Summer is on the horizon, and we’re finally free from May’s unpredictable weather. As it gets sunnier, and the breeze becomes slighter, it’s the perfect time get out in the garden for some external painting.
But what is the best external paint? Today we’re going to talk about what outdoor surfaces you can paint, and which products suit them best.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- External surfaces need paint that looks great and protects the surface
- Stone, metal, and wood can all be painted
- There are a range of paint options available, giving you plenty of options
External Masonry Paint
Let’s start with the big one. Painting your stone surfaces is the best way to make them look better than new. Replacing stone slabs is expensive; replacing stone walls is even more so. A fresh coat of external paint is all they need to look good.
Here are the masonry surfaces you can paint:
- Bricks
- Stone Walls
- Granite
- Marble
- Adobe
- Cast Stone
- Concrete
- Glass Blocks
That’s a lot to choose from, so to get the best value for money, you need a paint that works best on all masonry surfaces.
Our Weathermaster masonry paint works on a range of masonry surfaces. Unlike other masonry paints, it is UVA fade-resistant and contains a fungicide that prohibits mould and algae growth in damp areas.
The latter is one of the biggest issues with masonry and can be unavoidable even if you keep your masonry clean. Our external masonry paint isn’t just for improving the look of the surface, but also protects it for years after it’s been applied.
Our acrylic masonry paint is another great option for your exterior surfaces. It is a durable acrylic resin that provides great protection from the elements. As it is part of our Colour System, we can create any colour you like, simply enter any RAL or British Standard code and we’ll mix the perfect colour for your masonry.
External Concrete Paint
External concrete surfaces can also be painted with our acrylic masonry paint or Weathermaster paint.
Most masonry surfaces are similar in design. They need a paint that is breathable and also protects the surface from standing water. This is especially important for patio slabs, as they often end up with pools of water that needs to be brushed away. Even in sheltered areas, in bad weather puddles are inevitable.
Concrete can also be painted with specialised external concrete paint. This can provide better protection, but a universal masonry paint can be used on multiple surfaces, including walls, so it’s often the best investment if you’re doing a lot of external painting this summer.
Speaking of walls, some masonry paints are better for vertical surfaces than horizontal ones. Specialist external wall paint doesn’t protect against standing water, as this isn’t an issue for walls. This is something to keep in mind if you consider painting multiple external surfaces with the same paint product.
External Wood Paint
That’s enough about stone, now let’s talk about wood. External wood surfaces need quality paint that looks great and protects the surface.
Wood surfaces you can paint include:
- Fences
- Sheds
- Garden Furniture
Our selection of satinwood paint gives you a lot of flexibility for your external painting. If preservation is your biggest concern, our oil-based satinwood paint is perfect for multiple outdoor surfaces. It lasts longer than any other variety, and as you’re using it outside, you don’t have to worry about fumes.
The downside of oil-based paints is that they are trickier to apply if you’re a beginner. Rough wooden surfaces like sheds and fences only increase the trickiness, but thankfully there’s a great alternative.
As is the case with most painting projects, there’s an acrylic option. Acrylic paints not only provide the boldest colours and excellent surface protection but are also some of the easiest paints to apply. Specifically for the best fence paint, you could use our acrylic fence paint.
Our acrylic satinwood is part of our Colour System too, meaning it can be any shade imaginable to match your garden.
External Wood Stain
Unlike other external surfaces, wood isn’t just limited to fence paint. Many people prefer a natural look for their fences or shed, without sacrificing the protection paint provides.
Wood stain is a seal, rather than a paint, meaning that once applied, the wood surface looks natural. The wood grain shows through, but is still resistant to weather, wear, insects, and fungi.
Wood stains come in a small selection of colours, so acrylic wood stain may be best if you have something particular in mind.
Another Positive to using wood stain would be the fact that it is quicker than using fence paint, especially if you use a roller and a fence paint brush.
External Wood Varnish
Another option is our polyurethane varnish. Similar to stain, this seals the surface, allowing the wood grain to show through.
However, unlike wood stain, our polyurethane varnish is completely clear. You apply it to the wood surface, and it looks like it hasn’t been painted. But this is just an illusion, and in fact your fence, shed, or furniture is completely protected.
External Metal Paint
The final paintable material you’ll find in your garden is metal. Fence gates, metal furniture, even the hinges and handles on wooden gates. If these surfaces are neglected, they’ll stand out, and not in the way you want them to.
A quality metal paint needs to protect the surface from rust. This is the biggest challenge you face with metal that is exposed to the elements. Metal paint preserves this, making it rust resistant for years.
The smoother metal surface means that regular paint won’t cling to it, even if paired with a primer. Specialist metal paint is the way to go and will save you from a costly correction when inferior paint runs or looks streaky.
The UK’s Most Trusted Paint Supplier
As the weather gets warmer, we’re all itching to get outside for some exterior painting. But as keen as you may be, it’s important to understand which external paint is best for your project.
We’re the no.1 choice for tradespeople, with large quantities of paint available at competitive prices, and we’re loved by domestic painters too!
Check out our blog for more information, advice and guides about all things painting. If you have any questions about any of our products, please get in touch.
We look forward to hearing from you.
