White aluminium vs Functional Gray
Where White aluminium belongs to RAL Classic's range, Functional Gray is a Sherwin-Williams color. Hue-wise, White aluminium belongs to the grey-white family and Functional Gray to the greige-grey family. White aluminium (LRV 46) reflects noticeably more light than Functional Gray (LRV 37), a difference of 9 points that becomes especially apparent in rooms with limited natural light. The ΔE 5.5 gap is real but not dramatic — close enough to use together, distinct enough to matter as a choice. Below you'll find 2 real-room photo comparisons where both colors appear side by side, plus 5 simulated room previews.
White aluminium vs Functional Gray in Real Spaces
2 real rooms side by side. White aluminium and Functional Gray are close enough that the difference can be hard to judge from a chip alone — these photos show how each reads at scale, across different spaces and lighting conditions.
Living Room
In a living room, color works across both daylight and evening light — the same wall can read very differently at noon and at 8pm. The LRV gap is large enough that White aluminium will make the room feel meaningfully brighter than Functional Gray would.
House
Seen across an entire facade, subtle tonal differences become pronounced. What reads as nearly the same on a chip often reads as clearly different at scale. White aluminium reflects noticeably more light off the walls, making the space read more open than Functional Gray.
Color Details
White aluminium vs Functional Gray Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see White aluminium on one side and Functional Gray 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 White aluminium comparisons
See how White aluminium stacks up against other well-photographed colors across different brands and tones.
