Timber gates and paint

Paint - Water based or Solvent based? This choice is mostly a matter of personal preference, but it may help to make your choice based on the advantages each type of treatment offers.

Good quality exterior water-based paints provide better retention of gloss and colour than solvent-based paints, especially in sunny conditions. They also resist long-term cracking and peeling better than solvent-based products. Timber gates, 5 bar gates, entrance gates all need to protected.

Solvent-based paints offer superior one-coat hiding and better adhesion to difficult surfaces.

Whatever your choice it's not a 'slap it on and forget it' affair.

A good quality paint will ensure a good start, and will be better value for money in the long term than the less expensive paints. When choosing paint it's a good idea to use the manufacturers' full system. It is generally necessary to use a primer to seal the wood, followed by undercoat and then a top or gloss coat.

Generally speaking painted gates should be examined for signs of paint cracking, splitting or blistering all signs of the need to clean and scrape off loose paint before the painting process is repeated.

As ever, it is always advisable to also read the guidelines for using the paints of your choice. Back