Should I change colour?

6 years ago

Hi
I’m being indecisive. I’ve asked a couple of questions before regarding my new fencing panels and picket fence. My original plan was to paint them myself a very dark colour, and have lots of lush green plants and hedging at the front. Or should I just leave the fencing as it is? I appreciate the front side gate and panel under picket fence is different and would need staining.
I’d really appreciate what people think.
Thanks

Featured Answer

Juliet Docherty

6 years ago

I would definitely leave it as it is. It blends with the environment it is in and doesn't demand attention. It has a mellow look and sits well with the brick and the paving.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (15)

rachelmidlands
6 years ago
Looks like the fencing has a wood preservative added. I would contact the supplier to confirm if it has and what product they use as I’ve heard that in some cases they are just dyed to make them look like they have been treated. If it has been treated with preservative then ideally you would need weather it in for a few months before applying colour. Personally I like the colour as it is. Preserve the the untreated sections too match the rest and I would possibly paint the concrete posts in dark brown or black for a nice contrast. You can use ordinary fence paint for this as concrete is porous and will absorb the paint. Just remember, when painted there is no going back.
Related Discussions
Should we change our boiler to a combi?
Q
Comments (3)
Are you sure that the water pressure is low to your neighbours as well? If you have not had the water main from the road to your house updated it could still be lead or cast iron. Some water companies pay part of the cost of replacing lead pipes. The pressure for the water supply to the shower would be from the tank. The mains supply may may only go direct to your kitchen tap and other taps are just off tank pressure. I would recommend getting some expert advice from a heating engineer or reputable plumber. A new heating system is an expensive purchase and you want to get it right. If you are considering solar hot water panels combi boilers are not generally suitable.
...See More
should I change custom built rosewood kitchen?!
Q
Comments (12)
Hello, we agree- this kitchen is rather dated, however there are some things you can try before completely stripping out- A client of ours had a similar kitchen in their new house; it was dark + dated, though the cupboards were in good condition. We lifted the space by changing the worktop to a much lighter granite and added metro tile splash back with grey grout. We also changed the appliances and lifted the cabinet over the new hob in order to fit a pull out extractor; and comply with modern building regulations. In your case I would suggest doing all these things- change appliances, instal a new tap/ sink, new lighter granite worktop (you could also try quartz but granite tends to be more timeless) and a lighter tiled splash back- you could use a herringbone pattern to divert interest from the cabinets. Also perhaps new handles will immediately update the look. You could also try a ceiling mounted extractor for the island. However if you do go for a new kitchen and can't sell the old- freecycle is a great way to get rid of the old cabinets in a sustainable way!
...See More
Should i change the color of the chair?
Q
Comments (0)
...See More
Advice appreciated - should I keep or change this wall colour?
Q
Comments (15)
Thanks for replies, didn't get any notifications so just reading them now. Think the horrible old doors definitely aren't helping just now so good other people think that could be skewing my view of the paintwork. We are waiting for our joiner to have the time to come out and put new doors/skirtings/facing in. That's another decision I'm trying to make - either all white doors and woodwork or white doors and woodwork same colour as walls to increase feeling of ceiling height, or oak doors similar colour to floor with white woodwork or the black modern doors that are in just now? Too much choice 🤯 Good to know people think it will tie together OK once better doors etc in though. I see now from a couple of pics what people were saying earlier about a blue/grey on the wall. The blue/grey in some of the pics is actually F and B All White in dining area but with the lights off. It does actually look pretty good against the sofa. The previous owners had the arch wall in the living painted as a feature wall but because the room is long and narrowish I though that it just emphasised this but maybe I would be better to put a darker colour on the arch wall and radiator wall to lift the couch and balance the room? Although we still have half the house to do so sure my partner would rather we worked with the room as it is! Thanks for reading my ramblings if you've got this far 😆
...See More
peachypear
Original Author
6 years ago
Yes the landscape guy did say the fencing had been preserved already and he thought it a shame to paint it.
Sonia
6 years ago
I’ve left mine natural too. To be honest, the thought of painting all my fencing fills me with horror - too much like hard work! The “ginger” finish does fade over the years to a soft silver which is very attractive. Once you have planted up the borders and the front garden it will make a huge difference. Here’s a pic of mine.
Kenny Miller
6 years ago
I second everything forzaitalia said. It will silver over time, planting will soften the look, and staining/painting is tricky job which in our experience needed redoing within a few years.
PRO
Juliette Byrne
6 years ago
The fencing looks great as it is, I think the natural knots showing through the fence adds a really lovely texture.
peachypear
Original Author
6 years ago
Thank you all for your opinions, I’m not going to paint it!
PRO
S&D Landscapes Ltd
6 years ago
Hi Id always say leave it until the timber has weathered as it will naturally change colour before you make any changes and if you do ever choose to use a preservative always go for one that soaks into the timber rather than one that covers the timber. Timber should be allowed to breath and it cant if you use paint which inevitably covers over the timber.
Daisy England
6 years ago
My new fence is left in a natural state too. I couldn't bear the thought of painting it now, in another couple of years time and so on and on. It was erected around a year ago and has already started to silver/lighten.
E D
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
Good decision peachypear.

You could however still consider painting the concrete posts (I would leave the 'skirting') and particularly your picket fence, for a more 'sophisticated' look to compliment your lovely front door.

Btw, love your sleepers bench/planter!
Jonathan
6 years ago
So I am going to go against the consensus.
I think that because there is very little in the garden and because the natural colour is close in colour to the surrounding brick I think this fence is not doing as much for your garden as it would if stained lighter.
I think that if stained light (ivory, stone or pale green) it would reflect in light, make the space feel bigger, be a better backdrop for any plants and help keep your eye in the garden rather than wandering to the houses and the windows that overlook you.
delyth price
6 years ago
I will also go against the consensus, if you paint it the exact same colour as your front door it will look classy and understated
chief_brody
6 years ago
Look like an urban setting so perhaps black for some drama
Sven
6 years ago
I would leave it as is as the colour is nice. It will grey naturally and when that happens would stain it black. I have stained my fencing black and it really sets off plants, makes the garden appear larger and is modern looking.
peachypear
Original Author
6 years ago
Thanks for the comments, I read appreciate it. Originally I’d thought as Jonathan and another person suggested painting it in similar colour to front door would look uniform and calm, but I’ve noticed even with my front door - a light colour shows up dirt a bit more, and as I’m on the corner my side seems to get everyone’s wheelie bins lined up. I then thought black or a very dark colour as this would look great with greenery, but I’d be painting it myself so started to realise the effort plus I do like rather like the natural weathered look, so I’m going to leave it natural.
Unfortunately landscaper isn’t sure what colour was used so I have to try and get a match for front side gate and skirting under picket fence. Also if I go ahead and paint concrete posts what shade and I presume they’ll stay darker as fences fade.

Should I change colour?

Juliet Docherty

Comments (15)

rachelmidlands

Related Discussions

peachypear
Original Author

Sonia

Kenny Miller

Juliette Byrne

peachypear
Original Author

S&D Landscapes Ltd

Daisy England

E D

Jonathan

delyth price

chief_brody

Sven

peachypear
Original Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Should I change colour?

Comments (15)

Related Discussions

peachypearOriginal Author

peachypearOriginal Author

peachypearOriginal Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

peachypear
Original Author

peachypear
Original Author

peachypear
Original Author