Your fence is the first thing that people notice when they visit your house. Needless to say, it is very important to take care of it.
Last month, I decided to apply a fresh coat of paint to my fence as the old color started peeling. Moreover, my elder son and his girlfriend were coming to visit me, so I wanted to make sure that the house looked a bit more presentable.
However, with my husband working in California, I wasn't super excited to paint my fence, as I had to do it all by myself. But, luckily when I called him, he motivated me and even recommended a few options which I hadn't heard of before.
Hi! I am Stacy Smith, and today I will be reviewing some of the best fence paints for you to consider. This will guarantee protection and make your home stand out.
So, without further ado, let's begin.
Top 5 Fence Paints
1. KILZ 10211
Previously, I had heard a lot about KILZ from my husband, so I looked it up online. That is when I came across the 10211 fence paint from the brand. Featuring a unique oil/water-based formula, it offers decent protection in varying weather conditions.
Product Highlights
This product is available in red and white, exactly the kind of fence paint that I was looking for. Besides adding top-notch protection, the matte finish enhances the visual appearance of the fence. Plus, its oil/water-based formula makes it highly durable; therefore, it does not peel or crack over time.
One of the best features that I noticed about the product is its quick drying time; I was surprised that it took only 3 hours to dry. This is especially satisfying, considering its impressive coverage which ranges between 200 square feet and 500 square feet per gallon.
On top of that, you would be pleased to know that it is very easy to apply. I personally like using an airless sprayer, but you can also get the job done using a roller or simply a brush. Overall, it is one of the best fence paints that you can get your hands on.
What's There To Like About It?
Firstly, I was looking for a color that would make my fence look timeless, and I am happy to say that the red color delivers exceptional results. Another key highlight of this product has got to be its quick drying time, which helped me get the job done before sunset.
I also liked that it can be applied using an airless sprayer. Being a 53-year old, I wasn't looking forward to using a brush or a roller to paint my fence.
What's There Not To Like About It?
Even though this fence paint does a decent job for most parts, I found out that it has a couple of drawbacks. For instance, I was not impressed with the packaging; the can was slightly dented. Additionally, it is not a one-coat coverage paint, which means that you will need multiple coats to paint your fence.
Pros and Cons of KILZ 10211
Pros
Cons
2. Jetcoat Fence and Barn Paint
Next, I will be reviewing another fantastic fence paint option from Jetcoat. It is highly versatile and apart from fences you can apply it on a wide variety of surfaces, including driveways, silos, and grain bins.
Product Highlights
In my opinion, the main highlight of this product is its water-based acrylic formula, which is highly durable, thanks to its fade and UV-resistant properties. Plus, it is very easy to apply; use a roller, brush, or sprayer to get the job done in a single coat.
Now, it has a cure time of 24 hours and is available on the market in 5 gallons, which I think should be enough for painting your fence. What’s more, one gallon covers 100 square feet, but the best part is that you can apply it on a wide range of surfaces for a hassle-free experience.
In addition, it is made with non-toxic ingredients, making it safe for plants and animals. Also, there is no need to worry about spills because it is easy to clean; just use warm water and soap to remove the stains.
What's There To Like About It?
For starters, I was impressed by its easy application and you can get the job done in a single coat, using a sprayer, roller, or a brush. I was also pleased to know that it is made of non-toxic materials, thereby ensuring safety for plants and animals.
Apart from this, spillage can be dealt with easily by using soap and warm water, which is very useful if you have kids running around the house.
What's There Not To Like About It?
As far as the drawbacks are concerned, I am happy to report that there are no major downsides of using this product. However, if I had to nit-pick, I would say that it has a significantly longer cure time of 24 hours. But, that will only matter if you intend to apply an extra coat of paint.
Pros and Cons of Jetcoat Fence and Barn Paint
Pros
Cons
3. Valspar 3125-70
If you are looking for a fence paint that offers exceptional cure and drying time, you can't go wrong with the Valspar 3125-70 Barn and Latex Paint. In fact, I used it to help my neighbor, Jessica, paint her fence a few months back.
Product Highlights
There are quite a few things that I really liked about this product; however, what caught my attention right from the start was its quick drying and cure time. When I applied it to my neighbor's fence, it dried in less than half an hour.
Not to mention that it is thick and gets the job done in a single coat. Besides, what impressed me the most was its wide application; it can be used on a broad spectrum of surfaces, including aluminum, weathered steel, masonry, and wood.
You will find that like the KILZ 10211, this paint is also available in red and white colors. Having said that, my neighbor and I were a bit worried about fading; luckily, it didn't deteriorate, thanks to its weather-resistant finish.
Also, because I didn't have my mask with me, I preferred to use a roller-brush, while my neighbor, Jessica, used an airless paint sprayer to get the job done.
What's There To Like About It?
I really liked its fast-drying and cure time, which, in my opinion, is the USP of this fence paint. Plus, it is slightly thick and gets the job done in a single coating.
Speaking of coating, I love that it is weather-resistant and doesn't fade away easily, which is ideal given the hot and humid weather conditions in Texas. Furthermore, it can be applied on a wide range of exterior surfaces and Jessica used the remaining paint for driveway maintenance.
What's There Not To Like About It?
The only gripe I have against this product is its hefty price tag. It is one of the most expensive options on the market, and may not be the ideal product for a retired school teacher like me. Other than that, I didn't come across any considerable issues while using this fence paint.
Pros and Cons of Valspar 3125-70
Pros
Cons
4. Majic Paints 8-0046-1
Next up, I have chosen the Majic Paints 8-0046-1, which my husband and I used for painting the barn last year, and it was quite a memorable experience. This paint is made of top-quality latex and is known for its excellent adhesion and color retention properties.
Product Highlights
When my husband bought this paint, I was a little skeptical. However, when I researched it online, I found out that it's from a trustworthy brand, so its top-notch results weren’t surprising.
With one gallon, I was able to cover up to 250 square feet, which I thought was pretty decent. Moreover, if you intend to buy paint that can be applied on various surfaces such as barns, fences, silos, and sheds, this is the right product for you.
On top of that, it dries in half an hour, which is a lot quicker than what I was expecting. But that also led to concerns about fading as most fence paints fail to offer reliability.
Fortunately, this paint is highly adhesive as it delivers optimal color retention and consistent pigmentation, due to its weather and UV-resistant properties.
What's There To Like About It?
The drying and cure time of this paint is a lot quicker than I expected, which of course, is great. What’s more, it has the capacity to cover up to 250 square feet in a single gallon, which most people would agree is pretty decent.
Now, as far as versatility is concerned, it exceeded my expectations with its wide range of applications. Also, I loved the fact that it can be cleaned easily using soap and water.
What's There Not To Like About It?
While using it, I didn't come across any significant drawbacks to this outstanding paint. That said, I wish it was a bit thicker; you may require a couple of coatings to get the desired results. For the record, my husband and I had to apply 3 layers to paint the barn.
Pros and Cons of Majic Paints 8-0046-1
Pros
Cons
5. BEHR 02501
Next up, I will review another highly efficient fence paint from the house of BEHR. The 02501 Barn and Fence Paint features a potent latex and oil mixture, which ensures superior penetration and durability.
Product Highlights
This paint features a classy red matte finish that goes really well with exterior surfaces such as barns, sidings, shingles, and fences. But the best results are seen when used on wood. Since it is made of oil and latex, it penetrates deep into the wooden surface, thereby providing outstanding adhesion and top-notch durability.
Moreover, to color a fence, your paint must deliver good coverage. Fortunately, this product will not let you down as 1 gallon can cover 200 - 500 square feet depending on the quality of the surface. Furthermore, it has a drying time of 2 - 3 hours and a recoat time between 6 and 8 hours, which I think is phenomenal.
I found that like other fence paints, it is also weather-resistant. However, in case it does stain there is no cause for concern. It is easy to maintain; you can simply use warm water and soap to clean it in a few minutes.
What's There To Like About It?
I personally like the red matte finish; it helps enhance the visual appearance of the fence to make your property stand out. Additionally, I was impressed with its wide coverage as one gallon can cover up to 500 square feet, which I feel is a lot.
Also, I was not expecting it to deliver such quick-drying and cure time; it lets you finish the project much sooner than you would expect.
What's There Not To Like About It?
Frankly speaking, I found this fence paint to be quite thick and you may experience difficulty while using an airless sprayer. So, it would be best to add a cup of water to every gallon of paint which will help dilute the solution. Having said that, you can rest assured that it doesn't compromise on the results.
Pros and Cons of BEHR 02501
Pros
Cons
Buyers Guide
There you have it; those were my 5 favorite fence paints. So, were you able to pick a product? Well, something tells me you couldn't.
I understand that knowing just the brand names and a few pros and cons is simply not enough to buy the best fence paint. In fact, there are a few other factors that you need to keep in mind before making the purchase.
That is why I have written this buyer's guide, explaining all the important factors in detail to help you make an informed decision based on your requirements. I strongly recommend reading this section carefully.
1. Ease Of Use
A top-quality fence paint should be easy to use as Texans are mostly DIYers and don't like calling professionals to paint fences and barns.
Moreover, a quality product shouldn't need a primer coating. It should be semi-viscous so that it can be applied using a sprayer, brush, or roller.
However, if it's a bit thick, you can always dilute it before applying. This will allow it to adhere well to the surface irrespective of the temperature. Understandably, buying a paint that’s easy to apply is one of the most important factors.
2. Durability
Durability is another important factor that you should keep in mind while buying any fence paint.
You need to choose a product that can withstand harsh weather conditions and doesn't crack or peel over time. Meaning, it should be resistant to UV rays and water to prevent fading.
3. Drying Time
Always opt for a product that has a quick drying time as I am sure you would want to complete work quickly.
You should know that a paint that dries faster has a couple of advantages. For instance, it provides top-notch color retention, which is especially useful if you live in an area that experiences frequent rainfall.
Therefore, the quicker your paint dries, the lower its chances of getting damaged after application. Also, keep in mind that water-based fence paints dry faster than oil-based paints.
4. Absorption Rate
The absorption rate is another important factor that is not taken seriously, but it is as important as the other points in this section. You should always choose a fence paint that is able to penetrate deep into the wood.
Not to mention, with a good quality paint you will require only one coat to get the desired results. On the other hand, if the pain has a low absorption rate and requires 2 or 3 coatings, that means you will have to spend more money to complete work.
5. Color And Finish
Everybody has their favorite colors, so it would be best to choose a paint that is available in a variety of shades. Plus, I would suggest buying a small sample, thereby ensuring that you can judge its pros and cons before applying it to the whole fence.
Now, as far as the finish is concerned, the two most common types are matte and gloss finish. I personally think that matte looks better on exterior surfaces such as fences, barns, and sheds.
6. Eco-Friendly
While buying the best fence paint, you should always go with a product that is made of eco-friendly ingredients. It should hardly have any odor, making it safe for both plants and animals.
Hence, if you are a gardener like me and enjoy the company of trees and plants, it is imperative to choose an eco-friendly option.
7. Easy To Clean
A good quality paint should be easy to clean. Usually, water-based fence paints are easier to clean; warm water and soap will get rid of most spills without any difficulty.
On the other hand, oil-based fence paints need turpentine to dissolve the stains. That said, in this day and age, oil-based paints have undergone major changes to their composition. Unsurprisingly, modern products can be cleaned using water and soap.
Frequently Asked Questions
These are some of the frequently asked questions that I have tried answering to provide you with additional insight on fence paints.
It comes down to the durability of your fence paint. But, all the paints that I have mentioned in this article could last between 4 and 6 years with proper maintenance.
You can use both a brush and a sprayer to apply the fence paint. However, using a sprayer will save you a lot of time and deliver a smooth finish. Additionally, using a sprayer doesn't require much effort, which is good for professionals and first-timers alike.
Without a doubt, the best season to color your fence would be summer as the weather remains warm, which helps the paint dry faster. That being said, most fence paints on the market can be applied in any season, thanks to their water-resistant properties.
My Final Recommendation
With that, I have reached the end of my guide to help you choose the best fence paint; hopefully, you can buy the right product to complete different painting tasks.Â
Before wrapping up, I would like to mention my personal favorites. The KILZ 10211 is an option worth considering if you are looking for a fence paint that dries quickly and offers decent coverage.Â
Apart from that, the Jetcoat Fence and Barn Paint is popular for its non-toxic ingredients and you can use it on a wide range of surfaces. However, if you are looking for a product that delivers a thick coat, I suggest going with the Valspar 3125-70.Â
So, that’s all for now. Hope to see you soon!Â