Skip to content

Why choose linseed oil paint?

Linseed oil paint has been used on Swedish houses for centuries. There is a reason this tradition continues: it is a paint that actually works and lasts.

It protects the wood deeply

What makes linseed oil paint different from most modern paints is that it penetrates the wood instead of forming a tight layer on the surface. The linseed oil binds to the wood fibers, reduces capillary action, and prevents dry wood from absorbing water in the same way. The wood can breathe and regulate moisture naturally. This is called the paint being diffusion-open, and it is one of the main reasons linseed oil paint lasts so long on well-maintained surfaces.

Read more about substrates and compatibility: Frequently asked questions about linseed oil paint.

It lasts long and is easy to maintain

A well-applied linseed oil paint on a properly prepared substrate lasts a long time. And when maintenance is needed, it is simple: if the surface starts to look dull and dry, you can brush on new linseed oil to revive the paint. For damages, scrape off what has come loose and brush on new paint. No big project, no large cost.

Preparation before the first coat: Preparation before painting with linseed oil paint.

The color lasts

At Ovolin, we tint linseed oil paint by hand without tinting machines or chemical pastes. This preserves the pigments as they are and helps the color last better in sunlight over time. A properly tinted linseed oil paint does not fade in the same way as many modern alternatives.

Explore colors: Linseed oil paint – find the right color or the range in the webshop.

Natural raw materials and fully declared content

Linseed oil paint consists of linseed oil, natural pigments, and sometimes drying agents. That’s it. No petroleum products, no plasticizers, no solvents in the ready-mixed paint. We always fully declare the content, so you know exactly what you are painting with.

It suits old houses

Older houses are built with materials that move and breathe, plaster, wood, and brick that react to moisture and temperature. A diffusion-open linseed oil paint works with the house instead of against it. It is no coincidence that linseed oil paint has long been the first choice for culturally historic buildings and older wooden houses.

It is beautiful

It is hard to put into words, but linseed oil paint has a luster and depth that synthetic paints rarely achieve. The pigments glow from within. The surface lives with the light throughout the day. Many who have tried it do not want to paint with anything else afterward.

The painting process step by step: Painting with linseed oil paint – step by step.

We tint linseed oil paint in our paint factory in Karlslund, Örebro, and have a wide range of colors – both according to NCS, the Swedish National Heritage Board’s system, and our own series. Welcome to visit us at Tegelmagasinet or order paint samples home via linseed oil paint in the webshop.

More guides: Advice & recipes.