RAL 140-2 vs Iron Ore
RAL 140-2 (RAL Effect) and Iron Ore (Sherwin-Williams) come from different manufacturers. RAL 140-2 reads as beige, while Iron Ore reads as grey — two distinct hue families, not close cousins. The 68-point LRV gap — 74 for RAL 140-2 vs 6 for Iron Ore — means RAL 140-2 will open up a space more effectively. A ΔE of 67.4 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.
RAL 140-2 vs Iron Ore in Real Spaces
5 real rooms side by side. Seeing RAL 140-2 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.
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. RAL 140-2 reflects noticeably more light off the walls, making the space read more open than Iron Ore.
Kitchen
Kitchens often have the harshest, most revealing light in the house — under-cabinet LEDs and overhead fixtures that strip away subtlety. RAL 140-2 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. RAL 140-2 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. RAL 140-2 returns significantly more light to the room — in a smaller or darker space, that difference in perceived brightness is hard to miss.
Kitchen Cabinets
Cabinet color is always seen in context — against countertops, backsplash, and hardware — which amplifies undertone differences that might disappear on a plain wall. RAL 140-2 returns significantly more light to the room — in a smaller or darker space, that difference in perceived brightness is hard to miss.
Color Details
RAL 140-2 vs Iron Ore Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see RAL 140-2 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 RAL 140-2 comparisons
See how RAL 140-2 stacks up against other well-photographed colors across different brands and tones.
White Dove reads slightly lighter (LRV 83 vs 74), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
At LRV 74 vs 52, RAL 140-2 is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 74 vs 30, RAL 140-2 is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 74 vs 60, RAL 140-2 is decisively the brighter choice.
RAL 140-2 reflects far more light (LRV 74 vs 58), opening up a space where Accessible Beige encloses it.
RAL 140-2 reflects far more light (LRV 74 vs 27), opening up a space where Denim Drift encloses it.
At LRV 74 vs 43, RAL 140-2 is decisively the brighter choice.
RAL 140-2 reflects far more light (LRV 74 vs 55), opening up a space where Tranquil Dawn encloses it.
RAL 140-2 reflects far more light (LRV 74 vs 44), opening up a space where Hardwick White encloses it.
A 10-point LRV gap (84 vs 74) makes Pure White the marginally brighter of the two.
RAL 140-2 reads slightly lighter (LRV 74 vs 66), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
With LRVs of 74 and 74, the two reflect almost the same amount of light.
RAL 140-2 reflects far more light (LRV 74 vs 12), opening up a space where Pewter Green encloses it.
RAL 140-2 reflects far more light (LRV 74 vs 8), opening up a space where Duck Green encloses it.
RAL 140-2 reads slightly lighter (LRV 74 vs 68), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
RAL 140-2 reflects far more light (LRV 74 vs 12), opening up a space where Vintage Vogue encloses it.
RAL 140-2 reflects far more light (LRV 74 vs 45), opening up a space where Saybrook Sage encloses it.
At LRV 74 vs 31, RAL 140-2 is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 74 vs 7, RAL 140-2 is decisively the brighter choice.