10 Best Shed Paints [Buyer Guide]
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Choosing the right shed paint can be a lengthy process, especially if you’ve never painted a shed before. If you love spending time in your garden, but never have anywhere to put your furniture or gardening tools, then you probably need a shed (with a shed lock, of course).
Shed paint is often heavy duty paint, and is thicker than traditional paint that you’d use on your interior walls or ceiling. This is because they’re designed to be resilient against outdoor weather, as well as having formulas that nourish the wood, extending its lifespan. Shed paint is very similar to other “outdoor” paints such as fence paint or paints for the exterior of your house. Sheds are a great addition to any garden, not only due to the fact that they can free up a lot of storage space, but they can be converted into anything you wish: man cave, children’s playroom, office, pet play area, or even an arts and crafts area. You can kit them out with insulation, lights and heating, and they are a fairly inexpensive investment if you can’t afford a conservatory or an extension of your current home. They can be as big or as little as you like, however for some larger sheds you may need planning permission, so make sure you check that out before building.
The maintenance of sheds naturally will be a bit higher, as their infrastructure is not bricks and mortar. However, they are multi-purpose and overall add a lot of value to any garden space. You can get varying shed sizes, so you can have a completely customizable shed for your outdoor area. We’ve taken the time to review the 10 best shed paints on the market, taking into account their key features, specifications, and so much more. We’ve also included a detailed buyer guide and FAQ at the bottom of this article, which gives you access to additional information and resources that you’ll need to help you make your purchase (inclusive of a YouTube video). At Konservatory, we pride ourselves on providing the most current products on the market, and we review each product meticulously and honestly – as we want to help you make the right decision for you. So, if you want to learn about the 10 best shed paints, keep reading!
Johnstones Woodcare One Coat Shed & Fence Paint
The Johnstones Woodcare One Coat Shed & Fence Paint is a durable and thick shed paint that is a beautiful, rich colour. One coat is definitely enough when using this paint, and it can also be used on fences as well as sheds. The consistency is gel-like, however glides on with ease and leaves a glossy finish.
Key Features:
Gel consistency formula
Easy to use paint
One-coat formula
Specification:
Brand
Johnstones
Colour
Golden chestnut
Capacity
9L
Pros
The density of the colour of this paint is great as you only need to do one coat
Cons
Consistency may be too thick for some
Ronseal One Coat Fence Life
The Ronseal One Coat Fence Life is a quick-drying shed and fence treatment with fade-resistant colour in just one coat. This paint is ideal for use on any rough sawn garden timber as well as sheds, fences, or summer houses. It is also easy to use and glides on quickly. The paint leaves a glossy finish.
Key Features:
Easy to use paint
Glossy finish
Multi-use paint
Specification:
Brand
Ronseal
Colour
Harvest Gold
Capacity
5 L
Pros
Multi-use paint means that you can get a lot of use out of it
Cons
Colour may not be to everyone's taste
Johnstone's Woodwords Shed & Fence Quick Dry Paint
The Johnstone’s Woodwords Shed & Fence Quick Dry Paint is a durable and glossy shed paint. It has lasting colour retention and weather protection, so you can be confident that the colour will last for years to come. You can apply this with a brush for the best result.
Key Features:
Durable and high-quality formula
Glossy finish
Weather protection formula
Specification:
Brand
Johnstone's
Colour
Dark Oak
Capacity
5 L
Pros
Glossy finish is great for those who want a rich colour to shine through
Cons
Colour may not be to everyone's taste
Drybase Black Liquid Damp Proof Membrane
The Drybase Black Liquid Damp Proof Membrane is a topcoat paint that can be used to resist the penetration of gases, vapours and liquids. The blend can be applied in two coats by brush, roller, or airless spray. It can be used on wet rooms, timber, posts, floors, or even a primer for replastering.
Key Features:
Thick top coat (or primer)
Great for brush, roller, or airless spray application
Easy to use product
Specification:
Brand
Drybase
Colour
Black
Capacity
5 L
Pros
Great if you need to create a strong base or top coat before paint application
Cons
May not be necessary for everybody
Ronseal 5L One Coat Life
The Ronseal 5L One Coat Life is a thick, glossy paint that not only covers in one coat, but also visibly nourishes wood further. For some older sheds, you may need two coats. This is great if you want the job done quickly, and keeps colour for up to two years.
Key Features:
One-coat formula
Thick, glossy consistency
Weatherproof
Long-wearing
Specification:
Brand
Ronseal
Colour
Harvest Gold
Capacity
5 L
Pros
Easy to use and glides onto even older, textured wood
Cons
Colour may not be to everyone's taste
Palace Fenceguard Chestnut Brown
The Palace Fenceguard Chestnut Brown is a glossy and easy to use shed paint that dries quickly, leaving you with a water-repellent film, so you can be sure that the colour and finish will last you all year round. It’s smooth on application, with a slightly thicker consistency in comparison to other shed paints. It is also suitable for rough sawn timbers.
Key Features:
Easy-apply shed paint
Water-repellent film
Thick consistency
Specification:
Brand
Palace
Colour
Chestnut Brown
Capacity
5 L
Pros
Water-repelling film is an added bonus for those who want additional protection
Cons
Consistency may not be to everyone's taste
Roxil Wood Protection Liquid
The Roxil Wood Protection Liquid is a clear shed paint that works to keep your wood waterproof, as well as maintain a glossy appearance. It reduces mould and algae growth, and stops your wood from becoming saturated with water and dirt. It can last up to 10+ years on softwood but should be applied every other year for added protection.
Key Features:
Clear gloss finish shed paint
Easy application
Long-lasting formula
Specification:
Brand
Roxil
Colour
Clear
Capacity
5 L
Pros
A little goes a long way with the product, you won't need to repurchase it on a regular basis
Cons
Gloss finish may not be to everyone's taste
Cuprinol Ducksback Colours Forest Green
The Cuprinol Ducksback Colours Forest Green is a wax-enriched shed paint that offers intense colour, as well as protecting your wood from the elements for up to 5 years. The formula is of course, waterproof, and within an hour of drying will be effective against rain. The paint works to enhance the appearance of your shed, whilst also protecting it.
Key Features:
Easy to apply shed paint
Wax-enriched formula
Highly pigmented
Specification:
Brand
Cuprinol
Colour
Forest green
Capacity
5 L
Pros
Wax-enriched formula is great for those who are dealing with older sheds that need nourishment as well as a colour refresh
Cons
Colour may not be to everyone's taste
Ronseal Shed and Fence Preserver - Dark Brown
The Ronseal Shed and Fence Preserver – Dark Brown is a deep penetrating paint that is packed with water repellents, as well as a rich, intense colour. It works to not only add a beautiful shine and gloss to your shed, but also helps to preserve the wood and keep your shed strong and robust all year round.
Key Features:
Easy to use shed paint
Colour-rich formula
Durable and long-wearing
Specification:
Brand
Ronseal
Colour
Dark Brown
Capacity
5 L
Pros
Long-wearing formula is great for those who are looking for added wood protection
Cons
Colour may not be to everyone's taste
Water Based Shed and Fence Paint - Dark Grey
The Water Based Shed and Fence Paint – Dark Grey is a pigment-rich paint that offers a glossy finish. It can cover your shed in one coat, and the colour should last you at least a year or two before needing to give it a top up. It is water-resistant and nourishes even older, rougher wood.
Key Features:
Easy to apply shed paint
Glossy finish
Pigment rich colour
Specification:
Brand
UK Paint
Colour
Grey
Capacity
20 L
Pros
Pigment is rich so you only need to apply one coat!
Cons
Colour may not be to everyone's taste
Summary
As you can see, there are a ton of options to choose from. Shed paint can come in various colours and consistencies, as well as all having slightly different features. For some, they may simply need a refresh of colour, whereas others may require something that is going to nourish wood – especially if the wood in question is a lot older or weathered. We do know, however, that some of you still may be unsure on which shed paint to buy. We’ve listed a few things for you to consider below inclusive of our FAQ to answer any questions that you may have.
Thickness
Shed paint, like most exterior wood paint is often thicker than traditional paints. This is because they can have a multitude of ingredients such as wax which will naturally make the consistency more dense. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, though. These types of paints tend to nourish your shed as well as add a pop of colour, which is a bonus overall. However, shed paint that is too thick may not work in a spray format, so make sure you check this before making your purchase, especially if you don’t want to use a paintbrush to paint your shed.
Colour
Although it sounds obvious, picking the right colour is imperative to ensuring that your shed doesn’t look out of place in your garden. Similar to fence paint, choosing the wrong colour can make your garden look untidy and uninviting. We always recommend going for neutral colours like brown, or even black if you want to have a modern feel in your garden. Brighter colours like green and yellow can look great in bigger gardens with lots of flowers and bushes, but you do run the risk of these colours fading quicker due to them being lighter.
Did you enjoy this guide on shed paint? Have a look at our other shed-related guides here:
FAQ
What is the best shed paint?
We’d be biased if we told you. However, we believe the best shed paint will give you excellent pigment, a glossy finish, and also nourish your wood and extend its lifespan. We also recommend combining a shed paint with a top coat on older wood as this will allow it to last longer. Ultimately, it’s up to you to find the best shed paint that will work for you.
What kind of paint should I use on a shed?
We recommend specifically using paint that has been designed for sheds. You can also get away with using fence paint as the texture and pigment tends to be similar, however the gloss finish may be missing.
Do you need to treat a shed before painting it?
It depends on the shed. There will be some sheds that have layers and layers of old paint on, and we would probably recommend getting rid of these layers an applying a primer to make the new coat of paint glide on with ease. However, with newer sheds, you can paint over the shed paint and lock it in with a top coat for the best results.