Best exterior wood paint: for fences, furniture and decking

The best exterior wood paint is the ideal way to upgrade your outdoor space, transforming tired outdoor furniture, fence panels, sheds, and decking from drab to fab, as well as adding extra weather protection to protect your outdoor wood from the elements – and all for the cost of a tin of paint (plus a little painting time). 

However, there are a lot of paint options out there, so to make things simpler, we've curated the very best exterior wood paint, factoring in everything from fade and mould resistance to priming requirements. 

And in terms of colour, we have plenty of options to choose from, whether you want simple and classic or bright and colourful, a glossy finish or contemporary matt. 

If you're looking to overhaul your outdoor living area then while you're eyeing up paint colours why not check out our guide to the best garden furniture. You'll find the best outdoor dining and lounging options over there and can then coordinate your paint choice to match. Then grab a paintbrush, and let's get painting...

Best exterior wood paints for a garden revamp

Special pigments in Cuprinol Garden Shades ensure a rich colour on sheds, fences, summerhouses, garden furniture and planters while enhancing the grain. Add a fresh feel with a bright Beach Blue or an ice cream flavour with Sweet Sundae. Brush on for greater coverage or spray for a smoother look. Coats must be applied no more than eight hours apart. There is a wide choice of ready mixed colours while a colour-mix service offers even greater options.

If you want to completely cover weathering on old wood, change a colour you’ve grown tired of or hide stains from spills at garden parties, Sadolin Superdec has an opaque finish that will do the job. Highly durable, it is perfect for cladding and exterior joinery. 

It erodes by weathering, so the coating stays flexible and doesn’t crack, peel or flake. Self priming and undercoating, it will protect for 10 years. Available in more than 300 shades, your wood can be as colourful as your flowerbeds.

A paint brand that’s used on lighthouses certainly has the skills to make products that can withstand blustery and wet weather in the back garden. A Sandtex trade paint was used to decorate the red and white stripes on the Happisburgh Lighthouse in East Anglia. Not surprisingly, it is confident enough in the durability of its low sheen Exterior Satin and Gloss to offer a 10-year guarantee. The paint will give exterior wood a sleek, sophisticated finish, and is tough, waterproof and flexible enough not to crack. It is available in nine colours, including Soothing Green and Gentle Blue.

If you like colour in the garden but also want to appreciate the natural look of wood, Johnstone’s Woodcare Garden Colours offer both. Paint the fade-resistant smooth colour on your garden buildings, fences, arbours, dining sets or planters and you’ll still be able to see the texture and grain of the wood underneath. There are 20 colours to choose, so add a cheerful splash by painting your patio furniture with Merry Berry, or create a backdrop for plants to pop against with Steel Smoke.

Rust-Oleum is a favourite of DIYers and crafters; their go-to if they want to upcycle battered old furniture or bling up a plain new piece. Take a tin of Garden Furniture Paint, and you can transform a shabby garden bench, table or chairs in the press of a finger. The result is a soft-touch matt finish that is mould-, algae- and water-resistant. With no need to wax or lacquer it, this is durable enough to be scrubbed clean. The paint can be directly applied to wood (bare or painted) but also brick, stone, plaster or even metal and plastic, if suitably primed and rigid.

When painting outside, it's important not to forget the front of the house. Kerb appeal is crucial as visitors can form an instant opinion right on the doorstep. Make sure your front door is smooth, glossy and colourful, not dull and peeling with Dulux Weathershield Quick-Dry Exterior Gloss. The paint has a water-based gloss finish and guarantees six-year weather protection for exterior wood and metal. Its weatherproof paint film is mould resistant to minimise staining and flexible to resist cracking, keeping the paint looking better for longer compared to conventional gloss paints.

Timber fences and sheds can look nice and natural, but try putting on colour to make the rest of your garden really pop. Ronseal Fence Life Plus Matt Shed & Fence Treatment can take your panels to the next level, creating a wonderful backdrop for flowers and uncovering your shed's potential for other uses. 

It gives five-year protection on rough sawn and smooth planed wood, and protects it from rain, frost and snow, and even fading in the sun. It can be brushed or sprayed on, and even be applied to damp wood – useful given our often showery summers – and will be rainproof in one hour.

How to buy the best exterior wood paint

When it comes to finding the best exterior wood paint, you'll want to factor in a few things. To make your search less tasking, we've outlined some of the key considerations. And, for the utmost ease, we've also answered some common concerns and burning questions.

Durability
The paints and treatments often offer guarantees of several years for their long-lasting protective qualities, for example, the Sandtex 10 Year Exterior Satin (or Gloss), which does exactly what it says on the tin. Generally speaking, most paints specify their guarantees on the side of the tin or in the product descriptions, so be sure to check this before buying.

Mould, mildew and algae
It goes without saying: none of these three things looks good on outdoor furniture, garden fence ideas, shed ideas or other garden structures. Fortunately, many of the products we've picked have you covered. By investing in mould, mildew or algae-resistant paint, you can counteract the effects of damp weather or storage in outside spaces that can leave surfaces looking mottled.

Paint and prime in one 
The fewer the preparative undercoats needed, the quicker the job gets done, so if you're trying to complete a quick weekend makeover project, an all-in-one could be the product for you. Our personal go-to is the Sadolin Superdec Satin Opaque Wood Protection, which is both self-priming and undercoating. Perfect, right? If you're planning on painting garden buildings for your weekend project, our guide on how to paint a shed has lots more tips. 

What paint is best for exterior wood?
For us, our all-time favourite is the Cuprinol Garden Shades Exterior Woodcare, which comes in a trio of sizes and almost guarantees a gorgeous, matt colour. Oh, and it accentuates the wood grain, which adds a chic yet rustic touch. Of course, the real answer to this question totally depends on your preference, so we'd encourage you to explore our list, paying close attention to the unique specifications and charms each product has. Big on colour? Try Johnstone’s Garden Colours. Dealing with the standard brown shed and fence set-up? Why not update it with a dash of panache – slate or willow – courtesy of Ronseal Fence Life Plus Matt Shed & Fence Treatment? 

Do I need to seal exterior wood before painting?
A good question indeed. First off, let's explain why you might want to seal wood in the first place. Because wood contains natural chemicals that gradually degrade paint, it is often wise to apply sealant in advance. By sealing the wood's pores, the sealant ensures that paint sits atop the surface without being absorbed into the wood. In so doing, problems like warping are avoided. Some products state that sanding and priming to smooth and seal the surface are unnecessary and that the paint has self-priming properties. However, not all do, so be sure to check. For a quality self-sealing option that does not require prior sanding, the Rust-Oleum Garden Furniture Spray Paint is a no-brainer.