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Agate Grey vs Painswick: What is the Difference?
Agate Grey vs Painswick: What is the Difference?
Clearing up the biggest colour confusion in the UK glazing industry. Are Agate Grey and Painswick the same? We break down the true RAL colour, the origins of the name, and how to match your windows and doors perfectly.
What is the difference between Agate Grey and Painswick?
Agate Grey is the official name for RAL 7038, while Painswick is a colour name used by The Residence Collection and Solidor.
The names are closely associated with the same soft grey colour family, but that does not guarantee an exact visual match across different window and door manufacturers. The finish, material, surface texture and manufacturing process can affect how the colour looks. If you are combining Agate Grey windows with a Painswick front door, we recommend comparing physical samples before ordering to check that the finishes work well together.
If you are currently renovating your home, you have likely run into a frustrating roadblock. You found the perfect “Painswick” composite front door, but your local window installer says they can only supply uPVC frames in “Agate Grey.” Will they match? Will they look odd together?
In this guide, KJM Group breaks down the origins of the name, what the colour actually looks like, and how to ensure your new windows and doors match flawlessly.
Page Contents
1. Where Did the Name ‘Painswick’ Come From?
In the architectural world, paint colours are standardised globally using the RAL matching system. The official, universal name for RAL 7038 is Agate Grey.
However, when the premium timber-alternative brand The Residence Collection External Link (famous for their flush R9 windows) launched this colour foil over a decade ago, they wanted a name that sounded traditional, luxurious, and uniquely British.
They looked to their local surroundings in Gloucestershire and named the colour after the historic Cotswold village of Painswick External Link, famous for its pale stone buildings. The name sounded much more appealing to homeowners than a standard industrial RAL code. It sat beautifully alongside their other heritage colours like “Chartwell Green” and “Cotswold Biscuit.”
Since then, Solidor External Link has also used the name Painswick for their composite door slabs. Because these two premium brands are so incredibly popular across the UK, “Painswick” entered the public vocabulary as a standalone colour.
2. Is it Grey or is it Green?
RAL 7038 (Agate Grey / Painswick)
A pale, soft grey with highly subtle sage-green undertones. It sits warmly between standard French Grey and Pebble Grey.
This is the most common question we get in the KJM showroom. Officially, RAL 7038 is classified as a grey. However, it is a “chameleon” colour. Depending on the time of day, the weather, and the colour of your brickwork, it can easily take on a distinct green hue.
This chameleon effect is exactly why it was named after the village of Painswick; it perfectly mirrors the natural, mossy tones of aged Cotswold stone.
3. The Brand Matching Guide
To help you navigate your home renovation, here is a quick reference guide showing how different sectors of the UK glazing industry refer to this exact same RAL 7038 colour.
| Product or Manufacturer | What to Check |
|---|---|
| Residence Collection windows | Painswick finish and current product colour options |
| Solidor composite doors | Painswick finish for the specific door range |
| uPVC windows | Whether Agate Grey is offered and which foil or finish is supplied |
| Aluminium windows and bifold doors | Whether RAL 7038 is available as a powder-coated finish |
| Garage doors and paint | Confirm the manufacturer’s colour reference, finish and available matching options |
⚠️ A Crucial Note on Textures (Foils vs. Paint)
While the base colour is identical, the texture can slightly alter how the light hits it. An Agate Grey uPVC window with a grained “wood-foil” finish may look similar to a Painswick Residence 9 window (which also uses a foil). However, if you place it directly next to a perfectly smooth, powder-coated aluminium bi-fold door in RAL 7038, the flat metal may look slightly brighter or cooler due to the lack of grain shadowing.
4. Why is Agate Grey/Painswick So Popular?
For the last decade, Anthracite Grey (RAL 7016) has been a very popular choice in the UK window and door market. However, many homeowners are now finding dark grey a bit too harsh, heavy, or “industrial” for traditional British properties.
Agate Grey offers an architectural compromise. It provides the modern, updated look of a grey window, but its soft, earthy green undertones make it incredibly forgiving. It harmonizes beautifully with:
- Traditional red or orange brickwork.
- Natural stone and flint facades.
- Clean, white K-Rend (modern render).
- Oak porches and timber cladding.
5. Local Insight: Hampshire Homes
🏡 Perfect for Hampshire Architecture
In our recent installations across Hampshire, Agate Grey has been one of our most popular premium colour choices. It is particularly popular for homeowners looking to upgrade the windows on rural cottages or mid-century homes without losing the property’s heritage character. Pairing an Agate Grey Flush Casement window with a Painswick Solidor front door can create high-end kerb appeal. Consider an Agate Grey or Painswick bifold door instead of black or anthracite grey for your extension!
6. Frequently Asked Questions
Agate Grey is the standard name for RAL 7038, while Painswick is a colour name used by some window and door manufacturers. They are associated with the same colour reference, but the finished appearance can vary between products and materials.
Painswick is commonly associated with RAL 7038 Agate Grey. However, a manufacturer’s Painswick finish should not automatically be assumed to be an exact match for every RAL 7038 paint, foil or powder-coated finish.
They may complement each other well, but an exact match is not guaranteed. Differences in materials, surface textures and finishes can affect the appearance. We recommend viewing physical samples together in natural daylight before placing an order.
While you can ask your garage door supplier for options in RAL 7038, you should always confirm the finish with your chosen manufacturer. Do not assume that ordering RAL 7038 will guarantee a perfect match without checking a physical sample first.
📚 Explore Our Colour & Style Hub
Want to see Agate Grey in person?
Colour swatches on a screen can be deceiving. Visit the KJM Group showroom in Andover to see physical Agate Grey and Painswick window and door samples in natural daylight so you can confidently compare their finishes.
Contact Our Team
Mark Pearce is a highly experienced specialist in the double glazing industry, having built his knowledge from the ground up through hands-on experience in installation, manufacturing, sales, and business management. Beyond his role at KJM, Mark is a keen blogger, writer, and traveller, often sharing insights on the latest innovations in the home improvement industry.
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