Both oil-based and water-based paints are suitable for shed painting.
If you want a quick-drying paint, choose a water-based option. This has the added benefit of being more environmentally friendly and doesn’t have a strong smell. Water-based paint spreads well and doesn’t require chemicals to clean brushes. It also stays true to its colour – lighter shades won’t yellow over time.
For these reasons, I’ve chosen to only recommend water-based paints on this page. For domestic use in the UK climate, the results water-based paints can achieve are on-par with many oil-based paints. Plus, they don’t release any VOCs (volatile organic compounds) into the atmosphere.
Solvent-based paints are useful in very humid environments, or when the temperature is below 10°C. In these environments, water-based paint can struggle to dry.
As a rough guide, a 5 L tin of paint will cover approximately 30 m². If you have a small shed, with side panels of 2.5 x 2 m or smaller, this might just be enough. Of course, if you need to apply more than one coat, you’ll need more paint.
For easy application, look for a water-based paint that can be applied with a sprayer. However, be aware that this is not the most cost-effective method as you’ll end up using more paint than with a brush.
I’ve chosen the Ronseal One Coat Fence Life as my top recommended shed paint. It’s affordably priced for what you get, and the 5 L tin covers around 30². It can be applied with either a paintbrush or sprayer and, as it’s water-based, it’ll wash off equipment with hot water and soap.
For more information about this shed paint, as well as some other great options, take a look at the reviews below.