Silver sheets: RAL 9007 instead of RAL 9006

RAL 9007 offers a darker, greyer alternative to the familiar silver appearance of RAL 9006 on sandwich-panel and metal-sheet buildings. The choice affects the character of a façade and how it works with windows, doors and contrasting details. In this design commentary, originally published in February 2010, the author encouraged customers to consider RAL 9007 rather than automatically repeating the widely used RAL 9006. The article also discussed availability and advance ordering. Its market-share estimates and delivery expectations belong to that historical commentary; they are not current statistics or a promise of stock today.

The author described a move away from white RAL 9010 and grey-white RAL 9002 towards metallic silver. These colours combine with green, red and blue details around windows, doors and other façade features.

The original references to roughly 90% white buildings in an earlier period and perhaps 60% silver industrial buildings were the author’s illustrative estimates, not a cited survey. The design argument was that repeating the same finish on sandwich panels and trapezoidal steel sheets can make buildings look alike.

RAL 9007, grey aluminium, provides an alternative. It is used for flashings around aluminium joinery and can work well with the appearance of aluminium. Its greyer, more graphite-like tone differs from RAL 9006 while still combining with other colours.

The author recommended considering this finish when planning a project to give an industrial building a more individual appearance. The article also noted that RAL 9007 was less routinely stocked by sandwich-panel suppliers than standard colours. It suggested allowing several weeks to order sandwich panels in that finish. For a new order, confirm the actual colour, batch and lead time with the supplier.