Aluminum Window, Door & Storefront Finish Options
Boyd Aluminum offers finish options for commercial aluminum windows, storefront systems, entrance doors, curtain wall systems, historic-replica systems, and related aluminum framing products. Finish selection should be coordinated with the exact product series, project specifications, color requirements, exposure conditions, sample requirements, and submittal needs.
Available Boyd finish options include standard anodized colors, Kynar® coating options, powder coat finish options, and AAMA 2604 or AAMA 2605 finish specifications where required and available. Boyd supports architects, contractors, owners, developers, estimators, and glaziers with finish-option review, color coordination, available finish information, physical sample requests, bid support, and project coordination.
Request a Bid / Project Help Get Direct Assistance™
Boyd Aluminum Finish Options
The finish options below provide starting points for commercial aluminum window, door, storefront, curtain wall, and accessory finish review. Use the table to compare common finish paths, typical project reasons for using each option, and information Boyd may need for review.
Common Boyd aluminum finish options and project-selection notes.
| Finish Option | Common Use & Selection Notes |
|---|---|
| Clear Anodized | Common use: Natural aluminum appearance for commercial window, storefront, door, and framing applications where a clear anodized look is specified or preferred. Selection notes: Anodizing creates an integral anodic oxide finish rather than a painted surface coating. Review alongside adjacent metal finishes, hardware finish requirements, trim, panning, receptors, and physical sample needs. |
| Dark Bronze Anodized | Common use: Dark bronze anodized appearance for commercial aluminum framing, replacement work, storefront systems, and projects with traditional bronze finish requirements. Selection notes: Coordinate with existing building finishes, door hardware, adjacent storefront or curtain wall framing, owner or architect color standards, and physical sample needs. |
| Black Anodized | Common use: Black anodized appearance for commercial aluminum windows, storefronts, entrances, and projects requiring a darker frame profile. Selection notes: Review for contemporary storefront work, steel-look or historic-replica appearance goals, finish coordination with doors and accessories, and physical sample needs. |
| Kynar® Coating Options | Common use: Painted finish for commercial aluminum products when the project requires a Kynar®, Kynar 500®, PVDF-based, or custom color coating path. Selection notes: Kynar 500®, PVDF, and 70% PVDF language may appear in project coating specifications. Send the specified color, coating requirement, physical sample requirement, gloss or sheen requirement if listed, and any owner, architect, historic-review, or brand-standard color information. |
| Powder Coat Finish Options | Common use: Powder coat finish for projects requiring a powder-coated aluminum finish, custom color review, or an AAMA 2604 or AAMA 2605 finish specification where available. Selection notes: Send the required finish specification, color, physical sample needs, selected product family, accessory scope, and submittal requirements. |
Powder Coat Color Guide
Boyd provides a standard powder coat color guide for project color review. Use the color guide as a starting point, then request physical aluminum finish samples or color chips before final color selection, specification, or order release.
Download Powder Coat Color Guide
Kynar®, PVDF & Powder Coat Finish Review
Kynar®, Kynar 500®, PVDF-based coating language, powder coat language, AAMA 2604 language, and AAMA 2605 language may appear in Division 08 specifications for commercial windows, doors, storefront systems, and curtain wall systems. Boyd can review the specified finish path against available finish options, color requirements, sample requirements, and selected product family.
For custom color review, send the exact finish specification, desired color name or color standard, manufacturer color reference if available, required gloss or sheen if listed, and whether the finish must coordinate across windows, doors, storefront framing, curtain wall framing, hardware, panning, trim, receptors, mullions, or other accessories.
Finish Selection by Project Need
The right aluminum finish depends on the product family, project design intent, exposure conditions, specification requirements, physical sample approvals, and finish coordination across the project scope.
Commercial new construction: coordinate finish selection with the architectural specifications, Division 08 requirements, selected product family, storefront or window system, sample requirements, and submittal requirements.
Commercial replacement: review existing building finishes, adjacent materials, owner standards, and replacement scope before selecting a finish.
Historic restoration: coordinate color, sheen, profile appearance, and historic-review expectations with the design team and reviewing authority for historic-replica projects.
Storefront and entrance projects: coordinate window, storefront system, entrance door, hardware, trim, and accessory finishes together.
Institutional and public-sector projects: confirm owner standards, specifications, sample requirements, and submittal requirements before release.
Custom color projects: provide color references, finish specifications, physical sample requirements, and any owner or architect standards that must be matched or reviewed.
What to Send Boyd for Finish Review
To help Boyd review finish options for a project, send the information that affects product selection, finish selection, pricing, and submittal planning.
Project name and location.
Bid date or required response date.
Product family or product series, if known.
Architectural drawings, elevations, and schedules.
Finish specifications, Division 08 requirements, color requirements, or owner standards.
Requested anodized, Kynar®, Kynar 500®, PVDF, powder coat, AAMA 2604, or AAMA 2605 finish specification.
Existing finish information for replacement or renovation projects, if available.
Physical sample, color chip, submittal, or approval requirements.
Hardware, accessory, trim, storefront, entrance door, or curtain wall finish coordination needs.
Commercial Aluminum Finish Questions
What is the difference between anodized and painted aluminum finishes, and when do you use each?
Anodizing converts the aluminum surface itself into a hard, integral oxide layer. It shows the metal's natural character and usually comes in a limited palette, such as clear, bronze, and black anodized finishes. Painted finishes, such as Kynar®/PVDF or powder coat, apply a color coating over the aluminum and offer a broader color range that can be tied to AAMA performance tiers. Anodized is often chosen for a natural-metal appearance; painted is often chosen when a specific color or wider color range is required. Both can perform well outdoors when specified appropriately. Boyd's finish table above lists both paths; confirm availability for the selected product family and project specification.
What is Kynar 500® (PVDF), and how does it compare to powder coat?
Kynar 500® is a brand name for PVDF, or polyvinylidene fluoride, the fluoropolymer resin used in premium architectural liquid coatings known for strong color and gloss retention. "70% PVDF" refers to the resin content in the coating. Powder coat is a different finish path: a dry powder applied electrostatically and cured, with architectural performance specified by AAMA tier rather than by resin brand. Both can meet demanding specifications; the right fit depends on the specified finish, color, exposure, and performance requirements. Confirm the available finish path for the selected Boyd product family. Kynar® and Kynar 500® are registered trademarks of Arkema Inc.
What is the difference between AAMA 2603, 2604, and 2605 finish specifications?
AAMA 2603, AAMA 2604, and AAMA 2605 are ascending architectural aluminum coating specifications. They differ mainly in exterior weathering, color retention, and gloss retention requirements. AAMA 2603 is the baseline tier, AAMA 2604 is the intermediate tier, and AAMA 2605 is the most stringent tier, commonly specified for more demanding exterior, monumental, or coastal work. The project specification determines which standard applies. If a finish tier is listed, send the exact finish language to Boyd so availability, color, samples, selected product family, and submittal requirements can be reviewed.
How long do anodized and painted finishes last on exterior or coastal exposures?
Finish durability depends on the finish type, AAMA performance tier, exposure conditions, maintenance, and the selected product family. More demanding environments, such as coastal or high-UV sites, often require higher-performance coatings and more frequent maintenance, such as periodic rinsing. Manufacturers publish performance, warranty, and maintenance terms by finish system, so the specific finish, exposure, and maintenance requirements should be confirmed for the project. Boyd can review the specified finish against the selected product family and exposure conditions.