Fence Painters in Hampstead

Fence painting in Hampstead by Hampstead Decorators, hand applying stain to wooden garden fence

Hampstead Decorators are fence painters in London covering close-board fencing, timber panels, and garden boundary structures across Gospel Oak, West Hampstead, Primrose Hill, Kentish Town, and the Golders Green border.

Timber fence panels, close-board, and lap panels
Garden gates and side gate doors
Fence staining in natural and solid colours
Mould treatment and algae removal before painting
Protective oil and stain preservatives for long life

Early Victorian cottages in Oak Village (Gospel Oak) have timber boundary fencing and garden structures that date back in some cases to the original 1860s cottage development. Old, weathered timber requires specialist stabilising treatment before any fence paint is applied.

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Why Choose Hampstead Decorators

Garden Specialists

Timber treatment and weather protection for fences and structures.

Clear Pricing

Fixed price from the first quote with no unexpected additions.

Fully Insured

Full public liability cover on every job we carry out.

Highly Recommended

Most of our work comes from repeat clients and referrals.

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020 4634 9779

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Fence Painting Services in Hampstead

Timber Fence Panels

Lap and feather-edge panels are the most common fence types across West Hampstead and Primrose Hill. We treat both sides where accessible, front face only where rear access is limited.

Untreated panels typically show weathering, greyness, and algae. These need thorough cleaning and mould treatment before any stain or paint will penetrate properly. We frequently combine fence work with deck painting and shed painting in a single visit.

Close-Board Fencing

Close-board fencing is more time-consuming than panel fencing due to individual boards and overlapping supports. We apply stain by brush to ensure full penetration into the gaps. Spraying alone does not reach all surfaces.

Arris rails and pales on older close-board fences in West Hampstead and Kentish Town are often in mixed condition. We discuss how to handle mixed timber types at the quoting stage.

Garden Gates

Garden gates are the most exposed part of any fence run. They face the street, are opened daily, and have more wear points than fixed panels. Gates need the same preparation as fencing but benefit from extra attention at hinges and latches.

We treat garden gates with the same fence stain or paint as the surrounding fence. Where a gate is in particularly poor condition, we advise on whether a strip-back and full reprime is needed.

Fence Staining

Fence stain penetrates the timber rather than forming a surface film. This means it does not peel. It weathers gradually instead. A penetrating stain on well-prepared timber typically lasts 3-5 years before re-treatment is needed.

Natural and semi-transparent stains preserve the timber grain. Solid stains provide full colour coverage in grey, charcoal, green, and brown. We discuss options at the quoting stage.

Protective Coatings

Protective timber preservatives provide long-term protection against rot and insect damage on older timber fencing. These are typically clear or lightly pigmented and are used before a coloured stain topcoat on older fence timber.

Oak Village (Gospel Oak) fencing on older properties may benefit from a wood hardener and preservative before a finish stain is applied. For fencing that forms part of a wider project, see our exterior painting page.

Hand applying fence stain to wooden fence boards in Hampstead

Brown stained wooden garden fence painted by Hampstead Decorators

How Our Fence Painting Works

1. Fence Inspection

We inspect the fence for rot, soft boards, algae coverage, and the condition of any existing treatment. Soft or failing boards are flagged before work starts.

2. Mould Treatment and Cleaning

Mould treatment is applied to algae-covered surfaces, then scrubbed and rinsed. Heavily affected north-facing fences in Gospel Oak take significant time at this stage.

3. Allow Drying

The fence must be fully dry before stain or paint is applied. Wet timber does not accept penetrating stain properly.

4. Wood Hardener Where Needed

On soft or weathered timber, we apply a wood hardener before staining. This is essential on older fencing in Gospel Oak and Childs Hill.

5. First and Second Coat

The first coat is applied by brush to all surfaces. A second coat follows after the drying time specified by the product.

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020 4634 9779

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Fence Painting Costs in London

Fence painting typically costs between £15 and £30 per linear metre, including preparation and two coats. Call 020 4634 9779 for a precise quote.

Dark stained wooden garden fence and structure in Hampstead

Dark green painted wooden garden structure by Hampstead Decorators

Fence Length and Height

A standard 20m run of close-board is straightforward. A 40m run with a taller fence and gate is more than twice the work.

Timber Condition

Weathered and soft timber needing wood hardener and mould treatment adds significant time before the first coat. Sound timber needs less preparation.

Paint Type

Solid fence paint has slightly higher material cost than penetrating stain. Some clients prefer paint for the colour range.

Typical Price Ranges

Standard garden fence (20m, Victorian terrace, West Hampstead or Primrose Hill): £300 to £550, two coats. Close-board with gate (30m, Childs Hill or Golders Green border): £500 to £900.

Victorian cottage boundary fencing (Gospel Oak, weathered timber needing wood hardener): £400 to £700 for 20m.

Fence Painting FAQs

Should I use fence paint or wood stain?

Penetrating timber stain is the standard recommendation for garden fencing. It soaks into the wood rather than forming a surface film, so it does not peel. It weathers gradually and is straightforward to re-apply. Solid opaque fence paint provides a more uniform colour and is preferred where a precise colour match is needed, but it will eventually form a surface film that can chip if not maintained.

How often should fencing be repainted?

Penetrating stain on well-maintained timber typically lasts 3-5 years before re-treatment is needed. North-facing fences under tree canopy in NW London may need re-treatment every 2-3 years due to faster algae growth. Waiting until the fence is heavily weathered means more preparation work at each re-treatment.

Do you remove algae and mould before painting?

Yes. This is a non-negotiable first step on any fencing project. We apply a mould treatment, allow it to penetrate, then scrub and rinse the surface. Painting over algae results in a finish that fails quickly. On heavily affected north-facing fences in Gospel Oak, this step is a significant part of the overall project time.

Can fencing be pressure washed?

Pressure washing removes loose dirt and surface algae but does not kill algae spores in the timber. Without a mould treatment, algae regrows rapidly. We use pressure washing as part of the cleaning process, not as the only preparation step.

What is the difference between solid and transparent fence treatment?

Transparent and semi-transparent stains allow the timber grain to show through. They are available in natural wood tones. Solid stains and fence paints provide full colour coverage. The right choice depends on the timber condition and the desired appearance. Very weathered or patchy timber tends to look better under a solid finish.

How long does fence painting take?

A 20m garden fence typically takes 1-2 days including mould treatment, drying, and two coats of stain. Larger runs with gates and complex shapes take longer. We give an accurate time estimate at the quoting stage.

Can fence and deck treatment be combined in the same visit?

Yes. We frequently combine fence, deck, and shed treatment in the same visit. This is more cost-effective than separate visits and ensures a consistent appearance across all garden timber structures.

What is a wood hardener and when is it needed?

A wood hardener is a specialist product applied to soft, weathered, or slightly decayed timber to consolidate the fibres and restore surface hardness before painting. It is used on older fence timber in Gospel Oak and Childs Hill where decades of weathering have softened the surface. It is not needed on sound, maintained timber.

What colour options are available for fencing?

Natural stains come in warm honey, mid-brown, dark walnut, and charcoal tones. Solid fence paint is available in grey, black, charcoal, green, and classic brown shades. We bring samples to the site visit to help with colour selection.

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