Forum home› Problem solving
This Forum will close on Wednesday 27 March, 2024. Please refer to the announcement on the Discussions page for further detail.

Fence colour

jolwalshxDZO7bE9jolwalshxDZO7bE9 Posts: 8
in Problem solving
Hello, 
We have inherited dark brown fences from the previous homeowners, we are not keen on the brown, is it likely that they turn to grey like the photo below with a few years of weathering? Thanks
«13

Posts

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Hi @jolwalshxDZO7bE9 - I think you'll have to wait a while unfortunately, although it will also depend on what your climate is like. In very wet conditions the surface scours a bit, and the paint wears off.
    In my experience, what happens is that some bits will weather, and some bits won't. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • jayne10bjayne10b Posts: 105
    From your photos, it looks like the ones you've inherited have been stained that brown colour, whereas the ones in your second post have just been left, and have weathered to the silvery grey which is what happens when you don't stain them.  So, I don't think you will get the effect you're looking for, no matter how long you wait.  

    The only solution would be to repaint/stain.
  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,385
    I agree with the replies above.  If you decide to paint/stain them, black works really well for garden fences etc. and is much, much easier on the eye than brown IMO.
    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    I agree.  That brown will never fade to that soft grey.   If you want the fence to disappear from view then black is a really good choice and will easily cover that brown and will make plants or other features in front of it stand out.

    Failing that, I think you'll need several coats to achieve the grey.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • KiliKili Posts: 1,104
    Slate Grey from B&Q also looks good gives a nice background for planting

    'The power of accurate observation .... is commonly called cynicism by those that have not got it.

    George Bernard Shaw'

  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,889
    Another vote for Black from me.
    Devon.
  • Blue OnionBlue Onion Posts: 2,995
    I vote for a nice dark blue.  There is a reason fresh new dark denim jeans match any top you put on.  It will add a bit of interest but drop to the background of anything you have in front.
    Utah, USA.
  • seanchapman921seanchapman921 Posts: 4
    jayne10b said:
    From your photos, it looks like the ones you've inherited have been stained that brown colour, whereas the ones in your second post have just been left, and have weathered to the silvery grey which is what happens when you don't stain them.  So, I don't think you will get the effect you're looking for, no matter how long you wait.  

    The only solution would be to repaint/stain.
    Indeed. The original color was brown and there are two ways on what you should do next - it's either repaint it the way it was before (grey is nice actually) or stain/seal it. Actually I made an article on my blog about that, hope it helps.
  • jolwalshxDZO7bE9jolwalshxDZO7bE9 Posts: 8
    Thank you everyone. We ended up pulling down the back fence pictured as it was rotten in places. May replace with post and rail or hedges. There's another area with shiplap fence and I think we might repaint this a different colour, I'm keen on black/grey. 
  • LoxleyLoxley Posts: 5,698
    edited August 2020
    I like silvered wood and would go with that if I had the choice. But other than that black, or grey work well. You think you had problems, look at the fence I inherited. I liked the fence on the right, but I had to paint the fence and concrete posts on the left dark grey, and therefore had to paint the fence on the right as well.




    "What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbour". 
Sign In or Register to comment.