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As we venture into a long hot summer, we are now looking at our gardens and outdoor space and wondering what we can do to make them sparkle again. The grass has been mowed, flower beds tidied, and the paving pressure washed, but what can we do to rejuvenate the good old garden fence?
If you have a fence that has been there for a while, then the ravages of Mother Nature have taken their toll as it does with all exterior wood, and it is now looking tired and worn. Can anything be done on such a vast expanse of timber without breaking the bank?
The easiest and quickest option is to paint that garden fence with a fresh coat to add bright new colour from a natural wood stain, contemporary green shades, to a soft pink to make it look fresh again.
Preparation
Other than the obvious of choosing the right colour (check Frenchic for high quality dedicated fence paint), you need to make sure the fence is right condition.
As most fences would have been pressure treated and therefore are protected to the core, the preparation is not going to take too long. Clearing any surrounding plants from it and in front of the fence is essential, but that is about it for pre-painting any garden fence.
Removing any loose debris or flaking paint is essential as you need the new coat of paint to adhere to the panels or pales, and too much loose material will cause premature flaking and could lead to further paint peeling.
Any loose panels or missing fence pales will have to be secured. If you have a closed board fence, then replacing broken or missing pales is an easy do-it-yourself fix, as all you will need is a hammer and some round-head nails (usually 50mm long will do).
If you have a fence panel and some of the timber is loose or missing, then replacing the whole panel may be the best option. Stay calm about the colour as you will paint it anyway.
If you have soil that is tight up against the garden fence, then scraping or digging it back away from the fence will not only make the painting task easier but will ensure that the fence stays protected from the elements for a little bit longer.
What Are You Trying To Achieve
The idea of painting your garden fence is not just to make it look better but to increase its longevity, as another coat of paint will ensure a few more years from what is essentially your border to you and your neighbours.
That said, the choice of garden fence paint colour will set the tone for the rest of your garden. You may want to tie the colour in with the predominant colours that bloom every year in your flower beds; it may be a colour that frames the natural beauty of any plants and flowers that grow up against the fence or maybe a bright, vibrant colour that accentuates your garden and your personality.
Spray Or Paint
If you are considering taking on this task as a do-it-yourself project, then the decision to get out the paint brushes and rollers or use a designated fence paint sprayer is a big one. Whilst it is a much less messy job with brushes and rollers, it can be a long and quite daunting job, so buying or hiring a handheld sprayer will ultimately save you time.
Pump Spray Or Automatic Sprayer?
Most hardware and DIY stores will have a pump spray available to buy at anything between £15 to £95 and will be easier to use than the automatic option, which would cost somewhere between £50 and £300. This is the quickest option and will ensure a nice, even finish to the fence and is well worth the investment over the paintbrush and roller option.
How Many Coats Of Paint?
The recommendation for a nice even finish and extra protection is that a minimum of two coats would be advisable. Some older fences may even take three coats, but that is only a decision you can make once two coats of fresh paint have thoroughly dried.
The idea is to restore the natural beauty of your outdoor space so making the fence paint look as good as some of your other garden features will make all of the garden colours pop.
Hiring a professional for this job will be a worthwhile investment as it will leave you time to plan the overall look and style of your garden once the fence has been covered in a beautiful layer of fresh, new paint.
Which Type Of Paint For My Garden Fence
If you are going to paint your garden fence, you have to use specific paint for it to work. Most exterior grade paints will have the necessary adhesion and protection levels you need for a fence, and these will no doubt be latex, acrylic or oil-based, as these paints offer slightly more long lasting protection than most water-based paints.
If you are not keen on those types of paints, water-based paint will be much more environmentally friendly. Water-based paints are also less likely to crack over time, so the decision is entirely down to you. Water-based paints will be easier to use in a sprayer as they are less likely to clog the nozzle.
Do I Need To Use A Primer?
This is a question that brings up different opinions depending on whom you speak to.
As with any timber, using a primer is a good idea, but with the advent of some new technologies in exterior paints, the need for a pre-primer has been reduced. As most fences would have initially been treated with preservatives during their manufacturing process, they will already have a good level of protection.
Reading and researching the brand and colour of your fence paint will give you a much better idea of whether or not you need a primer.
Garden Fence Colour Ideas
1. Black Fence Panels
Using black as a paint colour can actually make the space feel bigger as it can blur the boundaries between garden and fence.
2. Classic Green
This is the best colour for small gardens as it can achieve a more spacious feeling when paired with colourful planting in and around it.
3. Stripes
The stripes are obviously a bit more daring than your average colour choice and cannot really be adorned on fence panels but painting your fence like this will create a focal point as well as a talking point.
4. White Fence
A white fence creates a brilliant way to add the perfect backdrop to all of the boundaries of your garden.
5. Dark Shades
Any kind of dark shade will give much more definition to the garden fence. Think dark grey, dark purple and even a dark red to change the overall look of your entire garden.
6. Creams And Pastels
Not an obvious choice for such a hard-wearing item such as a fence but again with the combination of lighter shade blues, pinks, creams, cool grey and yellows it can complement any of your existing outdoor furniture and become the perfect colour for your front and back gardens.
