A finish has two jobs.
It needs to protect the steel over time, and it needs to hold a visual tone that belongs in the architecture. Fathom offers finishes in three tiers, from foundational architectural coatings to elevated, multi-step treatments with deeper material character. Each tier is built to pair with our door and window systems and hold up in real conditions.
Tier 1
Hand-Developed Patina
For projects where the steel reads as a material, not a coated surface. Patina finishes are developed through a controlled chemical process and sealed with a clear topcoat for everyday durability. Each finish carries natural tonal variation, so no two installations are identical. Best coordinated early, so adjacent materials and lighting are factored in from the start.
Technical notes:
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Hand-developed patina tone, controlled for consistency panel to panel.
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Protective clear system: clear powder coat, lacquer or wax-based sealer depending on application and
maintenance expectattions. -
AAMA 2605-aligned performance expectations.
Colors:
Lunarscape
Cool dark gray with natural tonal variation
Helios
Warm bronze with natural tonal variation
Tier 2
High-Performance Fluoropolymer
Our standard finish for exterior applications. Built for projects with demanding exposure conditions, strong daylight or the need for long-term color stability. Holds up against chalking, fading and gloss loss better than standard architectural powders over time.
Technical notes:
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Fluoropolymer topcoat aligned to AAMA 2605 performance expectations
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Improved resistance to chalking, fading and gloss loss relative to standard architectural powders
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Recommended for demanding exterior exposure and strong daylight conditions (project-dependent)
Colors:
Obsidian
Solid jet black
Meteor
Solid dark gray
Dusk
Solid bronze
Tier 3
Architectural Powder Coat
A refined, durable powder coat system for a clean, consistent finish. Powder coating is a standard approach for steel windows and doors because it delivers uniform coverage and dependable durability in day-to-day use.
Technical notes:
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Polyester or super-durable polyester powder topcoat
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Typical spec alignment: AAMA 2604-level performance for exterior architectural use
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Electrostatic application and oven cure
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Consistent color and stable sheen
Colors:
Obsidian
Solid jet black
Meteor
Solid dark gray
What's Included With Every Tier
Steel fenestration performance depends on prep and coating build. Regardless of tier, Fathom uses multi-step pretreatment and primer systems before the visible finish coat is applied, including corrosion-focused prep and powder primer layers.
Choosing the Right Tier
Tier 1
Tier 1 is for projects where finish is part of the architectural experience and material character matters.
Tier 2
Tier 2 is best when the project faces demanding exposure or needs long-term color stability.
Tier 3
Tier 3 is for a classic, architectural finish with a clean read and dependable durability.