Window and door colours

The colours you choose for your window frames and doors can make a big difference to the architectural impact of your project.

Choosing the right colour – 4 things to think about

The ideal colour choice for your windows and doors depends on many different factors – here are five things to consider:

Building style – modern or traditional?
What colours are used nearby?
What colour is most practical for your project?
Do you want different colours inside and out?

RAL Colours for windows and doors

RAL paints use an industrial colour matching system developed in Germany in the 1920s and which is now globally recognised. The RAL scale comprises 210 four digit colour codes which ensure precision when choosing a specific shade. Rationel windows and doors can be specified in any RAL colour, and for both timber and aluminium frame elements. A wide range of RAL colours are available as standard – non-standard colours may be subject to additional costs and lead times.

See all RAL colours here

Popular window colours

White is always a popular colour for window frames, especially on older or more traditional buildings. For more contemporary builds, darker shades are often preferred, including black or anthracite grey. Rationel’s three best-selling colours are:

White RAL 9010
Anthracite Grey RAL 7016
Silk Grey RAL 7044

RAL 9010
Pure white

RAL 9001
Creme

RAL 9003
Signal white

RAL 9002
Grey white

RAL 7035
Light grey

RAL 7044
Silk grey

RAL 7038
Agate grey

RAL 9007
Grey aluminium

RAL 7030
Stone grey

RAL 7037
Dusty grey

RAL 7001
Silver grey

RAL 7015
Slate grey

RAL 7012
Bastalt grey

RAL 7016
Anthracite grey

RAL 7013
Brown grey

RAL 1035
Pearl beige

RAL 7032
Pebble grey

RAL 7003
Moss grey

RAL 7022
Umbra grey

RAL 6003
Olive green

RAL 8017
Chocolate

RAL 8019
Grey brown

RAL 7024
Graphire grey

RAL 9004
Signal black

RAL 7021
Black grey

RAL 8022
Black brown

RAL 9005
Jet black

Check the colour chart before you buy

The colours on this website are for guidance only, so check your colour choice on a swatch before making a final decision. Visit a Rationel distributor to view colour swatches, or order a colour sample directly from Rationel.

Changing frame and door colours

You can always change the colour of your Rationel windows and doors. All-timber windows can simply be re-painted, and for alu-clad designs the aluminium profile can be removed and replaced with one of a different colour. Costs depend on window size and type but if you still have your original order number then your Rationel distributor can quickly obtain the replacement parts.

How to choose the ideal frame colour – Our top tips

Create relationships with other colours

Aim to achieve a sense of coherence by relating frame colours to other building materials used in your project, such as the facades, cladding, roofs, eaves or gutters and downpipes. Also remember that the darker the surface surrounding the window, the darker the frame colour will appear.

Warm or cold shades?

The right shade can make a big difference to the impact of your windows so (as before) look at the other materials used in your project and decide if they mainly have a bluish, cold tinge, or a warmer brownish hue.

Avoid short-lived trends

Rationel windows and doors are designed to last for decades so it’s best to avoid colour choices which may quickly go out of fashion. Classic earth tones have stood the test of time and can easily be combined with natural metallics, such as granite, bronze or copper, and textured frame finishes.

Do you need practical colours and finishes?

Dark shades hide dirt and wear and tear, while the Rationel Granite finish is also extremely dirt-repellent thanks to its textured surface. A gloss finish is also very practical: at Rationel, our wood paints are gloss 20 and aluminium paints are gloss 30 as standard, a relatively matte gloss which makes any less visible.

Contemporary or traditional?

Dark windows can look great on contemporary architecture, and are frequently installed in new build homes and renovation projects which update older buildings. White frames are a safe choice for more traditional or older houses, and are often chosen for windows which feature external cills – although dark earth tones can also look great.

Colour can highlight your window frames – or make them disappear

While light colours can make a feature of your window frames, darker colours can hide them, and don’t forget the impact of frames which contrast deliberately with the surrounding wall.

A different internal frame colour?

If you opt for Rationel alu-clad frames then you can specify different colours inside and out at no extra cost*. We usually recommend white for internal frames as it reflects light and is easy to combine with most interior colour schemes – and it’s often the best choice for smaller windows. Darker colours can look very stylish, and create an elegant frame for the window, but can also restrict interior design options.

*if choosing from our standard colour range

A different door colour?

While instinctively you may want to match your door to your window frames, don’t be afraid to do something different. A vibrant, contrasting door colour can add character to any house, whether new build or renovation, and it’s also relatively easy to change door colour if you want to try something new.