Complete Guide to Painting Your Wooden Garden Shed
What Are The Benefits of Painting Your Wooden Garden Shed?
In general, there are lots of benefits associated with giving your shed a lick of paint every couple of years or so – even if it doesn’t necessarily need it in terms of extending its lifespan.
Here we take a look at just three things you can gain from this relatively simple home improvement project:
Aesthetic improvements – A freshly painted shed will look much nicer than one that’s been neglected for years.
It may not be the most important thing in the world, but a bit of extra curb appeal can make all the difference when it comes to your overall enjoyment of your garden.
Protection against the elements – Painting your shed will help to protect it from rain, sun and wind damage.
This is especially important if you store any tools or equipment in there which could be damaged by extreme weather conditions.
Improved insulation – If your shed isn’t insulated, painting it with a good quality paint can help to improve its thermal efficiency and stop it from getting too hot or too cold inside.
This will also protect your stored items from heat and moisture damage, as well as reducing the likelihood of issues such as damp forming in there over time.
It’s not just about making everything look nice either; doing this simple task regularly could help prevent major problems developing down the line which would cost more money than an annual paint job ever would. So what are you waiting for?
Grab that roller brush and get going today! You may find yourself surprised by how much satisfaction comes from simply adding some fresh colour to your garden shed.
How do you prepare a garden shed for painting?
Give it a good clean
Use a diluted general purpose cleaner and a hard wire brush to give your shed a good scrubbing. Make sure you remove any excess debris, cobwebs, mud, mould or anything else that's been attracted to your shed over the years. Make sure the wood is completely dry before you go over it with your paint.
Prime your shed if necessary If you get a paint that is quick drying and has a primer built in, then prime it before painting. If not, brush or spray on an all purpose wood primer or undercoat with a good quality stiff brush to prevent the new colour from being absorbed by the surface of the shed.
Or use an outdoor primer which helps protect against moisture damage and prevents staining caused by mould and mildew. A couple of coats should do it but make sure these are fully dry before you go over them with your paint.
Use painter's tape to mask off any areas that you don't want painted such as windowsills, doors etc making sure there is no gap between this and where you'll be painting.
Paint your shed using a good quality brush or roller. Two coats should be enough but make sure the first one is completely dry before you start on the second.
Allow the paint to dry for a few days before removing the tape and enjoying your newly painted shed!
Happy painting! 🙂
If you're feeling really adventurous, you could always try out some creative paint effects on your garden shed such as using a contrasting colour or adding a pattern.
But be careful not to go too crazy with it – remember, it's still going to need to look like a garden shed at the end of the day! 😉
If you're feeling particularly handy, you could also try painting your fence at the same time for an even better finish!
How to Paint your Garden Shed
There are a few key things to keep in mind when painting your garden shed:
If you are using an oil-based paint, make sure that the surface is completely dry before applying it. If you are using a water-based paint, wait for humidity levels to drop below 50% before starting.
Use a good quality paintbrush or roller to apply the paint evenly. Start in one corner and work your way across, then do the same thing on the other side.
Paint in long strokes, overlapping with the previous one to ensure an even coat.
You may need to apply several coats of paint. Allow each coat to dry before applying another.
Best Paint to Use for Wooden Garden Sheds
When painting your garden shed, it is important to use the right type of paint. There are a few different types of paint that can be used for sheds:
- Exterior latex or acrylic paints:
These paints are designed for outdoor use and will protect your shed from the weather. They come in a wide range of colors and are easy to apply.
- Oil-based paints:
If you want a high-quality finish, oil-based paints are the best option. However, they require more preparation and take longer to dry than other types of paint.
- Epoxy paints:
Epoxy paints offer good protection against the elements and are perfect for sheds that are regularly exposed to wet weather. However, they are not suitable for all types of sheds as they can only be applied over a certain temperature range.
- Water-based paints:
These are the cheapest option, but they do not last as long or protect your shed from the weather like other options.
On the whole, it is best to use exterior latex or acrylic paints for sheds.
These are easy to apply and come in a wide range of colors. If you want a high-quality finish, oil-based paints are the best option.
They take longer to dry than other types of paint, but they offer good protection against the elements and are perfect for sheds that are regularly exposed to wet weather.
Epoxy paints also provide excellent protection against the elements and can only be applied over a certain temperature range.