If you're planning a new telecom room or upgrading an existing one —especially if it’s visible to clients or part of a branded space— rack color finishes have become an early and important part of the planning process.
The finish you choose isn’t just about appearance. It can directly impact energy efficiency, particularly when it comes to lighting and cooling. It also affects visibility during maintenance and how well the space reflects your brand identity.
In this blog, we’ll walk through how to choose between white, black, or custom rack finishes—and how to do it without compromising your budget or timeline.
Why Rack Color Impacts Energy-Efficient Telecom Room Design
If your telecom room is in a tight or enclosed space—especially one with limited lighting—your choice of finish can make a measurable difference.
Black racks, while sleek and traditional, absorb light and can make the room feel darker. This leads to increased lighting requirements and reduced visibility during maintenance.
“You put dark cabinets in there and the room is going to get darker … especially with having the ISO-bases. The cabinets in the other data center, if you drop a screw in there it’s gone forever. We’ve had screwdrivers that disappeared in there.” – Jeri Ginnaty, CPI Customer, TCS Manager
In contrast, white rack and cable management finishes—like CPI’s Glacier White—reflect up to 80% of ambient light, brightening the room and supporting a more energy-efficient environment.
This improved reflectivity can:
- Reduce the number of lighting fixtures needed.
- Improve technician visibility and safety.
- Support cooling efficiency, reducing energy use by 1–3%, depending on the room layout.
- Lower energy bills by reducing lighting and cooling demand.
What may seem like a small design choice can lead to real, measurable cost savings and a more energy-efficient telecom room design—making white finishes a practical upgrade with long-term benefits.
We’ve also seen customers choose white racks for environments where a clean, professional appearance is a priority—such as hospitals, labs, or customer-facing tech spaces.
Are White Rack Finishes Durable Enough?
One concern some teams raise is that white racks might show wear, scuffs, or dirt more easily. That may have been true with older finishes, but modern powder-coated white finishes are engineered for durability.
CPI’s Glacier White finish features protective coatings that are just as tough as black finishes and easy to maintain—even in high-traffic or shared-use environments.
When Black Racks Are Still the Right Fit
Black finishes on racks and cable managers aren’t going away anytime soon—and for good reason. They offer a sleek, professional look and absorb light, creating a minimal, formal appearance.
We often see black as the preferred color option in:
- High-security or private data centers
- Tech environments where visual distraction needs to be minimized
- Industries like finance and high-tech where a clean, professional look is preferred
The key is matching the aesthetic to the space’s purpose.
Custom Rack Finishes: When Branding Matters
In many modern workplaces, telecom rooms are no longer hidden behind closed doors. Universities, stadiums, high-end office spaces, and tech companies are designing infrastructure that doubles as a showcase of brand identity.
CPI offers a wide range of custom rack finishes to create a space that feels cohesive and on-brand—without sacrificing lead time, performance, or compliance.
Custom finishes are especially popular in:
- University and school telecom rooms
- Stadiums and arena back-of-house spaces
- Tech companies with branded or client-facing IT environments
- Corporate offices with open infrastructure designs
We’ve helped customers match rack finishes to a variety of colors, such as cardinal red, burnt orange, forest green, navy blue, and more—all while meeting their timelines and compliance needs.
Customize Rack Finishes Without Delays
Customization doesn’t have to mean longer lead times or higher costs. Because Chatsworth Products (CPI) manages the entire manufacturing process—from design and powder coating to delivery—we can offer custom rack color finishes without impacting your schedule or budget. We’ve even re-engineered solutions for customers with unique requirements while staying on track.
Whether you’re incorporating brand colors or aligning with a specific design vision, CPI ensures that customization is fast, seamless, and fully compliant.
Custom Colors Without Compromising Fire Safety
With CPI, you can achieve the look you want without sacrificing safety. All our powder-coated finishes—including Glacier White, black, and custom-matched colors—are fully compliant with fire safety standards.
And because we control the coating process in-house, we can certify the materials and finishes used, giving you peace of mind that your project meets all regulatory requirements.
Bonus Tip: Don’t Forget to Paint the Backboard
Many telecom rooms include a fire-rated plywood backboard for mounting equipment. If it’s unpainted, it can make the space look unfinished—especially with a custom rack finish.
We recommend using a light-colored, fire-retardant paint to improve visibility and tie the entire room together visually.
Need Help Choosing?
Whether you're designing a high-efficiency telecom room or building out a branded client-facing space, the finish of your racks can make a real impact.
Let our team help you select the right rack color for your needs—from Glacier White to classic black or fully customized.
Request a consultation or explore our catalog to get started.
