Our Review of Gauntlet Gray by Sherwin Williams

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Gray exterior paint colors have been growing in popularity, and we don’t expect that to change anytime soon. With that in mind, we’ve been busy sharing some of our go-to grays. Next up is Gauntlet Gray by Sherwin Williams, a unique gray that’s one of Sherwin Williams’ Top 50 Colors. Keep reading to learn more about this gorgeous gray hue and why our designers keep coming back to it.

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modern gray farmhouse with wood fencing, vertical and horizontal siding, and wood columns

Sherwin Williams’ Gauntlet Gray: The specs

With an LRV of 17, Gauntlet Gray is considered a medium-dark hue. (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.)

Gauntlet Gray is considered a neutral paint color and has warm greige undertones. How noticeable these undertones are depends on the amount of natural light your home exterior receives. In shaded environments, you might even notice some subtle violet undertones.

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.
Virtual rendering of ranch style home in Gauntlet Gray with a wood paneled garage door and white trimmed windows

Recommended applications for Gauntlet Gray

Our designers tend to favor Gauntlet Gray on farmhouses, but we’ve also used it on traditional and contemporary homes as well. Design elements such as wood siding, metal roofs, and black fixtures, and organic materials like stone and concrete all work to complement Gauntlet Gray’s characteristics. It has the ability to look rustic, industrial, modern, or classic — a true team player.

Digital rendering of a traditional farmhouse in Gauntlet Gray with a wood stained front door and white trim

Gauntlet Gray color pairings

While Gauntlet Gray is versatile in terms of its applications, its color pairings are more limited. Our designers stick with black or off-white trim colors, wood tones, copper, and any contributing colors from building materials such as stone.

The traditional house above is a wonderful example of a classic look achieved by pairing Gauntlet Gray with a brighter white hue (Snowbound by Sherwin Williams) on the trim, columns, and deck skirt paneling. Furthermore, stained wood on the porch railings, front door, and garage doors keep the façade warm and inviting.

Contemporary home with two balconies, basement level garage, and large windows

In the design above, Gauntlet Gray juxtaposed with concrete, metals, and wood creates a nice contrast. The combination of materials and clean lines give this home a chic industrial vibe.

Virtual rendering of traditional home with stone cladding, black trimmed windows, and vertical siding

The rendering above shows how Gauntlet Gray can be paired with browns, and not just those found in wood! The stone cladding has a variation of grays and browns, which work well with Gauntlet Gray’s undertones. The black door, window trim, and garage doors blend in nicely and allow the stone entry to remain the focal point.

A grand home with a wide porch and cladding in Gauntlet Gray and trim and accents in Greek Villa

Pros and cons of Gauntlet Gray by Sherwin Williams

PROS:

  • Provides a big wow factor
  • Appropriate for many different home styles
  • Looks lovely with natural materials like wood and stone

CONS:

  • Slight violet undertones
  • May be too dark for some

Alternatives to Gauntlet Gray

Gauntlet Gray is sure winner, however, we know options are always nice. Check out these alternatives.

Rustic cabin with a wood retaining wall, large porch, and simple black columns.

Benjamin Moore’s Kendall Charcoal

Kendall Charcoal is a beautiful gray with rich undertones. It’s a great choice to pair with black and wood accents, however, it looks equally as good with creamy white trim and traditional elements. Kendall Charcoal has an LRV of 14.6, making it a tad darker than Gauntlet Gray. In sunny environments, its undertones will be more noticeable but no less appealing. These undertones are one of the reasons Kendall Charcoal landed a spot on our list of the best gray exterior paint colors of 2021.

Virtual rendering of a gray stucco home with white trimmed windows, dormers, and black double hung front doors.

Sherwin Williams’ Dorian Gray

Looking for a gray that’s simple with subtle undertones? Dorian Gray by Sherwin Williams could be the answer. With an LRV of 39, it’s a perfect mid-tone gray that softens a home’s exterior. We’ve used Dorian Gray on many homes, both traditional and modern. It even made it onto our list of the best exterior house colors of 2022.

Virtual rendering of farmhouse in Gauntlet Gray with wood skirting, stairs, and columns.

The bottom line on Gauntlet Gray

Gauntlet Gray is a lovely choice for an exterior paint color. Considered a medium-dark shade, it’s dark and moody enough to make a statement, but not too big of a statement. Color pairings may be limited, but the number of different home styles it can be applied to is seemingly endless. We hope you have found a few reasons to love Gauntlet Gray just as much as we do.

At brick&batten, we’re experts at recommending the right paint colors for your home and its environment. Answers to a few short questions and photos of your home are all we need to start working on the exterior design of your dreams. You’ll also receive a clickable resource list that helps you execute the upgrade. 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!