Our Review of Sherwin Williams’ Alpaca
By: Rachel
Sherwin Williams’ Alpaca is a stunning warm greige with taupe undertones that made our list of the best Sherwin Williams paint colors for 2022. Our designers use this color on all different home styles. This paint color review dives into the technical specs of Alpaca, how we’ve used the color in exterior design, ideal paint color pairings, and other useful information.
Paint colors translate differently depending on the setting, and there are even more factors to consider when using paint on exterior surfaces vs. interiors. As you read through this post, you might notice that the renderings appear a bit darker or lighter than one another, even though they all make use of Alpaca. Your home would also look different in Alpaca. Our expert virtual exterior designers consider your home’s setting, the direction it faces, and other factors when rendering exterior designs like these.
Alpaca: The Specs
Sherwin Williams’ Alpaca has an LRV of 57, falling on the lighter side of the medium-toned range. (Learn all about LRV and why it matters when painting your exterior here.) Although Alpaca mostly reads as a warm greige, it can come off cooler and more gray depending on the lighting.
This neutral shade has complex undertones. Depending on the lighting and surroundings, you might see undertones of brown, taupe, or even pink/purple. These undertones are important to consider because the direction your home faces correlates with lighting, which directly impacts the appearance of Alpaca.
Recommended Applications for Alpaca
Our designers have primarily recommended Sherwin Williams’ Alpaca for modern designs, although its warmth certainly lends itself to traditional homes.
We’ve used Alpaca on brick, vinyl siding, stucco, and paneled siding. The neutral hue works well for any and every building material.
Alpaca Paint Color Pairings
Sherwin Williams’ Alpaca pairs nicely with black and nearly-black shades, whites, and other neutrals. With Alpaca as the main exterior color, we’ve used both light and dark trim and accents.
On the rendering above, Alpaca is featured on both the vertical siding panels and one section of the horizontal siding with Benjamin Moore’s Cheating Heart used for the rest of the siding. Our designers used Benjamin Moore’s Black for the trim and garage doors and included a pop of color for the exterior doors with Benjamin Moore’s Galapagos Turquoise.
Below, Alpaca is used on the stucco with Sherwin Williams’ Westhighland White for the trim.
When considering other building materials and textures, Alpaca looks incredible with wood, industrial metals, natural stone, and brick.
Pros & Cons of Sherwin Williams’ Alpaca
PROS:
- Neutral shade that works well with different materials and textures
- Warm, cozy tone
- Pairs nicely with dark or light accents
CONS:
- Has some complex undertones that might change its appearance based on lighting and color pairings
- If a bolder design is what you’re after, this paint color isn’t the right fit
Alpaca Alternatives
Painting your home’s exterior is a big commitment that you shouldn’t take lightly. That’s why we always recommend testing any exterior paint colors you’re considering. It’s especially important to consider similar hues so you can find that “just right” shade. Here are some to look at if Alpaca is on your radar:
Benjamin Moore’s Thunder
With an LRV of 48.05, Benjamin Moore’s Thunder is darker than Alpaca. This greige paint color can read more gray if it’s paired with darker colors and has a bit of an earthy tone.
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.
Sherwin Williams’ Jogging Path
Sherwin Williams’ Jogging Path has an LRV of 49, so it’s also a bit darker than Alpaca. Although it’s considered a greige, the color has khaki undertones that make it lean further toward beige than gray.
Benjamin Moore’s Pale Oak
Benjamin Moore’s Pale Oak is lighter than Alpaca, but is just as warm and inviting. The light greige hue can pass for taupe, gray, or even off-white depending on what colors it’s paired with.
Benjamin Moore’s Revere Pewter
In terms of its reflectiveness, Benjamin Moore’s Revere Pewter is the most similar to Alpaca out of our suggestions for alternatives, with an LRV of 55. This color has some depth to it, though, which can make it appear darker.
The Bottom Line on Sherwin Williams’ Alpaca
Sherwin Williams’ Alpaca can help you achieve an exterior design that is both aesthetically pleasing and inviting. It is a versatile neutral with undertones that make it a true color chameleon. It might even be the ideal color for your home!
At brick&batten, we do so much more than recommend exterior paint colors. Our talented, expert designers look at paint color as one part of a holistic approach to exterior design. Every element and accent, from roofs to hardscapes, all contribute to your home’s curb appeal. Ready to manifest your design goals with us? Get started today.
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