Our Review of Aloof Gray by Sherwin Williams

By:

As we move into the middle of 2023, green paint colors are still having their moment. While ‘gray’ is in the name, Aloof Gray by Sherwin Williams is actually considered a green. Its beautiful muted tones create a calming effect on a home’s exterior. Color pairings are made easy with its versatility, and, in application, this hue fits right in on many home styles. Keep reading to learn more about Aloof Gray by Sherwin Williams.

Scratching your head over all the exterior paint color options? Let us help! Our design experts at brick&batten will narrow down your choices and show you how they look on your home. From exterior paint colors to garage door ideas, we’re here to guide your exterior update decision-making process. Learn more about what we do.

Our designers only use and recommend products that we know, love, or would use on our own properties. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission, at no cost to you

Sherwin Williams’ Aloof Gray: The specs

Sherwin Williams classifies Aloof Gray as a green. However, they describe this color as a “majestic green gray.” It has an LRV of 58, so it will bounce light off the exterior of a home more than it will absorb. (Curious about LRV? Learn more here, including why LRV is so important to keep in mind when choosing the perfect paint color for your home.) Furthermore, Aloof Gray shouldn’t have too much color shift from morning to night.

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.
A modern cottage style home rendering highlighting one of our favorite soffit and fascia color combinations

Recommended applications for Aloof Gray

Our designers have used Aloof Gray across many home styles, but cottages and traditional homes seem to be our go-tos when using this hue. Next, we’ve used Aloof Gray as both the central color and as an accent color, in just about equal weights across our designs, which speaks to its versatility.

In the rendering above, we used Aloof Gray on the Hardie Board siding with Sherwin Williams’ Moderne White on the brick. The creaminess of Moderne White complements the same characteristic of Aloof Gray perfectly, while the slight contrast helps to separate the different cladding materials.

Aloof Gray color pairings

For a green paint color, Aloof Gray is pretty flexible when it comes to choosing a color palette.

If you’re looking for some drama on your exterior, consider using Tricorn Black by Sherwin Williams with Aloof Gray, as we did above. A transitional or contemporary home can be eye-catching with this contrasting combination. Black gutters, an updated garage door, and light fixtures tie in with the color scheme. To add some warmth to the cool façade, we incorporated subtle wood accents like the porch columns, eaves, and fence.

We had to share the before & after of this magnificent home because it truly demonstrates the power of exterior paint. A dreary home turned into an absolute scroll stopper with Aloof Gray on the first story brick, After Dusk Blue James Hardie siding on the second story, Tricorn Black on the windows, and Sherwin Williams’ Reserved White on the columns, eaves, and trim. Each of these colors were carefully chosen to give this home a fresh look without compromising its historic charm. Aloof Gray on the first story brick allows the white columns and large trim to keep their grandeur without blending into the brick behind them.

The first thing we’d like to point out on the design above is that the lightness of Aloof Gray keeps the roof from overpowering the home. A darker color on the façade would make the roof a focal point; we wanted to minimize that element here. African Gray by Sherwin Williams on the window shutters almost has a tone-on-tone style, but not quite because of its blue undertones. This slate gray as an accent color ties in directly with the roof shingles and the stone walkway. Faux copper gutters and light fixtures were the only warm touches this sweet cottage needed to welcome home its owners.

Cottage with African Gray by Sherwin Williams

Pros and cons of Aloof Gray by Sherwin Williams

PROS:

  • Great for both soft and dramatic color palettes
  • Looks wonderful on various home styles
  • Perfect shade for those that want a subtle green over a bold one

CONS:

  • The green could show more when paired with other cool colors
  • Though it’s classified as a green shade, it may not be green enough for some homeowners

Alternatives to Aloof Gray

We’ve gathered a couple alternatives to Aloof Gray for you to consider in your exterior paint color search.

Benjamin Moore’s Gray Huskie

Gray Huskie by Benjamin Moore is a great choice if you’re looking for a gray with less green undertones. It’s notably darker than Aloof Gray, but the difference will be most noticeable in the mornings and evenings. Our recommended color pairings, however, are similar. Bright white and chunky trim, black and charcoal accent colors, and even dark greens and navy blues are great options to use with Gray Huskie.

Sherwin Williams’ Oyster Bay

If instead you’re looking for more green in your life, try Oyster Bay by Sherwin Williams. Coming in a bit darker than Aloof Gray, with an LRV of 44, the environment should be considered before choosing this color. Even so, the gray and blue undertones keep Oyster Bay feeling airy, so it’s perfect if you want a breezy feel to your home’s exterior. We often recommend this shade for waterfront homes and beach bungalows. Complementing colors for Oyster Bay are not as versatile. Bright whites, wood tone accents, and black will make this coastal hue the main event.

The bottom line on Aloof Gray by Sherwin Williams

Aloof Gray is a gorgeous and highly versatile exterior paint color. It’s not too bold, not too washed out, and still adds a significant hint of color for some fun, uniqueness, and visual interest. Many home styles could look great with Aloof Gray as their central color, but it can make a statement as an accent color, as well. The flexible color pairings are a major plus for us and are a big part of why it’s a top contender in the light green paint category.

At brick&batten, we are experts at recommending the right color choices for your home and its environment. We take into account the amount of natural light you get, your desired style, preferred/existing accent colors, and more to ensure the perfect hue for your home. The process is easy. Answers to a few short questions and photos of your home are all we need to get going. With this information, we will produce a virtual design of your home with our suggested paint colors. You’ll also receive a clickable resource list that helps you execute the upgrade. What are you waiting for? Let’s make your dream reality. Get started here.

Author

Originally from Tennessee, Ami currently lives in South Carolina, which has been home since leaving the military in 2016. Interior and exterior design has always intrigued Ami, especially the styles and characteristics seen in other countries as an avid traveler and photographer. She lives for the renewal of older or historic homes that maintain their character, and regularly creates her own mood boards and virtual designs for inspiration or to help others with their spaces. Having always had a passion for design and following their work for years prior, Ami was excited to be brought onto brick&batten’s team of writers. Her writing endeavors actually started in an academic/scientific setting, then in a regulatory aspect. Writing about paint colors, emerging or current trends in exterior design, and so much more revolving around something she’s always enjoyed was a fun and welcomed change!