KOMAXIT on aluminium balconies: durability, colors and maintenance
KOMAXIT protects balconies and at the same time determines their final appearance. With an apartment building, it's not just about choosing a gray, white or anthracite color. The surface treatment must follow the correct preparation of the aluminium, a suitable powder coating, a controlled application and firing process, as well as the way in which the finished parts are handled during transport and installation. Only this entire chain will decide whether suspended balconies and balcony railings will look uniform and well-maintained after years.
property managers and owner associations should therefore not only ask "Which RAL shall we choose?". It is more useful to check which parts will be painted, what surface appearance is expected, how consistency will be ensured between production batches and what the cleaning and spot repair instructions contain. This guide explains the practical differences without making promises that cannot be judged without the specific technology and exposure of the house.
What is KOMAXIT and why is it used for aluminium
KOMAXIT is a common name for powder coating. Dry powder paint is electrostatically applied to the prepared metal surface and the part is subsequently hardened in the oven according to the technological regulations of the system used. A continuous surface layer is created without the classic application of liquid paint with a brush or roller.
aluminium is advantageous for exterior structures because it naturally forms a protective oxide layer and does not rust in the same way as unprotected steel. But that doesn't mean its surface doesn't matter. Powder coating unifies the appearance, allows color adaptation to the facade and, with the right system, helps protect the surface from weather stress and normal use. You can find details about the HS ALUSYSTEM solution on the page KOMAXIT surface treatment.
However, surface coating is not a substitute for quality material, static design, proper welds or well-thought-out drainage. A nice color will not save the detail in which the water is kept, nor the wrong anchoring. For a new balcony, therefore, consider the construction, railing, filling, joints and surface as one system.
How is a high-quality powder coating created
The result starts even before the powder is applied. The part must be manufactured, machined and prepared in such a way that there is no dirt, grease or residue that will impair adhesion. The specific pre-treatment procedure is chosen according to the material, the coating system and the desired use. It is also important to solve the suspension points, drain and technological openings and places that are connected or anchored after installation.
A typical controlled procedure includes:
- completion of the production of the part, grinding of the necessary places and visual inspection,
- cleaning and chemical or other designated pretreatment of the aluminium surface,
- uniform electrostatic application of a suitable powder paint,
- curing at the time and temperature prescribed by the system manufacturer,
- control of appearance, coverage, shade and sensitive edges,
- protective packaging for transport and gentle handling during installation.
On the proces vyroby/">production process page, you can see how the surface finish fits into the wider process from technical design to finished construction. When comparing suppliers, ask about the entire process, not just the name "KOMAXIT" in the quote. The same word can cover different powders, pretreatment and level of output control.
KOMAXIT on the suspended balcony and on the balcony railing
On the suspended balcony, the surface treatment concerns the load-bearing and visible aluminium parts according to the project. These elements form the distinctive horizontal and vertical lines of the facade, so that the shade, gloss and uniformity affect the appearance of the entire house. In the case of repeated balconies above each other, even a small difference between batches or an inappropriately repaired place is visible.
With aluminium balcony railings, the coating is even more in contact with daily operation. Handles and posts are grabbed with hands, are cleaned more often and can be abraded during removal or maintenance. The railing can combine lacquered aluminium with glass, HPL, ALUPANEL, polycarbonate or aluminium filling. The materials have a different gloss and aging method, so they must be compared on a real sample, not just on a monitor.
If the apartment building does not change the entire balconies, but only the railings, it is still important to solve the color connection to the window frames, clapboard elements, entrances, plinth and future renovation of the facade. A new railing can be technically high-quality, but an inappropriate contrast or a chaotic alternation of shades will reduce the visual benefit of the investment.
How to choose RAL shade, gloss and structure
The four-digit RAL designation helps to communicate the color more clearly between the designer, the manufacturer and the owner. The official RAL CLASSIC collection contains standardized shades used in architecture and industry. However, the RAL number alone does not describe the entire result: the degree of gloss, surface structure, light, size of the painted area and surrounding colors will also affect the appearance.
For owners to decide, it is reasonable to prepare no more than two or three comprehensive variants. Match the structure, railing filling and connection to the facade to each one. A large number of separate samples without visualisation can make voting rather complicated. A combination of a physical sample, looking at the sample outside in daylight and visualizing the whole house is useful.
When choosing, check:
- exact indication of shade and agreed degree of gloss or structure,
- whether all visually related parts will be produced in coordinated batches,
- how the color connects with the filling of the railing, facade, windows and sheeting,
- whether the selected system is intended for the desired exterior use,
- how the reference sample will be agreed before serial production.
Don't just choose the color based on the photo on your phone. The display, photographic processing and the reflection of the sky can significantly change the shade. For a larger apartment building, a physical sample is a small expense compared to the subsequent dissatisfaction of dozens of owners.
Durability does not mean indestructibility
A high-quality powder coating is suitable for normal outdoor use, but can be damaged by hard impact, cutting, grinding, aggressive chemicals or improper handling. The most sensitive are the edges, places where the tool hits and details that were additionally modified after painting. Therefore, most of the processing should be completed before surface treatment.
When taking over the project, the property manager should check not only the overall view from the street, but also the available connections, edges, handrails and places around anchoring. Detected damage should be documented and dealt with according to the supplier's recommendations. Local repair paint can protect and optically suppress the damaged area, but it may not have exactly the same structure, gloss and durability as the original fired layer. Extensive or technically significant damage is therefore in the hands of an expert.
Quality is also affected by installation. The protective packaging should not be removed too soon, and the painted parts should not be left uncontrolled on a hard surface. You can find more about the organization of work and delivery on the page installation of suspended balconies.
How to clean lacquered balconies and railings
Normal maintenance should be gentle and regular. Dust, pollen, bird droppings and urban dirt are easier to remove before they remain on the surface for a long time. The basis is clean water, a soft cloth or sponge and a mild neutral detergent. After washing, it is advisable to rinse the surface with clean water.
Avoid rough brushes, abrasive powders, steel wool, aggressive solvents and unproven acidic or alkaline preparations. Pressure cleaning from a short distance can stress the joints, gaskets and edges of the infills, even though the surface itself looks solid at first glance. Before using a new preparation, test it in an inconspicuous place and follow the surface treatment supplier's instructions.
The frequency of cleaning depends on the environment. A house near a busy road, in a dusty area or under trees has different conditions, and a quiet residential location has other conditions. After handover, the property manager should receive specific instructions for the used surface and save them in the documentation of the house together with the warranty and the handover protocol.
What should an offer for an apartment building contain
The price of surface treatment should not be considered in isolation from the shape, quantity and dimensions of the parts, the chosen coating system, shade, structure, preparation and logistics. In the entire balcony project, it is also affected by the type of railing, filling, structural engineering and installation. A broader overview of cost factors can be found in the article suspended balconies - price.
In the offer or technical specification, clearly state the material of the parts, the range of painted surfaces, the agreed RAL shade, the appearance of the surface, the method of approval of the sample, the inspection rules, the method of packaging and the maintenance conditions. At the same time, clarify who is responsible for repairing damage caused during transport or installation.
See HS ALUSYSTEM references and do not site survey only on the color from afar when doing a similar project delivery. Observe the connections, the consistency of the elements, the combination with the filling and how the balcony fits into the division of the facade.
Decide the color and maintenance before ordering
The best time to choose a surface is not after the production is finished, but during the design. The property manager or owners' association can prepare photos of the house, the number of balconies or railings, an idea of the infills, information about the planned facade color and appearance requirements. HS ALUSYSTEM can subsequently coordinate the technical solution, samples, visualisation, production and installation.
Contact HS ALUSYSTEM and request a proposal for your apartment building. Include a view of the entire facade as well as details of existing balconies or railings in your request. This way you will get a more useful consultation than with the question about the price of one shade.
Frequently asked questions
Is KOMAXIT also suitable for balcony railings?
Yes, powder coating is used for aluminium elements of balcony railings and parts of suspended balconies. However, the suitability of a particular system depends on the material, pre-treatment, exterior exposure and technological procedure. Therefore, when making an offer, check more than just the name of the finish.
Does the same RAL number always mean exactly the same appearance?
Not necessarily. RAL defines the shade, but the final impression is influenced by gloss, structure, substrate, production batch, light and surrounding materials. Visually related parts should be coordinated and the result approved on a physical sample.
How often should painted balconies be cleaned?
Interval depends on dustiness, traffic, trees, orientation and other local pollution. Cleaning should be regular and gentle according to the supplier's instructions. It is better to remove deposits in time with a mild neutral agent and clean water.
Can the scratch on KOMAXIT be repaired?
Minor damage can be treated locally with the recommended repair system after assessment. However, the repair may not exactly repeat the shine and structure of the fired layer. Deep, extensive or structurally sensitive damage should be assessed by the supplier.
Should the color of the balconies be chosen before or after the owners vote?
For the first vote, well-thought-out variants are enough, but before the final order, the specific shade, gloss or structure and the combination with the filling must be confirmed. A physical sample and visualisation reduce the risk that owners will imagine a different result under the name of the color.