Updated: 08/12/2020

What Paint To Use On Wood?

Everyone wants their house or property to look fantastic and gleaming throughout the year. The key to getting this beautiful look all year round is selecting the perfect paint for interior and exterior wood surfaces. Small or large rooms, patios, open decks, walls, and ceilings can benefit with the help of excellent paint depending on the surface. With so many different textures and types of paints readily available in the market, it can be challenging to find the perfect paint for your specific needs.

Exterior paint in the UK needs to be versatile to handle the ever changing weather. With the constant sun and rain, winds and snow in the winters, keeping the paint job intact can be a challenging task. Once you’ve chosen the colours you want, you should start on understanding the different types of exterior wood paints. This type of paint should withstand the onslaught of the changing weather and should last for a few years. The protection, drying, gloss, and shine of the walls should remain intact.

 

Can I Use One Type of Exterior Paint for all External Surfaces?

Different types of wooden surfaces have their own individual requirements. Durable paint requires a heavy application to ensure long-lasting success. Decking paint and fences need durable paint since they see a lot of footfall and constant use respectively. The formula in fence and decking paint is different from the one used for a glossy or matte finish for exterior walls. 

Exterior paint depends heavily on use and position on the wall or floor or object (like the fence or gate). Furniture paint on wood also differs for interior and exterior furniture. You should consider purchasing different interior, exterior, furniture, and decking paint to suit their unique requirements and avoid excessive peeling.

Wood paint and wood stains can also be used on fences since the colours soak into the wood and offer an extra coat of protection. Decking paint with anti-slip properties is also excellent for houses with children, pets, and senior citizens. Once you’ve decided on the type of paint to use for different surfaces, you should consider colours, textures, and finishes. 

Let us look at what paint to use on wood for the everchanging British weather.

Repainting or putting fresh paint requires serious consideration depending on the age of the wood, and its texture. Repainting exterior wood adds to the protection and improves the age of the wood.

What Paint To Use On Wood Image

Weather Protection: Painting wood requires effort, which means that the wood needs to be prepped to make it long-lasting. Preparing the wood, and then covering it with all-weather paint ensures that the paint protects the wood, and allows it to withstand wear and tear. Good quality wood paint will ideally last upwards of seven to eight years, and with proper care, can even stretch up to a decade. 

Most weather protection paint cans come with instructions of application of paint and wood prep for first-time users. Some also come with a small booklet of instructions for scraping, sanding, and application on wood and wooden surfaces. One example of excellent weather protection paint is decking paint since it is exposed to maximum climate change. Exterior wood paint for surfaces and walls is usually all-weather proof and should be checked before the purchase. 

 

Finish: Finish and sheen for interior and exterior wood are different. Wood finishes depend on individual taste and preference. Glossy finishes are very high in shine, satin finish is slightly more subtle and muted than glossy finishes, while eggshell finish is muted nearly matte-looking. 

Eggshell finish is low sheen and is usually solvent-based. Eggshell finishes are generally extremely durable and easily washable, which makes them quite popular for long term use and easy maintenance. Satin finish is made with extra pigment and is known for its quick application for external surfaces. You also get gel-variants in satin finish which are low to no-drip. Quick-dry satin finishes are water-based and are usually best for whites and light colours.

A glossy finish gives a professional look and is usually applied by painters with high skill levels due to the difficulty in regular handling. Liquid glossy paints (similar to satin finish), also come with high-quality heavy pigments for an ultra-chic, shiny look. 

 

Selection Advice for Exterior Paints: While making a selection, microporous paints allow the wood to breathe, while satin finishes are known for their wood protection properties. For high-quality woodwork, apply the stain and oil to retain the original colour of the wood before using paint. 

While using any exterior paint, always remember to prep the wood before application according to manufacturers’ instructions.

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