Close-board fencing is the dominant garden boundary type across Newcastle. Originally painted or treated during installation, most panels are left untreated and accumulate algae and weathering.

Before we paint, we assess the surface condition. Heavily greened panels need fungicidal wash applied 24 to 48 hours before any stain or paint. Skipping this treatment means peeling within a season. We specify whether fence stain or exterior paint suits the finish you want.

Fence stain soaks into the timber and lets it breathe. Exterior fence paint sits on the surface and provides a solid colour. Both approaches work on Newcastle’s windy coastal exposure.

We advise on durability and maintenance differences before you choose. Stain typically needs recoating every two to three years. Paint lasts four to five years under North Sea salt-laden wind exposure.

Timber left unpainted for years develops grey surface weathering and deep-grain cracking. Paint or stain applied directly to this surface has nothing stable to bond to. It flakes off within months.

We light-sand the surface, treat any green, and allow full drying before coating. This extra step is what separates a finish that holds through Newcastle winters from one that fails by spring.

Garden gates and timber sheds receive the same preparation and coating as fencing. Gates swing and flex constantly, which demands a flexible finish. Paint that bridges and cracks is unsuitable.

Sheds need the same fungicidal pre-treatment as fences. For full sheds and outbuilding repaints, see our shed painting service.