External low-maintenance paints for timber are specially formulated to provide a longer period between full redecorations than standard decorative paints, this is normally around 5 years (as opposed to 2-3 years for standard decorative paints), although some may offer protection for 7 years or more when properly applied.
Nevertheless its good practice to maintain your low maintenance coating by checking it every 2-3 years and repairing any open joints, mechanical damage or other problems which have appeared since the last full redecoration.
Low maintenance coatings are normally manufactured using more expensive formulations, which means higher prices to the end user. This is usually justified, as the benefits can mean substantially reduced maintenance costs, not to mention time (if you intend to do-it-yourself).
Look out for coatings which are marked as Moisture Vapour Permeable (MVP), or Microporous, these allow the timber to loose moisture at a greater rate than standard paints, this can prevent a build-up of moisture beneath the coating, reducing the risk of the coating losing adhesion, or the timber rotting.
You will generally have a choice of Alkyd (solvent-borne), or Acrylic (water-borne) formulations, which will come in a variety of colours and finishes. Acrylic coatings have a number of substantial benefits over most Alkyd coatings; they don't crack, peel or flake, rather they wear by erosion, which means no more 'burning off'; whites stay white; gloss finishes are retained far longer; they dry faster; maintenance cycles are generally 7 years or more; they are easily repaired; clean up in water; no smell. We would recommend using Acrylics on all external timbers in preference to Alkyds, apart from areas which are likely to receive knocks and bangs (front/back doors and frames etc.), as they are not as resistant to mechanical damage.
Rustoleum 6050 Multi PrimerRustoleum 6050 Multi Primer is an excellent new adhesion promoting primer/undercoat for previously painted surfaces, bare timber, hard plastics, and non-ferrous metals. Use under Rustoleum's new Aqua topcoat range. Great opacity, and very nice to apply. Quick drying, and producing excellent adhesion. White. 750ml and 2.5L tins. |
As low as
£9.38
Each
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Rustoleum Aqua SatinRustoleum Aqua Satin is a water-based satin finish topcoat for application over suitably prepared and primed substrates. Suitable for both interior and exterior use. Produces a harder, more scratch resistant finish than other water-borne trim paints. Excellent opacity. Dries quickly. Good flow and leveling properties. White, Anthracite Grey (RAL7016), Black. 750ml, 2.5L tins. |
As low as
£9.78
Each
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Rustoleum CombiColor 7300 Original GlossRustoleum CombiColor 7300 Original Gloss is a solvent-borne, no-nonsense, flexible, protective and decorative all-in-one gloss finished paint coating system. Even for direct application on to prepared rusting ferrous metal surfaces. Available in over 9000 colours - shipped next working day. Excellent sag resistance - high build application in just one coat. Good low temperature drying times. Coverage 10 square meters per litre. 1L and 2.5L cans. |
As low as
£19.09
Each
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Rustoleum CombiColor 7300 Original MattRustoleum CombiColor 7300 Original Matt is a solvent-borne, no-nonsense, flexible, protective and decorative all-in-one matt finished paint coating system. Even for direct application on to prepared rusting ferrous metal surfaces. Excellent sag resistance - high build application in just one coat. Good low temperature drying times. Coverage 10 square meters per litre. White and Black, 1L and 2.5L cans. |
As low as
£20.15
Each
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Rustoleum CombiColor 7300 Original SatinRustoleum CombiColor 7300 Original Satin is a solvent-borne, no-nonsense, flexible, protective and decorative all-in-one satin finished paint coating system. Even for direct application on to prepared rusting ferrous metal surfaces. Available in over 9000 colours - shipped next working day. Excellent sag resistance - high build application in just one coat. Good low temperature drying times. Coverage 10 square meters per litre. 1L and 2.5L cans. |
As low as
£20.15
Each
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Sikkens Rubbol XD GlossExtremely durable, high gloss, solvent-borne opaque coating. Patented styrene acrylic reinforced resin formulation produces an excellent level of durability. Extends maintenance cycles. 1L in Classic White only. |
As low as
£13.24
Each
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Solignum Architectural Solvent Based Opaque WoodstainSolvent-borne, microporous, flexible, opaque low-sheen paint finish for all exterior joinery. No primer required on bare timber. Will not flake or crack. Ideal low-maintenance paint for cladding, facias, fences, windows, doors etc. BBA Cert.5 Years. 5 litre sizes only. |
As low as
£111.28
Each
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Solignum Architectural Water Based Opaque WoodstainWater-borne, microporous, flexible, opaque low-sheen finish for all exterior joinery. No primer required on bare timber. Will not flake or crack. Ideal low-maintenance paint for cladding, facias, fences, windows, doors etc. BBA Cert. more than 5 Years. 5 litre size only. |
As low as
£55.18
Each
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Zinsser Allcoat Exterior Gloss - ALL Surface PaintA high performance gloss finished exterior multi-surface paint which needs no separate primer for most projects. Available in white and black, or customised to any NCS, RAL, Little Greene, Farrow & Ball or BS colour. Ideal for maintenance professionals, who need to reliably specify a high performance coating system on important exterior projects with lots of different surface types. Available in 1L, 2.5L and 5L white/black and mixed colours. |
As low as
£16.77
Each
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Zinsser Allcoat Exterior Matt - ALL Surface PaintA high performance matt finished exterior multi-surface paint which needs no separate primer for most projects. Available in white and black, or customised to any NCS, RAL, Little Greene, Farrow & Ball or BS colour in 1L, 2.5L and 5L tins. Ideal for maintenance professionals, who need to reliably specify a high performance coating system on important exterior projects with lots of different surface types. 2.5L black and 5L white/mixed colours. |
As low as
£16.80
Each
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Zinsser Allcoat Exterior Satin - ALL Surface PaintA high performance satin finished exterior multi-surface paint which needs no separate primer for most projects. Available in white and black, or customised to any NCS, RAL, Little Greene, Farrow & Ball or BS colour in 1L, 2.5L and 5L tins. Ideal for maintenance professionals, who need to reliably specify a high performance coating system on important exterior projects with lots of different surface types. |
As low as
£16.77
Each
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Zinsser Perma White Exterior - Mildew Proof Paint - Semi GlossTough, durable, water-borne exterior opaque coating. Semi-gloss finish. Self-priming formulation bonds to glossy and hard-to-paint surfaces. Guaranteed to resist fading, cracking, peeling and blistering for 15 years. Tintable in 1 litre and 2.5 litre sizes. |
As low as
£22.07
Each
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