What about painting a brand new picket fence?

MaryAnn Crowley
by MaryAnn Crowley

Our neighbors are partnering with us to put up a new wood fence. We're having the contractor prime it before it goes up. Neighbor has chosen a white finish paint on her side wjhich he hasas applied. I want a soft green for the slats facing our property. I intend that fence will be a backdrop for my flower beds. The fence slats are staggered so I will only be painting the boards on our side. Any /comments or suggestions?


  14 answers
  • William William on Jul 06, 2020

    It's already primed so just paint. Use a roller to apply the paint and you may want to use a 4" paint brush to smooth it out.

  • I agree with William. You may not even need a brush to smooth it out.

  • FrugalFamilyTimes.com FrugalFamilyTimes.com on Jul 06, 2020

    Once itā€™s primed it will be pretty straightforward to paint. Are you looking for color suggestions? Take the samples outside - outdoor colors look so much different in place than in doors. :)

  • Mogie Mogie on Jul 06, 2020

    We just put a new fence up last month. Found it easier to have one person roll and a person with a brush to follow to clean up runs.

  • Cindy Cindy on Jul 06, 2020

    Hi Mary Ann. It's nice that you and your neighbor are sharing the cost. And I think soft green would make a lovely background for your flower beds. Good luck Mary Ann. I hope you are well.

  • Cynthia H Cynthia H on Jul 06, 2020

    Are the narrow edges going to be white or green? Because you will see them from both sides, if there are spaces between the pickets. If there isn't much of a gap, it probably won't show. I would tape where the white ends and the green begins or you are going to accidentally get green on the white, unless you are a very neat painter (I'm not). I would use both a small roller and a brush as suggested and take my time. It sounds lovely. We have a privacy fence and have been debating whether to stain or paint. The soft green would be lovely behind our plants. Good luck and stay safe!

  • Statytojas Statytojas on Jul 07, 2020

    We just bought charred wood fence from https://degmeda.eu/services/charred-wood-fence/. It has gorgeus texture and can last for up to hundred years! If you want some advice, you can contact them ;)

  • Johnavallance82 Johnavallance82 on Jul 07, 2020

    Hello MaryAnn,

    Maybe use one of the SHADES wood colour for garden external use MATT finish, Easier to apply and comes in lots of colours, or Gloss Paint over an Undercoat. Small brush for edges and larger for face, and of course a pair of gloves. Enjoy the journey.

  • Homeroad Homeroad on Jul 07, 2020

    I am wondering what color the sides of the pickets will be because from either side you will see the other color and I'm not sure that is a good look. You may want to consider going with the same color on both sides.

  • Kathy Gunter Law Kathy Gunter Law on Jul 07, 2020

    Roller application, make sure to use exterior grade paint. There are some paints that are designed for fence & post but unsure if you can get it in green. If the material is pressure treated lumber and it is not at least 3 months cured, be prepared to repaint in the next few years.

  • Kmdreamer Kmdreamer on Jul 08, 2020

    Sounds nice use out door wood paint like for decks

  • Deb K Deb K on Jul 10, 2020

    Hi MaryAnn, I think you should consider using a roller so none of the color seeps or bleeds over to the white on the neighbor's side, I think you could get away with painting every board facing your side (inside the yard and on the outside of the crossboard), so everything you see is green, otherwise you will have a circus tent effect, and I don't think you want that as a backdrop. You will save a lot of time as well because you don't have to do the top and sides of each board, I think it will look fantastic!

  • Dee Dee on Mar 02, 2021

    How high is the fence? I definitely would not paint it white like your neighbor, it will be a nightmare to keep clean. Green or stained wood will be easier to maintain.