Application industries

Powder coating plays a crucial role in improving and extending the life of architectural structures. It enhances the appearance of many projects, from window frames and railings to building accessories and more.

The architectural community acknowledges ratings from the American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA) for testing and performance of organic coatings. Learn more about these certifications and how they compare to one another.

What Is AAMA Powder Coating?

AAMA powder coatings contain highly durable or modified polyester resins. Their specialized finishes ensure strong gloss and color retention for anywhere from one to 10 years of exposure, depending on the type.

AAMA specifications provide assistance to architects, owners and contractors. They help them specify and obtain factory-applied organic coatings, which provide and maintain a high level of performance in terms of film integrity, exterior weather resistance and general appearance over many years.

Advocating for professionals and manufacturers in the fenestration industry, the AAMA promotes quality door, window, curtain wall, storefront and skylight products. It addresses the marketing and technical needs of fenestration product suppliers, manufacturers and test labs alike. The AAMA counters regulatory issues and aims to improve material and performance standards throughout the industry.

The AAMA merged with the Insulating Glass Manufacturers Alliance (IGMA) in January 2020 under a new name — the Fenestration and Glazing Industry Alliance (FGIA). Together, these organizations work to ensure high-quality coatings and fenestration products through rigorous testing standards and specifications.

Three Specifications for the Coatings Industry：

There are three specifications that apply to the coatings industry: AAMA 2603, AAMA 2604, and AAMA 2605.

It’s probably important to point out here that these three coatings specs are for all coatings. For many years, liquid coatings have talked about the AAMA coating specs, and so people often incorrectly associate them with liquid coatings only. In fact, they are for all high-performance coatings, and so they apply to both liquid (think liquid PVDF paint) and superior-performance architectural grade powders (think FEVE Fluoropolymers).

Anodized is not included in these particular specifications, as anodizing actually changes the substrate itself, so it is referred to as a ‘finish,’ and there are separate AAMA specifications for anodizing (e.g., AAMA 611).

Measurement of Performance Capability of Coatings：

Simply put, they will give you a very good idea of the performance capability of the coating. Each spec requires a certain number of chemical, mechanical, and weathering tests to be performed and lays out minimum performance requirements for each.

As you move up through the coating specifications, the tests become longer and stricter.

So, what type of tests are we talking about? Some of the most important tests AAMA requires are in the below table. There are actually around 20 tests in total, but these are some of the most telling.

Check out the test and how it varies between the various AAMA specifications.

	AAMA 2603	AAMA 2604	AAMA 2605
Chemical resistance	Same
Humidity resistance (ASTM D2247 or ASTM D4585/4585M)	1500 hrs; Few blisters	3000 hrs; Blisters size 8	4000hrs; Blisters size 8
Salt spray resistance (ASTM G85)	1000 hrs; 1-2mm creepage; Blisters size 8	1500 hrs; 1-2mm creepage; Blisters size 8	2000 hrs; 1-2mm creepage; Blisters size 8
Florida Exposure	1 year	5 years	10 years
Color retention	“Slight change”	Delta E <5	Delta E <5
Gloss retention	“Slight change”	Minimum 30%	Minimum 50%

Comparing Different AAMA Certifications：

It’s important to note that not all powder coatings are created equal. The AAMA determines ratings for different coatings depending on how well they last over a specific period, evaluating factors like gloss retention, color retention and paint thickness after it dries. It also performs “accelerated testing” to assess how the coats hold up against humidity and salt spray.

Powder coating comes in one of three ratings — AAMA 2603, 2604 and 2605. Below, we explore how they compare in terms of these testing factors.

1. AAMA 2603

AAMA 2603 is considered the most basic powder coating type. Coatings that achieve their performance requirements are deemed “standard polyester coating.”

AAMA 2603-rated coatings are generally used for applications like ceiling tiles and the insides of window sills. They aren’t designed to withstand outdoor extremes for long durations, but they can still resist scuff marks and wear better than standard paint.

AAMA 2603 specifications are:

Color retention: The color will start to fade after about one year of use.

Accelerated testing: The paint must withstand 1,500 hours of humidity and salt spray exposure before deteriorating.

Thickness: The paint must be at least 0.8 millimeters thick after drying.

2. AAMA 2604

AAMA 2604-certified paint is considered an intermediary powder coating level. Due to its durability, it’s well-suited to high-traffic areas such as storefronts, doors, windows and low-rise curtain walls.

The coating must possess the following specifications to achieve an AAMA 2604 rating:

Gloss retention: The paint must retain 30% of its gloss after five years.

Color retention: The paint must retain its color for at least five years.

Accelerated testing: The paint must withstand 3,000 hours of humidity and salt spray exposure before becoming damaged.

Thickness: The paint must be at least 1.2 millimeters thick.

3. AAMA 2605

AAMA 2605 is considered the strongest powder-coated paint on the market, offering the highest level of exterior performance. These finishes are extremely resistant to weathering, moisture and UV radiation, allowing them to withstand harsh conditions for long durations before repainting is necessary. They frequently serve applications like:

Exterior curtain walls.

Stadiums, monumental buildings and other large structures.

Building façades, windows and doors.

AAMA 2605-rated powder coatings have the following specifications:

Gloss retention: The paint must retain 50% of its gloss after 10 years.

Color retention: The paint must maintain an acceptable color change level over a 10-year period.

Accelerated testing: The paint must withstand 4,000 hours of humidity and salt spray exposure before wearing out.

Thickness: The paint must be at least 1.2 millimeters thick.

AAMA Testing：

The AAMA puts powder coats through a series of tests to determine durability after exposure to a wide range of harsh conditions. These include tests in a controlled environment and prolonged exposure to severe Florida weather for real-world evaluation after exposure to salt, hail, rain and ultraviolet light. AAMA powder coating specifications and testing also includes checking for cure, hardness and adhesion. These tests also evaluate coatings for resistance to:

Impact 、 Abrasion 、 Humidity 、 Corrosion 、 Chemicals;

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)：

What exactly is architectural-grade powder coating?

It’s a high-performance coating applied to metal parts like doors, windows, and railings that are used in buildings. It’s made to resist UV rays, weather, and time — without fading, chipping, or peeling.

Why should I choose this over regular paint?

Because it lasts much longer, looks better, and doesn’t need touch-ups every year. It’s also more eco-friendly and way more resistant to Texas sun, rain, and humidity.

What parts of a building can be powder coated?

Pretty much any metal component — aluminum windows, steel doors, handrails, fencing, canopies, louvers, and even decorative trim.

How long does architectural powder coating last?

Typically 5–20 years or more with minimal maintenance, even in extreme Texas weather.

Is powder coating eco-friendly?

Yes! It doesn’t use harmful solvents like traditional paint and produces almost no hazardous waste.

Do you handle residential projects or just big commercial ones?

We do both! Whether you need a single gate powder coated or an entire building façade, we’ve got you covered.

Is this better than anodizing or galvanizing?

Depends on the job, but for aesthetics, color variety, and UV protection, architectural powder coating often comes out on top.

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