The Best Fence Paints To Transform Your Outdoor Space

Protect and transform your wooden fences with our handpicked selection of paints that are available in a range of colours.
✅ Tried & Tested: See Our Testing ↓
Written & Tested By: Edward Bailey | Updated:
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Painting your fence not only provides it with a new lease of life but also helps to preserve and protect it. Whether you have smooth-planed or rough-sawn wooden fences, there is a range of paints to choose from that can be brushed or sprayed directly onto your fence.

Although there are exterior wood paints you could potentially use, a dedicated fence paint is always recommended. This is because they are specifically designed and tested upon all types of wooden fences for a higher-quality look and feel.

To help you choose a fence paint, our hand-picked selection features top-performing paints chosen through our first-hand experience painting smooth-planed and rough-sawn fences. We also thoroughly tested multiple paints and carried out the latest research.

Our Top Picks At A Glance:

Cuprinol Ducksback Fence Paint
Best Overall: Cuprinol Ducksback Fence Paint
Read More
Ronseal Fence Life Plus
Best All-Rounder: Ronseal Fence Life Plus
Read More
Ronseal One Coat Fence Life
Best Value: Ronseal One Coat Fence Life
Read More
Johnstone’s Woodcare Fence Paint
Best One Coat: Johnstone’s Woodcare Fence Paint
Read More
TA Paints Multi Purpose Fence Paint
Best Colour Selection: T.A Paints Multi Purpose Fence Paint
Read More
West Lancs Garden Fence Paint
Best Value Runner-Up: West Lancs Garden Fence Paint
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How The DIY Works Team Tests & Rates Fence Paints

As we own several properties (Airbnb’s and rentals), we have multiple garden fences to maintain and this has meant we have been able to test a range of fence paints. As you can see in the photos below of a recent fence painting project, the before and after results speak for themselves and it was a quick and easy way to transform the garden.

best garden fence paint

Edward Bailey/DIY Works
best grey fence paint

Edward Bailey/DIY Works

During our testing of the fence paints, we analysed the paint’s ease of application, coverage, the time it takes to dry, finish and how durable it is over a prolonged period. In terms of the application, we tested the fence paints by applying them both by brush and using a sprayer as shown in the photos below.

best fence paint uk

Edward Bailey/DIY Works
best paint for fence

Edward Bailey/DIY Works

To keep up our commitment to reviewing and testing the latest fence paints (for this article), we are continually testing out the latest offerings from top brands in the UK. Our testing gives us the experience to provide the best possible recommendations so that you (as the reader) can pick a paint to give your own fence a new lease of life.

best wooden fence paint

Edward Bailey/DIY Works
best paint for fence panels

Edward Bailey/DIY Works

As well as our extensive testing and experience with multiple fence paints, we also based our recommendations on the latest research and a number of factors. Some of the factors that we took into consideration included the paint’s durability, colour selection, coverage, ease of application, dry time, all-weather protection and value for the money.

The Best Fence Paints

At DIY Works, our content is 100% independent and we would never recommend a product that we wouldn't use ourselves (read our editorial standards and how we test products).

1. Best Overall: Cuprinol Ducksback Fence Paint

(How We Review →)

The Cuprinol brand specialises in outdoor paints and their Ducksback fence paint is one of the most highly rated options to use to paint your fence. The reasons why it’s so popular are mainly due to its durability, ease of application and the choice of six modern colours but it also can be used to paint your shed too.

In order to provide unbeatable protection against the UK weather, the paint has been enriched with wax. This wax inclusion provides a water-repellent finish to the paint and allows it to last much longer than most of the alternatives.

Pros
  • Quick drying and non-drip application
    •
  • Provides up to 5 years of protection
    •
  • Low odour and safe around pets and plants
    •
  • 5 litres covers up to 10 fence panels
    •
  • Water repellent finish
    •
  • Choice of six different colours
    •
  • Touch dry in 1 hour
    •
  • Can be brushed or sprayed onto fences
Cons
  • Only available in a 5 litre tin
    •
  • Relatively expensive when compared to the alternatives

To conclude, the Cuprinol Ducksback is by far the best fence paint on the market that’s easy to apply, long-lasting and provides years of weatherproof protection. Although you have to pay a little bit more, we found that during testing it was a higher quality paint and certainly worth the added investment.

2. Best All-Rounder: Ronseal Fence Life Plus

(How We Review →)

Ronseal is a brand that needs no introduction and their Fence Life Plus paint is by far the most popular fence paint in the UK. Although the brand offers a number of fence paints, this particular paint is the best formulation they offer because it has been designed to be more versatile and durable.

Whether your wooden fence is smooth-planed or rough-sawn, this paint can be applied with ease (brushing or spraying) and it protects against all weather conditions for up to five years.

Pros
  • Available in sage, forest green and medium or dark oak
    •
  • All weather protection as well as the much needed barrier against UV rays
    •
  • Provides up to 5 years protection
    •
  • Showerproof in just 1 hour
    •
  • Can be applied to damp wood
    •
  • Application by spray or brush
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  • Completely dry in just 4 hours
Cons
  • During testing, we found that it was quite watery and can become messy (easily washes off)

To conclude, the popular Ronseal Fence Life Plus is a premium paint that’s in direct competition with the Cuprinol Ducksback recommend above. In terms of which is best, both provide a similar finish and protection but the Cuprinol alternative offers additional colours and slightly better coverage during our testing of the two paints.

However, with that being said, the Fence Life Plus is still an excellent option to consider that’s also slightly cheaper too. Between the DIY Works team, we are split between the two fence paints and both certainly won’t disappoint.

3. Best Value: Ronseal One Coat Fence Life

(How We Review →)

Another fence paint by Ronseal is their more affordable One Coat Fence Life, which protects all rough-sawn garden timber surfaces. Compared to the “Plus” formula above, it isn’t as thick and it doesn’t provide as many years of protection. However, it’s still a high-quality fence paint that provides great coverage and is also much cheaper.

Pros
  • 100% showerproof in just 1 hour
    •
  • Can be brushed or sprayed onto the fence
    •
  • Protects against greying
    •
  • Available in gold, red cedar and medium or dark oak
    •
  • Plant and pet friendly
Cons
  • Not as durable as other fence paints by the brand

Overall, the Ronseal One Coat Fence Life is a great paint to consider and it has recently been improved for a more high-quality finish. However, if you have the budget available, the brand’s Fence Life Plus above provides additional protection and in our opinion, it’s worth the added investment. Nevertheless, this formula is more than ideal if you want to cover large fences quickly and at the cheapest possible cost.

4. Best One Coat: Johnstone’s Woodcare Fence Paint

(How We Review →)

The Johnstone’s Woodcare paint is another “one coat” option to consider that’s ideal for painting both garden fences and sheds. In terms of its formulation, it’s enriched with wax for improved water repellency and according to the brand, it’ll provide up to three years of guaranteed protection against UK weather.

Pros
  • Touch dry in 2 hours
    •
  • 6 m2 coverage per litre
    •
  • Wax enriched formula
    •
  • Long lasting colour and protection
    •
  • Available in 5 or 9 litre tins
    •
  • Resists all weather conditions
Cons
  • Relatively expensive when compared to the alternatives

Overall, the Johnstone’s Woodcare One Coat is an easy to use formula that ticks all the boxes in terms of its finish and protection. As stated on the tin, it only requires a single coating upon your fence but you can always apply multiple. The only main drawbacks are the premium price tag and the fact that it only provides three years of protection.

5. Best Colour Selection: T.A Paints Multi Purpose Fence Paint

(How We Review →)

T.A Paints is a brand that’s well-known for offering a wide selection of colours and this fence paint doesn’t disappoint because it’s available in a choice of 37 different colours to best suit your requirements. In terms of its formulation, it’s a polyurethane oil-based paint that provides a durable gloss finish that’s long-lasting and touch dry in just 2 hours.

Pros
  • 8 to 10 m2 coverage per litre
    •
  • Choice of 37 different colours
    •
  • Application by brush, roller or spray
    •
  • Overcoat after 12 to 24 hours
    •
  • Touch dry in 90 – 120 minutes
    •
  • Can be used straight from the tin
    •
  • 1, 2.5 and 5 litre capacities
    •
  • Oil-based formula
Cons
  • Most expensive within our roundup

Overall, the T.A Paints fence paint is a high-quality option that’s available in the widest array of colours to completely transform your garden. The only drawback is that it does come with a premium price tag when compared to the alternatives. However, if they offer the colour you require, it’s a worthwhile investment that won’t disappoint.

6. Best Value Runner-Up: West Lancs Garden Fence Paint

(How We Review →)

If you are looking for the best bang for your buck, West Lancs fence paint is a great option to consider. This is because it comes in a 20 litre tin and a colour selection that includes grey, dark oak, forest green, redwood and rustic brown.

Pros
  • High quality water based formula
    •
  • Choice of 5 different colours
    •
  • Large 20 litre tin capacity
    •
  • Touch dry in 45 minutes
    •
  • Animal and plant friendly
    •
  • Provides up to 6 years of protection
Cons
  • Requires two coats for the best finish

Overall, the West Lancs fence paint is an excellent all-round option that provides a high-quality finish at an affordable price. The brand also offers five of the most popular fence paints with grey being the most desirable too.

Conclusion

Applying paint to your fence doesn’t just add colour but it also helps to protect it against rotting and discolouration. Therefore, keeping on top of painting it regularly is a task that we highly recommend.

Regardless of the type of garden fence you have, all of our fence paint recommendations are compatible and include a variety of colours to best suit your requirements.

For the best results when you decide to pull your sleeves up and paint your fence, it’s highly recommended that you allow plenty of time for the paint to completely dry before applying another coat.

If you require further information regarding any of our fence paint recommendations, feel free to get in touch and we will try to provide our assistance where possible.

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