Not all surfaces are the same. Factors like the material, condition, texture, and porosity of the surface can determine how much paint the walls will absorb. You should factor in the level of surface preparation – not to mention the size of your home – that can help you determine how much paint you should need.
So, if you’re in a conundrum about how much wall space a paint can cover, we can help you figure out the number of gallons you will need for your exterior painting job.
Paint experts say that each paint gallon covers 250 – 400 square feet with one coat, especially if it’s good quality paint. Otherwise, you may need another gallon for the second coat.
Step 1:
To determine how many coats of paint your project requires, first inspect the surface of your wall or siding. It will generally need more paint if the wall is rough, porous, textured, or previously unpainted. The same goes for walls requiring a dramatic color change.
Step 2:
The next step is to estimate the size of your house’s body. First, measure the perimeter of the house. Next, measure the height of the house – from the base to the roofline, excluding gables. Multiply the perimeter of your home by its height, and you’ll get the wall area.
To get a more accurate estimate, subtract the doors and windows from your wall area computation. For instance, an average window measures 15 square feet, and an average door measures 20 square feet. The more doors and windows, the more you’ll have to subtract them from your wall area computation.
Step 3:
If you have gables, multiply the width of the gable by its height. Divide by two if it is tall. Repeat this computation for each gable and add the result to the body measurement.
Step 4:
If you have to paint the trim, estimate the length of the total trim. As for the width of the trim, the average is six inches or 0.5 feet wide, but it can be narrower or broader. Multiply the total trim length to 0.5 feet.
To get the estimate for the gutter, find out the total length of the gutter. One linear foot of gutter is roughly equal to one square foot.
Step 6:
Once you’ve added the trim and gutter results together, you’ll have an idea about the other paint you’ll buy for them. You can measure the width and height of every door and multiply them to get the square feet for doors.
Determining how much paint you’ll need beforehand will prevent you from buying too little or too much paint, especially if you have a tight budget. You can also use a wall paint calculator to help you determine the right amount of paint you’ll need for your exterior paint project. You may either download a wall paint calculator mobile app to your device or find one online.
If you don’t want to bother determining your home’s square footage to buy the right amount of paint, you can leave the job to the pros. Exterior painters near me will accurately assess the amount of paint needed for your project, but they will also make your house look more updated, refreshed, and beautiful.
