When choosing a white paint color, brightness is an important consideration. Two popular options are Sherwin Williams Extra White and Pure White. Extra White is part of Sherwin Williams’ Signature Colors line, while Pure White is from their ProClassic Interior Acrylic line. Both are crisp, clean whites, but one may read as brighter than the other depending on the lighting and surroundings.
Understanding Brightness
Brightness refers to how light or luminous a color appears. Whites with a blue, green, or violet undertone tend to read as brighter and cooler. Whites with a yellow, peach, or pink undertone read as softer and warmer.
The level of brightness can impact how a room feels. Brighter whites will make a space seem more open and airy, while softer whites feel cozier and more subtle. Lighting is also a major factor in perceiving brightness. Natural light and cooler LED or fluorescent bulbs bring out brighter undertones. Warmer incandescent light diminishes brightness.
Comparing Sherwin Williams Extra White and Pure White
According to Sherwin Williams, Extra White has a LRV (Light Reflectance Value) of 91, while Pure White has an LRV of 85. The higher the LRV, the more light the color reflects, and the brighter it will appear. Based on LRV alone, Extra White reflects more light than Pure White.
However, LRVs don’t tell the whole story, as undertones also affect the perception of brightness. Extra White has a violet undertone, meaning it picks up hints of blue/purple. Meanwhile, Pure White has a green undertone. With their cool undertones, both Extra White and Pure White will read as bright, crisp whites. But the violet in Extra White gives it a slightly cooler cast than the greenish Pure White.
Brightness in Various Lighting
To better compare their brightness, it helps to visualize Extra White and Pure White in different lighting conditions.
Natural Light
In natural daylight, Extra White will appear brighter and crisper than Pure White. The cool violet undertones become more apparent in natural light. Pure White’s green undertone makes it read slightly duller by comparison.
Cool White Artificial Light
Under cool white fluorescent or LED lights, Extra White maintains a brighter appearance than Pure White. The cool lighting brings out the violet undertones in Extra White. Pure White’s green cast is emphasized under cool lighting, muting its brightness slightly.
Warm White Artificial Light
In warm white incandescent light, the gap in brightness between the two colors becomes less pronounced. The warm lighting softens the cool violet undertones in Extra White, making it appear less vivid. Pure White’s green undertone gets downplayed in the warm light, increasing its apparent brightness.
Soft White Artificial Light
Under soft white incandescent lighting, Extra White and Pure White start to converge in brightness. The warm light minimizes the contrast between the cool and warm undertones of the two whites. However, Extra White still maintains a marginal brightness advantage over Pure White.
Brightness Comparison Table
| Lighting | Extra White | Pure White |
|---|---|---|
| Natural | Brighter | Duller |
| Cool White Artificial | Brighter | Slightly Duller |
| Warm White Artificial | Brighter | Less Bright |
| Soft White Artificial | Marginally Brighter | Slightly Duller |
This table summarizes the relative brightness of Extra White and Pure White under different lighting conditions. While the gap closes in warmer light, Extra White consistently reads as brighter overall.
Choosing Between Extra White and Pure White
When deciding between Extra White and Pure White, consider the lighting in the space and the look you want to achieve. Key factors include:
– Lighting – Extra White will appear brighter in cool natural or artificial light. Pure White catches up slightly in warm light.
– Undertones – Extra White has a violet undertone, Pure White has a green undertone. Violet reads as crisper and cooler.
– Usage – Extra White works well as a prep for cool grays and blues. Pure White lays a foundation for warm neutrals and greens.
– Feel – Extra White creates an airy, ethereal look. Pure White has a subtle coziness.
– LRV – Extra White has a higher LRV for maximum reflectance.
Ultimately, Extra White is the brighter of the two whites due to its cool undertone and higher LRV. But Pure White offers warmth and softness in exchange for a small decrease in brightness. Consider the needs of the space and your color preferences when deciding between the two versatile white paint colors.
Achieving Maximum Brightness
If maximum brightness is the top priority, there are a few options that may surpass even Extra White in light reflectance:
– High Reflectance White – Some paint brands offer high reflectance whites with LRVs over 95. These utilize titanium dioxide or other pigments to maximize light reflection.
– White Dove – A warm white by Benjamin Moore with a higher LRV (93) than Pure White. The warm undertone gives brightness a softness.
– Chantilly Lace – Benjamin Moore’s whitest white with an LRV of 92. Cooler than White Dove but not as crisp as Extra White.
– Alabaster – Sherwin Williams’ highest LRV white at 93. A warm, versatile white that reads both bright and soft.
– Ceiling Bright White – Sherwin Williams’ whitest ceiling paint with an LRV of 93. Designed for maximum overhead light reflection.
So while Extra White is Sherwin Williams’ brightest white wall paint, even brighter options exist for those seeking to maximize light and space. But Extra White strikes an appealing balance of crisp brightness, versatility, and color temperature.
Conclusion
In comparing Sherwin Williams Extra White and Pure White, Extra White comes out as the brighter of the two paint colors. Its cool violet undertones give it a more luminous, airy appearance than the subtle green undertones of Pure White. Extra White also has a significantly higher LRV, meaning it reflects more light.
However, Pure White offers pleasing softness and warmth in exchange for a slight decrease in brightness. It creates a gentler backdrop than the stark Extra White. So Pure White may be preferable for those seeking a cozier, more relaxed feel over maximum brightness.
Choice between Extra White and Pure White comes down to the desired aesthetics, lighting, and purpose of the space. For crisp cool brightness, Extra White is hard to surpass. But Pure White offers lovely muted brightness alongside its welcoming warmth. With their LRV gap minimalized in warmer light, both can provide beautiful shades of white with brightness to spare.
