Why it's worth doing
Most sheds and summerhouses are made from softwood that has been dip-treated or pressure-treated. Dip treatment offers only light protection and needs a proper coating within months. Pressure treatment lasts longer but still benefits from a coloured finish for UV protection. Without a coating, timber greys, splits and eventually rots, especially at the base and around windows.
Paint also changes how a garden looks. A shed in sage green or soft black can disappear into planting; a summerhouse in a cheerful colour can become a feature.
Paint, stain or treatment?
For garden rooms used year-round, treat them like a house: a primer, undercoat and topcoat system gives the longest life. For a typical shed, two coats of garden wood paint is enough.
| Product | Look | Lasts | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shed and garden wood treatment | Translucent colour | 1–3 years | Budget sheds, quick refresh |
| Exterior wood stain | Colour with grain visible | 3–6 years | Summerhouses and log cabins |
| Garden wood paint (opaque) | Solid colour | 4–6 years | Sheds, play houses, colourful features |
| Exterior wood paint system | Solid colour, tougher film | 6–10 years | Garden rooms and offices |
Options for garden buildings
Preparing the timber
- Clear plants and soil away from the base so you can reach the bottom boards
- Brush off cobwebs, dirt and loose fibres
- Wash with a fungicidal cleaner if there's green algae
- Sand rough or flaking areas
- Replace or treat soft, rotten boards
- Make sure the wood is dry – ideally after a few dry days
Rather leave it to a professional?
Application
Brush coatings into the grain, paying special attention to end grain, the lower edges of boards and around windows and doors. Spraying is fast for sheds and summerhouses, and many garden paints are sprayable with a simple low-pressure sprayer, but it uses more paint and needs care near plants. Two coats are normal; bare weathered wood may need three.
Don't forget the windows. Garden building frames are often thin and benefit from proper exterior woodwork paint. See painting woodwork.
Colour choices
Greens, grey-greens and soft blacks blend into planting and make sheds less dominant. Pale greys and creams brighten shady corners. Seaside blues and pastels suit summerhouses and beach huts. If you're painting a garden room that faces the house, consider tying it in with your front door or window colour.
See choosing paint colours for more ideas.
What it costs
Many painters will add a shed or summerhouse to a larger exterior job for a reduced price. Ask for quotes from local exterior painters.
| Building | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Small shed (6x4ft) | £120 – £250 |
| Large shed (10x8ft) | £200 – £400 |
| Summerhouse | £300 – £700 |
| Log cabin or garden office | £500 – £1,400 |
Indicative prices for painting garden buildings (2026, prep and two coats)
