Powder Coating for Brise Soleil
Brise soleil systems are among the most exposed elements on a building. Fixed or adjustable, horizontal or vertical, they face UV exposure and weather across their entire surface area with little shelter from the building. The powder coating specified for them needs to perform reliably for its lifetime, not only on the day of installation.
At C&O Powder Coatings we regularly coat aluminium brise soleil components for commercial, residential and public-sector projects. Our technical team works with architects, fabricators and procurement teams from specification through to delivery, advising on finish selection, pre-treatment requirements and the appropriate Qualicoat standard for the installation environment.
Why brise soleil requires careful specification
The geometry of brise soleil creates specific challenges for powder coating. Fins, louvres and blades have multiple faces, edges and fixing points, all of which need consistent coverage to provide adequate corrosion protection. Inadequate pre-treatment or uneven powder application at edges and around fixing holes is where coating failure tends to begin, and on most brise soleil systems it is generally not very easy to gain access for remedial work once they are installed.
Colour consistency is important because brise soleil elements are often repeated across an elevation in large numbers, and any variation in colour or gloss between components will be visible at distance. At C&O our Total Quality Management (TQM) process includes checks at every stage of production, and our two conveyorised production lines help us maintain consistency across batches, including projects delivered in phases.
The powder coating process at C&O
Every brise soleil component we coat goes through the same certified powder coating process. We clean and chemically pre-treat the aluminium through a seven-stage process before applying any powder. This removes manufacturing contaminants from the metal surface, improves adhesion and ensures the powder coating bonds correctly to the aluminium. We use is chrome-free pre-treatment process, based on zirconium and silane, and has been free of hexavalent chromium for over 12 years.
After pre-treatment, the electrostatic spraying process ensures even coverage across the profile, including on edges and in recesses where inconsistent application is most likely. We then cure components in one of our two continuous tunnel ovens in line with the powder manufacturer’s guidelines. We inspect each component multiple times during production before despatch.
Qualicoat certification and what it means in practice
C&O hold Qualicoat and Qualicoat Seaside certifications. For brise soleil projects, the relevant standard depends on the installation environment. Standard Qualicoat pre-treatment requires an etch of 1g/m² to clean the aluminium surface and create a stable base for the powder to bond to. For projects in coastal locations or other aggressive environments, Qualicoat Seaside doubles this to 2g/m², removing more contaminants and providing a more robust substrate for the powder coating.
Independent auditors check our processes twice a year, including unannounced inspections, to confirm we consistently meet the standard. As a Qualicoat and ISO 9001:2015 certified applicator, our internal testing laboratory checks coating thickness, gloss level and adhesion across batches, so specifiers know the finish delivered matches the finish specified.
When to specify Qualicoat Seaside for brise soleil
Qualicoat advise specifying Seaside for projects within 5km of the coast or a tidal estuary. For brise soleil, the case for Seaside is often stronger than for other elements of the same building because the fins or blades are fully exposed on all faces, and the building generally offers no sheltering effect. In addition, maintenance access often becomes limited once the system is installed and, in our experience, specifying Seaside pre-treatment is a straightforward decision on any brise soleil project in an exposed or coastal location, despite the added cost.
Beyond coastal locations, we also recommend Seaside pre-treatment for brise soleil on high-rise or difficult-to-access buildings, and for projects in industrial environments where airborne pollutants create harsher conditions for aluminium than a typical urban site. If there is any doubt about the right specification for a project, our technical team is available to advise.
Finish and colour options
Powder coating is available in the full RAL and BS colour ranges, along with metallics, textured finishes, anodised effects and natural stone effects. For brise soleil, finish selection is not purely an aesthetic decision. A textured finish, for example, conceals minor handling marks more effectively than a smooth gloss on individually handled elements. A matt or low-sheen finish reduces glare on south-facing elevations, where a high-gloss surface would otherwise reflect more light.
For brise soleil specified as part of a broader facade system, colour consistency with adjacent cladding, window frames or curtain walling is important. Our team advises on finish combinations and batch management to ensure components from different production runs match when assembled on site.
Maintenance and service life
Powder coated brise soleil requires regular cleaning to maintain its appearance and protect the coating over its service life. For most UK locations, an annual wash-down with a mild detergent solution and soft tools is sufficient to remove accumulated salts, pollutants and surface grime. Coastal and industrial locations require more frequent attention.
Brise soleil is often difficult to access for inspection or repair once installed, so the specification decision made at the outset has a direct bearing on the maintenance required over the lifetime of the system. Correct pre-treatment and an appropriate Qualicoat standard reduce the risk of early coating failure and its costs.
Why choose C&O Powder Coatings
C&O have over 40 years of experience in powder coating architectural aluminium, including brise soleil systems for commercial, residential and public-sector projects. We hold Qualicoat and Qualicoat Seaside certifications, operate a chrome-free pre-treatment process and are approved applicators for IGP, Axalta, Syntha Pulvin, Interpon, Jotun and Tiger.
Our team is available to support architects, fabricators and procurement teams at specification stage, helping to identify the right pre-treatment process, powder class and finish for the project environment before production begins.
To discuss your brise soleil project, contact our technical team at candocoatings.co.uk or call 01744 818776.
Frequently asked questions
Is it possible to powder coat brise soleil fins?
Yes. Aluminium brise soleil fins, blades and louvres are routinely powder coated. The key consideration is ensuring adequate pre-treatment and even powder coverage across all faces and edges, which is why the production process and Qualicoat certification of the applicator matters.
Should I specify Qualicoat Seaside for brise soleil?
For projects within 5km of the coast or a tidal estuary, specify Qualicoat Seaside as a minimum. For high-rise, difficult-to-access or industrially exposed locations, we also recommend Seaside pre-treatment. Our technical team advises on the right specification for your project.
What finishes are available for brise soleil powder coating?
The full RAL and BS colour ranges are available, along with metallics, textured finishes, anodised effects and natural stone effects. We advise on which finish best suits the exposure, viewing distance and adjacent materials for your project.
How is colour consistency maintained across large brise soleil projects?
Our TQM process includes batch-level checks on coating thickness, gloss level and colour. For phased projects, we retain production records so components manufactured at different times match accurately.