SW High Reflective White or SW Extra White for Trim and Doors?

3 years ago

I would like a true clean neutral white. One that isn't blinding or stark.

This is for a new build. There are no other whites in the home other than the windows and ceilings.

I tend to gravitate toward warmer colors but do like some cooler colors. The kitchen has cherry cabinets. Floors on the first floor will be engineered hardwood - medium tones. Upstairs will be neutral carpeting except for the bathrooms. I haven't picked the main wall colors. I'm waiting to decide on the hardwood floor and stone before choosing those. Will be purchasing new furniture.

I've purchased different samplize whites and narrowed it down to these two colors. (I didn't care for some of the warmer whites, some were a bit too yellow, others too gray and some were creamy.)

I read that Extra White looks best with cool colors and doesn't pair well with warm woods. Would it look bad to use Extra White with warm paint colors/furniture/wood?

Would either of these colors work/look good with warm and cool paint colors?

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Lori A. Sawaya

3 years ago

The SW base without tint is Extra White SW 7008.

Some painters have an extra shot of white colorant shot into the can. I've seen it. I've measured it and I don't see a difference VISUALLY. However, some painters believe it helps with hide. Because Extra White may need more than two coats. If they want to do an extra shot of white and can keep it consistent can to can, I'm fine with that.

Ben Moore's base without tint is White OC-151. It's very pretty too.

I believe (don't quote me) High Reflective White is ALSO an untinted base color which is why it's only available in specific bases. I don't know for sure because I never use it.

I read that Extra White looks best with cool colors and doesn't pair well with warm woods.

🙄

I specify Extra White a lot. This is a ridiculous statement.

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Comments (11)

Lynn Heins
3 years ago
I paired extra white trim with sw Greek Villa wall color and it looks great. Greek Villa is warmer.
autumncolor thanked Lynn Heins
PRO
Flo Mangan
3 years ago
Just try SW Base paint with no tint. Then you can go with any wall color you want.
autumncolor thanked Flo Mangan
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Hi there! I painted all of my trim in Behr ultra pure white (high gloss)....and my walls in the same white (Eggshell). I honestly held up multiple neutral paint colour chips against the white trim and they all would have worked on my walls. I don’t think you can go wrong. I ended up with white walls due to my partner‘s preference (he has an eye for decorating). I thought I would hate the white everywhere...and surprisingly I love it. My unsolicited opinion...if you don’t have much natural light in your house...and you want to brighten it...stay with lighter paints as they have higher LRVs (ie they reflect light better). There are some beautiful soft warm grays, greiges, or off-whites out there. It sounds like you have a great vision for your house...very restful yet sophisticated...i say go with a paint color that makes you happy!
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We closed on our house today wahoooo! I only got to spend about an hour there but looked quickly at the samples for trim/doors/ceilings. I think I've narrowed it down to three possibilities: BM Simply White, SW Extra White and BM Super White. I thought about BM Chantilly Lace too. Basically, looking at the finishings, my first gut is that BM Simply White looks the best. I just worry it may look too yellow once up on everything. At least that's what I read (and you know how reliable the internet is). First question: has anyone had experience with BM Simply White? Does it just read warm or do you see the yellow in it when it's one trim/doors/ceilings? So I may go that direction, or wonder if I should go with a cleaner white but something close. Something still a little warm... As for the runners up, from what I can see SW Extra White and BM Super White are very similar but Extra White maybe looks a little warmer? Maybe because it has more chroma? Is this understanding accurate, Lori A. Sawaya?? And it seems to me that the order of warmth would go SW Extra White, BM Super White, BM Chantilly Lace... is that a correct reading? Again for context - East/West exposures with a lot of shade. Wall colors aren't chosen but would likely be something along the lines of BM Edgecomb Gray, BM Ballet White, BM Chelsea Gray, BM Natural Cream. Daughter's room will be BM Opal. I'll try to take some pics of the finishings tomorrow but would love any thoughts on this. Thanks!
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autumncolor
Original Author
3 years ago
@JuneKnow. What do you suggest in SW or Ben M that is a true clean neutral white that isn't blinding or stark and goes with both warm and cool paint colors?

Extra White seems to be extremely popular, maybe only if you have cool colors, and I thought High Reflective White was a versatile bright white but wasn't stark and would go with warm or cool paint colors. Is this incorrect?

I figured the warmth would come from warm paint colors, medium toned wood floors, cherry cabinets, etc.
autumncolor
Original Author
3 years ago
@Flo, that sounds exactly like what I'm looking for. Is SW Base paint with no tint a bright clean white? I'll have to get a sample and try it.

How do you know if a white will go with any color? How is that determined?
PRO
Flo Mangan
3 years ago
I use a Color Strategy system that Lori Sawaya has Color Certification course. I got Certified in that course for Color Specialist. One tip. Ignore names of paint colors. Very misleading. I can explain differences when your palette is selected. The lower the Chroma number the brighter white.
autumncolor thanked Flo Mangan
nhb22
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
My painter wants to use SW Pure White. To me the sample looks a little on the gray side. I was going to ask him about SW Extra White. I know that the type SW trim paint that he uses cannot be mixed up with the formula for High Reflective White. I was also going to look at SW Simply White.

Interesting about using the SW Base without tint. I'll have to ask about that. I like a brighter white.
autumncolor thanked nhb22
autumncolor
Original Author
3 years ago
@nhb22, I also looked at Pure White. It's a very nice white, but to me, it wasn't the clean pure bright white I am wanting. When I compared it to the other two whites, that's when I really noticed the difference.

@Lori. You made my day with your comment regarding what I read about Extra White! Thank you for the information about the base color and adding more white for coverage. I'll have to check out Ben M base.
nhb22
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
Exactly! And why I am hesitant to use it. Hope he will not be insistent. I may have to discuss getting another painter. :)

Yes, Lori...very interesting information!
Jennifer Svensson
3 years ago
SW Extra white is great for trim and door. I do not agree that it’s stark or cold. Neutral plain Jane white.
autumncolor thanked Jennifer Svensson

SW High Reflective White or SW Extra White for Trim and Doors?

Lori A. Sawaya

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Lynn Heins

Flo Mangan

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SW High Reflective White or SW Extra White for Trim and Doors?

Lori A. Sawaya

Comments (11)

Lynn Heins

Flo Mangan

Related Discussions

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autumncolorOriginal Author

Flo Mangan

nhb22

autumncolorOriginal Author

nhb22

Jennifer Svensson

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autumncolor
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