Benjamin Moore Portland Gray & Cement Gray: Undertones, LRV, & More

When choosing the best gray paint color for your room, NOTHING matters more than undertones – and Cement Gray and Portland Gray have a BIT more undertone than the average gray, which is why we’re taking a close look at both in this color review.

WHAT TYPE OF COLORS ARE PORTLAND GRAY & CEMENT GRAY?

Portland Gray is a WARM gray paint color, whereas Cement Gray is a COOL, stormy gray paint color. This is an important distinction because you can use colors like these to balance out the visual temperature of a room, for example…

• If you have a north-facing room or an east-facing room in the afternoon, you might prefer the warmth of Portland Gray to balance the cool gray-blue light coming in the windows.
• If you have a south-facing room or a west-facing room in the afternoon, you might prefer the COOL tone of Cement Gray to balance those warm sun rays!

North, East, South, West – Which Paint Color is the Best? 

WHAT ARE THEIR LRVS?

Portland Gray has an LRV of 60.21, whereas Cement Gray has an LRV of 59.96. This means that both colors are in the light range and more or less the same depth (fractional difference, really).

The great thing about this depth is that it’ll hold up to bright sunlight better than lighter shades. Sure, it will still wash out and lighten up—any color will—but it will hold itself better than off-whites.

NOT SURE WHAT LRV IS? It could save your paint lovin’ life – read all about it HERE. 

WHAT ARE THEIR UNDERTONES?

If you’re looking for a gray with subtle purple undertones, you might want to read this instead. Cement Gray and Portland Gray have purple undertones, but they’re about as subtle as me after a few glasses of wine (#therearenosubtleties).

Portland gray has a reasonably strong purple undertone. Purple can be cool (purple-blue) or warm (purple-pink). Portland Gray has a warm purple undertone. As for Cement Gray, ‘cement gray’ can have a vague green undertone (if we were referring to actual cement). However, this one has a slightly cool purple undertone (more stormy than icy cold).

Benjamin Moore Abalone is similar to these paint colors but has slightly more muted undertones…

WHAT’S THE BEST WHITE TRIM COLOR WITH THESE GRAYS?

Both grays run a pretty tight ship when it comes to their favorites shades of white for trims or cabinets…

• Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace works with Cement Gray and Portland Gray for a clean, simple contrast.
• Sherwin Williams White Snow offers a slightly softer contrast.
• Benjamin Moore Super White OC-151 is a great way to keep things simple.

Benjamin Moore’s 8 Best White Paint Colors

The 4 Best White Paint Colors from Sherwin Williams

I love to show RELATEABLE & REAL homes, so I ONLY use photos from my Online Color Consulting clients. This means I don’t always have the quality pics I need, but I have some SUPER helpful info to help you on your way! 

WHAT COLORS ARE SIMILAR TO PORTLAND GRAY & CEMENT GRAY?

When finding your favorite color, compare similar shades. Every color has its own particular nuances—you will see shifts in undertones, temperature, and depths.

• Benjamin Moore Barren Plain is a great comparable as it settles between these shades.
• Sherwin Williams Individual White is similar to Portland Gray but a touch cleaner and lighter.
• Sherwin Williams Grayish is similar to Cement Gray but offers a slightly more purple hue—it makes Cement Gray look more neutral in comparison!

By the way, if you’re thinking of color matching between brands, you might want to read THIS first. 

Here are your Peel & Stick samples of Portland Gray & Cement Gray!

WHAT COLORS GO WITH PORTLAND GRAY & CEMENT GRAY?

Generally speaking, if you’re looking for paint colors that look good in a palette with these gray paint colors, you’d want to look at some…

• Relatively clean, simple shades of white.
• Darker gray-violets with the same undertone blend. I love Benjamin Moore Smoked Oyster with Portland Gray.
• Slightly stronger LIGHT cream paint colors, in other words, creams with a reasonable degree of yellow. Gray-purple and cream in adjoining rooms can be beautiful!
• I’d love a home where one room is painted one of these gray-violets with a GORGEOUS darker green in an adjoining room!

READ MORE

Paint Color Review of Benjamin Moore Collingwood

The Best Purple Paint Colors

The Best Grays with Purple Undertones

Paint Color Review of Benjamin Moore Barren Plain and Abalone

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Check out my Online Paint Color Consulting – I’d love to help!

ORIGINALLY CREATED IN 2020, UPDATED IN 2024