Wood fences look beautiful but are prone to rot, mold growth, and mildew. Painting them helps to maintain their charm, increase their lifespan, and enhance their aesthetic appearance. In this article, let’s discuss the best types of paint for wood fences.
Why Paint Wood Fences?
Painting wood fences has many benefits, such as:
- Prevents rot, decay, and mold growth
- Enhances appearance
- Hides variations in wood color
- Reduces maintenance and prolongs the life of the fence
- Improves the resale value of your property
Best Paints for Wood Fences
General Notes:
- You can use the paints listed below on any type of wood fence.
- If you’re painting your fence for the first time, it’s best to prime it to improve adhesion and provide a better finish. Priming isn’t necessary for self-priming exterior paints (all-in-one paint).
1. Acrylic Latex Paint
Acrylic latex paint, also known as acrylic paint, contains a water-based formula that resists moisture and dries quickly. It’s durable and easy to clean, making it a popular choice among homeowners.
Acrylic latex paint comes in gloss, semi-gloss, matte, and satin finishes. It contains low Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), making it more eco-friendly.
Acrylic latex paint ranges from $13 to $60 per gallon. It’s best suited for areas with 50 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. It may crack or chip in colder temperatures.
Pros:
- Easy to apply
- Easy to clean
- Dries quickly
- Eco-friendly
- Good UV protection
Cons:
- Not ideal for cool climate
2. Oil-Based Paint
Oil-based paint is more durable than acrylic latex paint and offers a smooth finish. It also has excellent adhesion since it soaks into the wood. To remove oil-based paint from a surface, you should use solvents like mineral spirits or paint thinner, making cleaning difficult.
Oil-based paint contains more VOCs and emits a strong odor, so we recommend you keep your children and pets indoors until the paint dries to prevent allergic reactions. Oil-based paint typically takes a day to dry, which is much longer than acrylic latex paint.
Oil-based paint costs between $18 and $85 per gallon and adapts to various weather conditions.
Pros:
- Good UV protection
- Retains color for longer
- Creates a smooth finish
- Suitable for all climate conditions
Cons:
- Expensive
- Difficult to apply
- Longer drying time
- Strong odor
- Not eco-friendly
3. Alkyd Paint
Alkyd paint combines the durability of oil-based paint with moisture resistance and the quicker drying time of water-based paint. It gives your fence a smooth finish and is available in various colors. Alkyd paint is difficult to clean. If it falls on a surface, you have to use mineral spirits or paint thinner to remove it.
Alkyd paint contains more VOCs, which makes it not so eco-friendly. It also emits a strong odor, so stay indoors until the paint dries to avoid allergic reactions. Alkyd paint takes about 16 hours to dry.
Alkyd paint costs between $20 and $60 per gallon and performs well in both hot and cool climates.
Pros:
- Good UV protection
- Resists moisture
- Smooth finish
- Retains color for longer
Cons:
- Strong odor
- Not eco-friendly
- Difficult to clean
4. All-In-One Paint
All-in-one paint combines primer and paint in one product, saving you time and money. All-in-one paint is usually water-based, so it adheres quickly and is easy to clean. However, multiple coats of paint are required to achieve a smooth finish.
All-in-one paint contains low VOCs and doesn’t emit a strong odor. The color options are limited, but you can choose between gloss, stain, and matte finishes. All-in-one paint offers good protection against UV rays and moisture.
All-in-one paint ranges from $40 to $100 per gallon (approximately), depending on the features of the paint and the brand you choose. It performs well in temperatures between 50 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit.
Pros:
- Saves time and money by combining multiple features in one product
- Easy to apply
- Easy to clean
- Dries quickly
- Eco-friendly
- Good UV protection
Cons:
- Not ideal for harsh climates
- Limited color options
- Multiple coats needed for a smooth finish
5. Enamel Paint
Note: Though brands like Behr offer water-based enamel paints, oil-based is the most common for exterior applications, so let’s discuss it here.
Enamel paint adheres well and offers a smooth, glossy finish. It’s long-lasting and protects the wood from UV rays and moisture. Enamel paint is difficult to remove from a surface and requires using mineral spirits or paint thinner.
Enamel paint has high VOCs and emits a strong odor, so stay indoors till it dries to prevent allergic reactions. There aren’t many color options, but the paint performs well in both hot and cold climates.
Enamel paint costs between $15 and $65 per gallon, which is more affordable than traditional oil-based paints.
Pros:
- Affordable (compared to traditional oil-based paint)
- Resists moisture
- Good UV protection
- Gives a smooth finish
- Suitable for all climate conditions
Cons:
- Longer drying time
- Strong odor
- Not eco-friendly
6. Chalk Paint
Chalk paint contains water-based formulas that can give your wood fence a matte, rustic finish. It comes in various colors and dries quickly. It’s easy to apply but requires several touch-ups for a uniform finish.
Chalk paint contains low VOCs and doesn’t emit a strong odor. It’s easy to clean but not as durable as acrylic latex, oil-based, alkyd, or enamel paints.
Chalk paint costs between $13 and $80 per gallon. It doesn’t perform well in harsh climates, including intense heat, high humidity, heavy rain, and snow.
Pros:
- Easy to apply
- Easy to clean
- Dries quickly
- Good UV protection
Cons:
- Expensive
- Not so durable
- Not ideal for harsh climates
Paint vs. Stain: What’s the Difference?
Paint isn’t your only option for covering a fence. You could stain it instead. The two products are very different and provide very different results, such as:
- Appearance: Paint covers the wood grain, while stain doesn’t, giving a more natural look. The reason? Stain penetrates the wood surface, while paint creates a thick layer over it.
- Protection: Paint offers better protection to the wood against UV rays and moisture.
- Maintenance: Paint lasts longer and requires fewer reapplications.
- Color options: Paint comes in various colors, allowing for greater customization.
- Application: Stain is easier to apply and clean.
- Cost: Wood stain is usually less expensive than paint.
FAQs
Painting the fence is relatively simple, but if you’re busy and don’t want to deal with the mess, hire a pro. You may also want to hire a pro if you’re allergic to paint smell.
If you go the DIY route, here are the tools you will need to paint your wooden fence:
• Paint scraper (to remove existing paint)
• Fence cleaner and scrub brush
• Sandpaper (to smoothen imperfections on the wood surface)
• Primer (if needed)
• Paintbrush set
• Small roller or paint sprayer
• Tarps (to cover the ground)
• Stir sticks
• Rags
• Protective gear (gloves, safety goggles, and fully-covered clothing)
You can purchase these tools from Amazon or your local home improvement store.
We recommend you apply at least two coats of paint for complete coverage and a consistent finish. You can apply a clear protective topcoat to prevent the paint from yellowing and fading.
The Final Word
Painting a wood fence can extend its life and enhance your home’s curb appeal.
What’s the best fence paint? If durability is your priority, choose oil-based paint. If you want an all-rounder, go with acrylic latex.
If you still have trouble choosing the right paint for your home, get in touch with FenceGnome. We will connect you with the best fence pros in your area who can help you with everything related to fences, from installation and repair to performing a paint job.
Main Image Credit: Thomas-Soellner / Canva Pro / License
