Smokestack Gray vs Surf
Smokestack Gray (Benjamin Moore) and Surf (Tikkurila) come from different manufacturers. These are both blue-greys, so the question isn't which hue to choose — it's where within blue-grey to land. The 3-point LRV gap — 23 for Smokestack Gray vs 20 for Surf — means Smokestack Gray will open up a space more effectively. ΔE 4.3 means they're clearly different, but not dramatically so — they'd pair well in the same room. Below, 5 simulated room previews show how each color reads at scale — real-room photos will be added as they become available.
Color Details
Smokestack Gray vs Surf Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Smokestack Gray on one side and Surf 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 Smokestack Gray comparisons
See how Smokestack Gray stacks up against other well-photographed colors across different brands and tones.
White Dove reflects far more light (LRV 83 vs 23), opening up a space where Smokestack Gray encloses it.
At LRV 69 vs 23, Ammonite is decisively the brighter choice.
Smokestack Gray reflects far more light (LRV 23 vs 6), opening up a space where Iron Ore encloses it.
At LRV 52 vs 23, Purbeck Stone is decisively the brighter choice.
A 8-point LRV gap (30 vs 23) makes Evergreen Fog the marginally brighter of the two.
Mizzle reflects far more light (LRV 52 vs 23), opening up a space where Smokestack Gray encloses it.
At LRV 60 vs 23, Agreeable Gray is decisively the brighter choice.
Accessible Beige reflects far more light (LRV 58 vs 23), opening up a space where Smokestack Gray encloses it.
Denim Drift reads slightly lighter (LRV 27 vs 23), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
At LRV 43 vs 23, French Gray is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 23 vs 4, Smokestack Gray is decisively the brighter choice.
Tranquil Dawn reflects far more light (LRV 55 vs 23), opening up a space where Smokestack Gray encloses it.
Smokestack Gray reads slightly lighter (LRV 23 vs 13), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
Hardwick White reflects far more light (LRV 44 vs 23), opening up a space where Smokestack Gray encloses it.
At LRV 84 vs 23, Pure White is decisively the brighter choice.
Their light reflectance is nearly identical (LRV 23 vs 21), so neither reads brighter in a room.
Balboa Mist reflects far more light (LRV 66 vs 23), opening up a space where Smokestack Gray encloses it.
Shoji White reflects far more light (LRV 74 vs 23), opening up a space where Smokestack Gray encloses it.
Snowbound reflects far more light (LRV 83 vs 23), opening up a space where Smokestack Gray encloses it.
Smokestack Gray reads slightly lighter (LRV 23 vs 12), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
Skimming Stone reflects far more light (LRV 68 vs 23), opening up a space where Smokestack Gray encloses it.
At LRV 41 vs 23, Dix Blue is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 68 vs 23, Calamine is decisively the brighter choice.
Their light reflectance is nearly identical (LRV 25 vs 23), so neither reads brighter in a room.
Smokestack Gray reads slightly lighter (LRV 23 vs 12), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
Saybrook Sage reflects far more light (LRV 45 vs 23), opening up a space where Smokestack Gray encloses it.
A 8-point LRV gap (31 vs 23) makes Pale Green the marginally brighter of the two.
At LRV 23 vs 7, Smokestack Gray is decisively the brighter choice.
Their light reflectance is nearly identical (LRV 24 vs 23), so neither reads brighter in a room.
At LRV 57 vs 23, Guilford Green is decisively the brighter choice.