How-to Get the REAL Sherwin Williams High Reflective White & NOT the dupe!
The most popular HARD to get white paint color
When it comes to my Online Paint Color Consulting, I have a few favorite paint colors that I refer to time and time again. Why? Because they work. However, there’s one particular white that’s not always the easiest to get, and that color is Sherwin Williams High Reflective White.
High Reflective White is one of the WHITEST white paint colors on the market, which is why I refer to it so often. Without the warm nod of Alabaster or softness of Pure White, High Reflective White keeps things simple.
So why is it so FREAKIN’ HARD TO GET?
A lot of paint store employees claim that it doesn’t cover well. Fair enough, it really DOESN’T cover well at all (it’s meant to be more of a base than a ‘color’). But the ‘terrible coverage’ point could be made for MANY white paint colors – they don’t have the same hide (ability to cover old colors and look solid), at least not compared to colors with a bit more meat on their bones (lower LRVs).
So with this being said, I KNOW that High Reflective White is a great option, and have the clients and personal experience to prove it. I’m just not sure why so many of my clients have a hard time getting it, saying that their paint store won’t make it for them/doesn’t carry it.
The 5 WHITEST White Paint Colors
Sooooo, why is it listed in the fan deck? Why is it offered as an option if it isn’t really an option?
Because it CAN be made, oh yes, it can be made.
HOW TO GET SHERWIN WILLIAMS HIGH REFLECTIVE WHITE
Thanks to the arrival of Sherwin Williams Emerald, you can NOW GET High Reflective White – and a version that covers reasonably well! However, in the Emerald line, it’s called Ultra White.
YES, High Reflective White & Ultra White are the same paint color!
The challenge with NOT getting it in Emerald (with the goal of not spending that much money on a gallon of paint) is that you won’t get High Reflective White.
If you go to the paint store and ask for High Reflective White, they’ll either say ‘no,’ as it’s a base and doesn’t cover well (being a base, it’s used to MAKE other colors – it’s the foundation). Or they’ll say, ‘SURE’ and give you a gallon of ‘doctored-up’ Extra White…which isn’t High Reflective White.
High Reflective White has an LRV of 93, making it pretty darn WHITE white. Extra White comes in at 86, making it a SOFT white. It seems it would take an AWFUL LOT of white tint to increase Extra White’s LRV by seven points. Will it brighten it and cut back the undertone found in Extra White? Sure, but will it have that gloriously high LRV? I doubt it.
Sherwin Williams Extra White
This being said, if you’re not super fussy, this could be good enough (insert me twitching here).
The 5 Types of White Paint Colors
In the great world of whites, this shift matters as Extra White is NOT a bright white. Check your gallon of paint. Sure, the sticker might say High Reflective White at the top, but in the bottom right corner, if you see the words ‘Extra White,’ you’ll know it’s not the real thing.
I was also told by paint store employees (many of them) that adding 4 ounces of white tint to a gallon of High Reflective White will improve the coverage. This is a contentious point as many painters and store employees will DISAGREE.
And I have one more great tip for you…
BUY A HIGHER-QUALITY PAINT
When it comes to paint, you DO get what you pay for. And as it relates to whites, higher quality paint will COVER better. Think of it this way, would you rather spend $90 on one gallon of paint that covers your room or $120 (two less expensive gallons @ $60) as you needed to apply four to five coats to get the same hide and coverage found in the pricier line???
And remember, this lack of hide isn’t unique to High Reflective White; it’s a common thread with many popular white paint colors. You often have to bump up in QUALITY and add those shots of white to get half-decent coverage (I also recommend two coats of primer to get a good headstart).
FULL Paint Color Review of Sherwin Williams High Reflective White
The 5 Types of White Paint Colors
Long story short, when it comes to High Reflective White, it’s a toss-up as to whether the paint store will make it for you. However, in my experience, if it’s the type of white you’re looking for, it’s DEFINITELY worth asking.
WHICH PAINT COLORS ARE SIMILAR TO HIGH REFLECTIVE WHITE?
If you’re having difficulty getting High Reflective White, check out…
- Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace. The difference between Chantilly Lace is that it’s a tiny bit softer than High Reflective White (read about it HERE)
- BEHR Ultra Pure White. The difference between Ultra Pure White is that it’s a tiny bit WHITER and brighter than High Reflective White (read about it HERE)
- Sherwin Williams Extra White. The difference between Extra White is that it’s a touch COOLER/softer than High Reflective White (read about it HERE)
READ MORE
The Ultimate Guide to White Paint Colors
The 5 WHITEST White Paint Colors
3 Steps to Picking the Best White Paint Color
The 3 Best Warm White Paint Colors
6 Questions to Ask Before Painting Your Cabinets WHITE
Get the Online Paint Color Expert that Designers Hire
Chat soon,
Originally written in 2021, updated completely in 2023
As a previous Sherwin employee and color consultant- High Reflective and Extra White are both “bases” used on their own or to create other hues as you so well described:) High Reflective is the only one that needs some bolstering to get coverage. Most stores should be very used to adding white tint to it as many contractors request this. The other option is to move to a better product like Duration or Emerald which have better coverage by design. I used Duration White Heron (high reflect base, VERY little tint) in my kitchen and got perfect coverage in one coat although two is always prescribed for best longevity, cleanability etc.
P.S. The company has been plagued by shortages of bases this last year, my understanding is the freeze in Texas and trucking issues have been largely the cause. Staff is stressed and doing their best!
You know your s**t girl, enjoy every post and learn some stuff too!
Lori, I LOVE LOVE LOVE you for this comment, thank you! I’ve only heard from a few SW employees about this ‘being the way to do it’ and you confirming this makes me feel SO great. Good to know about Extra White too! Do you usually add a few jolts of white to its gallon as well to improve the coverage?
I also love the advice to up the QUALITY of the paint, I’m going to update the post to reflect this – THANK YOU THANK YOU!
Hi, I want to use BM Advance paint in Satin on my interior doors and trim. So my question is how to I ask BM to make High Reflective White?
Thanks so much
Ahhhhh, WELLL, you can’t. To get HRW, you have to go to SW. There are some colours that can be colour matched ‘reasonably’ well, but not HRW as it’s SO white.
Ok thank you so much for letting me know. That’s such a bummer because of all the whites I have tested Chantilly, Simply White, Pure White, White Dove, Super White, Extra White, HRW looks the best (truest, without any grayness) best in my NE facing, low light house. I painted/sprayed my kitchen cabinets about 5 years ago with BM Advance in White Dove and really like how that paint worked and has held up. I know I know I should paint everything else in White Dove but it doesn’t look as good as the kitchen cabinets do, m which just happens to be the brightest room in the house. What to do now…lol?
How much exactly white do you add to the HRW? They are saying they go as low as 1/28th of an ounce… they want an amount? Please help! Thank you!
Hi Jennifer, I double-checked with my local store and while it can vary a bit depending on the type of paint you use, ‘generally speaking’ – 4 ounces, as long as it doesn’t overfill the gallon!
Ah yes, high reflective white. The most useless base in the painting world. It never covers and the expectations never meet up with reality. I for one cannot wait until its dropped from the shelf. Most of the time this garbage pops up its because the customer is trying to be a pain in the rear.
Bill, Why do you say this, when so many people are using it, because it is a true white?
It’s rarely about the client being a pain; it’s because Sherwin Williams offers it as a paint color in their fan deck and offers it as a white option in their displays – customers are just choosing what they’re shown CAN be used by the company.
It’s more the company being a pain as, yes, they either don’t explain that it’s more of a BASE and doesn’t cover well, or they just give the client a doctored-up Extra White and claim that it’s High Reflective White (which it isn’t). This is way more on the paint company than the consumer. Now that they have Emerald, we can get HRW that covers (also known as Ultra White in Emerald.
Kylie read info concerning HRW. In Emerald which one….ultra white or extra white? I see both mentioned on your site & in this article. Please advise….
Hi Patsy, In Emerald it will be Ultra White 🙂
Hi Kelly, HRW is thin, but I don’t see Emerald Ultra White anywhere online. Is it still available? Thanks!
Hey Paula! You’re right, they don’t make it easy! Apparently it’s not online, but most stores do (or can) carry it/order it. I was confused too, but my SW rep confirmed it for me!
A few weeks ago I went to the Sherwin Williams store in San Clemente, CA to buy High Reflective White. I requested 2 gallons of satin sheen (for my kitchen and bathroom ceilings) and 2 gallons of flat sheen (living room ceiling). The store employee had no problem with my request and he quickly returned with my 2 gallons of satin (in Duration) and 2 gallons of flat (in SuperPaint). I was in-and-out in about 10 minutes, it was so easy, I’m not sure why others are having trouble getting HRW from their SW store. In my experience, it could not have been easier.
I LOVE TO HEAR THIS! Now the lid WILL say High Reflective White, but if you look on the sticker, make sure it doesn’t say ‘Extra White’ anywhere on it. In my situation, they manually typed in HRW but put it in the Extra White base ;). I HOPE it’s all the way it shoudl be for you – there may be hope out there for this great white!
The SW website currently (2/18/24) says “SW 7757 High Reflective White” is available in Emerald Interior Acrylic Latex Paint and in SuperPaint (my painter’s wall and ceiling paints respectively). It says that High Reflective White is *not* available in Emerald Urethane Trim Enamel which is what I want on my cabinets (specific message on the website is “color not available for this color line”). Can you clarify that they have confirmed to you that the “Ultra White Base” with nothing added is the same color as HRW or if we need Sherwin Williams to do something with the base to match HRW for the Emerald Urethane Trim Enamel? HRW is my first choice but I want to confirm I can get it in all the paints… I love your blog and youtube videos–thanks for all you do!
Our basement currently has builders grade flat white paint which is a no go for me as I have 4 sons and I need walls I can easily clean. I purchased a handful of samplize paint swatches and SW 7757 High Reflective White looks the best in our basement. As you mentioned it is really a beautiful true white with no green or gray undertones. My question is what finish would you suggest for my walls and trim? I was planing on going with eggshell walls and satin trim and doors. I can’t seem to find High Reflective White in an eggshell finish, and the store and online customer service suggest I use the satin finish for the walls and semi-gloss for the trim and doors. I would really appreciate if you an give me your input on what finishes I should be using. Thanks in advance!
Hi Sheva, you might actually try their Scuff Tuff paint, which comes in flat/matte/eggshell/semi-gloss. I haven’t used the SW version, but I’ve used BM ScuffX in the matte and its amazing as the it’s washable. It has more sheen than traditional matte paint – more like an eggshell. I wouldn’t use satin finish on my walls, ever…or unless I had a bathroom with moisture issues, I suppose. It can just look a bit garish. I would THINK that eggshell in Scuff Tuff could be ample.
I absolutely love the gray color in the exterior photo with the cedar shingles and batten (house number 5760 showing) – can you share what color that is? Thanks, and love your site – it’s so helpful and informative!
Hey Tricia! That’s actually the Hardi color Light Mist, which is darn similar to BM Stonington Gray/Coventry Gray 🙂
Hi Kylie, Thank you for this great article! We’ve just started painting our house exterior SW Alabaster. The idea was to go with that color on everything (trim, main body) but after seeing one side of the house, I feel a little contrast would be nice. I am wondering if it is a good idea or not to paint only the window trims HRW. We have white vinyl windows (Pella 250) and right now with Alabaster around them, the vinyl white pops. Do you think painting only the window trim with HRW would be about the same as the vinyl and also make the windows/trim pop or it is a no-no?
Hey Bernadett! It caaaan look nice, but you’ll have 3 different whites going on and HRW will make Alabaster look that much more ‘creamy/yellow’ in comparison. Also, HRW (as they mix it into Extra White, not HRW) and it comes up creamier on trim paint, is likely warmer than the white of the windows.
So frustrated with SW. I followed your advice – and a color consultant from SW agreed. She also said they have a High Reflective White in the Emerald line too, there is just not a lot of difference between UW and HRW. But when my painter went to order it, the employee said it’s a base so it has bad coverage and they don’t recommend it. Tried selling us Extra White… which we all know isn’t the same color!
UGHHHHHHHH, right? If they can’t make it, I wish they would take it out of the fan deck/color samples, as it makes everyone think it’s a viable (and great) option – as it is their whitest white!
Thank you for this great information!
Great article, Thanks. Planning to use Emerald Ultrawhite (Coffered ceilings, crown, baseboard, doors, window trims etc) but use Pure White for Kitchen cabinets, builti-ns (satin), and Walls (eggshell). Both being true whites, do they clash in your opinion. Thanks again !
Wellllll, if it were me, I’d definitely stick with Pure White on ALL finishes, rather than mix and match 🙂
Hello, Kylie, Very informative articles and especially the way you describe things in an interesting and humorous way. I was wondering about the influence of major appliances on the choice of white to paint our dated whitewash kitchen cabinets. We have a traditional ranch-style house in Los Angeles with the Santa Cecilia granite countertop and matching backsplash. Our appliances are mixed stainless steel and white because we had all white originally but they stopped making in white when we replaced them and so we now have stainless steel (refrigerator, KitchenAid cooktop, KitchenAid overcooktop exhaust, undercabinet microwave, and toasteroven) and “whiter white” (Kitchen Aid built-in double oven, Kitchen Aid dishwasher and movable cart). I know your mantra that one cannot have everything, but I wonder which in general would be better: a warmer white (.e.g. SW Pure White) for cabinets to pair with the St. Cecilia backsplash and countertop but may clash too much with the brighter white appliances, or would brighter white cabinets (e.g., SW Extra White, High Reflective White or Ultra White) clash too much with the St. Cecilia countertop/backsplash too much? Our small kitchen faces east with one large window and a smaller window, and only gets sunlight from early morning until noon. Thank you very much.
Ooo, now this is an interesting question/conundrum. I would worry that Extra White/HRW/Ultra White woudl just be so shockingly white against the countertop. Sure, they might tie in better with the white appliances than a softer, warmer white, but EVEN THEN, those 3 whites aren’t as cold as some appliances (I don’t know the Kitchen Aid Whiter White well enough to say exactly which whites, but I BET it likes cold whites.
So, I would cater to the countertop/backsplash over the white appliances :). Also, the double oven is the only kind of ‘eye-level’ dominant appliances, as you have the fridge in stainless and the oven/range hood, so ya, warm white for me :).
Thrilled to have found this post!! I want high reflective white for my walls and trim and now I know how to get it. Thank you!! My question is, what do you suggest (type and color) as a matching ceiling white? The premium ceiling paint seems not “white white” at all.
My builder is trying to get it in the urethane emrald trim paint and can’t. Should he try asking for ultra white or extra white? My walls are cheviot and warm so i want a nice clean white for trim! So sad i cant get HRW in trim! Help!!
If it were me, I might ask for Extra White and ask them to add some white tint to it (as much as they can before it overflows 🙂
Hi Kylie,
I read your blogs about the SW High Reflective White. Thank you for explaining all about it and how to get it the correct way.
I have a few questions.
1. I want to get in Semi-Gloss but can only find in in Flat. (please help)
2. What exactly do I tell the paint person when I ask them to add White to the can?
Thank you,
Still Learning James
Oh jeeze, only FLAT? WEll, that might be the deciding factor for you not getting HRW as if you need semi-gloss, you’ll find flat pretty darn lacking! This said, for MOST HOMES, satin is the best for trims/doors/cabinets, as semi-gloss can be pretty darn reflective (and more unforgiving).
As for adding white, you should be able to say ‘if there’s any room left in the can, can you top it up with white tint for me?’ 🙂
Hi Kylie I painted my walls HRW in Super Paint before I learned that Emerald Urethane Trim Enamel for trim does not come in HRW. So I painted my trim Emerald Ultra White. It looked off so I painted a swatch on the HRW wall. Ultra White had a bright yellow undertone compared to HRW. I just went and bought Duration in Ultra White and painted it on the HRW wall to compare acrylic latex to acrylic latex with the same sheen. Again a bright yellow undertone compared to HRW. So my experience is HRW and Ultra White are not the same. I am in a pickle because I’ve got to decide what to paint my cabinets-HRW to match the walls which I love or Ultra White to match trim and doors with a bright yellow undertone I don’t particularly like. This is especially frustrating with my bathrooms that have marble tile with cool undertones-ugh. Hopes this helps others not go down this rabbit hole. Thank you for all your videos and blogs they are so helpful and I’ve learned so much.