Our Review of Thunder by Benjamin Moore
By: Tessa
Warm colors are trending in the exterior design world right now. If you want to give your home an up-to-date look with a moodier vibe than off-white or beige, we suggest trying out a warm greige-meets-light-gray, like Thunder by Benjamin Moore. In this review of Thunder by Benjamin Moore, we’ll discuss the best applications for this paint, pros and cons of using it, and similar alternative paint colors for home exteriors.
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Applications for Thunder
Because Thunder is so versatile, it’s hard to go wrong when using it. Most people consider it a greige, though others think of it as more of a light, warm-toned gray. Just like with any paint color, the amount of sun a home gets greatly impacts how this color reads.
If you want to lean into the greige look, we suggest pairing Thunder with a warm off-white for trim and accents. To highlight its gray side, go for dark trim.
Pros and Cons of Thunder by Benjamin Moore
Pro: A Complex Color
Thunder by Benjamin Moore lives up to its name. This moody gray has many other colors at play in it, so it’s versatile and easy to coordinate with other colors. We detect hints of both purple and green in it. If you want to highlight the purple, we suggest adding blossoming purple landscaping plants like in the image above. Lush grass also pulls out the green undertones.
Pro: Earthy, Yet Sophisticated
One thing we absolutely love about Thunder is that it gives off warm, earthy vibes thanks to its undertones, but in a polished way. This is because light gray is such a classic, timeless home exterior paint color.
Con: Benjamin Moore Does Not Clearly Label It
Benjamin Moore doesn’t describe Thunder as gray or greige. However, it is very similar to Revere Pewter by Benjamin Moore, which the brand describes as light gray. Some people might be disappointed to discover that it looks more greige in some color schemes and certain lighting situations.
Con: Not Clean and Crisp
Since there are multiple colors that make up Thunder, it doesn’t read as crisp and clean. If you want something cleaner and crisper, you’ll want to look for a paint color that leans more off-white. If you want more of a posh look, try a darker gray with cool undertones. We also point out similar alternatives with cleaner undertones in the next section.
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.
How Does Thunder Compare to Other Light Grays?
Gray Huskie: Slightly Darker and More Gray
The design above displays Gray Huskie by Benjamin Moore on trim with a Seapearl by Benjamin Moore base. With an LRV of 45.83, it’s just barely darker than Thunder, which has an LRV of 48.05. So if you want a similar brightness level as Thunder but with a color that reads more gray, we recommend Gray Huskie.
Grant Beige: A Beige Alternative
If you’re considering greige, we suggest picking up a sample of beige paint for a swatch test comparison. Grant Beige by Benjamin Moore is such a classic that’s started to surge again in popularity. It’s much warmer than Thunder, and it won’t be confused for greige.
Jockey Hollow Gray: A Much Darker Greige with Similar Undertones
Jockey Hollow Gray by Benjamin Moore has a much lower LRV of 38.79, so it’s certainly darker than Thunder. However, it still has green undertones and also looks great with either light or dark elements.
Revere Pewter: Perhaps the Closest Alternative
We have a confession to make: Sometimes, it’s hard for us to tell Thunder and Revere Pewter apart. But, when you look at these Benjamin Moore paint swatches side-by-side, you can tell a clear difference. Revere Pewter is lighter, with an LRV of 55.51. And, in our opinion, Thunder also looks a little bit more gray than Revere Pewter.
The Bottom Line on Thunder by Benjamin Moore
We’ll leave you with this final thought in this review of Thunder by Benjamin Moore: Its versatility and warmth make it a crowd-pleaser. If you’re considering selling your home soon, Thunder can attract buyers with varying personal preferences. While it’s not clean and crisp, its earthiness and warmth will make guests feel welcome and relaxed.
For even more ideas on paint colors for your home, check out this article about popular 2021 exterior paints.
Paint is for more than just good looks — quality exterior paint and primer actually protect your home. Chipping paint allows moisture to damage wood and even brick. When it’s time to repaint your home, we encourage you to explore new colors. If want to envision it before you commit to it, our brick&batten designers are here to help.
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