Gray Lake vs Iron Ore
Gray Lake (Benjamin Moore) and Iron Ore (Sherwin-Williams) come from different manufacturers. Hue-wise, Gray Lake belongs to the green-grey family and Iron Ore to the grey family. The 73-point LRV gap — 79 for Gray Lake vs 6 for Iron Ore — means Gray Lake will open up a space more effectively. Where Gray Lake leans green, Iron Ore reads neutral — a distinction that shifts noticeably depending on the light source and surrounding finishes. A ΔE of 63.2 puts these firmly in different territory — two distinct design choices rather than close alternatives. Below you'll find 2 real-room photo comparisons where both colors appear side by side, plus 5 simulated room previews.
Gray Lake vs Iron Ore in Real Spaces
2 real rooms side by side. Seeing Gray Lake and Iron Ore in actual rooms makes the difference concrete; browse the spaces below to get a feel for how each color lives on a wall.
Bedroom
Bedrooms are typically lit with warmer, lower light than the rest of the house — a condition that flatters warm tones and deepens cool ones. Gray Lake returns significantly more light to the room — in a smaller or darker space, that difference in perceived brightness is hard to miss.
Bathroom
Small bathrooms intensify color. A shade that seems quiet in a larger room can feel immersive when you're surrounded by it on four walls. Gray Lake returns significantly more light to the room — in a smaller or darker space, that difference in perceived brightness is hard to miss.
Color Details
Gray Lake vs Iron Ore Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Gray Lake on one side and Iron Ore on the other.
Digital color is approximate. These simulations are generated from the manufacturer's hex values and overlaid on grayscale room photos — your screen's calibration, brightness, and viewing angle all affect how they render. Before committing to either color, test physical samples in your own space under the light you actually live with.
More Gray Lake comparisons
See how Gray Lake stacks up against other well-photographed colors across different brands and tones.
White Dove reads slightly lighter (LRV 83 vs 79), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
At LRV 79 vs 52, Gray Lake is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 79 vs 30, Gray Lake is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 79 vs 60, Gray Lake is decisively the brighter choice.
Gray Lake reflects far more light (LRV 79 vs 58), opening up a space where Accessible Beige encloses it.
Gray Lake reflects far more light (LRV 79 vs 27), opening up a space where Denim Drift encloses it.
At LRV 79 vs 43, Gray Lake is decisively the brighter choice.
Gray Lake reflects far more light (LRV 79 vs 55), opening up a space where Tranquil Dawn encloses it.
Gray Lake reflects far more light (LRV 79 vs 44), opening up a space where Hardwick White encloses it.
A 5-point LRV gap (84 vs 79) makes Pure White the marginally brighter of the two.
Gray Lake reflects far more light (LRV 79 vs 66), opening up a space where Balboa Mist encloses it.
Gray Lake reads slightly lighter (LRV 79 vs 74), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
Gray Lake reflects far more light (LRV 79 vs 12), opening up a space where Pewter Green encloses it.
Gray Lake reads slightly lighter (LRV 79 vs 68), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
Gray Lake reflects far more light (LRV 79 vs 12), opening up a space where Vintage Vogue encloses it.
Gray Lake reflects far more light (LRV 79 vs 45), opening up a space where Saybrook Sage encloses it.
At LRV 79 vs 31, Gray Lake is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 79 vs 7, Gray Lake is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 79 vs 24, Gray Lake is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 79 vs 57, Gray Lake is decisively the brighter choice.
A 7-point LRV gap (79 vs 72) makes Gray Lake the marginally brighter of the two.