Linseed oil paint: a guide to traditional, natural paint

Linseed oil paint has been used for centuries to protect and decorate timber, long before modern synthetic paints became commonplace. Made using oil derived from flaxseed, it remains a valuable choice for exterior woodwork, particularly on historic buildings where the preservation of original materials is essential.

For Edward Bulmer, whose work has long involved the restoration and decoration of historic interiors, the appeal of linseed oil paint goes beyond its appearance. It is a reminder that the materials we choose should be considered not only for their colour, but for how they perform and what they are made from.

Together with fellow paint specialist Michiel Brouns, Edward has championed the continued use of traditional, plant-based paints and the importance of understanding their ingredients.

What is linseed oil paint?

Linseed oil paint is a traditional paint made using linseed oil, extracted from the seeds of the flax plant, as its principal binder. Combined with pigments, the oil creates a protective decorative coating that is particularly well suited to timber.

Flax has been cultivated for thousands of years, both for its seeds and for the fibres used to make linen. Linseed oil also has a long history in painting and building conservation.

Unlike many modern paints, which rely on synthetic polymer binders, traditional linseed oil paint uses a plant-derived oil to bind its pigments together.

The precise formulation varies between manufacturers, so it’s always worth checking the ingredients and application instructions of the product you’re using.

What are the benefits of linseed oil paint?

1. It helps protect exterior timber

One of the principal reasons for using linseed oil paint is its ability to protect timber exposed to the elements.

The oil penetrates the surface of the wood, while the finished coating helps resist rainwater. Unlike some less permeable coatings, a properly maintained linseed oil paint system can also allow moisture within the timber to escape.

This makes it particularly interesting for traditional wooden windows, doors and other exterior joinery, where managing moisture is an important part of preventing deterioration.

2. It’s made using renewable raw materials

Linseed oil comes from flax, a renewable crop, offering an alternative to paint binders derived from fossil fuels.

For anyone looking to make more considered choices when decorating or restoring a building, understanding where paint ingredients come from is an important starting point.

However, not all linseed oil paints have identical formulations or environmental credentials. Pigments, additives, manufacturing processes and transport all contribute to a product’s overall impact.

3. It’s well suited to historic buildings

Traditional materials can be particularly valuable when caring for older properties.

Historic timber windows and doors often need a paint system that works with the characteristics of the underlying wood, rather than simply covering it.

Linseed oil paint has a long history of use on external joinery, making it a useful option to consider for conservation and restoration projects.

As Edward Bulmer explains:

“These buildings are seen to be part of the warp and weft of our culture. My job has been to look after them, so I have always looked beyond colour to how the material will perform.”

For Edward, the purpose of paint is not only decorative. Protecting the building fabric is equally important.

4. It can be maintained over time

Another advantage of traditional linseed oil paint is the way it can be maintained.

Rather than waiting for a coating to fail completely, regular inspection and timely maintenance can help preserve the finish and the timber beneath it.

The appropriate maintenance schedule will depend on the product, exposure to the weather and condition of the surface.

Where can you use linseed oil paint?

Linseed oil paint is particularly associated with exterior timber, including:

• Wooden window frames and sashes
• Exterior doors and door frames
• Traditional timber joinery
• Wooden cladding and other exterior woodwork
• Certain metal surfaces, when used with a suitable primer

Some formulations are also suitable for interior woodwork, furniture and other surfaces, although it’s important to choose a product specifically recommended for the intended application.

For historic buildings, the existing paint layers, condition of the substrate and any conservation requirements should be assessed before work begins.

How do you apply linseed oil paint?

Linseed oil paint behaves differently from many conventional paints, so preparation and application are especially important.

Prepare the surface

Begin by checking that the timber is sound, clean and dry. Any damaged or decayed wood should be repaired before painting.

Existing coatings also need careful consideration. Some linseed oil paint systems perform best on bare timber, while others can be used over suitably prepared existing paint.

Always follow the manufacturer’s guidance, particularly when working with historic joinery where removing original paint layers may not be appropriate.

Apply thin coats

Linseed oil paint is generally applied in very thin coats, worked carefully into the surface with a brush.

Applying too much paint can lead to wrinkling, uneven drying or a tacky finish.

The number of coats and any requirements for priming will depend on the particular paint system and surface.

Allow sufficient drying time

Unlike water-based paints that dry primarily through evaporation, linseed oil paint cures through a reaction with oxygen.

Drying is influenced by temperature, humidity, airflow, light and the thickness of each coat.

For exterior applications, some manufacturers advise allowing approximately 24–48 hours between coats in suitable conditions, although drying can take considerably longer.

Planning around the weather and allowing adequate time for each coat is essential.

Maintain the finish

Once painted, exterior timber should be inspected regularly for signs of wear, particularly on exposed window sills, doors and south- or west-facing elevations.

Follow the paint manufacturer’s recommendations for cleaning, maintenance and recoating.

Are there any disadvantages to linseed oil paint?

Linseed oil paint has many appealing qualities, but it isn’t necessarily the right choice for every project.

Its longer drying time can make application more demanding, particularly in damp or cold conditions. It also requires careful preparation, thin coats and an understanding of the chosen paint system.

Some linseed oil finishes may yellow over time, especially in areas with limited natural light.

As with any exterior coating, long-term performance depends on the condition of the surface, correct application and regular maintenance.

These considerations are particularly important when planning larger restoration projects or working to a tight schedule.

Linseed oil paint and conventional paint: what’s the difference?

The main distinction lies in the binder: the ingredient that holds the pigment together and forms the finished coating.

Traditional linseed oil paint uses oil derived from flax, while many modern paints use synthetic binders such as acrylics or alkyd resins.

This affects how the paint is applied, how it dries and how the finished surface behaves.

Neither category is entirely uniform. Different formulations offer different levels of durability, permeability and environmental impact, so it’s worth looking beyond broad descriptions such as ‘natural’, ‘eco’ or ‘water-based’ when comparing products.

Understanding the ingredients and intended purpose of a paint is a more useful starting point than relying on marketing claims alone.

Michiel Brouns and the revival of traditional paint

Michiel Brouns has devoted much of his work to promoting traditional linseed oil paint and sharing the knowledge needed to use it successfully.

Through Brouns & Co, he supplies linseed oil paint and related materials for restoration and decoration, with a particular focus on exterior timber.

His book, Linseed Paint and Oil: A Practical Guide to Traditional Production and Application, explores the history of linseed oil, the production of paint and the practical techniques involved in its use.

As Michiel explains:

“We should be giving due consideration to what paint is made of, what its embodied energy is and what its function is.”

It’s an approach that closely reflects Edward’s own belief in choosing materials for their composition and performance, as well as their colour.

Choosing natural paint for your home

Linseed oil paint demonstrates how traditional materials can continue to play an important role in modern building care.

For exterior timber, a carefully chosen linseed oil paint system can provide a practical approach to decoration and maintenance, particularly where historic joinery is involved.

For interior walls and ceilings, Edward Bulmer Natural Paint offers a different plant-based approach, using carefully selected ingredients and earth and mineral pigments to create our collection of colours.

Although the two paint systems serve different purposes, they share an emphasis on understanding materials and making informed choices.

Discover more about our natural paint and ingredients, or explore Brouns & Co for further information on traditional linseed oil paint and its application.