This page explains the differences between shades such as RAL 9010 and RAL 9016, and our solution if you find RAL 9010 too yellow.
Different shades of white
It might sound surprising, but there are many shades of white. You might think white is simply white, yet a subtle change in tone can make a big difference. In our trade, we use “white” to mean paint with no added tinting pigment. Familiar shades such as RAL 9010, RAL 9016 and RAL 9001 are defined colours. So how do they differ, and which shade suits your new interior?
These are subtle differences. Open a paint tin and the contents may look completely white, but place four popular white shades side by side and the differences become clearer. RAL 9010 is a common choice and is often treated as a standard white. Many white fittings, such as sockets, cover plates, window frames, kitchens, air-conditioning units and curtain tracks, come in this slightly off-white shade. Its official name is Pure White.
White shades compared
Below is an illustration of the differences between RAL 9010, RAL 9016, RAL 9003 and RAL 9001. Please note that these are screen representations, not exact RAL colours. To assess the actual shade, we always recommend a paint sample or a physical colour fan.
RAL 9010
Pure White / off-white
A widely used white shade with a warm tone from amber tinting.
RAL 9016
Traffic White
A touch of grey takes this shade slightly away from pure white without giving it a yellow tone.
RAL 9001
Cream
A creamy shade, noticeably warmer than RAL 9010. Once commonly used as a standard white, it is less common today.
RAL 9003
Signal White
Slightly darker than RAL 9016 and suitable for a wide range of interiors.
Which shade of white should I choose?
When we advise on a shade of white, we look at the rest of the interior. Many homes already have white doors and frames. If these are painted in RAL 9010, for example, spraying the walls and ceilings in RAL 9016 may make the existing joinery look more yellow, almost as if it has discoloured. In that situation, we would usually recommend RAL 9010 for the walls and ceilings too, so the frames do not stand out against them.
With dark frames, such as black or anthracite, this is less of an issue: the wall colour has less influence on how the frames appear. We still consider the style you want to create. Dark frames are often part of a contemporary interior, perhaps with herringbone vinyl flooring. In that setting, we are more likely to recommend RAL 9016 Traffic White, which tends to reflect colours from its surroundings.
Is RAL 9010 too yellow? We have a solution
Many customers tell us they find RAL 9010 too yellow, but still want a white that does not feel too cool. We have a solution for you.
Because we have our colours mixed to order, we can offer RAL 9010 at half tint strength. This uses half the tinting pigment normally added for RAL 9010. The result is a shade between pure white and standard RAL 9010, giving you the best of both.
Benefit 1: There is still a slight difference from the white frames, but it is much smaller.
Benefit 2: The rest of the home feels fresher and whiter when sprayed in RAL 9010 at half tint strength, with less of a yellow tone.
We can also mix a half-tint version of any colour you choose.
Colour advice
Choosing colours for a new interior can be great fun, but it can also feel stressful. You make your choice and hope it works. We can help you get started. While we do not create a full colour scheme, we can point you towards suitable brands or shades. Ask us your question and we will see what we can work out together.
See how we apply your chosen RAL shade with a smooth finish through professional wall spray painting.
