Top 10 Best Exterior Paints for Wood in the UK 2021 (Dulux, Ronseal and More)

This Danish company have slowly assumed a leading position in the UK paint market, and it's not surprising given the quality of their products. This acrylic formula has a highly impressive 4.8 out of 5 on Amazon, and that's after nearly 2,000 reviews! 

The paint provides a long-lasting, rich matte colour as well as durable and tough resistance to weather. It can be applied by either brush or spray and is water-based so it's harmless to both you and your garden. Round all that off with decent coverage, durable weatherproof qualities and great colour options, and you're on to a real winner. 

Everbild is a company that was founded in the early 90s by a self-confessed DIY addict. From there, they've gone on to establish themselves as a company that thrives on innovation and quality – which is exactly what you're getting in this tin. 

This is a phenomenal pot of paint, and three factors caught our eye straight from the off. Firstly, it dries in 30 minutes, which is ridiculously fast. Secondly, with only a small 250 ml capacity, it manages to cover a huge area. And last but not least, it's an absolute bargain! 

This oil-based paint from Johnstone's has a high gloss finish, so it could be right up your street if you're looking for a product that will offer a lot of sheen. And while we've opted for this clean, brilliant white, it does come in plenty of other tones.

Moreover, you get a rather large volume with the bigger-sized tin, which, in turn, means a very respectful 15 m2 coverage for a great price. The paint is resistant to weather, cracking and peeling, and works on metals as well as woods, meaning it's a little more versatile than some. 

This saturator from Owatrol is transparent, so you can expect your natural grains to be enhanced upon application. Furthermore, it is deeply penetrating, meaning it will stabilise most woods (hard or soft) and protect from moulds and moisture. 

The saturator has a matte finish, but it can be overcoated with another of the company's products, the OLJE D2, to create a gloss finish if you would prefer. There's a decent amount of coverage too, and while it is a little expensive, it's clear with this quality paint you do get what you pay for. 

Here's another one from the powerhouse of paint, only this time it's a black acrylic mixture for those who would like to have a contemporary feel in their outdoor spaces. This tin covers a fair amount of area for such a little can, and is mould-resistant, rainproof and dries within two hours of application. 

Thanks to the chemical combination, the product is easy to work with and easy to clean. Some users have been at odds over the colour though, with a few saying it is more dark charcoal than black. That said, you should be able to look at a paint chart and make your own conclusion. 

This stain from Roxil is a little different to the others on this list, in that when applied it looks like a white opaque formula. However, this soon absorbs into the wood, becoming transparent. At this stage, your wood will have instant protection. 

The product only requires one coat, which should see your exterior wood secure for a massive ten years, giving you plenty of time to psyche yourself up before you need to do it again. Our only issue is the low coverage, so you'd need to order a few tins if you plan on painting a large area.  

This oil-based formula from Rust-Oleum is a universal paint, so it will work on most surfaces from the garden shed to the bathroom tiles. The paint is a primer as well, so no undercoat is required as you can apply directly to the wood, or whichever surface you desire. 

We've opted to showcase the rich cobalt blue here, but there are plenty of other colours to choose from, including the classic neutral tones. This is a popular choice, however, many buyers found that it takes a few coats to reach the desired effect, which will eat into the estimated coverage. 

If you're looking to add some colour whilst still protecting your wooden outdoor fixtures, there aren't many more trustworthy names to turn to than Ronseal. This offering is quick and easy to apply as it requires no primer, and it will rainproof surfaces in just one hour. So, you should be able to get some done before the next downpour. 

Being a water-based acrylic, you get none of the nasty smells or chemicals, and the formula lasts for an extraordinary ten years! The only slight drawback is that it doesn't quite have the same coverage of some of its competitors. 

Not only will this saturating paint help to preserve your wood and protect it from ageing, but it will also restore the natural beauty to any garden furniture or decking that has been a little neglected over the last few years. Furthermore, it guarantees no cracking, peeling or flaking too. 

The only issue is that we don't know how long that it will remain flake-free, as again, the company doesn't provide this life expectancy. Another factor worth remembering is that this is only for softwoods, so you'll want to check what wood you have before committing to this.

First up, we have this rich, walnut-tinted stain from the country's biggest paint company, Dulux. The product stains and varnishes all at once, and will only require two coats to see the job through. It's also rather versatile and can be used both inside and outside. 

We do have some concerns though, and that is that there is no mention of its exact capabilities as an exterior paint. While we trust Dulux as a brand and this paint does claim to be tough and durable, we would still like to know the life expectancy and whether it is waterproof or weatherproof.