Anodized Aluminum Deck Railing Colors

Integral Color

• Anodized aluminum may be colored during the electrochemical process. This is called integral coloring. In this method, dyes are deposited directly into the porous surface of the aluminum before it is sealed. This is a long-lasting finish, but the finish is subdued. It's often a bronze tone.

Two-Step Process

• Anodized aluminum can also be colored in a two-step process. After it's anodized and color-treated, it's submerged in a bath containing a metal salt. Organic dyes may be added at this stage. This method produces colors that are more vibrant and intense than those created during the integral process alone. Colors range from bright blue to orange and red.

Standard Colors

• A range of colors commonly used in deck railings include rust, forest green, gray, gold, off-white and black. These all blend with an outdoor environment. Other common colors are metallic, such as bronze, copper and silver.

Colorfastness

• When you're considering a custom color for your railing, consult with the manufacturer about colorfastness. Some dyes will not hold up on applications that are exposed to bright sunlight on a regular basis, such as deck railings.