Vivid White vs Traffic White: Choosing the Right White for Your Shutters
White shutters are by far the most popular choice in North London homes, and two whites make up most of our orders: Vivid White and Traffic White. On a small sample they can look almost the same, but on a full window the difference is easy to see. Here they are side by side.
Vivid White: a crisp, pure white
Vivid White is the brighter, cleaner of the two. It has no warm tone, so it reads as a true white.
- Best for: modern and newly decorated homes, bright white walls and ceilings, and white uPVC window frames.
- The look: fresh and clean, with a sharp contrast against darker walls.
- Good to know: in a room with cool, north-facing light, a pure white can look slightly cooler than it does on the sample.
Traffic White: a softer, warmer white
Traffic White has a gentle warmth to it. Next to Vivid White it looks a touch creamier, but on its own it still reads clearly as white.
- Best for: period properties, Victorian and Edwardian bay and sash windows, painted wooden window frames, and rooms with off-white or warm-toned walls.
- The look: soft and relaxed, blending in with the room rather than standing out.
- Good to know: warmer whites can help a room feel cosier, especially in rooms that don’t get much direct sun.
Side by side
| Vivid White | Traffic White | |
|---|---|---|
| Tone | Pure, bright white | Warmer, softer white |
| Feel | Crisp and modern | Calm and classic |
| Pairs well with | White uPVC frames, bright white walls | Painted wooden frames, off-white or warm walls |
| Popular in | Modern homes, kitchens, extensions | Period homes, bay and sash windows |
How to choose between them
- Look at your window frames. Shutters sit right next to the frame, so match the frame first. Bright white uPVC usually suits Vivid White; older painted frames often suit Traffic White.
- Check your walls and woodwork. If your skirting boards and walls are an off-white, Traffic White will sit more naturally. If they are brilliant white, choose Vivid White.
- Think about the light. The same white looks different in a north-facing room than in a sunny south-facing one. That’s why it’s worth seeing samples in your own home.
See both whites in your own home
At your free home visit we bring both Vivid White and Traffic White samples, so you can hold them against your own window frames and walls, in your own light, before you decide. Prefer another colour? We can also colour match to Farrow & Ball, Little Greene or Dulux (terms and conditions apply).
Book your free home visit, see our wooden shutters in North London, or call us on 020 3417 6465.