A thrilling thread about fence posts and painting garden fences

[soundsystem]

So, I've got a garden for the first time ever - it's very exciting! However I have no clue about any of it.

We currently have that sort of browny/red fence, with concrete fence posts between the panels (which are grey/mossy). I'm planning to paint the fence a nice fresh colour, maybe a pale green or blue, or even yellow.

So. Do I paint the posts as well? Or do I maybe just clean them somehow? Like, with a pressure washer, so they come up nice and white? Or something else?

I think it depends on the colours. Concrete grey might look really lovely with bright yellow fences. Where would you stop painting? Would you need to paint half the tops too?

I have wondered about this, as I have been tempted to change our fence to black, but DH pointed out that the posts would look v odd ( plus we have concrete gravel boards at the base).

Just to warn you, the colours you are thinking off will make the fence the main feature of the garden . As long as that's the look you are going for .

If you want to make the fence LESS obvious and put in plants or other things ( patio, water feature, garden furniture , ornaments ) to be the main feature of the garden , you need to paint it a dark colour , like dark green or black .

If I were you I would spend some time on Pinterest or similar and search for gardens with bright fences, so you know you are happy with that look . Cheaper and easier that redoing it .

Like these

Bright blue

I had a very satisfying day putting a dark stain on our eyesorefence - first time in 20 years. It now looks amazing - like brand new never woulda thunk it. If I moved to a new garden house, would now be the first thing I would do - really smartens up the place and every else, however neglected somehow takes on a trendier aspect.

What colour of dark stain - black or brown ? Go on, let's see a photo . There are not enough to photos of fences on MN

I have dark oak it looks lovely. Then people next door have a dark green it looks nice. I don't think yellow would be very nice but each to their own. The paint won't be suitable for both. I would try washing then paint fence and live with it for a week or two then decide whether to paint posts. This will save Tim and money which you can spend on plants if it looks ok.

Remember to ask the neibour if it is there fence. The stain can come through any holes and they may not like your colour choice. We have a blue shed- love it!

Remember to ask the neibour if it is there fence. The stain can come through any holes and they may not like your colour choice. We have a blue shed- love it!

There are not enough to photos of fences on MN

will have a go when I get home

Thanks all! We've gone for "coastal mist" a sort of pale blue. Will post pics once it's had another coat.

Have left the posts as they are for now as recommended and think I quite like them as they are so they'll probably stay that way.

Mypropertea Mumsnet has taught me from previous threads that you must ask neighbours before painting fences. I did, and they did this face . Turns out round here it's not a thing, and they now think I'm a bit odd! Still, better than angry neighbours, I suppose!

Excellent Mrs Guy

I think it's up to us on the gardening threads to be the voice of reason in the chaos that is elsewhere on MN

Like it Kr1stina

Sounds a lovely colour look forward to pics. Have you got a deck chair?

ooh, a couple of deck chairs is exactly what I need! Good idea!

Hmm, maybe no deck chairs if it's going to keep raining! Just waiting for a dry enough day to do the next coat!

Another thing to consider is if the colour you use seeps through to next doors fence... I fancied painting my fence black but my neighbour was concerned when I told them (as they couldn't be bothered to paint there's, which is fair enough)

Sorry just realised this has already been addressed up thread.

Can I ask those who washed their fences before painting - what did you use ?

I once bought a house where the fence boards were painted all sorts, like the backdrop scenery in a pantomime or children's TV show. As the wood was basically sound, after experimenting with match pots we primed it and then used two coats of paint made from a blend two different exterior wood colours. It worked for us and gave us the right background we wanted for the main event in the garden which was the plants.

Btw, before you use a pressure washer try it in an unobtrusive place first, in case it causes damage.

The fences are done! Decking still to be done and then stuff to be planted, but it's a start!

That looks great.

Thanks

Looks lovely

Lovely same colour as my shed.weird but I painted three sides dark brown as seen from the road and veg patch on one side. Decided on one side to make it my secret seat and painted it that colour it is like two rooms of the garden but might change it this year as I'm hoping to get a summer house and will probably paint it that colour or cream. Good luck with the rest. Please post more pics love seeing others ideas. Love Pinterest.