2025 railing & powder-coating trends 

The last year at Q-railing we have seen a rise in requests for bespoke pre-fabrication services with one of the most popular being powder-coating finish. Homebuilders and Architects are embracing innovative trends to modify and match their balustrade and railings to enhance the aesthetic appeal of their designs, complement contemporary architecture and create durable solutions.

Top styles for glass and aluminium railings 

Frameless Glass Balustrade

Ideal for balconies, decking, staircases, terraces and even stadiums, frameless glass balustrade provides the added benefit of uninterrupted views and minimalist design whilst still offering maximum fall protection. 

Glass railings can be mounted in various ways, such as top-mounted and fascia-mounted base channels.

Glass balustrades must meet certain requirements regarding strength, impact resistance and fall protection. From light to extra heavy use Q-railing base channel systems for frameless glass can be used for both indoor and outdoor residential and commercial projects up to a load requirement of 3 kN/m. 

The minimum height for glass balustrade is 90cm for internal residential dwellings and stairs, otherwise it is a minimum height of 110cm is usually required. Balustrade in front of fixed seating the minimum height is 80cm. 

The thickness of the glass depends on the size of the glass element, the load and a range of other factors. The exact glass thickness depends on the specific requirements of the project, local building regulations and other relevant factors.

Q-railing supplies not only the base channel and fixings but can also advise and provide the best glass solution. 

Aluminium Framed Glass & Vertical Bar Railings

High-grade aluminium railings have seen a rise in popularity for both residential and commercial projects. Suitable for both indoor and outdoor use and with a range of infill options including glass, vertical bar and perforated metal plate the design possibilities are endless. 

The aluminium frames provide strength and durability and can be customised with powder-coating in various colours to match the design preferences. The frames can also be pre-fabricated and pre-assembled saving time and money on the construction site and can be delivered in ready-to-install modules for both large commercial and smaller residential projects. 

Used for horizontally positioned balustrades and Juliet balconies and suitable for both top and fascia mount, the aluminium railings are a modern and popular choice, they are also offering an alternative solution for buildings above 11m which need to meet new building regulations and fire safety. 

Q-railing Easy Alu can be equipped with a QUALICOAT fire-resistant finish, making it suitable for fire-rated balustrades in residential projects over 11 metres.

The Easy Alu railing system is designed to withstand challenging environmental conditions, including exposure to salt water and high humidity in coastal areas. The high-grade aluminium used in Easy Alu was selected for its corrosion resistance, so it helps to ensure that the system maintains structural integrity and a smart appearance even in highly challenging conditions. Easy Alu is therefore a reliable and long-lasting solution for railings in coastal environments.

The standard powder coat colour for Easy Alu is anthracite grey – specifically RAL 7016 in a matt textured finish. However, the system offers a flexibility that allows you to choose from a variety of other colour options beyond the standard anthracite grey. This means you can customise the appearance of your Easy Alu aluminium railing by selecting any other RAL colour that suits your design preferences and project requirements.

Modern Glass Clamps & Adapters

Available in both round and square options glass adapters allow glass panels to be suspended beyond the edge of a floor or staircase. This creates a frameless, nearly all-glass balustrade effect. The minimalist look of the adapter is perfect for modern homes and offices.

They can be used for stairs, balustrades and Juliet balconies and are available in 304 (indoor) or 316 (outdoor) grade stainless steel. Powder coating options to create bespoke looks can also be requested. 

Most requested powder-coating colours for balustrade and railings in 2025

Bold and Dark – topping the charts and still the most requested powder-coating colours are black and anthracite grey creating a modern and sometimes industrial look. When paired with transparent materials such as glass it can provide a striking contrast and is popular in both residential homes and commercial buildings. 

Earth tones – Juliet balconies are getting a face lift with bronze, gold, brown and  metallic colours complementing existing and new building projects. With up to five different bronze colours available each project can look bespoke!

Blend in Seamlessly – matching balustrades and balconies to existing door and window frame colours is becoming a common request from our customers to ensure and railing blends seamlessly with the aesthetics of the building.

Stand Out Customisation – letter box red terraces, orange balustrades, and pink balconies are just a few of the powder-coated colour options recently requested and we can predict to see more bespoke colour ranges including yellows and blues for 2025 to match an up-trend in vibrant hues.

Why powder-coating? 

There are many benefits to powder-coating, the most obvious being to create a bespoke aesthetic, however it also provides a protective layer which is resilient to corrosion. It also provides a low-maintenance solutions being easy to clean and resistant to stains and is suitable for both stainless steel and aluminium materials. 

Find out more and contact the UK sales team sales.uk@q-railing.com 

Q-railing | Your specialist for railing systems