Good quality garden fence paint protects your wooden fence from rotting, warping, cracking and fading. Even if built your fence with treated wood, adding a coat of outdoor-rated paint on top provides extra protection.
When to paint your fence. The summer months are the best time to do this, as it's dry and will allow the paint to set better. It's always recommended to check the weather forecast for at least 24 hours prior to applying paint as you should only paint your fence in dry conditions above 5°C. Brush off loose dirt and protect surrounding area with a plastic dust sheet. Step 2 Use a roller to paint all the flat surfaces and a brush for the edges and fiddly bits. To determine the best paint rollers for your needs, consider the size, shape and roughness of the surface to be painted. Compared to paint brushes, rollers can provide a coat of paint with a particularly smooth finish whether using a natural or synthetic fabric cover. Need help identifying paint supplies? URATOT 6 Pieces Fence Brush Paint Brush Set, Decorating Brushes for Furniture, Wall Painting, and No Loss of Bristle Suitable for All Paints 5.0 out of 5 stars 2 £10.99 £ 10. The Monarch 100mm Fence Brush features a plastic handle, and is ideal for coarse timber application on decks, fences and pergolas. Suitable for all paint types, the Monarch 100mm Fence Brush presents great value for the budget conscious DIY enthusiast.
In this buying guide, I recommend the best garden fence paints in the UK, and give you some tips on how to choose the right one for your fence.
By the way, these paints are not just great for fences; most of them also work great on wooden sheds, outdoor furniture and decking.
What You'll Learn Today
- Key Considerations When Choosing Garden Fence Paint
- Best Garden Fence Paint: Top 5 Reviews
Key Considerations When Choosing Garden Fence Paint
A. UV and Moisture Protection
UV and water are the most damaging elements to a wooden fence, even the best one. UV will age, discolour and fade the wood, while water will cause warping and rotting.
Look for garden fence paint that provides UV protection. This ensures the fence retains its colour and finish for years.
The paint should also provide a waterproof or water resistant layer that protects the wood underneath from moisture damage.
B. Amount
Buy an amount of paint that will be just enough for your garden fence. Because you won’t need to reapply the paint for several years, there’s no point buying a lot of paint and have the leftover sitting in storage for years.
Garden fence paint comes in amounts ranging from small 1L cans to large 9 or 10 litre buckets. The ideal amount depends on the size of your fence and the coverage the paint provides.
C. Method of Application (Brush, Roller or Sprayer)
Most garden fence paints can be applied using a normal brush or a roller brush.
If you have a large fence to paint, I recommend looking for paint that can be put in a sprayer. Spraying the paint allows you to cover a large area in less time and with less effort.
D. Lifespan
How many years of protection does the paint offer? The longer, the better.
The minimum lifespan to go for is 3 years. Paint with a shorter lifespan will require frequent re-application, costing you more money in the long run.
Some premium garden fence paints have a longer lifespan of 5-10 years. These are ideal if you want to apply the paint once and forget about it for years.
E. Coverage and No. of Coats
Check how many square metres a litre of paint or the entire can will cover. Wider coverage means a single can will cover a larger area. If you have a large fence to paint, a wide-coverage paint will save you money.
Also, check the number of coats you need to get full protection from the elements. Most garden fence paints today are single-coat, which saves you money.
However, if your fence is in bad shape, you may need two coats to fully restore it.
F. Colour and Finish
Garden fence paints come in a variety of colours and finishes with names like harvest gold, botanical retreat and forest green. The best choice comes down to your preferences and the state of the fence.
If you like how your fence looks and you just want to add a layer of water and UV protection, look for clear paint, though that’s hard to find. Most clear paints are actually preservers or stains.
If you are looking to refresh your fence while adding a protective coat, choose whichever colour you love.
Also, check whether the paint has a glossy or matte finish.
G. Safe for Plants
If you have a kitchen or flower garden near the fence, look for a non-toxic paint that’s safe for plants. Most plant-safe paints are water-based.
A plant-safe paint is also the best choice for use on garden gates, railings and fences.
Best Garden Fence Paint: Top 5 Reviews
1. Johnstones Woodcare One Coat Shed & Fence Paint, 9L
If you have a large fence, I recommend this 9L bucket of shed and fence paint. It’s available in forest green, dark oak, red cedar and golden chestnut.
The Johnstonespaint provides colour, moisture and UV protection to outdoor wooden surfaces including fences, railing and sheds.
The protection lasts about three years. But if you live in a place with extreme weather, you may need to apply a new coat sooner.
As the name suggests, a single coat is enough to protect your fence from water and UV. But some customers preferred the smoother look of a second coat. Two coats also provide extra protection in extreme climates.
If you decide to apply two coats, two hours of drying time between the coats is adequate.
The best way to apply it is using a brush or roller. You can spray it, but you may need to thin it down. In that case, you’ll need to apply at least two coats.
What I like about it:
- Multiple colour options.
- 3-year moisture and UV protection.
- Large bucket – ideal for large fences or a shed.
- Single coat application.
2. Cuprinol Garden Shades, 2.5L
If you are looking for a smaller can of fence paint, get the 2.5L Cuprinol Garden Shades paint. It’s available in a wide variety of colours including willow, pale jasmine, seagrass and seasoned oak.
The paint is not just good for wooden surfaces. It can also be applied on brick, stone and terracotta.
Most customers found two coats to be perfect for a beautiful finish. That’s enough to protect the surface from fading, discolouration, pests and rot for up to 6 years.
The Cuprinol paint is water-based, making it a safe choice for fences that are near plants. It’s also safe for pets.
Application is easy. You can use a bristle brush, a roller brush or put the paint in a sprayer. The sprayer option is great for covering a large area quickly.
What I like about it:
- Safe for plants and pets.
- Long lasting protection from moisture and UV – 6 years.
- Multiple way to apply it – brush, roller or spray.
- Available in many colours.
3. Johnstone’s 309286 Garden Colours, 2.5L
The Johnstone’s Garden Colours paint is another good choice if you are looking for a plant-safe paint. Once it dries, it’s harmless to plant and pets.
What I love most about the Johnstone’s Garden Colours is how versatile it is. It is suitable for just about anything in your garden, not just the fence. This includes furniture, sheds, railing, decks and storage boxes.
In most cases, a single coat is enough, though applying two coats won’t hurt. A 2-4 hour drying time between applications is adequate.
The best way to apply it is using a brush. The manufacturer doesn’t say anything about putting it in a sprayer, but several customers used a sprayer with great results.
A single application lasts 3-4 years, after when you can apply a fresh coat on top.
What I like about it:
- Available in over a dozen colours.
- 3-4 year lifespan.
- Single coat application.
- Suitable for different kinds of outdoor wooden surfaces.
4. Ronseal One Coat Quick Dry Garden Shed & Fence Paint, 5L
If you are shopping on a budget, I recommend the Ronseal One Coat fence and shed paint. It costs less than the 2.5L cans above, though it has a shorter lifespan.
This 5-litre bucket of Ronseal quick dry fence paint is ideal for 30 square metres of fence. Each litre covers about 6 square metres.
For a standard 2m high fence, this bucket should be enough for 15m of fence length.
You only need one coat to get a beautiful smooth finish with a lifespan of about two years. The paint’s consistency is light enough that you can apply using a brush or sprayer.
There are half a dozen colours to choose from including red cedar, harvest gold and forest green.
What I like about it:
- Dries quickly – 1 to 2 hours.
- Wide coverage.
- Low price for a 5L bucket.
- One coat application.
5. Roxil Wood Protection Cream, 1L
Paint Brush Images
This one’s a bit pricey, but that’s because it’s not really a paint. Instead, it’s a wood protection cream that provides 100% waterproof protection. It is the best choice if you want to weatherproof your garden fence and other surfaces such as garden furniture and decking.
The white cream easily spreads on a wood surface using a brush or roller. A single coat provides 10 years of weather protection.
For best results, I recommend scrubbing or power washing the fence (or whichever surface you are applying the cream on) to get rid of dirt, mould and mildew. A clean surface absorbs the cream much better.
Note that the cream doesn’t change the colour of surfaces. It can reduce a greyed appearance and give your fence and furniture a beautiful sheen, but the natural character and colour of the wood still comes through.
Again, the Roxil wood protection cream is expensive, even more so if you plan to use it on the fence. You’ll probably need several of the 1-litre cans. A single can is good for 4-5 square meters.
But considering the level of weather protection it offers and its 10-year lifespan, I think it’s worth it. Your furniture, fence or deck will look better and last longer.
What I like about it:
Best Brush For Latex Paint
- Excellent weather protection.
- 10-year lifespan.
- Easy to apply.
Professional painters call the process of scraping, cleaning and masking for paint jobs “prepping.” Whenever you use a paint sprayer, prepping should involve drop cloths to protect surrounding vegetation, sidewalks and landscape features. Trim back any grass, weeds, trees or bushes that are in contact with the fence. This exposes all of the fence’s surfaces and ensures a clean and complete finish. Don't forget to put a drop cloth immediately under the section of the fence you're painting to catch drips. If your fence has been previously painted, prepping also includes scraping off all peeling or chipping paint. Repair or replace any damaged portions of the fence. Check for loose nails or screws and reseat them.A Wagner Paint EATER and Wagner Heat Gun can help with this process - see our DIY project on how to remove paint from wood for more instructions. Most importantly, having a surface that's as uniform as possible will give you the best results. And if you're painting over a darker color paint with a lighter one, then you might need to spray a coat of primer first. Lastly, use a counter brush to remove any dust, cobwebs or debris from the wood surface and trellis work. A power washer can also get the job done quickly and efficiently, but remember to let the fence thoroughly dry before applying paint. If the fence needs repairs, it's better to do these before you start paint spraying so you can hide any new screws or wood filler.