Fence painting protocol

[Flora73]

I really need to paint my side of the fence, but what is the protocol? I’ve told my neighbour as it’s her fence and I’m conscious of drips through. But my Mum has said I’m not permitted to paint as it’s not my fence! Which seems bonkers when it’s all green and looks unsightly.

Thanks!

If it’s her fence you cannot paint it or attach anything to your side of it without her permission

If you've told her and she doesn't mind, that's fine. As long as you are careful to not let it drip through the gaps in the panels and dribble down her side of the fence. The mid-dark brown shades are neutral and go with everything. They fade into the background making your garden look bigger, and make plants look great too.

Thank you! I was going to paint them grey but will change my plan to brown now. Makes life easier all round.

This.

I have asked her permission, I was just checking if I was actually allowed to do it, before I started.

What sort of fence is it?

If it's a flat panel fence without gaps to the other side, I HIGHLY recommend a knapsack sprayer. Spray it on your side just below the top, and then hand paint the top to ensure nothing gets into your neighbour's garden.

Not many people think of this, but sheds, fences etc can take HOURS...but with a sprayer, you're literally talking ten minutes. Well worth it for an extra £20.

It is a flat panel fence but most of the panels have seen better days. I do have a paint sprayer so can use that…I’m just conscious of drips going though and annoying my neighbour!

You can't paint her fence!

Put your own fence up on your side.

Or just decide life is too short to paint fences let them weather.!

I was worried about this and put it off for years.
I bought wilko paint and was surprised how thick it was. I applied with a brush and it didn't drip. I did one panel a day.

I don’t understand why! Surely if I protect the fence then it lasts longer. I really didn’t realise it was such a contentious subject!

By "paint" you mean something like a Sadolins woodstain? You can't put any old paint on wooden panels.

I meant something like Ronseal or Cuprinol paint. Not a dulux emulsion.

Even if she's agreed, tell her when you're going to spray. Our neighbour did this once without telling us and managed to cover my ex husband's motorbike in fine speckles of brown. He was a bit cross ( understatement). You'd be surprised how much goes through even if you think there's no gaps

If it's her fence you definitely need her agreement - I'd make it clear you're planning on spray painting it a colour and see if she still agrees. She might be absolutely cool with it!

Even if it's facing your garden, if it's her fence it's her property so she does have to give permission for you to paint your side. If it's poor condition is there any chance the paint won't improve it and might leak through? A wood treatment might be better than a paint if that's the case?

I’m going to check what she has used and use the same. I think it’s just a dark brown. I will absolutely make sure I tell her when I’m doing it, I may end up spraying her otherwise.

I had no idea this was a thing. I've always painted the fences facing my garden it would never have occurred to me to ask permission! If the neighbours painted their side I wouldn't care as I don't ever see it

@Grace204 Exactly! I would have just gone ahead and done it except my Mum told me otherwise. I only moved in 2 months ago so I would have had very annoyed neighbours!