Choosing Colours for Commercial Cladding: RAL, BS and Finish Options

Choosing Colours for Commercial Cladding: RAL, BS and Finish Options

When you respray commercial cladding you are not limited to the handful of colours the panels came in — you can have virtually any shade. That freedom is an opportunity and, occasionally, a source of indecision, so here is a straightforward guide to choosing a cladding colour that looks right on a large building and still looks right in ten years.

Every colour below is available through our cladding spraying service, matched precisely on-site.

RAL and BS: The Two Colour Systems

Commercial coatings are specified by reference number so the colour is exact and repeatable, not "a sort of grey". Two systems cover almost everything:

• RAL — the European standard, used for most architectural and industrial coatings. RAL 7016 (anthracite grey) and RAL 9005 (jet black) are the workhorses of modern commercial cladding.
• BS — the British Standard range, still specified on many public-sector and heritage projects.

If you have an existing scheme, a brand guideline or a colour you want to match, quoting the RAL or BS number removes all guesswork. If you do not, samples make the choice concrete before anything is sprayed.

Matt or Satin?

Finish changes the look as much as colour does. Satin carries a slight sheen that reads as clean and corporate and helps large flat elevations shrug off dirt. Matt is more contemporary and hides minor surface imperfection on older panels well. On big buildings, a lower sheen is often the safer choice because it is more forgiving of the odd undulation across a wide span.

Colours That Work on Large Elevations

• Anthracite grey (RAL 7016) — the default modern commercial colour: smart, neutral and hard to date.
• Mid and dark greys — recede visually and make a big building look considered rather than imposing.
• Off-whites and light greys — brighten a site and lift tired units, though they show dirt sooner near roads and industry.
• Brand colours — matched exactly for retail and logistics units where the building is part of the identity.

Anthracite grey stays the most-requested shade for good reason — our note on why anthracite grey is the most popular colour covers its staying power.

Using a Respray to Rebrand

A colour change is also the cheapest, least disruptive way to rebrand a building — far cheaper than re-cladding and done without closing the site. Our guide to cladding colour changes and rebranding for commercial buildings covers doing it as part of a wider identity refresh.

See Samples Before You Commit

For a commercial cladding respray, we will confirm the RAL or BS reference, the finish and a fixed written quote after a survey — and provide samples so the colour is a decision, not a gamble. Start from our cladding spraying page.

Frequently Asked Questions

What colours can commercial cladding be sprayed?

Virtually any colour in the RAL or BS systems, in matt or satin. Anthracite grey (RAL 7016) and dark greys are the most popular on commercial elevations, and brand colours can be matched exactly.

What is the most popular commercial cladding colour?

RAL 7016 anthracite grey — it is smart, neutral, hides dirt well and is very hard to date, which is why it dominates modern commercial and industrial cladding.

Should commercial cladding be matt or satin?

Both are available. Satin has a clean corporate sheen and sheds dirt well; matt is more contemporary and forgives minor surface imperfection on large or older panels. On big elevations a lower sheen is often the more forgiving choice.

Can you match our brand colour?

Yes. Provide the RAL, BS or brand reference and the coating is matched precisely on-site. If you only have a physical sample, that can be matched too, and confirmed with a sample before spraying.