PROTECTIVE Powder CoatING Balconies
The best protective coating for aluminum balconies is powder coating. Now serving as an Approved Applicator of Powdura 4000 Architectural coatings.
What is the best protective coating for balconies?
The best protective coating option for balconies is powder coating.
Powder coating is one of the best options to protect aluminum balconies. For this reason, powder coating is a popular paint option for aluminum items such as windows, light poles, guardrails, signs, posts, and fencing. Most of your patio furniture has a powder coat finish.
Unless a manufacturer has a powder coat line, the product will have to go through multiple transport scenarios to complete the paint process. Because of this Midwest Iron has a powder coat line to reduce production timelines and cost of the prefabricated bolt-on balconies.
Powder coating provides many benefits for balconies:
- Better for the environment—no solvents and low VOCs, thereby compliance with the US Environmental Protection Agency
- Looks better for a longer period of time—lasts longer over most other paint methods
- Minimal paint waste—unused powder can be recovered and reused
- Economical over most color options—less than a high quality wet paint
- Resistant to chipping, scratching, fading, and wearing
- Virtually unlimited finish and color selection—flat, satin, gloss, high gloss, metallic, clear, iridescent, fluorescent, hammer tone, etc.
- Long lasting color vibrancy
- One coat is twice as thick as most paints
- Great for high use items—flexible with vibration and jarring
- Resistant to environmental elements—weather, atmosphere, chemicals, everyday use
- Supports a healthy workplace—little to no short or long-term health, fire, or other workplace dangers
Standard Balcony Paint Colors
(Meets the AAMA 2604 Specifications for Paint) Read more about High Performing AAMA 2604 Paint Specs here.
Powder Coating Process
The powder coating process involves charging powder paint particles that adhere to electrically grounded surfaces. Then the powder color heats and cures in a curing oven. As a result, the balcony paint finish is uniform, durable, high quality and attractive. Conversely, the challenging aspect of powder coating is any retouching has to be conducted at a powder coating facility for durability, or use regular touch up paint. Therefore nicks and scratches during transport and install can be retouched to match the paint color, but the onsite retouching won’t hold the same adherent benefits of powder coating. In that sense, extra care should be made during transport and install to retain the powder coating.
AAMA 2604 Powder Coat Paint Specifications
AAMA 2604 powder coat paint specifications are met on every aluminum balcony. For example, this high level of paint specification means you have five (5) year South Florida outdoor weather assurance, humidity resistance, gloss retention, and color retention, all with proper maintenance. Other coatings less than a 2604 classification cannot make this real-world exposure in South Florida claim.
Alternative Balcony Paint Color Considerations
Knowingly, wood balconies can only use traditional paint or staining methods. The upkeep to keep a wood balcony looking good far surpasses the time and money of powder coating. In addition, steel balconies can be powder coated to help prevent rust, but the steel can still rust if any areas become exposed. And the rust repair of steel could take a lot of time and material cost.
Color in Architecture
Color brings architecture to life. As an example, balcony color can attract renters to a multifamily apartment building, and stand out among surrounding architecture. Read more on how powder coated balcony color was used at the Trio in Milwaukee to stand out.