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 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 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

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 projects.”

SpecRail also offers custom colors, usually “one-offs” to meet the requirements of certain jobs. Recently, custom red has been popular. “Customers provide a (RA ) color code,” Moriarty said. “These situations require a specific supplier quote on coating material and our set-up process time based on project 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 like wood or composite, and how they use their outWilsonart Expands TFL in West door area. RailF ’s Brenda Collons says, “This will likely 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, making a lake 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 To simplify the railing selection process, Trex’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 Trex calls the “three Cs” to pets and older adults), games or pool use? Once the style significantly increase its production capabilities on the West achieve a successful decking and railing pairing: has been chosen, colors can complement the decision. Colors Coast. Coordinate. ou can never go wrong by selecting railevoke moods, which drives the preference of stock versus “Our offerings have garnered tremendous support ing in the same shade as your decking—i.e., dark brown railcustom colors for the final design.” from both specifiers and fabricators,” said Ron Ubertini, ing for a dark brown deck, or light gray railing to comple ista Railing Systems’ Erik Flick agrees: “Building color, VP-product management. “TFL is a key part of that ment light gray boards. This creates a cozy, well-coordinated geographic environment, and personal preference all go into offering, and this next expansion is a continuation of our look and is a great approach for risk-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 decking—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 black where a Gloss Black is more of a fit. Textured finishes such Lowe’s Bulking Up in the West or white. Both are classic options that complement virtually as Textured Black are certainly rising in popularity as well To meet fast-growing demand for building materials, any outdoor setting. Classic white looks crisp against deep based upon changing color schemes and the fact that they Lowe’s Home Improvement Centers, Mooresville, N.C., will brown deck boards and is ideal for highlighting a deck’s deare easier to keep 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 working 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 lagsta

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 decking, a contrasted look can be achieved by selecting darker railing. ark colors give a deck a modern look and feel. They also are a good choice for clients looking to showcase their home’s natural surroundings since dark railings tend to visually blend into the background. Customize. For design-savvy homeowners looking for the distinctive, go for a completely customized look. on’t be afraid to mix colors and materials, such as combining dark aluminum railing and balusters with white composite posts, to create a dramatic look that delivers a sophisticated mixture of texture and color. Other tips: To optimize a great view, thin balusters fi nished in black are a good choice as they tend to optically blend into the environment, putting more visual emphasis on the natural surroundings. Save thicker, tightly spaced balusters for a not-so-appealing view or to deter nosy neighbors. Rails should naturally blend with the environment. This brings the feeling of being closer to nature. So not only consider how the railings play off of the deck and home, but also how they look facing away, into nature. Railings should defi ne a space naturally vs. becoming an obtrusive barrier. ark colors, like black 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 breakdown (fading) than matte fi nish colors. Gloss fi nishes refl ect more sunlight, so in a very sunny area, a textured fi nish on aluminum is often a better choice Check on the fi nish. ow does it look and feel? oes it leave fi ngerprints, or stain? A textured fi nish aff ects both look and feel. According to Regal ideas’ Pantelides, “Our 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. Trex’s aluminum and composite railings feature matte fi nishes that add a rich look to an overall project.

Pick a Color, Any Color

Atlantis Rail off ers two cable railing systems with diff erent color options— the NO A II aluminum cable railing system in white, black and bronze, and the Spectrum System stainless steel cable railing system with stainless steel square posts powder-coated black, pure white, metallic silver, dark 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 marketing manager Carey icks. “We are off ering much lower maintenance options for adding color to railing systems versus painted wood. The 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 looking 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 black or dark brown railing system so as to blend with nature and not interfere with the environment.”

The proliferation of literally hundreds of diff erent deck railing colors is primarily attribute to advances in powder-coating. uradek’s aluminum railings come in 1 standard and over 1 0 custom colors. “The 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. “The most important thing is using a super durable powder for the fi nish.” igger Specialties, Inc. off ers 1 standard AAMA 0 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’ decks, homes, gardens and yards.

“We believe your outdoor living space should match your style and color palette,” explains marketing manager Mary Gearhart. “Every year the decking industry adds colors to their decking 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 looks 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 like 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.”

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