RAL 280-2 vs Iron Ore
RAL 280-2 (RAL Effect) and Iron Ore (Sherwin-Williams) come from different manufacturers. RAL 280-2 reads as beige, while Iron Ore reads as grey — two distinct hue families, not close cousins. The 60-point LRV gap — 66 for RAL 280-2 vs 6 for Iron Ore — means RAL 280-2 will open up a space more effectively. A ΔE of 67.2 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 280-2 vs Iron Ore in Real Spaces
4 real rooms side by side. Seeing RAL 280-2 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 280-2 reflects noticeably more light off the walls, making the space read more open than Iron Ore.
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 280-2 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 280-2 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 280-2 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 280-2 vs Iron Ore Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see RAL 280-2 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 280-2 comparisons
See how RAL 280-2 stacks up against other well-photographed colors across different brands and tones.
At LRV 83 vs 66, White Dove is decisively the brighter choice.
RAL 280-2 reflects far more light (LRV 66 vs 52), opening up a space where Purbeck Stone encloses it.
RAL 280-2 reflects far more light (LRV 66 vs 30), opening up a space where Evergreen Fog encloses it.
RAL 280-2 reads slightly lighter (LRV 66 vs 60), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
A 8-point LRV gap (66 vs 58) makes RAL 280-2 the marginally brighter of the two.
At LRV 66 vs 27, RAL 280-2 is decisively the brighter choice.
RAL 280-2 reflects far more light (LRV 66 vs 43), opening up a space where French Gray encloses it.
A 11-point LRV gap (66 vs 55) makes RAL 280-2 the marginally brighter of the two.
At LRV 66 vs 44, RAL 280-2 is decisively the brighter choice.
Pure White reflects far more light (LRV 84 vs 66), opening up a space where RAL 280-2 encloses it.
Their light reflectance is nearly identical (LRV 66 vs 66), so neither reads brighter in a room.
A 9-point LRV gap (74 vs 66) makes Shoji White the marginally brighter of the two.
At LRV 66 vs 12, RAL 280-2 is decisively the brighter choice.
Their light reflectance is nearly identical (LRV 68 vs 66), so neither reads brighter in a room.
At LRV 66 vs 12, RAL 280-2 is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 66 vs 45, RAL 280-2 is decisively the brighter choice.
RAL 280-2 reflects far more light (LRV 66 vs 31), opening up a space where Pale Green encloses it.
RAL 280-2 reflects far more light (LRV 66 vs 7), opening up a space where Pine Needle encloses it.
RAL 280-2 reflects far more light (LRV 66 vs 24), opening up a space where Cement grey encloses it.
RAL 280-2 reads slightly lighter (LRV 66 vs 57), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
Just Walnut reads slightly lighter (LRV 72 vs 66), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.