Summer is the best window we get for outdoor jobs in Ireland. The days are long, the walls are dry, and the weather is finally on your side — which makes now the ideal time to tackle that exterior painting you've been meaning to get to.
Whether you're brightening tired masonry, reviving a weathered fence, freshening up garden furniture or protecting a roof, a coat of paint does more than smarten things up. It's the barrier standing between your home and everything the Irish climate throws at it.
But a finish that still looks good in five years' time comes down to more than picking a nice colour. Preparation, the right product and decent tools do most of the work. At Foy & Company we've been advising homeowners since 1981, and we stock the brands that have been protecting Irish homes for generations.
Why Exterior Paint Matters More Than You Think
Paint isn't just decoration on an outside wall — it's protection. Exterior surfaces take a constant battering from heavy rain, UV sunlight, frost, wind, dirt and pollution, not to mention moss, algae and mould.
Left unprotected, those elements slowly break a surface down. Moisture works its way in, and what starts as a cosmetic problem ends up as a costly repair. A quality exterior paint holds that back while keeping its colour and finish year after year.
Step One: Preparation Is Everything
Ask any professional decorator and they'll tell you the same thing. The finish is only ever as good as the preparation underneath.
It's tempting to skip ahead to the fun part, but poor prep is the single most common reason paint starts peeling, blistering or fading long before it should. Before you open a tin, take a proper look at your surfaces. You're checking for dirt and grime, green algae, black mould, loose or flaking paint, cracks, and any chalky, powdery masonry.
Treating Mould and Algae First
Painting over algae or mould doesn't get rid of it — it just hides it for a while, and it comes back through. Fleetwood Fungicidal Wash is made to strip mould, algae and fungal growth off exterior surfaces before you paint, so the problem doesn't return underneath your new coat. It works on exterior walls, garden walls, stonework, render and masonry. You'll find it in our Fleetwood paint range.
Stabilising Old or Chalky Masonry
Older render often goes chalky and powdery with age. Paint applied straight onto a surface like that has nothing solid to grip, and it won't last.
Everbuild Stabilising Solution soaks into the substrate, binds the loose material together and leaves a stable surface ready to take paint. It's the sort of product people skip, and then wonder why the job didn't hold. Worth it on older rendered homes, previously painted masonry, porous walls and anything that's been out in the weather for years.
Choosing the Right Masonry Paint
With prep done, this is the part everyone's been waiting for. We stock several of Ireland's most trusted exterior masonry paints, all built to handle our climate.
Dulux Weathershield
Dulux Weathershield is one of the best-known exterior paints in the country, and its reputation is well earned. It's made in Ireland specifically to protect Irish homes, and it's designed to be breathable, so moisture can escape from the masonry rather than getting trapped behind the paint.
The Ultimate Durability formula flexes with the surface to resist cracking and flaking, holds its colour, and includes mould resistance that keeps working long after the paint has dried. If you want reliable, long-lasting protection, it's hard to beat.
Fleetwood Weatherclad
Another firm favourite with our customers. Fleetwood developed Weatherclad with Irish conditions in mind, and it delivers strong opacity, smooth application and excellent coverage. It shields exterior walls from moisture through every season, whether you're refreshing an existing shade or going for a complete change.
Colourtrend Masonry Paint
If colour is what you care about most, Colourtrend is where to look. An Irish brand known for genuinely beautiful, sophisticated colour collections, it pairs designer shades with proper exterior performance. Traditional cottage or contemporary build, there's a shade that will suit it.
Fences, Sheds and Garden Timber
Your exterior isn't only walls. Fences, sheds, gates and garden furniture all take a hammering over the winter, and by summer the timber is usually looking tired, faded and open to moisture damage.
Cuprinol Ducksback
Year after year, Cuprinol 5 Year Ducksback is one of our best-selling exterior timber treatments, and it's easy to see why. The wax-enriched, non-drip formula colours and weatherproofs sheds and fences for up to five years. It's quick-drying, low-odour and safe to use around plants and pets — which matters when you're working in a garden.
It goes on fast, which makes a real difference when you've a long run of fencing to get through. Available in a good range of shades across our full Cuprinol range, which also includes Garden Shades and decking stains.
Don't Forget the Roof
Roofs get less attention than walls, but they take the worst of the weather. Over time they fade, weather and corrode.
We've recently restocked our specialist roof paint range, including Fleetwood Oxide Paint — a trusted option for metal roofs, farm sheds, agricultural buildings and industrial metalwork. As well as restoring the look, it helps protect against corrosion and weather damage. If you're not sure whether your roof is suitable, ask our paint team and we'll talk you through it.
The Right Tools Make the Job Easier
Even the best paint can only perform as well as it's applied. Good tools give a better finish and, honestly, make the whole job quicker and less exhausting.
We stock everything you'll need: exterior rollers and sleeves, paint trays, brushes, preparation tools and accessories. Extension poles are worth a special mention — they're a back-saver on higher walls and help you keep the coat even without stretching from a ladder.
Choosing Your Colour
Colour is usually the hardest decision. Trends come and go, but the exterior colours that age best are the ones that suit your home's architecture and its surroundings.
Neutrals stay popular for good reason — they're timeless and they sit well with most roof colours. Soft creams and warm whites give a fresh, welcoming look. Greys suit modern builds, while deeper tones can bring real character to an older property.
If you're stuck, don't worry about it. Our paint team helps people choose colours every single day. Call in with a photo of your home, a sample of your brick or stone, your existing paint colours or a few inspiration images, and we'll work through the options with you.
When Should You Paint Outside?
Timing matters more than people realise. For the best results, paint in dry weather and check the forecast — you want no rain for several hours after application, and always follow the instructions on the tin.
Try to avoid painting in very hot, direct sunlight, which can dry the surface too quickly. Don't paint if there's frost forecast overnight, and stick to the temperature range on the product. A bit of planning here lets the paint cure properly, and that's what gives you the durability you paid for.
Why It Pays to Ask
Buying paint isn't just picking a colour off a shelf. Every home is different, every surface is different, and every project has its own quirks.
That's where advice earns its keep. Whether you're painting a new build, restoring an older property, reviving timber, treating mould, coating a roof or simply unsure which primer you need, our paint specialists will point you at the right products — which usually means spending less, not more, and getting a result that lasts.
Call In and See Us
Big job or small, we'll help you get an exterior finish you're proud of. From masonry paints like Dulux Weathershield, Fleetwood Weatherclad and Colourtrend, through prep products like Fleetwood Fungicidal Wash and Everbuild Stabilising Solution, to Cuprinol Ducksback, Fleetwood Oxide and every tool you'll need — it's all under one roof.
Not sure where to start? Call into your nearest Foy & Company store with a photo of your project and have a chat with the paint team. A bit of preparation, the right advice and quality products make all the difference — and they're what stand between a fresh coat and a finish that's still holding up years from now.
Exterior Painting FAQs
When is the best time to paint outside in Ireland?
Summer is your best window, when temperatures are warmer and surfaces have had a chance to dry out. Paint in dry weather and check the forecast first, as you'll want no rain for several hours after application. Avoid painting in very hot, direct sunlight, don't paint if frost is forecast overnight, and always follow the temperature guidance on the tin.
Do I need to prepare masonry before painting it?
Yes, and it's the step that makes the biggest difference. Poor preparation is the most common reason exterior paint peels, blisters or fades early. Clean off dirt, algae and mould with a fungicidal wash rather than painting over them, deal with any loose or flaking paint, and treat chalky or powdery masonry with a stabilising solution so the new paint has a stable surface to bond to.
Can I just paint over mould and algae?
No. Painting over mould or algae only covers the problem temporarily, and it will grow back through your new coat. Treat the surface first with a fungicidal wash, which kills off the growth and stops it returning underneath the paint. It's an extra step, but it protects the lifespan of the whole job.
How long does exterior fence paint last?
It depends on the product and the condition of the timber. Cuprinol 5 Year Ducksback, for example, is formulated to colour and weatherproof sheds and fences for up to five years. Good preparation and applying it in dry conditions will help you get the full life out of it.
What colour should I paint the outside of my house?
The colours that age best are the ones that complement your home's architecture and its surroundings, rather than whatever is currently in fashion. Neutrals are popular because they're timeless and work with most roof colours, soft creams and warm whites look fresh and welcoming, greys suit modern homes, and deeper tones bring character to traditional properties. If you're unsure, bring a photo of your home into store and our paint team will help you narrow it down.