Of all of the colour coding systems currently in use, the RAL system is perhaps the single most popular. This popularity can be attributed to two key factors, firstly the quality of the tones, hues and shades which it contains; secondly the volume of colours contained within the system allowing that the optimum colour for any application or project to be easily identified and obtained.
The RAL system was originally created in Germany in 1927, it was intended to aid the communication of colour tones between individuals by creating a standardised system. Prior to the creation of the system it was almost impossible for people to accurately communication precise colour tones, unless they had a sample. The original RAL system was the RAL 840, it contained just 40 different colours, tones and hues.
Since this humble and somewhat limited beginning, the system has grown in leaps and bounds, a new RAL system was launched in 1994, enabling a new generation of architects, designers and contractors to take advantage of its colours, which contains over 1600 individual colours, tones and hues. Colours contained within this system are identified through a serial of 7 digits, ordered as a triple and two doubles, this signifies hue, brightness and saturation respectively.
To save you from having to physically go through each of the colours in the system, which is quite an experience, we have collected the ten most popular RAL colours beneath. We discuss the colour itself and its most common usages, to help you take advantage of the scope and quality of colour provided by the RAL system.
- RAL 7016: Otherwise known as Anthracite Grey, RAL 7016, this colour is especially popular for use in construction projects, such as car parks and municipal plants. However it is also frequently used on recoating projects on vehicles and machinery, both commercially and privately owned.
- RAL 9005: This is perhaps the definitive black shade. RAL 9005, otherwise known as Jet Black, it enjoys wide usage in a wide array of applications, this can be attributed to the depth and the purity of the tone. Uses of this tone are extensive, in a commercial setting it can frequently be seen used to good effect in ceiling mounts and maintenance walls. Whilst in a consumer setting, the tone has been used to provide coating on wooden fixtures on housing and to coat cars and other vehicles.
- RAL 7015: Whilst its name “slate grey” has connotations of cold and hardness, the reality of this tone could not be more different. RAL 7015 is a warm grey tone which is almost pastel due to its mildness. Due to this attributes it is unsurprising that the tone has perhaps the widest application of those contained within the system. To demonstrate, RAL 7015 is equally at home when used on the supporting substrates of highway signage, as it is when applied externally to marine vessels, including commercial vessels, military vessels and even those which are privately owned.
- RAL 9016: Have you ever wondered what colour is used to provide the white filling for traffic warning signs and for road markings? Well it is RAL 9016, perhaps unsurprisingly named “Traffic White”. Due to the tones complexity and unique depth, it is unsurprising that its usage and application extends beyond traffic signage and road markings. RAL 9016 can often be observed on domestic exteriors, commercial interiors and even to provide coatings on aeroplanes.
- RAL 9010: For those who are seeking the definitive in a clean, uncompromising white tone, which almost shines with its clarity, then RAL 9010 is it. The tone, known as “Pure White”, is literally what it says on the tin; pure, unadulterated white. Due to its purity RAL 9010 enjoys extensive usages in a wide range of applications ranging from shop fronts and fascia’s to car bodywork and domestic window frames.
- RAL 7012: This tone enjoys the majority of its use in commercial and industrial settings. RAL 7012, or “Basalt Grey”, can widely been seen in industrial complexes, both internally and externally where it is used to coat interior corridor walls and external features such as ventilation shafts and piping. However RAL 7012 is equally popular as a coating for use on items of machinery and enjoys high levels of popularity on maritime vessels.
- RAL 9006: This tone is arguably where blue and grey meet to form a pastel like tone which exudes both depth and clarity. Due to the novelty of the tone, it has enjoyed a rise in popularity over recent years for use in domestic and commercial applications. In these settings RAL 9006 can often been observed providing reflective interior wall coatings. However RAL 9006 still enjoys high levels of usage in an industrial context, where it used to good effect to provide coatings on machinery and vehicles.
- RAL 7035: The subtle grey hue produced by RAL 7035, otherwise known as “Light Grey”, enjoys high levels of usage in a number of construction based industries. Whether it is highways, public transport or heavy industry, RAL 7035 can be relied upon to provide a subtle grey tone which is both resilient and distinctive.
- RAL 7024: Similar to both RAL 9006 and RAL 7015, RAL 7024 provides a grey tone which exudes both depth and distinction, meaning the colour has recently enjoyed use within domestic and commercial interiors. Like the other two tones, it has a slightly pastel affect to its hue, however it is darker than the other tones. The industrial and commercial applications of RAL 7024 are still prevalent and the colour is frequently used to coat industrial vehicles and machinery and to recoat a wide array of maritime vessels.
- RAL 9007: One of the lightest of the grey tones contained within the RAL coding system, RAL 9007, possess a depth of calm, contemplation and clarity which is rare not only within this system but also of variants of this colour. RAL 9007 can be observed providing coatings on a wide range of municipal and public buildings, ranging from schools and libraries to office blocks and hospitals.