The colour is a film, and the film is the product
A coloured stainless sheet is not stainless that has been dyed. The colour comes from a thin ceramic or metal film deposited on the surface, and the durability of the product is the durability of that film. Two processes dominate, and they are not equivalent.
PVD (physical vapour deposition) deposits a titanium or chromium based film in a vacuum chamber, 0.3 to 1 micron thick, at a temperature that bonds it to the substrate. The colour comes from interference and from the compound itself, so it does not fade under ultraviolet light. This is the process behind architectural gold, rose gold, black and bronze stainless, and it is the one that survives an exterior application.
Colour coating or tinting applies a polymer or a lacquer over the surface. It is cheaper, it can be applied to large sheets without a vacuum chamber, and it degrades under UV and at abrasion points. It is an interior product.
If a supplier cannot state which process was used and what the film thickness is, the colour is probably a coating, and the price will reflect that. Asking the question is the fastest way to compare two quotes that look identical on paper.
What the water ripple pattern does for a ceiling
The ripple is an embossed texture rolled or pressed into the sheet, giving a pattern of shallow irregular waves. On a ceiling it does three useful things: it breaks up the flat plane so a large panel does not read as a single dead surface, it scatters light so a point source does not produce a hard reflection, and it disguises the slight waviness that any large thin panel shows under raking light.
The pattern depth is normally 0.2 to 0.5 mm, which is enough to catch light without trapping dust in deep valleys. On a ceiling this matters: a deep textured surface collects dust on the upper faces and is difficult to clean overhead, while a shallow one can be wiped.
Specification
| Parameter |
Value |
| Grade |
304 standard, 201 and 316L on request |
| Thickness |
0.3 - 4 mm cold rolled |
| Width |
1000, 1219, 1240, 1500 mm |
| Length |
2000, 2438, 2500, 3000 mm, or cut to size |
| Colour process |
PVD titanium or chromium based film |
| Colours |
Gold, rose gold, champagne, bronze, black, blue, copper |
| Texture |
Water ripple, and flat, linen, checkered on request |
| Base finish |
8K mirror, hairline, or 2B under the colour |
Colour consistency across a project
PVD colour is a function of chamber conditions, gas ratio, film thickness and substrate finish, and it varies slightly between batches. On a single panel nobody notices; on a ceiling of forty panels a batch difference shows as a visible seam. Two rules avoid it: order the whole project from one production batch, and approve a physical sample under the actual lighting rather than a photograph.
Base finish also shifts the colour. A gold film on a mirror base reads as a bright yellow gold; the same film on a hairline base reads as a warmer, softer champagne. If the design intent came from a photo, state the base finish as well as the colour name.
Working with coloured sheet
- The film is hard but thin. Cutting, drilling and folding must be done with the protective film in place, and the film peeled after installation.
- Bending is possible to a generous radius; a tight bend will craze the film on the outside of the radius. Specify the bend radius with the order.
- Welding destroys the colour in the heat affected zone and it cannot be matched locally. Design mechanical joints, or accept an untreated weld that will be hidden.
- Cleaning should use a neutral detergent and a soft cloth. Abrasive cream and scouring pads remove the film and leave a bright patch.
Indoor and outdoor performance
PVD on 304 is suitable for exterior cladding and for wet areas, and it holds colour for many years; what degrades outdoors is the substrate if the film is breached at a cut edge, not the colour itself. On 201 the substrate is the weak point, and exterior use of a coloured 201 panel will eventually show corrosion at cut edges and fixing points.
Interior ceilings, wall features, lift lobbies, shop fronts and furniture are the normal applications. For a swimming pool or a coastal facade, specify 316L as the base and say so explicitly, because the colour is identical across the three grades and only the certificate tells you which one you received.
Frequently asked questions
Is the gold colour real gold?
No. It is a titanium nitride based film. The appearance is close to polished gold, and it does not tarnish.
Will the colour fade in sunlight?
PVD does not fade. A coated or lacquered product will, which is why the process matters.
Can you supply one sheet for approval?
Yes, single sheets and cut samples are available.
Is the ripple pattern available in 4x8?
Yes, 1219 x 2438 mm is a standard size for the textured sheet.
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