021, the o simplify the railing selection process, rex s Philarea be used for entertainment, family including children, new facility will feature a quick-cycle press, which will lips suggests using one of what rex calls the “three Cs” to pets and older adults , games or pool use nce the style significantly increase its production capabilities on the West achieve a successful dec ing and railing pairing has been chosen, colors can complement the decision. Colors Coast. Coordinate. ou can never go wrong by selecting railevo e moods, which drives the preference of stoc versus “Our offerings have garnered tremendous support ing in the same shade as your dec ing i.e., dar brown railcustom colors for the final design.” from both specifiers and fabricators,” said Ron Ubertini, ing for a dar brown dec , or light gray railing to comple ista Railing Systems Eri Flic agrees “Building color, VP-product management. “TFL is a key part of that ment light gray boards. his creates a cozy, well-coordinated geographic environment, and personal preference all go into offering, and this next expansion is a continuation of our loo and is a great approach for ris -averse homeowners. the color selection process. As an example, Gloss White strategy to enable us to meet growing demand and better Contrast. If you have trouble finding a perfect match for tends to be very popular in coastal areas as a general rule. serve our customers.” the dec ing or if your customer is open to trying something More urban environments might tend to have color schemes different consider a contrasting railing color, such as blac where a Gloss Blac is more of a fit. extured finishes such Lowe’s Bulking Up in the West or white. Both are classic options that complement virtually as extured Blac are certainly rising in popularity as well To meet fast-growing demand for building materials, any outdoor setting. Classic white loo s crisp against deep based upon changing color schemes and the fact that they Lowe’s Home Improvement Centers, Mooresville, N.C., will brown dec boards and is ideal for highlighting a dec s deare easier to eep clean in some cases than the gloss colors.” invest $1.7 billion to update its supply chain—with much of sign and features. Alternately, if you re wor ing with lighter

the expansion centered across the western United States.

Over the past 18 months, Lowe’s opened more than a dozen facilities, including in Riverside, Ca.

Over the coming year and a half, the chain is expected to open 50 more cross-dock terminals, seven bulk distribution centers, and four e-commerce fulfillment centers. It recently inked deals for new distribution space in California, Arizona and Washington, among other states.

In October, Lowe’s opened a West Coast e-commerce fulfillment center in Mira Loma, Ca., said to improve two-day deliveries.

Lowe’s has leased 116,934-sq. ft. in a new industrial park in Gilbert, Az., to open a distribution and fulfillment center in early 2021.

It reportedly also agreed to lease 1.2 million sq. ft. at the GORGEOUS VIEWS are maximized with railings that blend into the background. (Photo by Regal ideas) Benaroya Pacific Northwest Regional Logistics Center in Winlock, Wa.

Second-Hand Lumberyard Reopens in Flagstaff

After being closed for nearly nine years, E.R.I.C. Building Supply, Flagstaff, Az., has reopened with a new owner.

Construction industry veteran Darwin Dahozy purchased the business and inventory, and reopened in early October after a month of prepping the long-vacant space. He admits their current collection of used, recycled and discarded building materials will require more time to organize, so initially will be closed on Mondays through Wednesdays as it continues to “clean up and organize.”

Dahozy, 49, moved to the area two years ago looking to buy or start his own business, after a career as a welder and residential/commercial fencer.

WITH 12 STANDARD colors (above), Diggers Industries believes it has an option to coordinate its aluminum railings with any outdoor space. Note how (at right) the darker railings play off the gray deck. (Images by DSI)

colored dec ing, a contrasted loo can be achieved by selecting dar er railing. ar colors give a dec a modern loo and feel. hey also are a good choice for clients loo ing to showcase their home s natural surroundings since dar railings tend to visually blend into the bac ground. Customize. For design-savvy homeowners loo ing for the distinctive, go for a completely customized loo . on t be afraid to mix colors and materials, such as combining dar aluminum railing and balusters with white composite posts, to create a dramatic loo that delivers a sophisticated mixture of texture and color. ther tips o optimize a great view, thin balusters fi nished in blac are a good choice as they tend to optically blend into the environment, putting more visual emphasis on the natural surroundings. Save thic er, tightly spaced balusters for a not-so-appealing view or to deter nosy neighbors. Rails should naturally blend with the environment. his brings the feeling of being closer to nature. So not only consider how the railings play off of the dec and home, but also how they loo facing away, into nature. Railings should defi ne a space naturally vs. becoming an obtrusive barrier. ar colors, li e blac and bronze, tend to blend in with a structure from afar, while white and lighter colors will stand out in contrast to the home. Colors with more gloss retention typically have less U brea down fading than matte fi nish colors. Gloss fi nishes re ect more sunlight, so in a very sunny area, a textured fi nish on aluminum is often a better choice Chec on the fi nish. ow does it loo and feel oes it leave fi ngerprints, or stain A textured fi nish aff ects both loo and feel. According to Regal ideas Pantelides, “ ur textured fi nish provides a depth of richness to the paint as the light shines on it.” Rarely do you see high-end railing materials that are glossy and shiny. rex s aluminum and composite railings feature matte fi nishes that add a rich loo to an overall pro ect.

Pick a Color, Any Color

Atlantis Rail off ers two cable railing systems with diff erent color options the N A II aluminum cable railing system in white, blac and bronze, and the Spectrum System stainless steel cable railing system with stainless steel s uare posts powder-coated blac , pure white, metallic silver, dar brown, light brown, or pebble gray.

In recent years, Atlantis Rail has started to off er color options due to customer demand. “For a long time we only off ered a brushed or polished stainless steel fi nish,” said mar eting manager Carey ic s. “We are off ering much lower maintenance options for adding color to railing systems versus painted wood. he color options that we off er are neutral and blend nicely with many diff erent designs and environments.

“It is defi nitely a customer preference as to which color they choose, but we have noticed that with exterior color palettes expanding, including window trims, customers are loo ing to match their railing to their trim. Also, color selection depends on the style that the customer wants to showcase. If the railing is on the ocean, some customers opt for a white cable railing system to give a nautical feel. If the railing was going on a residence in the mountains or woods, the customer may opt for a blac or dar brown railing system so as to blend with nature and not interfere with the environment.” he proliferation of literally hundreds of diff erent dec railing colors is primarily attribute to advances in powder-coating. urade s aluminum railings come in standard and over custom colors. “ he ability to provide custom colors in railing and fencing products is important to ensure a good match to a home s window coverings or window sidings,” notes Blair oliday, urarail sales manager. “ he most important thing is using a super durable powder for the fi nish.” igger Specialties, Inc. off ers standard AAMA colors for its Westbury aluminum railing, A A andrail, and B Series balusters in its PolyRail vinyl railing line, chosen specifi cally to play off homeowners dec s, homes, gardens and yards.

“We believe your outdoor living space should match your style and color palette,” explains mar eting manager Mary Gearhart. “Every year the dec ing industry adds colors to their dec ing options, paint companies add colors to their exterior home colors, and vinyl siding companies add new color options to their color off erings. We have a standard color that can accent the colors in your outdoor living space. But you don t have to stop there SI off ers a custom color program for all our aluminum products. ou provide a color sample, we match it to an AAMA color.”

Ultimately, the most important factor is what loo s good to the client. “It really is a matter of personal preference and aesthetics,” said eremiah ershberger, product manager for Superior Plastics, which provides vinyl railing in three colors and aluminum in four. “We off er so many colors because people li e to have options for a customized railing, but all of our aluminum and vinyl colors are powder-coated or manufactured to last, so it really doesn t matter from a functional perspective.”