Recently, concrete structures in the form of fences have become very popular. They have good strength, are able to withstand various types of impacts and at the same time can have a certain relief.
That is why a concrete fence is often painted to look like stone or brickwork to give it a good appearance and even turn it into a real work of art.
An amateur photo of the simplest painting option, since the surface has a certain relief
The need to paint the fence
When studying the reasons for periodically painting fences, the aesthetic factor comes to the fore. The fence changes color and is updated, and the owner rejoices at the bright note in the yard. If the site has fences made of different materials, they can be decorated in different but compatible shades. An organic pair is blue and yellow, so the color of the sky will look good on a wooden fence, and yellow on a metal fence, or vice versa.
Painting a wooden fence
Another reason for regularly painting the fence is to protect the structure from the influence of adverse factors. For example, paint protects wooden fences from rotting, mold and mildew. It extends the life of iron fences by increasing moisture resistance and protecting them from rust.
Massive concrete and brick structures, despite their high strength and durability, in difficult weather conditions lose not only their attractive appearance, but also their reliability. Unpainted fences feel the effects of raging winds, humidity, and sudden temperature changes much more strongly than their protected “brothers.”
If the owner has demarcated his property with a cheap metal fence without an anti-corrosion coating, it must be painted after installation. Otherwise, rust will begin to “eat” it quite quickly. The fence will feel the adverse effects of moisture even from falling dew or light rain.
If the yard is surrounded by a concrete wall, wood picket fence, or ranch-style fencing, painting can be delayed for 5 to 7 years. With minimal care over so many years, the material will not lose its strength and original attractiveness. However, fresh wood quickly loses its natural color, and is replaced by a faint yellowness, followed by rot if the owner becomes lazy in caring for the fence.
The conclusion suggests itself - any fence must be painted. But what paint is best to do this, you will find out further.
Painting and decorating a concrete fence
In order for a concrete fence to last as long as possible, it must be properly cared for. There are several reasons for this.
- Technical. Painting is needed in order to protect the concrete from external influences and extend the life of the fence.
- Psychological. Concrete itself is inconspicuous, but painting it will make it brighter and more pleasing to the eye.
- Decorative. To ensure that the fence harmonizes with the color of the room, an appropriate shade is selected.
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Preparatory stage of painting
Preparing the surface of the fence for painting is to achieve maximum smoothness of the canvas. This condition is important both when covering a new fence, and when updating an old structure made of concrete or wood, which already has a layer of paint on it. To avoid problems during work, it is necessary to sand the entire surface. It is easy to remove any remaining coating using a small scraper. The freed surface should be washed with water and detergent. It is better to do this with a washcloth.
Metal painting
The point of further preparatory work is to level the surface by grinding.
Do it as follows:
- Roughness and dirt are removed with sandpaper.
- Small cracks are sealed with a primer to smooth out the defect.
- The frozen layer is covered with putty - the paint will stick to it more firmly.
- When decorating a wooden fence, after puttying, the spans are additionally worked on with sandpaper.
Tools for work
- Concrete mixer or other container for the mixture.
- Trowel, shovel, sharpened rod.
- Form for sections.
- Fittings (wire).
- Level.
- Materials for the mixture.
- Vibrating table
- Composition for lubricating molds.
The process of manufacturing and installing a concrete fence is not too labor-intensive, but it will take time and several pairs of workers. If you decide to cast the slabs yourself, then the first thing you need to do is decide on the proportion of the future solution, its composition and the shape of the product. The quality of the components is also important: for example, using unrefined sand instead of prepared sand can contribute to the deformation of the slabs under the influence of the external environment after just a few years.
Paint selection
In construction stores, consumers can choose a variety of paints that differ in color, composition and properties. It is not necessary to apply the substance to the fence cloth manually - a spray gun or sprayer will help make the job easier.
Test staining
Paint for light wooden and heavy concrete fences is divided into two types:
- Covering, capable of not only giving the fence a new color, but also masking cracks if putty cannot cope with them. It is recommended to apply it in several layers.
- Glaze paint is an excellent option for owners who are satisfied with the condition of the fences. The substance creates a new pleasant shade without significantly changing the main color.
Let's consider what types of paints are available, their scope of application and service life.
- Acrylic, based on polyacrylate. Suitable for brick, wood, concrete. Retains brightness for 6 – 20 years.
- Oil based on drying oil, intended for processing wood and metal. Service life is about 3 years.
- Enamel with alkyd resin. Protects wood for 10 years.
- Silicate with liquid glow glass. Suitable for all surfaces. The coating lasts for 20 years.
- Silicone on silicone resins. Like silicate paints, these paints also last on various building materials for 20 years.
- Mineral-based water-dispersion paints. Works great on brick and metal, slate and plaster. “Working” for more than 10 years.
- Water-dispersed with organic solvents in the composition. Ideal for coating glass, wood, iron, plastic, slate. Service life - more than 20 years.
For a wooden fence
If poor quality boards were used to build the fence, oil or acrylic paints should be used for decoration. They will veil all flaws and protect the fence from rot and parasitic bugs. It is better to paint the material before building the picket fence - this will help you immediately get a beautiful fence.
Antiseptic
When choosing paint for a wooden fence, experts advise choosing water-based materials. But processing of the structure with their help must be carried out in conditions of 5 - 10 degrees Celsius, no more and no less. Solvent based paints are suitable for use in all conditions. However, they are not as environmentally friendly as water ones.
Color solutions
The most preferable colors from an environmental point of view are brown, green, grey, blue or beige. These natural shades will harmonize and highlight flowering plants and green spaces. You should not make the fence too variegated and multi-colored - a combination of two or three shades is enough. Textural elements are highlighted using white, gray or dark colors.
Using paint, you can imitate any surface - for example, sandstone or wood. To paint under sandstone, you must first apply light brown paint, and then dark brown (with a foam sponge).
Concrete
To decorate a concrete wall, experts suggest buying silicone or acrylic paint. At the time of selection, you should consult the seller about the use of liquid material for outdoor work. If paint is designed for indoor use, its service life will be reduced outdoors.
Decorating a concrete wall
Thanks to paint, a relief concrete fence can be turned into a real painting. The use of different colors will make the private area original and unique, and the fence itself – a real masterpiece.
How to make a concrete fence with your own hands
The fence can be installed from ordinary panels purchased in advance. And make them yourself. A concrete fence built with your own hands is necessary if you want it to have a non-standard design and fit into the exterior of the area.
When choosing this option, you will need a concrete solution and forms. If you need to make shaped sections, then models made of plastic or rubber are suitable. The designs on them can be different, imitating a board, stone, brick, etc. To give the required color to the structure, you can add colored pigments to the solution. In this case, painting is not required.
Metal
Iron is a reliable material in construction, but corrosion can ruin the most powerful fence if it is not provided with proper protection. It is clear that the material needs an anti-corrosion coating. Among domestic products, it is worth noting Mettplast-Nord primer-enamel, which can be used at low temperatures and on rusty surfaces. The product gives the hedge a silky matte shine.
The best dyes for metal fences are those created with organic solvents - alkyd, oil, polyvinyl, etc. They prevent corrosion processes and withstand negative weather conditions.
Aluminum and galvanized surfaces can be finished with dispersion paints. Their advantages are short drying time, rich color palette and the ability to choose solvents. Dispersion paints are also suitable for decorating concrete fences.
The procedure for painting a fence
If painting the fence will be done in multiple layers, it is necessary to observe certain time intervals between stages of work. Once the first base layer is applied to the fence, the structure is allowed to dry for 24 hours or more. Taking a break will ensure there are no leaks.
Painting the fence
Before painting, the paint is thoroughly stirred and checked for the presence of clots. The presence of such indicates that the substance has expired or the jar was stored in inappropriate conditions. To obtain a uniform consistency and uniform color, it is recommended to stir the contents of the jar with a special mixer.
If the owner wants to invent a new color by mixing two paints, he must use the same type of materials. The composition should be prepared before the solvent is added.
Having dealt with paint, let's begin to study tools that will improve the quality of application and take care of the safety of painting work.
- Spray gun or spray gun. Before buying paint, you need to read on the can whether these tools can work with it.
- Roller. The accessory is needed to distribute the first layer of paint. A roller handle and a replaceable coupling will also come in handy.
- Dishes from which it will be convenient to take paint.
- Brush. The tool will make it easier to design small parts, support pillars and hard-to-reach places.
How to paint a wooden, metal or concrete fence so that it retains its beauty for a long time? The main work is preceded by cleaning the fence from remnants of old dye and contaminants such as dust, cobwebs, bird droppings, dried dirt, etc. All you need for this is a bucket of water, a broom, rags and gloves so as not to injure your hands.
Paint the fence by moving the brush from top to bottom. If drawings will be created on the canvas, there should be a lot of brushes. The most common colors in summer cottages are green, brown, blue, red, delicate peach and caramel.
If you have to paint a concrete fence with your own hands, the spans are also freed from dust and dirt. Remains of the previous coating are washed off with sand and water. The canvas is primed and after a day or two it is painted, repeating layers.
The iron fence is prepared for painting, as in previous cases, only the dirt is removed with a metal brush or strong sandpaper. Then the spans are treated with a solvent and primed. The dye is used repeatedly, allowing each layer to dry thoroughly. Most often, iron sheets are coated in black or brown - solid, strict and practical.
Technology
By painting the stone fencing around your home or office, you will not only significantly extend its service life, but also turn this gray structure into a real work of art that fits perfectly into the architectural ensemble of city streets, as seen in the photo. At the same time, you should be very careful when choosing a material for painting, which must withstand at least one winter season.
Beautiful fence
The work is carried out in a certain order, and it all begins with preliminary preparation, followed by priming the surface base and painting.
Before starting work, you should take care of purchasing tools and materials. You should stock up on a spatula, a sprayer, a brush, a brush, a roller, a sheet of plywood and an extendable handle. As for materials, you will need paint, primer and bioprotective impregnation.
Decoration
Painting fences is a simple process, but it requires care and good weather. The owner of the farmstead can do the work himself or in the company of children who like to watch the actions of adults. Sometimes kids express original ideas that don’t even occur to an adult.
What children can advise:
- Butterflies
- Floral ornament
- Cartoon stories.
If the pattern is complex, the ideas must first be realized on a sheet of paper. They invent pictures on their own or take models from children's books. At the same time, they are thinking about the color scheme - whether the fence will be made in soft pastel colors or whether it is better to paint it with variegated colors.
The design of a wooden picket fence can be entrusted to all family members. Let each participant paint several slats in different ways and not in a row, but chaotically. Joint creativity will be remembered by adults and children for a long time.
When painting a blind fence, the contour drawing technique is often used. First, color spots are created on the canvas, then they are outlined with a dark outline. This is how ethnic motifs and floral patterns are obtained. Greenery lovers will love the imitation climbing plants. Grape bunches and leaves, bright vines and birds among the vegetation are depicted easily and believably.
When there is no time or creativity, the fence is painted differently:
- The fences are decorated in one color, and their tops are made lighter or darker.
- The slats are painted in different colors - all or just a few, scattered or 2 - 3 slats in a row.
Concreting
You will need to make a solution. To do this you need:
- cement grade 400 and higher;
- crushed stone;
- sand;
- water.
You can knead in several ways, and adjust the thickness of the solution yourself. It is better to make the mixture thicker on the bottom of the structure, and fill the top with a thinner solution. The components must be of high quality and meet deadlines, this applies to cement. You can mix by hand or in a concrete mixer.
When pouring, you must follow the instructions and pour the solution in small portions, compacting each layer. It is important to mix the correct amount and use the solution at a time. It is better to throw away the excess immediately.
Updating an old fence
If the fence needs updating, first prepare the working surface. It takes several hours to decorate a small canvas; massive spans sometimes take 2–3 days. In order for the final result of the work to be perfect, the rust should be completely removed and the freed area polished. At the next stage, the surface is primed, improving the overall appearance of the structure and improving the quality of paint application.
Updating an old fence
When refinishing an aluminum surface, a layer of non-reactive film should be applied before applying the finishing paint. It binds oxidized iron particles, which prevents rapid cracking and falling off of the dye. Builders call this layer passivation.
The sandblasting technique facilitates quick cleaning of iron from rust. Thanks to its use, problem areas are easily freed from unnecessary substances. Instead of sandblasting, the owner can use a solution with acid or alkaloids.
Now you know how to paint a fence with your own hands according to all the rules. Don't neglect pre-treating the boundary wall as the quality of the paint application depends on how well the cleaning and sanding was done.
Installation options
Installation of a concrete fence is carried out by 2-3 people, in some cases you will need a truck crane. You can carry out independent installation of a heavy monolithic fence, but it cannot be called accessible.
It is most convenient to install a concrete structure consisting of separate sections. It can be assembled by two people, since the weight of the panels is 45-70 kg, and the weight of the pillars is up to 90 kg.
Installing a concrete fence also involves laying support posts. To do this, you need to dig a hole 0.5 m deep and 50 mm wider than the pillar on each side. It is necessary to install reinforcement in it, which will be the same height as the fence, without taking into account the invisible underground part. After securing the reinforcement to the level, the pit should be concreted. Secure the first section of the post to the base, and also fill the remaining space with mortar.
When installing the next component, you must immediately build a support. Then you need to install the fence sections. The supports should be erected gradually so that the structure is not skewed.
