At long last, winter is coming to a close. We’re all itching to get back into the garden to start making our outdoor areas look even better than last year.
After a few months of rain, wind, and snow, the wood surfaces in our gardens are looking worse for wear. Our fences, sheds, decking, and more all need some TLC, and we have the perfect paint for the job.
So for a special series of blogs we’re going to talk about the best paint for wood, which surfaces need the most love, and how to get the perfect finish every time. Part one will cover the best decking paint and best fence paint, so if this isn’t what you’re looking for first, keep an eye out for the next parts that will have all the hints and tips you need!
What is the Best Exterior Wood Paint?
The short answer? Our paint! We only supply the highest quality paints available, all at reasonable prices. That’s why we’re loved by both professionals and domestic painters.
Painting wooden surfaces is the best way to preserve them. Oils and varnishes work well too and are ideal if you prefer the more natural look, but they can’t hold a candle to a tin of quality wood paint. However, there are many types of wood paint to choose from, all with their own pros and cons. Some will work better than others, and when you’re painting a large surface like a fence gate, you want it to be spot on and last for a long time.
Thankfully, your choice of paint becomes much easier once you’ve decided on what you want to paint.
Best Paint for Decking
Let’s start with the big one. Our decks go through a lot, not only rain and wind, but plenty of foot traffic when the weather is nicer. They’re also more at risk of insect and fungal attack, something that some paints and stains don’t help with.
Another issue is standing water. Unlike our fences and sheds, which have mostly vertical surfaces that don’t form puddles, decking will often be covered in water after it rains. Brushing water away is a great way to preserve your decking, but this only works for so long, and if you miss a few days you’ll start to lose the battle.
To help with this, you need a the best decking paint that’s tough and weatherproof. Our trade paints are ready to take on even the toughest conditions, and we have two main types to choose from.
The first is our water-based wood stain. If you’re a beginner, this is the perfect paint for not just your decking, but other wood surfaces as well. It’s easy to use, dries quickly, and is free from any harmful odours and VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds), which can still be an issue even when painting outside. The main downside of water-based paint is its lack of durability, but it’ll still look great for a long time.
If durability is what you want, our oil-based wood stain is the one you need. Its oil-based compound makes it repel standing water, so that it can’t soak into the surface and damage it from the inside. But oil-based wood stains aren’t ideal for everyone. They’re trickier to get the best out of compared to water-based wood paints, take longer to dry completely, so you’ll have to keep an eye on the weather, and it does have some harmful VOCs, always check the tin carefully before you get started.
Best Colour for Decking
Once you know which paint is best for your needs, it’s time for the most important decision of all: choosing the best colour for decking.
With a lot of our exterior paints, you’re spoiled for choice when it comes to colour. However, in the case of our exterior wood stains, things are much more black and white, or brown and green in this particular case.
Very few people push the boat out when painting their decking. You want a colour that isn’t too bold and instead complements the rest of your garden. Our exterior wood stain comes in three shades: dark wood brown, dark green, and clear. The first two are classic choices for decking, very natural shades that suit your flowery borders and green grass. Both types of paint are semi-transparent, meaning the natural wood grain will show through, and it won’t have that plasticky look that some paints create.
There’s also our clear wood stain. This is one of our most popular options, as many decorators love the natural look for their decking. A clear exterior stain enhances the colour of the wood but still protects it from the elements.
Once your paint has arrived and you’re ready to get to work, check out our decking painting guide to help you get the best results possible. And remember that the paint you use will work on other wooden surfaces, so it’s often worth buying a large supply. Speaking of other surfaces…
Best Paint for Fences
Painting a fence is one of the most satisfying painting projects you can do. As you follow each board with your fence paint brush or roller, you’ll transform your tired old fence into one that looks better than new. But only if you have the right fence paint.
As with decking, you have two types to choose from. Water-based paints for easy application and fast drying and oil-based paints for extra toughness and a slightly glossier finish.
Your fences will look great no matter which fence paint you choose, but there’s one extra product we provide that will make them look even better.
Our multi-purpose primer is the best way to enhance the look of your fences. Exterior surfaces can be difficult to paint, especially fences. This is because their rough grain makes it tough to get an even coverage without using excessive amounts of paint. And if you don’t clean the surface thoroughly enough beforehand, any imperfections and dirt will show through no matter how many layers you apply.
A multi-purpose primer puts a layer between the exposed surface and the paint itself. This adds extra protection against the weather, as well as insects and fungi, and makes it much easier to paint onto the surface. When the paint isn’t soaking into the wood, and instead clings to the dry primer, it makes the colour you chose stand out more and guarantees an even finish.
Just like with decking, we have a fence painting guide that will teach you more about the best exterior wood paint options and give you a few pointers for when you first dip your brush.
More about Exterior Wood Paint
As we said at the start of this blog, this is only part one of our exterior wood painting series. Keep an eye out for the best exterior wood paint part 2, where we’ll be diving into the world of painting sheds and garden furniture.
And if you have any questions in the meantime, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
