Sherwin Williams Pure White or Extra White Help

4 years ago

A builder is offering SW Pure White and Extra White as tthe only whites (for walls, ceiling, trim). I got both from Samplize but since there is no house yet, I'm unable to get in to see the light. I'm worried Pure White will be too yellow/off white/ivory because some homes they did with it look too off white/yellow and I'm afraid Extra White might be too cool/dead. The main room faces East, Master BR South, office North. I've seen photos where both look great but who knows what'll look like here. I want a clean, crisp white but not bluish or cold. (I know Extra can look bluish facing North). I figure I can always warm up cool with lighting but not sure how I'd cool down yellow. Any suggestions or feedback as to PW or Xtra W? I know everyone loves Pure White, I'm just worried it's too soft or yellow and just not sure if it's clean and crisp enough. Thanks a big bunch.

Featured Answer

anj_p

4 years ago

The first house that I bought had pure white trim, ceilings, and cabinets. At the time, I had no idea there were so many shades of white. I figured you went to the store and bought white paint. I would've never guessed that it was anything other than what I would consider plain white.

Now I've done my own looking through paint colors and I've seen how many different shades of white there are. Because I've had pure white in every conceivable room placement (N/S/W/E) and it all looked white to me, we used it in our new build, with rooms facing all directions. Still looks white. Never has it ever looked yellow to me. I imagine that the yellowness that you are seeing might be due to what's next to it/reflecting on it, not the paint itself.

TL;DR I would go with pure white.

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Comments (6)

Marylee H
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
If Pure White is too yellow for you? Then you are looking for one with less Chroma.

Chroma is the attribute which tells you how colourful, or how near to neutral a colour is.

The lower the Chroma, the closer to neutral a colour is.

You can make comparisons of lots of popular whites by their measurable attributes of Hue Value Chroma LRV at The Land of Color.
Marylee H
4 years ago
PPG Delicate White is smidge lighter than both of these.

It is more neutral than Pure White, but more colourful than Extra White.
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Anne Wilson
4 years ago
I am having the same issue. I still see yellow in the pure white. I am using Extra white throughout my main level with tricorn black. I am considering painting the family room which has north east exposure Eider White for a bit of warmth. Did the HelloPaint samples and I was happy with how the Extra White and Eider White looked together. Most of my exposure is South and Extra White samples looks fine... I do not want any yellow!! Good luck hope it works out for you and you post some photos.
maxineshell thanked Anne Wilson
artemis_ma
3 years ago
Pick either, then when you move, go paint everything colors YOU like, not your builder likes.
Anne Wilson
3 years ago
What colour are your cabinets...maybe that will help your decision.