Sharkskin vs Cement grey
Sharkskin (PPG) and Cement grey (RAL Classic) come from different manufacturers. Sharkskin reads as greige-grey, while Cement grey reads as grey — two distinct hue families, not close cousins. The 16-point LRV gap — 40 for Sharkskin vs 24 for Cement grey — means Sharkskin will open up a space more effectively. A ΔE of 16.6 puts these firmly in different territory — two distinct design choices rather than close alternatives. Below you'll find 5 real-room photo comparisons where both colors appear side by side, plus 5 simulated room previews.
Sharkskin vs Cement grey in Real Spaces
5 real rooms side by side. Seeing Sharkskin and Cement grey in actual rooms makes the difference concrete; browse the spaces below to get a feel for how each color lives on a wall.
Living Room
A living room wall sees more varied light than almost any other surface in the house, which makes the choice between these two more nuanced than a chip suggests. Sharkskin reflects noticeably more light off the walls, making the space read more open than Cement grey.
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. Sharkskin 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. Sharkskin returns significantly more light to the room — in a smaller or darker space, that difference in perceived brightness is hard to miss.
House
A full exterior is the most demanding test for a paint color — scale and outdoor light both amplify differences that seem small on a swatch. Sharkskin returns significantly more light to the room — in a smaller or darker space, that difference in perceived brightness is hard to miss.
Front Door
On a front door, the color is both the first and last thing you see — a context where even a modest tonal difference reads clearly. Sharkskin reflects noticeably more light off the walls, making the space read more open than Cement grey.
Color Details
Sharkskin vs Cement grey Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Sharkskin on one side and Cement grey 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 Sharkskin comparisons
See how Sharkskin stacks up against other well-photographed colors across different brands and tones.
White Dove reflects far more light (LRV 83 vs 40), opening up a space where Sharkskin encloses it.
A 12-point LRV gap (52 vs 40) makes Purbeck Stone the marginally brighter of the two.
A 10-point LRV gap (40 vs 30) makes Sharkskin the marginally brighter of the two.
At LRV 60 vs 40, Agreeable Gray is decisively the brighter choice.
Accessible Beige reflects far more light (LRV 58 vs 40), opening up a space where Sharkskin encloses it.
Sharkskin reflects far more light (LRV 40 vs 27), opening up a space where Denim Drift encloses it.
A 3-point LRV gap (43 vs 40) makes French Gray the marginally brighter of the two.
Tranquil Dawn reflects far more light (LRV 55 vs 40), opening up a space where Sharkskin encloses it.
Hardwick White reads slightly lighter (LRV 44 vs 40), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
At LRV 84 vs 40, Pure White is decisively the brighter choice.
Balboa Mist reflects far more light (LRV 66 vs 40), opening up a space where Sharkskin encloses it.
Shoji White reflects far more light (LRV 74 vs 40), opening up a space where Sharkskin encloses it.
Sharkskin reflects far more light (LRV 40 vs 12), opening up a space where Pewter Green encloses it.
Sharkskin reflects far more light (LRV 40 vs 8), opening up a space where Duck Green encloses it.
Skimming Stone reflects far more light (LRV 68 vs 40), opening up a space where Sharkskin encloses it.
Sharkskin reflects far more light (LRV 40 vs 12), opening up a space where Vintage Vogue encloses it.
Saybrook Sage reads slightly lighter (LRV 45 vs 40), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
A 9-point LRV gap (40 vs 31) makes Sharkskin the marginally brighter of the two.