HomeGarden Reviews10 Best Exterior Wood Paints in 2024

Best Exterior Wood Paints in 2024

Updated 04-08-2021 – Mia Cohen

Repainting exterior wood can give a whole new life to your garden or the look of your home. It also increases the longevity of the wood protecting it against harsh weather conditions or UV light.

We’ve handpicked our favourite 10 exterior wood paints varying in price, colours and features so you can make an informed choice. We’ve also included some multi-surface ones so you don’t have to match paints if you’ve got something to paint that varies in material.

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ProductKey FeaturesPrice
Dulux Quick Dry Gloss Paint For Wood And Metal – 20 Colours+ 2.5L
Dulux Quick Dry Gloss Paint For Wood And Metal
Great for wood and metal, self-undercoating, 20+ colours.£££
Johnstone's Garden Colours, 1 Litre 20 Colours
Johnstone’s Garden Colours, 1 Litre 20 Colours
Dries in 2 hours, 4 years protection, 20 colours.£
Ronseal Garden Paint 20+ Colours 2.5 Litre
Ronseal Garden Paint 20+ Colours 2.5 Litre
High solid content for long lasting, multi-surface, 20+ colours.££
Everbuild WSTAINSDO0750 Woodstain, Dark Oak, 750 ml
Everbuild WSTAINSDO0750 Woodstain, Dark Oak, 750 ml
Touch dry in 30 mins, 5 years protection, range of colours.££
Cuprinol 1L Garden Shades - Beach Blue 50+ colours
Cuprinol 1L Garden Shades – Beach Blue 50+ colours
Over 50 colours, opaque matt finish, suitable for all garden wood.££
Rust-Oleum 750ml Universal Paint
Rust-Oleum 750ml Universal Paint
Suitable for many materials, around 20 colours available.£££
Multi Surface Paint Dark Grey, Satin, 1 Litre
Multi Surface Paint Dark Grey, Satin, 1 Litre
Multisurface, 12 colours & 3 finishes, low VOCs, water based.££££
Ronseal Weatherproof 10 Year Exterior Wood Paint Racing Green Gloss 750 ml
Ronseal Weatherproof 10 Year Exterior Wood Paint Racing Green Gloss 750 ml
10-year guarantee, waterproof in only 1 hour, long lasting gloss.£££
Ronseal Weatherproof 10 Year Exterior Wood Paint Brilliant White Satin 750 ml
Ronseal Weatherproof 10 Year Exterior Wood Paint Brilliant White Satin 750 ml
10-year guarantee, waterproof in only 1 hour, multiple colours.£££
Rustins Quick Dry Paint
Rustins Quick Dry Paint
Great for wood or metal, water based, quick drying.££

1   Dulux Quick Dry Gloss Paint For Wood And Metal – 20 Colours+ 2.5L

Dulux Quick Dry Gloss Paint For Wood And Metal

Ideal for interior or exterior wood or metal from a brand you know, it has the capacity to cover 16 metres squared per coat and the can will cover around 40 metres square with one coat. It is available in 750ml should you want less and requires no undercoat saving some money. It takes around 6 hours to dry and you should not close newly painted doors or windows until the paint is completely dry. It is available in over 20 colours so you can paint your wood whatever colour you prefer. The finish sheen varies on the colour and it is wipeable making it great for radiators too. Though it is usable on metal do not use it on things which will get incredibly hot such as a chiminea or stove fan as it is not heat resistant enough to handle such temperatures.

Key features:
  • Great for wood and metal
  • Well known producer of paint for many years
  • Self-undercoating so just put it straight on

2   Johnstone’s Garden Colours, 1 Litre 20 Colours

Johnstone’s Garden Colours, 1 Litre 20 Colours

Johnstone’s Garden Colours provide up to 4 years protection on most garden furniture such as sheds, fences, arbours, summer houses, trellis, tables and chairs. It is easy to apply and water based so it shows through the natural grain of the wood. It dries in 2 hours allowing you to add another coat if you want to add more colour for a bolder look.

The paint comes in around 20 colours and is available in 1L and 2.5L to meet your needs and colour requirements. It features great reviews and at a very low price though it is not necessarily the most popular on our list and does not offer the longest protection. For other items to improve your garden see our top picks for cordless strimmers.

Key features:
  • Available in around 20 colours
  • Dries in 2 hours so you can add a second coat quickly
  • Offers up to 4 years protection

3   Ronseal Garden Paint 20+ Colours 2.5 Litre

Ronseal Garden Paint 20+ Colours 2.5 Litre

Another from Ronseal is their Garden Paint to match those from the likes of Cuprinol and Johnstone’s, it is a popular paint at a decent price showcasing good reviews. It is great for wood but can also be used on other materials such as metal (primer may be needed) terracotta, brick and stone. Following painting the surface is waterproof in 1 hour and can resist any cracking or peeling. It offers a high solid content giving longer lasting protection and is available in a range of colours, around 20+.

Key features:
  • Available in 20+ colours so you can paint your wood how you want
  • High solid content for longer lasting protection
  • Can be used on other materials including metal (may need primer)

4   Everbuild WSTAINSDO0750 Woodstain, Dark Oak, 750 ml

Everbuild WSTAINSDO0750 Woodstain, Dark Oak, 750 ml

This woodstain from Everbuild is a quality low solevent wood stain which will enhance the natural qualities of your wood and provide protection through waterproofing, crack, peel and ultraviolet resistance. It can be expected to provide protection for up to 5 years and touch dry in 30 minutes and overcoat after 4 hours.

This colour is dark oak but if you scroll down to also viewed you can see a variety of colours though limited to only wood colours since it is a stain. It is relatively cheap, from a good brand and is available in 250ml, 750ml and 2.5 litres depending on how much you need. While you’re improving the wood in your garden consider a lawn scarifier to thicken your grass.

Key features:
  • Touch dry in 30 minutes, overcoat in 4 hours
  • Expected to protect up to 5 years
  • Range of wood colours available

5   Cuprinol 1L Garden Shades – Beach Blue 50+ colours

Cuprinol 1L Garden Shades – Beach Blue 50+ colours

This popular garden shades paint from Cuprinol is available in over 50 colours so you can paint your exterior wood basically any colour you want. Available in sizes of 1L, 2.5L and 5L though some colours are only available in certain sizes. It offers long lasting colour and protection and is suitable for all garden wood.

The finish is opaque matt so it retains the texture of the wood grain and it is water based so it is harmless to pets and animals. It can be sprayed or brushed on whichever you prefer. Cuprinol Garden Shades has been purchased many times and has great reviews. Spruce up your garden in other ways, see our top picks for cantilever parasols.

Key features:
  • Available in over 50 colours
  • Opaque matt finish so the wood grain shows through
  • Suitable for all garden wood, great reviews

6  Rust-Oleum 750ml Universal Paint

Rust-Oleum 750ml Universal Paint

The Rust-Oleum Universal paint can be used directly on wood, metal, plastic, ceramic and even rust offering a paint and primer in one in around 20 colours. Though if you do want to use it for stain block particularly for nicotine and tanning bleed you should prime it first with Universal Stain Block Primer.

Also, if you want to use it on non-ferrous or galvanised metal prime with some metal primer. The Rust-Oleum has a coverage of up to 9 metres squared per litre which is on the slightly lower side. It is touch dry in 2 hours and handle after 8 hours. You can apply a second coat after 16 hours and full hardness after 7 days. However, don’t apply it in damp conditions. See our decking paint guide for proper paints for the surface.

Key features:
  • Universal use across many materials
  • Up to 9 metres squared per litre coverage
  • Just under 20 colours available

7   Multi Surface Paint Dark Grey, Satin, 1 Litre

Multi Surface Paint Dark Grey, Satin, 1 Litre

This dark grey satin paint from The One is a quick drying, multi surface water-based paint including metal, wood, plastic, UPVC, brick, masonry, stone, glass and more. It doesn’t require any undercoat or primer saving you money and in most cases, it only needs one coat. It is a water based paint with low VOCs meaning you can easily clean it up after with water soapy water.

It is available in 12 different colours and 3 different finishes matt, satin and gloss so you can pick. Though it is not the cheapest option by any means on our list as you will see by the table at the top. For other paint guides see our guide on masonry paints.

Key features:
  • For use on almost any surface
  • Available in 12 colours and 3 finishes
  • Water based paint means easy clean up

8   Ronseal Weatherproof 10 Year Exterior Wood Paint Racing Green Gloss 750 ml

Ronseal Weatherproof 10 Year Exterior Wood Paint Racing Green Gloss 750 ml

This paint from Ronseal is ideal for only wood, that is bare or has previously been painted and it flexes with the movement of the wood making it resistant to any cracking, peeling or blistering for 10 years guaranteed. Following painting it is weatherproof in only 1 hour and it is specially developed to ensure that the paintwork isn’t spoiled in changing weather conditions.

It has a coverage of 13 metres square per litre and requires 2 coats allowing it to maintain longer gloss levels than traditional gloss paint. You can purchase it in a fair few colours if you look around on amazon though it is not necessarily the cheapest paint. See our guide on artificial grass for some unique garden picks.

Key features:
  • 10-year guarantee on quality
  • Waterproof in only 1 hour following painting
  • Maintains gloss levels longer than traditional gloss paint

9   Ronseal Weatherproof 10 Year Exterior Wood Paint Brilliant White Satin 750 ml

Ronseal Weatherproof 10 Year Exterior Wood Paint Brilliant White Satin 750 ml

Another from Ronseal, essentially the same as the one above but this time in satin. It is ideal for bare or previously painted wood, flexing with the wood movement making it resistant to any cracking, peeling and blistering for a guaranteed 10 years. Following painting it is weatherproof after only 1 hour and is specially designed so the paintwork isn’t spoiled in changing weather conditions.

It covers 13 metres square per litre of paint, requiring 2 coats and provides a great satin finish. You can find a range of colours if you look around Amazon though just for this review we used satin white. For other items set on improving your garden see our robotic lawnmower picks for the ultimate connivence. 

Key features:
  • 10-year guarantee on quality
  • Waterproof in only 1 hour following painting
  • Multiple colours available

10   Rustins Quick Dry Paint

Rustins Quick Dry Paint

This satin black paint from Rustins is ideal for interior or exterior use on wood or metal and offers a matt finish on both materials. It offers low VOC and is water based so it is easy to wash off just use some soap and water. People have said it is a lovely and smooth paint and it is quick drying so you can apply your second coat shortly after the first. For other items set to improve your garden see our picks for edging shears.

Key features:
  • Ideal for wood or metal
  • Water based so easy to wash off
  • Quick drying so you can apply another coat soon after

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