You’re standing in the paint aisle, or more likely, scrolling through endless digital swatches on the Benjamin Moore website, and you see it. Simply White (OC-117). It looks perfect on the screen. It looks like a crisp, clean dream. But here’s the thing about putting Simply White exterior paint on a house: the sun is a brutal editor. Outside, in the harsh glare of a Tuesday afternoon, that "simple" white can suddenly look like a fluorescent light bulb or, weirdly enough, a stick of butter.
Choosing a white for your siding isn't just about picking a color you like. It’s about physics.
I’ve seen homeowners drop five figures on a professional paint job only to realize their house now glows in the dark. Simply White is legendary for a reason—it was the 2016 Color of the Year—but using it outdoors requires a specific kind of strategy. It’s not a "set it and forget it" neutral. It’s a high-LRV, warm-leaning powerhouse that can either make your home look like a high-end coastal estate or a plastic toy. Let’s get into why this specific shade behaves the way it does.
The LRV Factor: Why Simply White Might Be Too Bright
Most people don't look at the Light Reflectance Value (LRV) before they buy. They should. Simply White has an LRV of 89.52.
On a scale of 0 (absolute black) to 100 (pure white), an 89.52 is incredibly high. It’s nearly at the top. When you put a paint with that much reflectivity on a large exterior surface, it bounces sunlight back at you with zero chill. If you live in a place like Arizona or Florida where the sun is constant and piercing, Simply White can be physically painful to look at without sunglasses. Honestly, it’s blinding.
Compare that to something like White Dove (OC-17), which sits at an LRV of 83. That small numerical gap makes a massive difference in how the house feels in the neighborhood context. Simply White is for the person who wants their house to be the brightest thing on the block. If your neighbors all have muted, earthy tones or deep navy siding, your Simply White house is going to look like a searchlight.
But if you have a lot of North-facing shade? Or maybe your house is tucked under a heavy canopy of oak trees? That’s where this paint shines. It pulls in whatever light is available and amplifies it. It fights off the "dingy" look that happens to greiges and off-whites in the shadows.
The Yellow Undertone Nobody Mentions
Don’t let the name fool you. It isn't "just" white.
Simply White has a distinct yellow undertone. In some lights, it’s a tiny hint of cream. In others, it’s a full-blown warm glow. This is why interior designers love it for kitchens; it feels cozy rather than clinical. However, exteriors are different.
The sky is blue. This sounds obvious, right? But the blue light from the sky interacts with the yellow base of Simply White exterior paint. Sometimes, they cancel each other out and you get a perfect, crisp white. Other times, the green from your lawn reflects up onto the bottom half of your siding, mixes with the yellow in the paint, and suddenly your house has a lime-tinted fever dream going on.
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I once watched a project in the Pacific Northwest where the homeowner was devastated because their Simply White trim looked slightly green for four months out of the year. It wasn't the paint's fault—it was the reflection of the surrounding Douglas firs hitting that warm yellow base.
How to Test the Undertone
- Paint a large (at least 2x2 feet) piece of plywood.
- Lean it against different sides of your house.
- Check it at 8:00 AM, 12:00 PM, and 4:00 PM.
- Look at it on a cloudy day. This is the "truth" moment for Simply White. If it looks too yellow when it's gray out, it’s not the right white for you.
Material Matters: Brick vs. Siding vs. Stucco
Texture changes everything. If you’re painting smooth HardiePlank, Simply White is going to look very modern and uniform. It’s sharp. It’s clean.
But put Simply White on reclaimed brick? Now you’re talking. The shadows created by the mortar lines and the pits in the brick break up that high reflectivity. It softens the color. It makes it feel historic and grounded. Same goes for stucco. The natural "tooth" of the stucco creates tiny micro-shadows that keep the paint from looking like a flat sheet of paper.
You’ve also got to think about the sheen. Never go high-gloss on a white exterior. Seriously.
Stick to flat or satin. A high-gloss Simply White exterior will show every single imperfection in your siding. Every warped board, every messy caulk line, and every nail pop will be highlighted by the sun hitting that shiny, bright white surface. Satin is usually the sweet spot because it’s easier to wash down with a hose but doesn't have the "wet" look of a semi-gloss.
Real World Comparisons: Simply White vs. The Rivals
People always ask: "Why not just use Chantilly Lace?"
Chantilly Lace (OC-65) is Benjamin Moore’s "cleanest" white. It has almost no undertone. If Simply White is a warm latte, Chantilly Lace is a glass of ice water. On an exterior, Chantilly Lace can often look cold or even blue-ish. It lacks the "soul" that Simply White has.
Then there’s Swiss Coffee (OC-45). This is the "safe" choice. It’s much creamier and much heavier. If you’re worried Simply White is too stark, Swiss Coffee is the traditional backup. But be careful—Swiss Coffee can look straight-up beige next to a truly white vinyl window frame.
That’s a huge point: your windows. Most vinyl windows are a very cool, blue-white. If you paint your house Simply White and your windows are "Bright White" vinyl, the paint might look yellow and "dirty" by comparison. You want the trim and the windows to harmonize, not fight.
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The Maintenance Reality
Let’s be real for a second. A white house is a job.
Simply White shows everything. If you have red clay soil and it rains hard? Your foundation level is going to be orange. If you live near a busy road? Exhaust soot will turn your beautiful white house gray within two years.
You have to be committed to power washing at least once a year. If you aren't the kind of person who wants to maintain their home's "skin," maybe look at a light gray or a "greige." White is a lifestyle choice. It’s the "white linen pants" of home ownership. They look incredible until you sit on a park bench.
Why Architects Love It Anyway
Despite the drama, architects keep spec-ing Simply White. Why? Because it defines form.
If you have a modern farmhouse or a contemporary home with interesting angles and clean lines, Simply White highlights those shadows. It creates a high-contrast look when paired with black windows or a natural cedar porch. It’s a classic for a reason. It feels "expensive."
Benjamin Moore uses high-quality pigments that hold up well to UV exposure, provided you use their top-tier exterior lines like Aura or Regal Select. Aura, specifically, is worth the extra money for a white exterior because it has better hide. White paint is notoriously difficult to get "coverage" with. Sometimes it takes three coats to fully hide a previous dark color. Aura usually gets it done in two, saving you labor costs which, let's face it, is the most expensive part of painting.
Strategic Pairing: What Colors Work?
If you're going with Simply White for the main body of the house, your accent choices are critical.
- Black Beauty (2128-10): This is a soft black that looks stunning on shutters or a front door against Simply White. It’s not as harsh as a pure jet black.
- Hale Navy (HC-154): The gold standard for a "classic" look. A Simply White house with Hale Navy shutters is basically the uniform of New England.
- Natural Wood: Think white oak or stained cedar. The warmth of the wood brings out the best in the Simply White yellow undertone. It makes the house feel organic instead of sterile.
- Iron Mountain (2134-30): A deep, moody charcoal. Great for a modern look on the trim.
A Note on Professional Application
If you're DIY-ing this, Godspeed.
Painting a house white is hard mode. You will see every lap mark if you aren't careful. If you’re hiring a pro, ask them about "back-rolling." This is when one person sprays the paint on and another person immediately follows with a roller to push the paint into the surface. It ensures even coverage and prevents that patchy look that often plagues white houses when they're only sprayed.
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Also, check the weather. If it’s too hot, the paint dries too fast and you get "flashing"—areas that look shinier or duller than others. For a high-LRV paint like Simply White, flashing is a nightmare because the sun will point it out to everyone who drives by.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Ignoring the Roof: If you have a brown shingle roof, Simply White might look a bit "off." It works best with gray, black, or metal roofs.
- Forgetting the Gutters: Most gutters come in a standard "white" that is very cool. If you don't paint your gutters to match the Simply White trim, they will look like a blue stripe running across your warm white house.
- Skipping the Primer: If you’re going over a dark color, you need a high-hide primer. Period. Don’t believe the "Paint + Primer" marketing on the can if you're jumping from navy blue to Simply White.
Your Simply White Action Plan
If you’re leaning toward this color, don't just buy a gallon. Do this first:
Buy the "Peel and Stick" samples. Brands like Samplize use real paint (not just printed ink) and they save you the mess of painting boards. Stick one on the North side and one on the South side of your house.
Look at your neighborhood. Stand back at the curb. Does your house "fit," or does it look like an alien spaceship landed in a row of Craftsman homes? Simply White is a bold choice, even if it's "just white."
Check your trim color. If you aren't painting the whole house, ensure your existing trim isn't a stark, cool white. Simply White works best when it’s the star of the show or when the trim is painted the exact same color but in a slightly higher sheen (like a satin body and a semi-gloss trim).
Consider the landscaping. Simply White looks incredible against deep green boxwoods and vibrant hydrangeas. It’s the perfect backdrop for a garden. If your yard is mostly dirt or gravel, the house might feel a bit stark.
Honestly, Simply White is one of the best exterior paints on the market if you want a house that looks fresh, intentional, and bright. It’s got just enough warmth to keep it from feeling like a hospital, but enough "whiteness" to feel truly clean. Just respect the sun, watch your undertones, and for the love of everything, keep your power washer handy. You’ve got this.
Next Steps for Your Project:
Check your local Benjamin Moore retailer for the Aura Exterior line specifically in the "Low Lustre" or "Satin" finish. Before committing, take a piece of your current trim or a shingle from your roof to the store to see how it sits against the OC-117 swatch in natural light. If you are painting over a dark or "problem" surface, pick up a gallon of Fresh Start High-Hide Primer to ensure the Simply White pops as intended without the old color bleeding through.