UK DIY Cost Calculator
Fence & Shed Paint Calculator
Estimate how much fence or shed paint you need and what it costs. Enter the total length and height of what you're painting, choose one or both sides, and set your paint's coverage and price.
Your project
Estimate
Estimates are for guidance only. Coverage rates, pack sizes and prices vary by brand — always confirm quantities with your supplier before buying.
Why fences use more paint than you'd expect
Rough-sawn timber, feather-edge boards and the gaps between them all mean a fence soaks up far more paint per square metre than a smooth interior wall. Coverage of 6 m² per litre is a sensible planning figure for a first coat on bare or weathered timber; it improves on the second coat once the wood is sealed. If you're spraying rather than brushing, expect more overspray waste and buy accordingly.
One side or both
If your fence faces a neighbour you may only be painting one side, which halves the paint. Sheds are usually all-round, so measure each wall and add them together for the total run, using the average height.
Frequently asked questions
How much paint for a typical garden fence?
A 10-metre run of 1.8m fence painted one side needs roughly 6 litres for two coats on bare timber — about one 5-litre tub plus a little more. Weathered wood can push that higher.
Is one coat enough on a fence?
One coat can look patchy and won't protect the timber as well. Two coats is standard for a lasting finish, and the second coat always goes further than the first because the wood is no longer bare.
Does spray or brush use more paint?
Spraying is faster but wastes more to overspray, especially on windy days and open fences. Brushing or using a paint pad is more economical if you're trying to minimise how much you buy.
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