Anodizing gives a hard metallic finish grown into the surface and suits industrial and solar profiles; powder coating gives any RAL colour at moderate cost and is the usual choice for windows and doors; PVDF (fluorocarbon) costs more but keeps colour and gloss longest under UV and sea air, so it is specified for curtain walls and coastal projects.
| Anodizing | Powder coating | PVDF | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Look | Metallic | Any RAL colour, gloss to matte | Solid or metallic colours |
| Outdoor colour retention | Good | Good | Best |
| Hardness | Very hard | Good | Good |
| Relative cost | Medium | Lowest | Highest |
| Typical use | Industrial, solar, interiors | Windows, doors, general | Curtain wall, facades, coastal |
Wood grain and electrophoresis
Wood grain transfer prints a timber pattern into a powder-coated base. Electrophoresis adds an acrylic layer over anodizing for a smoother, tougher metallic finish.
Questions
Which finish for a coastal building?
PVDF or a high-durability powder system; specify the coating standard for the project.
Can one profile have two colours?
Thermal break profiles can be coated in different colours inside and outside.