Benjamin Moore Paint to Match Andersen Windows: The Exact Formulas You Need
You have just installed beautiful new Andersen windows, or perhaps you are refreshing the interior trim of your home and want it to flow seamlessly with your existing window sashes. You grab a standard white paint, apply it to the casing, and suddenly, the problem glares back at you. Your trim looks “too bright,” and your expensive windows suddenly look dingy or grey by comparison. This is the most common frustration homeowners face: Andersen colors are proprietary, and stock paint colors rarely match them perfectly out of the can.
The “Andersen White” is not a pure, brilliant white; it has a specific grey-cool undertone that clashes violently with warm whites and looks dirty next to high-reflective pure whites. The same complexity applies to their Canvas, Sandtone, and Terratone lines. If you get the undertone wrong, you ruin the aesthetic of the entire window assembly.
You need a specific strategy to bridge the gap between factory-finished vinyl/clad materials and painted wood trim. The direct answer for the most common “Andersen White” match is Benjamin Moore’s “White Dove” (OC-17) for a soft blend, or a custom match of Sherwin Williams “Frosty White” mixed in a Benjamin Moore base, as Andersen’s standard white is actually a grey-cast off-white. However, for Sandtone, Canvas, and Bronze, you need precise color codes to avoid a renovation disaster.
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Understanding the Andersen Color Palette
Before you run to the paint store, you must identify exactly which Andersen color “generation” you have. Andersen has used different standards over the decades, but the core “400 Series” and “200 Series” colors usually fall into a few distinct buckets. Knowing these distinctions is the first step to a perfect Benjamin Moore paint to match Andersen windows.
The “Standard” Whites vs. The “Bright” Whites
Most homeowners assume their white windows are, well, white. In the world of Andersen, “White” is actually a soft, muted color with a significant amount of grey and a touch of beige. It is designed this way to not blind you in direct sunlight and to hide dust better than a stark hospital white.
If you paint your trim Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace (a very clean, crisp white), your Andersen windows will look like grey plastic. If you paint your trim Benjamin Moore Cloud White (a warm, yellow-cream white), your windows will look stark and cold. The goal is to find a “bridge” color that respects the window’s coolness without making the rest of your room feel like a clinic.
The Earth Tones: Sandtone, Canvas, and Terratone
These colors are even trickier. “Sandtone” is often mistaken for a generic beige, but it has specific neutral undertones that turn pink if you match it with the wrong tan paint. “Canvas” is Andersen’s answer to the “cream” trend—it is lighter than Sandtone but significantly warmer than White. “Terratone” is a deep, earthy brown-grey that is notoriously difficult to match because it changes drastically depending on whether it is in shadow or direct sunlight.
The Ultimate Benjamin Moore Match List
Below is the definitive guide to getting the closest possible look using Benjamin Moore paints. These recommendations are based on professional painters’ experiences and spectral color data. However, always test a swatch first, as batch variations in both windows and paint can occur.
| Andersen Window Color | Best Benjamin Moore Match | Why It Works |
|---|---|---|
| Standard White | White Dove (OC-17) | Soft enough to blend with the grey undertones of the window without looking yellow. |
| Canvas | Navajo White (OC-95) | Captures the creamy, non-yellow warmth of Canvas perfectly. |
| Sandtone | Manchester Tan (HC-81) | A neutral beige that avoids the dreaded “pink” cast often found in generic tans. |
| Terratone | Stampede (979) / Custom Match | Terratone is complex; Stampede is close, but a custom computer match is best here. |
| Dark Bronze | Iron Mountain (2134-30) | A rich, soft black with bronze undertones. The industry standard for “Bronze” windows. |
| Forest Green | Essex Green (HC-188) | A deep, historic green that aligns well with the classic Andersen forest hue. |
| Black | Jet Black (2120-10) | A true, deep black that matches the modern Andersen 400 series black. |
Matching Andersen White (The Detailed Strategy)
If you want a “perfect” match where the trim and window become one, you cannot rely on a stock color card. The “Andersen White” formula is technically a Sherwin Williams recipe (often cited as SW 6196 Frosty White). However, you are using Benjamin Moore.
The best approach is to ask your Benjamin Moore dealer to look up the “competitor match” for SW 6196 Frosty White. Alternatively, Benjamin Moore’s “White Dove” is the crowd favorite for a reason. It is slightly lighter than the window, which creates a very subtle, pleasing contrast. The window sash looks like a deliberate accent rather than a mismatched mistake. If your room receives very little natural light, White Dove helps brighten the transition.
Matching Sandtone and Canvas
For **Canvas**, you are dealing with a “putty” or “biscuit” color. **Benjamin Moore Navajo White** is incredibly close, but be careful—Navajo White can read very yellow in rooms with 2700K (warm white) LED bulbs. Always test this color on a small piece of trim at night before committing to the whole room.
For **Sandtone**, **Manchester Tan (HC-81)** is a hero color. It sits right in the middle of the beige spectrum. If you find Manchester Tan too dark, try **Pale Oak (OC-20)**, which is lighter but shares the same neutral DNA. This is particularly useful if you have vinyl plank flooring transitioning to carpet on concrete, where neutral floor tones need to coordinate with your window trim.
The Metamerism of Vinyl vs. Wood
This is the secret that almost no one talks about, yet it is the reason professional designers get paid the big bucks. Even if you have the exact liquid paint code that Andersen uses in their factory, it will look different on your wooden trim than it does on the vinyl clad window. This phenomenon is called metamerism.
Vinyl is smoother and reflects light differently than wood, which has grain and texture. Vinyl is also less porous. When light hits the vinyl sash, it bounces off directly. When light hits your painted wood trim, it diffuses. This means the wood trim will almost always appear slightly darker or more matte than the window, even with the exact same color.
The Solution: Do not try to match the color 100%. Aim for a color that is 95% similar but slightly lighter or cleaner. This optical illusion tricks the eye into seeing a match. This is why White Dove often looks better than a custom computer match of the vinyl—it compensates for the shadow effect of the wood grain.
Sheen and Finish Strategy
Getting the color right is only half the battle. If your sheen is wrong, the texture difference will be glaring. Andersen windows typically have a satin or low-gloss finish. They are rarely high-gloss.
Interior Trim Considerations
For interior casing, avoid “Flat” or “Matte” finishes, as they will look chalky next to the window. Also avoid “High Gloss,” which will make the window look plastic and cheap. The sweet spot for Benjamin Moore paint to match Andersen windows is Satin or Semi-Gloss.
Benjamin Moore Advance in a Satin finish is widely considered the best product for this application. It is a waterborne alkyd that levels out like an oil paint, minimizing brush marks. This smooth finish mimics the factory finish of the window sash much better than a standard latex wall paint would.
Exterior Siding and Trim
For exterior applications, durability is key. Andersen’s “Terratone” and “Forest Green” are designed to fade very slowly. House paint fades faster. If you are matching exterior trim in zones with high UV exposure, like zone 6 crape myrtle growing areas, you must use a high-quality exterior line like Benjamin Moore Aura Exterior.
Aura uses “Color Lock” technology which resists fading better than the cheaper “Regal Select” or “Ben” lines. This is critical for dark colors like Bronze or Black. If you use a cheap exterior paint in Black, it will turn charcoal grey in two years, while your Andersen windows remain jet black, ruining the match.
Application and Prep for Perfect Results
You have your color and your sheen. Now you need to apply it correctly to ensure the bond is secure and the finish is smooth.
Testing Samples Correctly
Do not paint a swatch on the wall next to the window. The wall is drywall; the trim is wood. The texture difference will throw you off. Instead, buy a small sample pot (Benjamin Moore sells these for a few dollars). Paint a scrap piece of wood or a shim with two coats. Hold this painted wood directly against the window sash. check it at three times of day: morning light, noon sun, and evening artificial light.
Painting Vinyl vs. Wood
Are you painting the wood trim around the window, or are you trying to paint the actual vinyl sash of an old window to match a new one? Warning: Painting the vinyl sash voids the Andersen warranty. However, if the warranty is expired and you must do it, you cannot use standard wall paint.
You must use a bonding primer first. Insl-x Stix is a Benjamin Moore product specifically designed to bond to glossy surfaces like PVC and vinyl. Clean the vinyl with alcohol, apply Stix, let it cure, and then apply your Benjamin Moore topcoat. Without this primer, your paint will peel off the vinyl the first time you open the window.
This is similar to the preparation needed when considering how much weight a thumbtack can hold on drywall versus plaster—the substrate dictates the method. You can’t just stick paint on vinyl and hope it stays.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
1. Trusting the “Name” Match: Just because a paint color is named “Canvas” or “Sand” in the Benjamin Moore deck does not mean it matches Andersen Canvas or Sandtone. These are just names. Ignore the names and look at the color chips.
2. Ignoring the “Grey” in White: Homeowners often try to “brighten up” their room by painting trim a super bright white (like BM Chantilly Lace). When next to Andersen standard white, the windows will look dirty. You must accept that your trim needs to be slightly creamy or greyish to harmonize.
3. Using Wall Paint on Trim: Wall paint (like Regal Select Matte) is not durable enough for window sills and casings. It will chip and absorb dirt. Always use a trim-specific enamel like Advance or Scuff-X.
Conclusion
Matching Benjamin Moore paint to Andersen windows is not about finding a magic code; it is about finding a color that coexists peacefully with the fixed color of your windows. For the standard Andersen White, White Dove (OC-17) is your safest, most elegant bet. For darker colors like Bronze or Black, stick to the specific matches like Iron Mountain or Jet Black to maintain that modern, high-contrast look.
Remember to account for the sheen differences and the material texture. A slight variation is better than a forced match that fails. By using the high-quality resins in Benjamin Moore’s Advance or Aura lines, you ensure that your trim doesn’t just match the color of your windows today, but ages gracefully alongside them for years to come.
