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Best fence paint 2024
The best fence paint adds character to your garden and helps to make it look smarter, bigger and well looked after.
We tested fence paints from popular brands such as Cuprinol, Ronseal, Wickes, Wilko and more to find out which can best resist tough, wintry weather.
For consistency, for our testing we used the black and grey fence paints from all the brands.
All of the fence paints we've tested have proved equally durable to date, but we have found some easier to mix and paint on to fences than others, and the drying times and numbers of coats needed do vary.
The best fence paint
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| Fence paint | Durability and wash resistance | Ease of application | Number of coats specified | Number of colours | Where to buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Very easy | |||||
| Very easy | |||||
| Very easy | |||||
| Average | |||||
| Average | |||||
| Average | |||||
| Average |
Date tested: March 2024. Page last checked March 2024. We're not able to show every retailer and cheaper prices may be available.
The fence paint we tested
All those we've tested are listed in alphabetical order below.
Only logged-in Which? members can view the best fence paint from our tests.
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Cuprinol 5 Year Ducksback Matt Shed & Fence Treatment
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Need to know Water based, suitable for rough surfaces, 2-3 coats specified, 2-4 hours drying time per coat, non-drip, matt finish, approximately 3 metres squared coverage per litre, can be used with a brush or roller, claims five years of protection. Colours available: autumn brown, autumn gold, black, black gloss, forest green, forest oak, graphite, harvest brown, racing green gloss, rich cedar, silver copse, white
HQC Fence Paint Matt Smooth Emulsion Garden Paint
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Need to know Water based, suitable for rough or smooth surfaces, 2 coats specified, 4-6 hours drying time per coat, non-drip, matt finish, approximately 6-8 metres squared coverage per litre, can be used with a brush, roller or sprayer. Colours available: black, white, dark brown, leaf brown, light grey, classic grey, dove grey, duck egg, light blue, pale blue, marina blue, ivory, baby pink, racing green, sage green, terracotta, sandstone, light beige, bagels, magnolia, red brick, pine forest
Jotun Demidekk Ultimate Tinted Colours
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Need to know Water based, suitable for rough or smooth surfaces, 3-4 coats specified, 2-6 hours drying time per coat, satin finish, approximately 2.3-4 metres squared coverage per litre, can be used with a brush, roller or sprayer, claims 12 years of protection, more than 100 colours available
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Ronseal Fence Life Plus Matt Exterior Wood Paint
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Need to know Water based, suitable for rough or smooth surfaces, 2-3 coats specified, 4 hours drying time per coat, matt finish, approximately 2.2-3 metres squared coverage per litre, can be used with a brush or sprayer, claims five years of protection, colours available: cornflower, country oak, sage, slate, willow, red cedar, harvest gold, medium oak, tudor black oak, dark oak, forest green, warm stone, charcoal grey, teal, midnight blue
Sadolin Superdec Opaque Wood Protection Satin Ready Mixed
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Need to know Water based, suitable for rough or smooth surfaces, 3 coats specified, 16-24 hours drying time per coat, satin finish, approximately 3.3 metres squared coverage per litre, can be used with a brush, roller or sprayer, claims 10 years of protection. Colours available: black, white, walnut, anthracite grey
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Wickes Garden Colour Matt Wood Treatment
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Need to know Water based, suitable for rough or smooth surfaces, 2 coats specified, 4 hours drying time per coat, matt finish, approximately 6 metres squared coverage per litre, can be used with a brush only, claims five years of protection. Colours available: cherry blossom, dragonfly blue, blackbird, English willow, natural slate, moonstone grey, sea breeze, silver lining, classic cream, dusky pine
Wilko Garden Colour Exterior Paint
Available from Wilko (£19.99 for 5 litres)
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Need to know Water based, suitable for rough or smooth surfaces, 2 coats specified, 5 hours drying time per coat, matt finish, approximately 5 metres squared coverage per litre, can be used with a brush only, colours available: beach hut blue, vanilla morning, city slate, English sage green, willow, woodland oak, coastal cliff, dark smoke, sky blue
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How we test fence paint
Every fence paint we test is bought in two colours (black and grey, as our research reveals that these are the most popular) and applied to fence boards according to the manufacturer's instructions. These are then left exposed to the elements over the winter months.
We also assess each fence paint in the following ways:
- Ease of application While painting each fence board, we consider how easily each paint pot could be opened, how much mixing the paint needs before it's ready to use and how easily it can be spread over a large area of the fence board with a brush.
- Quality of finish We inspect the finish of each fence board after applying the required number of coats and judge its quality.
- Waterproofing We check how effectively each fence paint repels water and makes it bead on the surface rather than absorb it. This is checked at regular intervals throughout testing. We also wash each fence board with hot soapy water using a thick bristle brush to see how it copes with rough cleaning.
- Windproofing Every fence board is locked into a vice, then bent back and forth to simulate extreme wind conditions. We then check each board to see if the paint has cracked or flaked away.
- Durability After a hard winter's weathering, we inspect each fence board for any general wear and tear. We haven't spotted any major differences yet, but our testing continues and we'll update our reviews as the paints are subjected to longer term weathering.
We regularly revisit the fence paints on sale to see if there are any more popular paints that need testing and when we find them we do.
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How to paint a fence
- Gather your tools, including a wide paint brush, paint roller or fence paint sprayer, a stiff brush, sponge and bucket, dust sheets, and safety equipment including gloves, safety goggles and a dust mask.
- Choose a spell of good weather, when you're guaranteed at least two days of dry conditions. Fences should never be painted during wet weather, and it can add complications if the fence gets rained on between coats.
- Use a stiff brush, sponge and a bucket of soapy water to clear away any dirt and cobwebs from your fence. You'll need it clean for painting. You may also want to sand it down if there are lots of loose bits or if it's particularly rough.
- Lay down dust sheets to protect the ground and clear the area around your fence of anything you want to avoid getting painted.
- Now it's time for painting. If you're using a brush, ensure you follow the direction of the wood grain to give your fence a smooth, even finish. Start at the top of your fence boards and work downwards you can deal with any drips. If you're spraying fence paint, make sure to wear your protective equipment and cover up the areas close to your fence, as you might spray them by accident.
- Do wait for the recommended amount of time between coats and apply the number of coats recommended by the manufacturer.
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What colour fence paint makes a garden look bigger?
Martha Roberts, Which? senior content producer, is also a renowned expert and author on colour.
'Light-coloured fences tend to reflect light to make outside spaces feel bigger, whether it’s a pocket-sized back yard or a generously proportioned garden.
'However, some darker colours can also give the illusion of space by harmonising with trees and plants (including those visible from neighbouring properties), making the fence retract into its surroundings and averting your eye from the boundaries.'
- Pale blue Harmonises with the sky to give the illusion of more space, especially in sunny spots (Disney has a colour called ‘Blending Blue’ that does this throughout its theme parks).
- Pale green Different tones of green foliage set against the backdrop of a green fence may add to the illusion of space.
- Light grey A light, silvery-grey paint will give the illusion of your fence being ‘barely there’, so making your garden feel bigger
- Taupe, stone or mushroom A fence painted in a soft, pale neutral may add a feeling of extra space to your garden by providing a sense of continuity with your masonry or rendering.
- Dark green ‘Invisible green’ has been a favourite of garden designers since the 1700s because of its ability to blend in with green landscapes (Disney uses Go Away Green for this very purpose). Whether it’s a cool forest green or a warm-toned dark olive, a dark green fence can help to make your garden feel bigger than it actually is.
Tip Whatever colour you’re thinking of, try it on a spare piece of fencing before committing to the entire fence and check that you're happy with the colour when in natural light.
Can you use fence paint on decking?
Check the details and instructions on the specific fence paint you're using.
If your fence paint doesn't specifically say it's suitable for use on decking, then don't risk it. It may be that the formula of the fence paint isn't designed to withstand the scuffs and footfalls that decking paint is made to cope with, so you could be left with damaged, patchy decking.
Compare our picks of the best decking paint and decking stain to see what we recommend