If your garden shed is looking old and tired, the best shed paint will give it a new lease of life. Being exposed to rain, wind, snow, extreme sun, and whatever else the unpredictable British weather brings can leave your shed needing a bit of spruce up. The best shed paint will not only give your shed long-lasting protection from the elements but will also add a splash of colour to your garden.
The humble garden shed is a multifunctional garden building and can be used for so much more than just garden storage, although that’s what most of us use them for. They can be turned into a workshop, a garden bar, or even a hobby room. Whatever you use your shed for, giving your shed a lick of paint can make it stand out in your garden.
Best shed paint at a glance:
• Best shed paint for non-drip application: Cuprinol 5 Year Ducksback – Buy now on Wickes
• Best shed paint for one-coat protection: Ronseal One Coat Fence Life – Buy now on Wickes
• Best shed paint for colour range: Johnstone's Garden Colours – Buy now on Amazon UK
Just like how fence paint is important for shielding your fence against rain, wind, snow and extreme sun exposure, it’s the same for your shed. While painting it will have your shed looking spick-and-span, it’s also important for the overall maintenance of your shed. Regular upkeep with a coat of paint will ensure your shed is protected from the elements for longer, which will help with the overall longevity of your shed.
With the right paint choice, your shed becomes not only a weatherproof storage solution but a durable and attractive addition to your outdoor living space. Read on to discover the best shed paint for functionality and style.
The best shed paint 2024
Best shed paint for non-drip application
Cuprinol/Wickeswww.wickes.co.uk
The wax-enriched water-repellent formula of Cuprinol 5 Year Ducksback will make your shed rain-resistant within the hour. It's also low odour, so it won't upset your pets and the surrounding plant life in your garden.
Customer review: "This is a nice and easy to use treatment, it is satisfyingly gloopy but goes on smoothly, for us one coat was fine and one tub was more than enough for a 4x4m summerhouse."
Pros
- Wax enriched formula
- Non-drip application
Cons
- Better on rough-sawn wood than smooth wood
- 9 litres
- Up to 4.8m² coverage per litre
- 5 years protection
- Non-drip application
- Showerproof in 1 hour
- 2-4 hours drying time
- Matt finish
Best shed paint for one-coat protection
Ronseal/Wickeswww.wickes.co.uk
Get your shed looking great in no time with this one-coat shed paint. Ronseal One Coat Fence Life can be brushed or sprayed on, making it ideal for weatherboard sheds that have a rough-sawn look.
Customer review: "Great product, great value for money."
Pros
- Easy application
- Good results from just one coat
Cons
- Doesn't keep its colour as long as other shed paints
- 5 litres
- Up to 6m² coverage per litre
- Keeps its colour for up to 2 years
- Brush or spray application
- All-weather protection
- 4 hours drying time
- Matt finish
Best shed paint for colour range
Johnstone's/AmazonWant to add a splash of vibrancy to your shed but don't want to lose that natural look? Johnstone's Garden Colours paints provide a layer of long-lasting colour that still allows you to see the wood's natural grain through it. This smooth and rich paint is fade-resistant and keeps its colour for up to three years.
Customer review: "Really thick and only needed one coat. Beautiful colour and really pleased with results. Hopefully it will weather well, time will tell."
Pros
- Vast range of colours
- Long-lasting results
Cons
- For larger sheds, you'll need more than one tin
- 2.5 litres
- Up to 12m² coverage per litre
- Keeps its colour for up to 3 years
- 2-4 hours drying time
- Woodgrain finish
Best shed paint for coverage
Wickeswww.wickes.co.uk
The water-based formulation of this shed paint is both flora-and-fauna-friendly. Applying the Wickes Shed & Fence Timber Care with a brush or roller will give a high-coverage finish that is protected against UV light and weather extremes.
Customer review: "I always spray anything I can because its 4 or 5 times quicker than brushing it on. This is always what I use & by spraying it gets in every book & cranny. Especially good for preserving rotting timber as the spray soaks the timber."
- 9 litres
- Up to 100m² coverage per litre
- 3-year colour performance
- 4 hours drying time
- Matt finish
Best shed paint for easy application
HQC/AmazonNo matter your preferred application method, whether you use a brush, roller, or spryer, the HQC Fence Paint and Garden Shed Paint ensures easy and effortless coverage. It has a thick consistency so you can say goodbye to drips and runs but the thickness doesn't stop it from drying quickly.
Customer review: "Very happy with this paint i was worried it wouldn't cover my old garden furniture very well as I couldn't get all the old paint off so just sanded down briefly by hand then got to work on the painting. Paint is really thick and covered the chairs really well i will be giving them a second coat.
I ordered a huge 5ltr tub and hardly touched it yet so plenty left for table bench and maybe fencing too 😁"
Pros
- Easy to apply
- Weatherproof
Cons
- Some customers have experienced an un-even finish
- 5 litres
- Up to 12m² coverage per litre
- 2-4 hours drying time
- All-weather protection
- Mildew resistant
Best shed paint for stopping mildew
King Of Paints/B&Qwww.diy.com
Manufactured with a special mix of algaecides and fungicides, the King Of Paints Garden Shed and Fence Paint is the best paint for eliminating mildew growth. The paint will shield your shed from rain, frost and sun, and the beautiful deep green colour won't fade in the sun either.
Customer review: "We bought King Of Paints and were delighted to be upgraded to the Ultimate+ free of charge and it only took one coat, the best and most amazing paint."
Pros
- Will not fade in the sun
- Offers shielding from rain, frost and snow
Cons
- Paint needs a good mix before it's applied
- 5 litres
- Up to 6m² coverage per litre
- 5-year colour performance
- Shower-proof within an hour
- Satin finish
Best shed paint for applying to damp wood
Ronseal/AmazonIdeal for both rough sawn and smooth planed wood. The Ronseal Fence Life Plus+ paint's got UV protection for durable colour and it's shower-proof within an hour. It can be applied by spray or brush.
Customer review: "Arrived promptly. Very well packaged indeed. No danger of spillage or damage. Fence paint true to colour on description and has good coverage with a normal large paintbrush. I would recommend."
Pros
- Shower proof within one hour
- Can be applied to damp wood
Cons
- Needs multiple coats
- 5 litres
- Up to 6m² coverage per litre
- All-weather protection
- 5-year long-lasting colour
- Shower-proof within an hour
- Matt finish
Best shed paint for a stained finish
B&Qwww.diy.com
For a beautifully stained finish on your shed, look no further than the GoodHome Colour it Matt Fence & Shed Stain range from B&Q. You can achieve your desired look by generously applying it with a brush or spray and in approximately 60 minutes, your shed will be dry and showerproof.
Customer review: "So easy to apply and the colour is a lovely natural golden colour. I would recommend it. Also very good price."
Pros
- Weather and UV-resistant
- Low odour
Cons
- Some customers have described the pain as being thin and runny so you may need a couple of coats to get a good coverage
- 9 litre
- Up to 10m² coverage per litre
- Shower-proof within an hour
- Five-year guarantee
- 1-4 hours drying time
- Matt finish
FAQs
When should your shed be painted?
The best time to paint a garden shed is when the weather is dry, so you'll want to check the weather forecast before you start. Ideally, you will want to paint when there are a few days in a row with no rain showers predicted to give your shed enough time to fully dry.
The end of spring or the beginning of autumn are ideal times to paint your garden shed. Your shed will look fresh and help your garden to look its best during the summer months if you paint it in May. September is also a great month to paint your shed, weather-wise.
How to paint your shed
Give it a clean
The first step you'll want to do before you start painting your shed is to give it a good clean. Remove any mud, mould, cobwebs and debris your shed may have picked up during the year. Give it a good scrub, but make sure the wood is completely dry before getting your paintbrush out.
Repair any damage
An older shed is bound to need some TLC before you paint it to repair any damage it might have sustained being exposed to the elements throughout the year. Replace any decayed timber and fill in any gaps to ensure your shed is watertight to protect the items you have stored in your shed.
Protect yourself and your surroundings
Painting is messy work, no matter how careful you are. Protect nearby surfaces and surrounding plants with a dust sheet to catch any drips. Make sure you're wearing clothes that you won't mind getting paint splatters on. It is also a good idea to trim back any bushes or trees with garden secateurs surrounding your shed to give you plenty of room to work.
Paint your shed
Once all the prep work is done, you can now get stuck into painting. It can be applied to your shed using a paintbrush, roller or even be sprayed on. So, before you start, check the tin of your chosen colour for advice on the best technique. You will want to apply a thick, even coat of paint that follows the same direction as the grain of the timber. This is to make sure it soaks into the wood. Allow plenty of time to dry, and apply a second coat if needed.
Rosie Floyd is a Pets, Homes and Garden Product Writer for Yours, specialising in home appliances, décor and furnishings, as well as all things dogs. After completing her Journalism & Media degree from Coventry University back in 2015, she started her career writing about must-visit holiday destinations, moving on to creating content around outdoor living and garden buildings, before joining the team at Bauer.