Do you know about our coloured louvres?
Most of the aluminium louvre systems that Solinear manufactures are finished in silver/grey, black or white as well as shades of brown to resemble wood, which look sophisticated and understated. However, occasionally Solinear is asked to manufacture a solar shading system with a more vibrant coloured finish making what could ordinarily be a rather banal looking building into a bold and striking feature.
Bespoke colours can be manufactured; however, they may be quite expensive and there is usually a minimum order quantity to fulfil, so colours are typically chosen from the extensive RAL colour chart system.
What is the RAL system?
The RAL colour chart/RAL colours, is a specialised chart created by the RAL colour Institute to display different coloured paints, powder, varnish, plastics, etc. This chart is the standard for choosing colours with which to paint walls, varnish furniture, architecture, road safety, industry and construction.
When was the RAL system invented?
In 1927 the German Real Authentic Likeliness (Reich Committee for Delivery and Quality Assurance) invented a collection of forty colours under the name of “RAL 840”. Previously manufacturers and customers were required to exchange samples to describe a tint. With the implementation of this new system, colours would be identified via this numbered method.
During the 1930s the numbered system was altered uniformly to four digits and the collection was renamed “RAL 840 R”. The R meaning revised. As tints were constantly being added to the collection, it was revised again in 1961 and changed to “RAL 840-HR”, consisting of 210 colours, which is still in use to this day. In the 1960s the colours were given additional names to avoid confusion in case of transposed digits. So, for example, RAL 6005 has the supplemental name of Moss Green which is the closest colour to British racing green. RAL 1004 is supplemented with the title Golden Yellow which is the colour associated with construction equipment manufacturer, Caterpillar.
“RAL 840-HR” only covered matte paint, however, so 20 years later “RAL 841-GL” was created for glossy surfaces and was limited to 193 colours. The RAL Classic collection was devised with an emphasis on “paramount interest”. Consequently, most of the RAL 841-GL colours are used on warning and traffic signs or are dedicated to government agencies and public services. The first digit relates to the shade of the colour. For example, RAL 1xxx is a shade of yellow/beige. RAL 1000 is Green Beige in the yellow/beige category. RAL 1037 is Sun Yellow and is the last entry in the yellow/beige category meaning that there are 37 shades in this category.
For more information and colours visit the official RAL colours website: www.ral-farben.de/?&L=1
Vivid Solex Halo 200 fins at Windmill LEAD Academy
Solinear was approached to produce a bespoke solar shading system for Windmill Lead Academy, a sponsored junior school in Sneinton, Nottingham that underwent a refurbishment in 2018. Solinear designed and manufactured the beautifully vivid Solex Halo-200 Aerofoil fins to match the school’s colours and affixed them to the new extension forming the main entrance and administration area of the school. The Solex Halo 200 Solar Shading fin System is constructed from corrosion resistant, extruded aluminium alloy to BS1474-6063-T6 grade material with a polyester powder coated mill finish in RAL 5022 Night Blue; RAL 4004 Claret violet; RAL 5012 Light Blue and RAL 2011 Deep orange.
Striking Solex Halo 400 vertical fins at Washwood Heath Academy
Solinear was specified to provide a tailored solar shading system for the façade of Washwood Heath Academy, a Junior & senior school at Stechford, Birmingham, UK. Solinear installed the Solex Halo 400 vertical fin solar shading system (constructed from corrosion resistant, mill finish extruded aluminium alloy to BS1474-6063-T6 grade material). The fins were then finished in RAL 9010 Pure white; RAL 7047 Telegrey 4; RAL 4009 Pastel violet; RAL 4001 Red lilac; RAL 4008 Signal violet and RAL 4007 Purple violet. The colours reflecting the vibrant hues of the school.
Brightening up The Royal Hospital for Children and Young People with vibrant AQ100 Louvres
The Royal Hospital for Sick Children, Edinburgh, has been serving the city’s young people since 1860. A purpose-built £150m complex fit for the demands of twenty-first-century health care is home to the hospital which is now referred to as The Royal Hospital for Children and Young People.
Solinear was challenged to design, manufacture and install penthouse/turret aluminium louvres and ventilation products, in an outside recreational area, that offered outstanding performance, while blending in with the project’s quirky, child-friendly aesthetic. Solinear designed brightly coloured aluminium louvre units that were tamper-proof and climb-proof without any visible fixings or sharp edges. The bright colours fitting the friendly, welcoming feel the architect wanted for the building’s recreational area.
Colours used were RAL 5021 Water blue; RAL 5001 Green blue; RAL 6027 Light green and RAL5019 Capri blue.
Help your project/building stand out with coloured louvres
Whilst serving a practical function by shielding a building’s occupants from the full glare of the sun; bold, colourful architectural louvres can really lift the appearance of a building giving it a fresh and contemporary look. They can evoke a sense of pride in what outwardly may have previously been a tired and mundane looking edifice. Using colours that are associated with a business or academic establishment helps to immediately identify its location whilst simultaneously reinforcing its permanence and unique presence in the locality.
Ask Solinear about colour options and matt and metallic finishes.
Read about more about louvres: www.solinear.co.uk/all-you-need-to-know-about-architectural-and-ventilation-louvres/
Read more about solar shading: www.solinear.co.uk/why-do-you-need-solar-shading/
Solinear was specified to design, manufacture, supply and install a conceptual projecting façade element, consisting of bespoke, coloured, Solex™ Mallasol S and Halo 150 panel systems, providing solar protection to all adjacent glazed areas, whilst also incorporating a fresh and attractive design to complement the modern construction of the Lister House Health Centre building in Essex.
Solinear worked closely with the project’s design team at Camm Architects – www.cammarchitects.com/ and Hatton Construction during every stage of the Lister House Health Centre project. Solinear not only delivered a vibrant and an aesthetically pleasing design but a structurally sound, safe and secure addition to the façade able to withstand the most extreme, unforgiving and harshest of weather conditions and to be consistent with the highest level of product quality and faultless service standard expected from our team.
Colours used were RAL 5015 (30% gloss) Sky blue; RAL 5007 (30% gloss) Brilliant blue; RAL 5010 (30% gloss) Gentian blue.
