RAL 160-2 vs Iron Ore
RAL 160-2 (RAL Effect) and Iron Ore (Sherwin-Williams) come from different manufacturers. RAL 160-2 reads as white, while Iron Ore reads as grey — two distinct hue families, not close cousins. The 72-point LRV gap — 78 for RAL 160-2 vs 6 for Iron Ore — means RAL 160-2 will open up a space more effectively. A ΔE of 62.2 puts these firmly in different territory — two distinct design choices rather than close alternatives. Below you'll find 4 real-room photo comparisons where both colors appear side by side, plus 5 simulated room previews.
RAL 160-2 vs Iron Ore in Real Spaces
4 real rooms side by side. Seeing RAL 160-2 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.
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. RAL 160-2 returns significantly more light to the room — in a smaller or darker space, that difference in perceived brightness is hard to miss.
Kitchen
Kitchens often have the harshest, most revealing light in the house — under-cabinet LEDs and overhead fixtures that strip away subtlety. RAL 160-2 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 160-2 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 160-2 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 160-2 vs Iron Ore Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see RAL 160-2 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 160-2 comparisons
See how RAL 160-2 stacks up against other well-photographed colors across different brands and tones.
White Dove reads slightly lighter (LRV 83 vs 78), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
At LRV 78 vs 52, RAL 160-2 is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 78 vs 30, RAL 160-2 is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 78 vs 60, RAL 160-2 is decisively the brighter choice.
RAL 160-2 reflects far more light (LRV 78 vs 58), opening up a space where Accessible Beige encloses it.
RAL 160-2 reflects far more light (LRV 78 vs 27), opening up a space where Denim Drift encloses it.
At LRV 78 vs 43, RAL 160-2 is decisively the brighter choice.
RAL 160-2 reflects far more light (LRV 78 vs 55), opening up a space where Tranquil Dawn encloses it.
RAL 160-2 reflects far more light (LRV 78 vs 44), opening up a space where Hardwick White encloses it.
A 6-point LRV gap (84 vs 78) makes Pure White the marginally brighter of the two.
RAL 160-2 reflects far more light (LRV 78 vs 66), opening up a space where Balboa Mist encloses it.
RAL 160-2 reads slightly lighter (LRV 78 vs 74), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
RAL 160-2 reflects far more light (LRV 78 vs 12), opening up a space where Pewter Green encloses it.
RAL 160-2 reads slightly lighter (LRV 78 vs 68), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
RAL 160-2 reflects far more light (LRV 78 vs 12), opening up a space where Vintage Vogue encloses it.
RAL 160-2 reflects far more light (LRV 78 vs 45), opening up a space where Saybrook Sage encloses it.
At LRV 78 vs 31, RAL 160-2 is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 78 vs 7, RAL 160-2 is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 78 vs 24, RAL 160-2 is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 78 vs 57, RAL 160-2 is decisively the brighter choice.
A 6-point LRV gap (78 vs 72) makes RAL 160-2 the marginally brighter of the two.