Armadillo → Valspar
The closest Valspar matches for Behr Armadillo (PPU5-02), ranked by perceptual color distance.
Finding a Valspar Equivalent for Armadillo
If you love Behr Armadillo but need a Valspar alternative, you are not alone. This is one of the most common cross-brand paint matching searches, whether you are working with a painter who prefers Valspar, your local store does not carry Behr, or you simply want to compare prices across brands before committing.
Armadillo (PPU5-02) is a dark brown with warm earthy brown undertones. A warm, earthy brown-gray. Named for the armored animal, it carries a tough, natural quality. Deeper than Hazelwood. To find a good Valspar match, we need a color that captures not just the right depth (LRV 17) but also that specific undertone character. That is where Delta E color science comes in.
We calculated the perceptual color distance between Armadillo and every Valspar color using the CIE2000 Delta E formula, which measures how different two colors look to the human eye. A Delta E under 2 means most people cannot tell the colors apart. Between 2 and 4, you might notice a difference in certain lighting. Above 5, the difference is clearly visible side by side.
The good news: there is a strong Valspar match for Armadillo. Timber Dust (VR078D) comes in with a Delta E of 2.5, which puts it in the "excellent match" range. Timber Dust is the closest Valspar option. Very close match.
Valspar Matches for Armadillo
Timber Dust is the closest Valspar option. Very close match.
| Armadillo | Timber Dust | |
|---|---|---|
| LRV | 17 | 20 |
| Hex | #8C8276 | #958D83 |
| Undertone | Warm Earthy Brown | Warm Timber Brown |
| Family | Brown | Brown |
Undertone Comparison
Armadillo has warm earthy brown undertones. A warm, earthy brown-gray. Named for the armored animal, it carries a tough, natural quality. Deeper than Hazelwood.
Timber Dust has warm timber brown undertones. A warm, woody brown with sawdust quality. Darker than Frappe, lighter than London Coach. Organic and crafted.
These two colors share the same undertone family, which is a good sign for a cross-brand swap. The undertone similarity means they will behave similarly as lighting changes throughout the day, and they should coordinate well with the same accent colors, trim, and furnishings.
How These Colors Behave in Different Lighting
Armadillo in Your Room
Warm and earthy. In bright rooms, the warm brown shows. In dim rooms, a warm dark neutral.
Timber Dust in Your Room
Warm and woody. In bright rooms, the brown is visible. In dim rooms, a warm dark neutral.
LRV and Brightness
Armadillo has an LRV of 17, while Timber Dust has an LRV of 20. These two colors reflect a very similar amount of light, so you should not notice a significant difference in room brightness when switching between them. The room will feel approximately the same in terms of light and space, which makes this a smoother transition.
Best Rooms for Armadillo
Behr recommends Armadillo for: accent wall, exterior, office, dining room, kitchen cabinets. With an LRV of 17, this is a dark color that absorbs more light than it reflects. It makes a bold statement and works beautifully on accent walls, front doors, exterior trim, and features where drama is the goal. In a full room, make sure you have good lighting and bright white trim for contrast.
Timber Dust is recommended for: accent wall, exterior, office, dining room, cabinets. Both colors are recommended for similar applications, which confirms that this is a practical cross-brand match. You can use Timber Dust in the same rooms you planned for Armadillo.
Armadillo in Other Brands
Looking for Armadillo equivalents in other brands besides Valspar? We have matches across all major paint brands.
Frequently Asked Questions
The closest Valspar match for Armadillo (PPU5-02) is Timber Dust (VR078D) with a Delta E of 2.5, which rates as a "excellent match" match. Timber Dust is the closest Valspar option. Very close match. Delta E measures perceptual color distance on a scale where under 2 means nearly identical, 2 to 4 means close with subtle differences, and over 5 means clearly noticeable.
No, they are not identical. Armadillo is a Behr color with warm earthy brown undertones and an LRV of 17. Timber Dust is a Valspar color with warm timber brown undertones and an LRV of 20. With a Delta E of 2.5, the difference is subtle and mainly visible in direct side-by-side comparison. Paint formulations differ between brands, so even colors with similar values can look slightly different due to pigment concentration, binders, and finish.
With a Delta E of 2.5, these colors are close enough to use in separate rooms of the same house without a jarring difference. However, avoid painting them on adjacent walls in the same room, as even subtle differences become apparent at a hard edge where two paints meet. For the smoothest result, use one brand consistently within each connected space and reserve the other brand for rooms that are visually separated.
There are several practical reasons to look for a Valspar equivalent. Price differences between brands can be significant on large projects. Availability matters if your nearest paint store or home center specializes in Valspar. Some painters have strong preferences for one brand's formula based on coverage, dry time, or workability. And if you are touching up existing Valspar work, matching within the same brand gives you the best consistency for seamless results.
Match calculations use Delta E (CIE2000) computed from Lab color space conversion. Color data sourced from manufacturer specifications. Last reviewed: March 22, 2026.