Fence paint: a cost-effective add-on
A new fence is an investment in time, labour and expense you’ll want to protect. Finishing its installation with a coat of fence paint makes sense.
A good quality fence paint adds colour and weather protection to your posts and panels in just one coat. It has a wax component to repel water and UV protection to prevent colour fade.
We recommend you choose paint made for the job like Ronseal Trade Fencing Stain – it’s a quick-drying protective stain that’s ideal for rough-sawn fencing timber. Importantly, it will protect your fence panels and posts for at least 5 years, making a tin or two a sensible add-on cost.
How much fence paint will I need?
To give you a rough idea, you’ll need just over half a litre of fence paint for a 10 metre length of panels 1.2 high (or 6 feet) and it’ll take you 4-7 hours to do the job – depending on whether you’ve got helping hands or a sprayer.
If you buy water-based fence paint your brushes can be washed in warm soapy water. But remember, even water-based left over stain should not go down the drain or into watercourses – you’ll need to take it next time you go to your nearest local authority waste facility.
Tips on painting wooden fence panels
- Paint dries better in warm conditions so wait for a good day if possible
- Use a power sprayer if you are short of time
- Use horizontal strokes for overlap panels, and vertical strokes for feather edge panels; basically, follow the direction of the wood grain for the best finish
- Prepare for inevitable splashes – use googles, gloves and protect any existing plants or paving you don’t want spattered.
Fence paint colours: a guide
Tried and tested colours tend to work best – and are easy to get hold of when you want to freshen up the look of your fence.
Tudor Black Oak : a classic, traditional colour (strangely enough, black fences ‘disappear’ so a great choice if you want it to blend into the background behind foliage)
Dark Oak: Warm, rich dark brown to contrast with pale sandstone paving
Medium Oak: a neutral natural brown to coordinate with garden furniture
Cedar: a strong, bright colour for shady gardens
Forest Green: fresh, natural, and perfect for lifting an urban garden
More landscaping tips from the Turnbull team
Just starting a fencing project and fitting fence panels for the first time? Here’s our quick 5 minute read to buying fencing materials.
Fencing and landscaping supplies delivered to your door
FREE delivery for fence paint, panels, posts, Postcrete and fixings – everything you need for a fencing project is available within a 20 mile radius of one of our branches. We deliver Monday to Friday, between 8am and 5pm and within 5 working days from time of receiving your order.