Our Review of Iron Mountain by Benjamin Moore
By: Kara
Black may be bold, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be the perfect balance you were looking for in your home exterior update. Whether you have a traditional or modern home, Iron Mountain by Benjamin Moore can add just the right amount of statement. We’ve been seeing more and more people choose black or dark gray for their homes here at brick&batten, so we decided to review another option for you.
Exterior home updates don’t have to be boring. Choose some bold colors and features in your update with the help of our amazing brick&batten designers. They’ll create custom home exterior designs and illustrate your after image with realistic renderings. Additionally, our design package includes a clickable resource list helping you get started on your home improvements. Learn more about how it works.
Black Exterior Paint for the Bold and Modern Home
We’ve been seeing a lot more dark and bold color choices lately, and we’re here for it. Black may not be for everyone, but it definitely makes a statement and helps bring out some of your home’s textures and features.
Iron Mountain has an LRV of 10.96 which is actually pretty high on the scale compared to some of the other blacks our designers use. When using this color, you should take into consideration how much light your home gets. Iron Mountain’s blue undertones show a slightly blue-gray tone in direct sunlight, but it will look like a muted black in the shade. LRV (Light Reflectance Value — learn more here) is especially important when using black paint because it’s already in the super low range, so choosing the right shade will make a big difference.
There’s a reason Iron Mountain is one of the most popular black paint colors. For one, it’s extremely versatile, a striking addition to many styles of homes in all sorts of different applications. A stately brick home, an updated farmhouse, cozy bungalow, or a modern rustic cabin in the woods will each showcase Iron Mountain’s depth and drama in uniquely appealing ways.
This color definitely has blue undertones, even a bit of purple, but sometimes in a western-facing room or in the afternoon sun, it can go a little warm and show a tiny bit of brown. That’s why Iron Mountain pairs well with greens and beiges, even though it’s technically a cool shade.
Black Paint and Climate
Because homes painted with a dark hue at a low LRV will absorb more light and heat, it’s important to consider your climate and how much direct sunlight your house gets. In hot and humid climates, we recommend painting the main portions of your home’s exterior in higher LRVs to reflect the light and redirect the heat away from your home. Iron Mountain in this case would make an excellent trim, door, shutter, or accent paint color.
We always recommend sampling and testing paint colors before committing. Factors such as natural lighting, undertones, and your property’s fixed elements will have a significant impact on how a color will appear on your exterior. Our friends at Samplize offer extra-large 9 x 14.75 inch peel-and-stick paint samples of the colors we love for exteriors. Order your ‘Real Paint, No Mess’ samples from Samplize here.
If you live in a cooler climate, painting your whole home in a low LRV paint color like Iron Mountain will help keep your house warm by absorbing the sun’s heat. It will give both the interior and exterior a cozy feel.
How does Iron Mountain by Benjamin Moore compare to other black paints?
It might be tempting to assume that all black shades of paint are relatively equal and you can just wing it, but trust us on this one. There are many shades of black and dark gray that will give your home a different vibe when used. Our team of designers here at brick&batten can help you determine which shade is right for your home. Here’s how Iron Mountain by Benjamin Moore compares to some of our other favorite black shades.
Kendall Charcoal by Benjamin Moore
Kendall Charcoal by Benjamin Moore, pictured on the siding of the home above, is definitely more of a gray, with brown and green undertones. It works well with natural features like wood or stone and has a deep warmth to it.
Iron Ore by Sherwin Williams
Iron Ore by Sherwin Williams is a very similar color to Iron Mountain with a super low LRV that really brings the drama. This color doesn’t have any undertones so it pairs well with both warm and cool tones.
Soot by Benjamin Moore
Soot by Benjamin Moore is a deep, dark gray that feels like a true black next to white trim. Its slightly blue undertones soften it a bit and help it pair well with cooler tones.
The Bottom Line on Iron Mountain by Benjamin Moore
If you’ve never considered jumping into the dark side, we recommend giving these colors noir a second look. Their good looks just might charm you into updating your exterior in a bold, dark hue that is modern and fresh. Need more options or ideas? We compiled our top 10 black paint colors that work well with any type of home, in different settings, with the accents and style you design.
Better yet, you can complete our simple survey and get started on your virtual exterior home design today! We just need a photo of your home and a few details, and our team of designers will get started right away on bringing your vision to life.
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