Best Fence Paint: All You Need to Know

Revitalise your outdoor space and give it a glossy new look without breaking the bank by painting your fence. However, with so many types of paint on the market, knowing which one to pick can be tricky. Choose wisely and you'll have a stunningly attractive garden that will stand up to weathering for years!

In this article, we’ll explore the various options for the best fence paint – including factors such as durabilityfinishopacity and colour selection – as well as providing tips on what to look for when selecting a product that is right for the job and how to paint your garden fences.

So let's get started!

Best Fence Paint: Our Top Picks

Best Overall

Cuprinol 5 Year Ducksback

Cuprinol 5 Year Ducksback

Easy to apply, water-based, non-drip formula that provides long-lasting protection and rich colour with 5m² per litre coverage.

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Dries Quickly

Ronseal One Coat Fence Life

Ronseal One Coat Fence Life

Long-lasting all-weather protection, showerproofing in just one hour, wide range of colours with up to 6m² per litre coverage.

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Best Coverage

Johnstone's Garden Colours

Johnstone's Garden Colours

High-performance, fade-resistant paint that takes only 1-2 hours to dry, providing up to 12m² per litre of coverage.

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Versatile

Bartoline Matt Fencing Creocote

Bartoline Matt Fencing Creocote

Oil-based and ready-to-use solution with low VOC emissions with a coverage of up to 9m² per litre.

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What is the Best Fence Paint?

Before you start painting your fence, it’s important to understand the different types of paint available. Primarily, there are two different paint varieties: oil-based and water/latex-based:

Oil-based paints

Oil-based paints are renowned for their superior finish and lasting durability, though they can be more challenging to apply than water-based varieties.

Water-based paints

Water-based paints are more straightforward to apply than their oil-based counterparts, yet they lack the lasting durability of them. They tend to be shinier and provide a more ‘modern’ look than oil-based paints.

Product Base Coverage Finish
Cuprinol 5 Year Ducksback Water-based 5m² per litre Matt
Ronseal One Coat Fence Life Water-based 6m² per litre Matt
Wickes Shed & Fence Timbercare Water-based 6m² per litre Matt
Bartoline Matt Fencing Creocote Oil-based 9m² per litre Matt
Johnstone's Garden Colours Water-based 12m² per litre Matt

Cuprinol 5 Year Ducksback

Best Overall
Cuprinol 5 Year Ducksback Fence Paint

The Cuprinol 5 Year Ducksback Shed & Fence Treatment is the perfect solution for updating and protecting your outdoor space. Featuring a wax-enriched, water-repellent formula, it provides long-lasting protection from harsh weather conditions, while also adding a rich colour to enhance the look of any fence or shed.

  • Water-based
  • Non-drip
  • Easy-to-apply formula
  • Quick drying time of 2-4 hours
  • Coverage: 5m² per litre

Ronseal One Coat Fence Life

Dries Quickly
Ronseal One Coat Fence Life

Ronseal One Coat Fence Life is the ideal choice for reviving and protecting your shed or fence with a fresh look. It offers all-weather protection, rain, frost and snow being no match for its durable finish. Best of all, it won't fade in the sun and will remain vibrant for years to come.

  • Water-based
  • Easy to apply with a brush or spray
  • Showerproof in just one hour
  • Wide range of colours to choose from
  • Coverage: 6m² per litre

Wickes Shed & Fence Timbercare

Wickes Shed & Fence Timbercare Paint

Wickes Shed and Fence Timbercare provides long-lasting protection for exterior timber surfaces such as fences, sheds, and trellises. This formulation is fade and water-resistant with a three-year colour performance and protects against UV light and extremes of weather.

  • Water-based
  • Easy to apply - simply spread a thin, even layer using either a brush or roller
  • Fade and Water resistant
  • Low VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds)
  • Coverage: 6m² per litre

Bartoline Matt Fencing Creocote

Versatile
Bartoline Matt Fencing Creocote

Bartoline Creocote Wood Treatment is an ideal solution for protecting and preserving your outdoor space. It provides excellent surface water repellence and restricts weather damage, while also improving grain definition.

  • Oil-based
  • Ready to use, no mixing required
  • Suitable use type garden fences, sheds & trellis
  • Low VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds)
  • Coverage: 9m² per litre

Johnstone's Garden Colours

Best Coverage
Johnstone's Garden Colours Garden Fence Paint

Johnstone's Garden Colour is a high-quality, fade-resistant paint designed to bring vibrant colour and life to outdoor spaces. It has been specially formulated to withstand the harsh weather conditions found in gardens, ensuring that your painted surfaces stay looking fresh and vibrant for longer.

  • Water-based
  • Wide range of beautiful shades
  • Drying time 1-2 hours
  • Long-lasting protection for up to four years
  • Coverage: 12m² per litre

Benefits of Painting a Garden Fence

WEATHER PROTECTION

A new coat of paint can give your fence a beautiful makeover, but it does more than just that: painting helps protect the exterior wood from the elements and extends its lifespan.

ENHANCE CURB APPEAL

A new coat of fence paint can transform the appearance of your outdoor area, giving it a vivacious splash of colour and inviting charm.

INCREASE HOME VALUE

Sprucing up your wooden fence with a fresh coat of paint is an affordable and simple way to boost the value of your home, making it more desirable for prospective buyers - well worth the investment then we say!

Factors to Consider

Ultimately, no single answer will suit all; instead, just remember to trust your own judgement and do what looks best for you - it'll look great so don't worry!

DURABILITY

When selecting paint, ensure that it is resilient enough to endure the elements; rain, wind and extreme temperatures should not be able to affect its integrity.

FINISH

Your paint finish is an important choice – should you pick a glossy or matte look? Make sure to consider your options thoroughly!

OPACITY

The opacity and coverage of the paint will determine the quality of the finish. If you choose a poor-quality paint, it is more likely to fade quickly due to weathering, ultraviolet light, or wear and tear. It is also important to select a fence paint with an impressive coverage rate so that fewer coats need to be applied for a better finish.

COLOUR SELECTION

The decision to choose the perfect shade of paint for your fence is ultimately yours, and should be based on how you wish your exterior space to appear. But it’s also important that other elements found in or around your garden - such as the colour of the house - are taken into account when making this selection.

Preparing the Surface

Before you get to painting, it's important to prepare the surface by following these steps...

Clean the wood
First and foremost, you will need to give the fence a good scrub down with some warm soapy water and a soft brush or cloth. This will get rid of any dirt and grime that has accumulated on your fence over time.

Sand down the wood
You should also sand down the wood to give it a nice smooth finish before you start painting. Start with a medium-grit sandpaper to get rid of any splinters or rough patches, then move onto a finer grit for an even smoother finish.

Remove any existing paint
If your fence has been previously painted, you will need to remove any old or peeling paint before adding a new coat. Use a wire brush or chemical stripper to get rid of the old paint, then use sandpaper to smooth out any remaining residue.

Prime the wood
Once you have cleaned, sanded and removed the old paint from your fence, you should apply a primer coat to ensure that the new paint will adhere properly. A good quality primer is essential for getting the best possible finish when painting.

Paint
Now it’s time to get busy with the brush! Make sure to use a high-quality outdoor paint that is suitable for the type of wood you’re working with. Apply two coats of paint if necessary, and leave it to dry in between applications.

How to Paint Garden Fences

For an outstanding finish, a paint sprayer is your best bet.

Commonly Asked Questions

If you coat each side of a 6x6 panel with one layer of fence paint, you should be able to cover approximately four to five panels. The exact number of how much paint will depend on the intensity and coverage of the particular brand or type being used.

For an ideal finish, two coats of paint should be applied. Give the first coat sufficient time to dry before putting on the second one.

On average, oil-based paints will last between five and seven years. Water-based fence paint can last up to 10 years if applied correctly.

Yes! Fence paint can be used for both fencing and decking, however, some paints are specifically designed for the material of each. Make sure to double-check which type you need to get the best result.

You can, but to ensure that your finish stands the test of time, you will want to clean and properly prepare your fence before painting. Utilise a wire brush or green mould remover from your local hardware store to remove as much algae as possible – doing so provides an ideal base for long-lasting paint application.

Asphalt fence paint is a special type of paint that has been designed for wooden fences, providing them with a protective layer to prolong the life and look of your outdoor space.

To efficiently rid your fence of its paint, start by using a wire brush or putty knife to scrape off any weakly adhering layers. You may also benefit from pressure washing as an alternative. Next, slather the area with paint stripper and leave it on for approximately 10-15 minutes so that it can do its job! Finally, rinse the wood and let it dry before painting over the newly stripped surface - all while wearing protective eyewear and clothing to safeguard yourself against hazardous fumes.

Summary

Overall, painting your fence is a great way to update the look of your outdoor space and protect it from wear and tear. When selecting the optimal paint for your project, take into account aspects like longevityfinish typetransparency and colour range to ensure you make an educated decision.

And don't forget to prepare the surface before applying any coats – this will help ensure that your chosen paint adheres more effectively to the surface!

Now go ahead - get out there and unleash your inner Picasso!

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