Understanding Whites for Strata

Understanding the undertone of a white is an important starting point when selecting colours for strata projects. Undertones can vary due to the complex formulations and range of tints used to create white paint colours.

Taubmans’ National Colour and Design Manager, Fiona Dawson, recommends comparing your chosen white against a true white reference, such as a brilliant white colour chip or plain white paper. This makes undertones more visible, revealing whether the colour leans green, blue, red or yellow.

Whites can also be classified by temperature. Cool whites typically feature blue undertones, while warm whites may include red, yellow, beige or orange undertones. Fiona advises considering surrounding architectural elements and existing finishes to help guide the most suitable choice.

Lighting conditions are particularly important for exterior strata applications. In general, exterior colours can appear approximately 30 percent lighter in full sunlight. Understanding this effect is essential when selecting whites to ensure the finished result performs as expected across the building facade.

To assist with selecting whites for exterior use, Taubmans recommends using Light Reflectance Value, or LRV. LRV measures how much light a colour reflects, where black has a value of 0 and white sits at 100. Colours within the 65 to 75 LRV range offer sufficient depth while helping to minimise glare in high light environments.

Taubmans white options well suited to strata exterior applications include Gazebo White, Grey Matter, Zurich White, Tundra Mist, Abstract Quarter and Aria Ivory. Selecting colours within this range supports visual comfort while maintaining a clean, timeless appearance.

Contact your local team here if you need support with an upcoming project.