INDUSTRY Trends By David Koenig
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 white vinyl railings on every deck 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 deck railing project? “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 marketing 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 project. When you walk out onto a deck, your eyes are usually going to see the railing first. According to Steven Phillips, product manager in charge of railing for Trex, “Our focus is on making sure consumers have safe but inspiring choices that complement any decking
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color. Earth tones like intage Lantern (a chocolate brown) compliment safer choices like Classic White and Charcoal Black. Softer tones like Rope Swing and Gravel Path give consumers more outside-the-box options that aren’t too polarizing. owever, making sure the channel can support inventory requirements 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. “Those three railing technologies—aluminum, steel and cellular P C— cover three color categories in black, bronze and white, which represent about 0% of market demand,” said Chase Moritz, marketing manager for parent Envision ecking. “Within those technologies, we offer varying finish options as well. Textured colors are some of our fastest growing products.” SpecRail has been tweaking its color options based on customer feedback. Standard colors for its aluminum railings are black, white and bronze. The company used to offer green and sandstone as standard, but they were discontinued due to lack of demand. “Black is the prominent color for both our Building-Products.com
