Woodland Grey vs Monument: Which paint is better for your home?

Whether you are painting the garage door, cladding, fence, roof tiles, or even the entire house, you always seem bogged down by colour choices. For example, which of the two well-known Colorbond colours is ideal for your painting project? Should it be Woodland Grey or Monument?

This article settles the grand Woodland Grey vs Monument debate once and for all. You will learn their similarities and differences based on cost, appearance, versatility, durability, and eco-friendliness.

In the end, you can instantly tell the differences between Monument vs Woodland Grey, pick the best for the home, and work more effectively with your painter.

What Colorbond colour is Woodland Grey?

Colorbond Woodland Grey is dark charcoal-brown or dark grey paint with an olive or mint green tinge. Inspired by Australia’s natural environment, it shares the same shade as the mosses, boulders, and the greens of the country’s forests. It resembles Basalt Matt, Kangara, Volcanic Grey, and Uniform Grey.

What Colorbond colour is Monument?

If Woodland Grey reminds you of the forests in the Land Down Under, Colorbond Monument evokes boldness, sophistication, and fire. After all, this deep charcoal grey (dark shade of grey) tone takes a cue from volcanic rock formations.

With this description, it is safe to say that Monument is significantly darker than Woodland Grey, as well as Dune and Shale Grey. It also has a matte version aptly called Monument Matt. 

Colorbond Monument vs Woodland Grey: Which is better for your needs?

Paint is not cheap, so you want to get it right the first time. For the ideal Colorbond colour, which between Monument and Woodland Grey is better? We further break down their differences based on different factors.

In terms of cost

Colorbond Monument and Woodland Grey are exterior paints, so they are already expensive from the get-go. Making it pricier is the fact that you usually must apply two coats. Plus, you spend money on primer.

For instance, a 4-litre Monument with a satin finish can cost you over $110 for a wall-painting project. Meanwhile, a 10-litre tin is around $260.

Woodland Grey Colorbond offers you more finish, use, and size options. A 1-litre matte can is only less than $60. It usually has the same price range as Monument paint colour if you opt for 4 or 10 litres.

You can save money by buying a pot, which is usually a 500 ml tin. It costs less than $15. A house painter can also help you calculate the property and give you a better idea of how much paint you require.

In terms of appearance

If you are not a huge fan of dark colours, neither is for you. These Colorbond colours definitely have deep tones, even if their maker claims they are inspired by particular Australian landscapes.

Colorbond Woodland Grey has a tinge of green, a cooler and more relaxing tone. However, its dark-grey shade overpowers it. On the other hand, if you want to pick these two but want to tone down their effects, you can combine them with similar-looking Colorbond colours.

For very light shades, you can choose Dune, a warm-grey colour, like the sands and stones of Australia’s landscapes. The Shale Grey is lighter and cooler, with hues reminiscent of mists and grey sand.

Bushland is another excellent complement or even alternative to Colorbond Woodland Grey. It has a more balanced combination of green and grey. Plus, the shade seems to change depending on the time of day.

The Monument colour is already dark, but if you like it to be significantly blacker, try the Colorbond Night Sky. Lastly, if you want to stick with grey tones for your home, consider Ironstone, Basalt (mid-level grey), Wallaby, and Windspray (to remind you of a cloudy day).

In terms of versatility

Colorbond Monument is extremely popular for those with contemporary or modern homes. The shade already helps the house stand out, but it shines even more when used with a contrasting colour or a lighter or cooler shade. This hue can be part of the dark-grey family or even pastel ones, such as cream.

This is also your choice if you desire a dark garage door and a unique front door. If you live in bushland areas or green suburbs or if your property has a well-manicured yard, a house painted with Colorbond Monument is gorgeous.

However, Monument is exterior paint. Woodland Grey, with its green tinge, can be for outdoor and indoor use. The hint of another colour makes it desirable for trimming, cladding, and wall accents, such as moulding. This is also great as a window-frame colour.

How about if you like bright-coloured outdoor furniture? For a more sophisticated look, choose Monument.

In terms of durability/longevity

Colorbond has been designed with Australia’s diverse and harsh weather conditions and landscapes in mind. For this reason, a Woodland Grey roof and Monument Colorbond fence can last for years with proper maintenance. In fact, they can retain their shade for 20 to 30 years even if they are under full sun. This is because the paint can already include ample UV protection.

Fences are less likely to need varnishing or oiling to keep their sheen. But even if they show signs of fading or wear, simple Colorbond fencing paintwork can do wonders.

Even better, these colours are available in Colorbond Ultra Steel, specifically formulated for homes in coastal areas or extreme marine environments. They provide excellent corrosion resistance and long-term durability.

In terms of eco-friendliness

One downside to using Monument or Woodland Grey is the possibly high energy bill, especially during the summer. These two do not have the best solar absorptance (SA) and solar reflectance index (SRI) values.

Solar absorptance is the ratio of radiation absorbed and reflected by the roofing material. It is typically between 0 and 1. The lower the number, the less likely it keeps the heat. In other words, it helps maintain a cooler home. The Colorbond Monument has an SA of 0.73, slightly higher than Woodland Grey’s 0.70. It is not surprising since it is the darker of the two.

Meanwhile, SRI indicates the colour’s ability to bounce back or reflect the sun’s energy to the atmosphere. The higher the score, the more efficient it is in doing so. In other words, during blistering heat, homes with high-SRI paint are cooler.

Unfortunately, Monument has an SRI of 27; Woodland Grey has 31. Compare that to over 80 for lighter shades, such as Surf Mist and Dover White. Greys with lighter tones scored better. For instance, Shale Grey’s SRI is over 40.

Achieve a beautifully painted home with Airtasker

This article should already help you choose the best Colorbond colour for your house. Doing it yourself should be easier. But then, why spend a lot of time doing the back-breaking work when you can get the right help - and more?

Hiring a professional painter for Colorbond fencing or Monument roof projects provides many benefits. Their experience and knowledge help them tell you the different colours that work best for Monument and Woodland Grey. If these do not work, they can recommend other shades as well.

They can handle various painting jobs, from an exterior overhaul of a contemporary home to touch-ups for a fence or cladding. And with Airtasker, you can find the best house painter who meets your needs and suits your budget. All you have to do is:

1. Create a free account.

2. Post a task. Share what you need to be painted, your budget, and your timeline. You can also specify that you want to use Colorbond colours for your home.

3. Get proposals or reach out to registered painters near you.
   
   

If you’re still on the fence between Woodland Grey and Monument, feel free to revisit the table below and post a task when you’re ready.