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What Is the RAL Color Chart?
The RAL color chart is a standard color system widely used in industry and construction to name colors by code instead of describing them in words. When both sides refer to the same RAL code, they are talking about the same reference shade, which makes exchanging information, ordering, and checking colors clearer than vague descriptions such as “light gray” or “dark blue”. RAL is an industry-wide color standard, not Kadier’s own color chart, and it is not a promise that Kadier always has any particular color code in stock.
Because colors shown on screen, on printed paper, and on an actual floor surface always differ somewhat due to lighting and substrate, the chart should be understood only as an initial reference tool. Before finalizing a color for an entire floor, the project owner should view a real color sample under the lighting conditions of the actual project and agree on it in writing with the installer.
Choose Colors by Function, Not by Preference Alone
Floor color is not only about appearance. In factories, logistics warehouses, basements, and parking areas, color is also part of operational organization: dividing functional zones, guiding movement, and warning of hazards. The sensible way to choose colors is therefore to start from the function of each area, and only then consider overall appearance.
Zoning and Wayfinding
A floor is usually divided into several zones: production areas, storage areas, pedestrian walkways, forklift lanes, loading areas, and restricted areas. Using a neutral base color for large areas, combined with contrasting colors for walkways and special zones, helps operators recognize boundaries at a glance without reading signs. The general rule is that fewer colors are easier to remember; striking colors should be reserved for locations that truly need attention.
Line Marking and Safety Colors
Floor markings and warning color patches have their own job: guiding traffic, separating pedestrian and vehicle flows, marking hazardous areas, and indicating fire equipment locations. Warning colors should stay consistent throughout the whole project and should not be used over large areas, because when a warning color appears everywhere, it no longer warns. Before marking lines, the traffic layout should be agreed with the operations team, to avoid discovering only after marking that a walkway conflicts with forklift traffic.
Lighting and the Feeling of Space
Light colors reflect light better, making a space feel brighter and larger, and supporting visibility in areas with few windows, such as basements. Dark colors, by contrast, can make a space feel smaller and darker, but they show dirt less readily. The choice therefore needs to balance lighting requirements, cleaning frequency, and the nature of the work: areas that need detailed observation or product quality inspection usually suit lighter tones; areas exposed to many tire marks, oil, and grease may warrant a darker neutral tone.
Visible Dirt and Cleaning Frequency
No color is “never dirty”. Colors that are too light will clearly show dust, tire marks, and stains; colors that are too dark will clearly show light-colored dust and scratches. A neutral color such as gray is a popular choice for large areas because it balances both sides. Whichever color is chosen, the cleaning schedule remains the deciding factor in whether the floor keeps its original appearance, and maintenance is covered separately in the article on epoxy floor maintenance and cleaning.
Notes for Finalizing a Color
- View a real sample under the project’s lighting: natural light, factory lighting, and basement lighting give very different impressions of a color.
- Agree by code and by sample: record the reference color code together with the approved physical sample, rather than agreeing only on a verbal description.
- Keep the color scheme consistent: areas with the same function should use the same color throughout the whole project, even when installation is done in several phases.
- Consider future repairs: a very unusual color can be hard to match when local patch repairs are needed; common colors are usually easier to keep uniform over time.
- Do not mistake a standard code for a stock commitment: for example, the light gray code RAL 7035 is a code in the general RAL standard system, mentioned here only to illustrate how colors are named by code — it is not confirmation that Kadier has this code or any other code in stock. The colors actually supplied for each project must be confirmed through consultation and the official technical data sheet (TDS) of the chosen coating system.
Choose the Coating System First, or the Color First?
The sensible order is to determine the coating system that fits the function first, and only then finalize a color within the range of that system. Each coating system has its own characteristics in thickness, load-bearing capacity, and chemical resistance, and not every color can be applied to every system under all conditions. You can refer to the Kadier coating systems on the homepage: the RollCoat system (roller-applied epoxy), the LevelFlow system (self-leveling epoxy), the StatGuard system (anti-static epoxy), and the AquaBase system (water-based epoxy). The choice of system should be based on a floor survey and actual usage requirements, not on color alone.
Note on specifications: The individual specifications of each Kadier coating system (thickness, material consumption, chemical resistance) will be updated when the official technical data sheet (TDS) becomes available.
Contact for Consultation
For advice on colors and coating systems suited to the function of your project, please send your request through the contact form or use the coating system finder on the homepage to identify an initial direction.
