how to determine amount of paint needed
- Thread starter ram_man
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Calculate the square footage of the walls, subtracting doors and windows. Then determine how many coats you figure you'll do and multiply accordingly. It's not an exact science, but the can of Behr Ultra I have says it'll cover 250 - 400 square feet.
Originally Posted By: ram_man
what is the best way to measure the walls. say there is a window in the middle of the one wall. should I measure to the window and then from the other side to edge of the wall and not worry about above and below the window ?
Measure the full wall. Then measure the window and subtract it from the wall measurement.
what is the best way to measure the walls. say there is a window in the middle of the one wall. should I measure to the window and then from the other side to edge of the wall and not worry about above and below the window ?
Measure the full wall. Then measure the window and subtract it from the wall measurement.
A gallon covers about 300-400 sq feet of wall or ceiling applied by roller give or take. It depends on the nap of the roller, the finish of the paint, the surface it's being applied to, the painter applying it, etc. Is 121 sq. feet wall and ceiling area, which is a tiny room. Or is the 121 sq. feet the floor area eg: a room approx. 10'x12'?
Multiply the length and height of each wall. Then measure the room length x width, which will give you the size of the ceiling. Add them up and /375 and you'll have a pretty good idea of how many gallons you need. Subtract openings that aren't going to be painted. The second coat goes further than the first coat.
Multiply the length and height of each wall. Then measure the room length x width, which will give you the size of the ceiling. Add them up and /375 and you'll have a pretty good idea of how many gallons you need. Subtract openings that aren't going to be painted. The second coat goes further than the first coat.
Originally Posted By: demarpaint
A gallon covers about 300-400 sq feet of wall or ceiling applied by roller give or take. It depends on the nap of the roller, the finish of the paint, the surface it's being applied to, the painter applying it, etc. Is 121 sq. feet wall and ceiling area, which is a tiny room. Or is the 121 sq. feet the floor area eg: a room approx. 10'x12'?
Multiply the length and height of each wall. Then measure the room length x width, which will give you the size of the ceiling. Add them up and /375 and you'll have a pretty good idea of how many gallons you need. Subtract openings that aren't going to be painted. The second coat goes further than the first coat.
the room is 11x11 not counting ceiling. I don't think we are going to paint the ceiling.
A gallon covers about 300-400 sq feet of wall or ceiling applied by roller give or take. It depends on the nap of the roller, the finish of the paint, the surface it's being applied to, the painter applying it, etc. Is 121 sq. feet wall and ceiling area, which is a tiny room. Or is the 121 sq. feet the floor area eg: a room approx. 10'x12'?
Multiply the length and height of each wall. Then measure the room length x width, which will give you the size of the ceiling. Add them up and /375 and you'll have a pretty good idea of how many gallons you need. Subtract openings that aren't going to be painted. The second coat goes further than the first coat.
the room is 11x11 not counting ceiling. I don't think we are going to paint the ceiling.
I have painted several rooms in each of 3 houses we've lived in, and I just guess how much I will need and it has always worked out. In our current house I was painting the nursery, I don't know the room size offhand but I'd say its an average size bedroom, and I used exactly one can of Behr paint/primer in one. Anyway, while I can't really offer advice to calculate how much you need, I will say this: invest in a quality paint such as Behr, and I really like the paint/primer all in one. It costs a little more but covers much better. I have used other brands but since I have tried Behr I swear by it and won't use anything else.
JHZR2
Staff member
SO the math is VERY easy. Calculate!
one bedroom only? 1 gallon,
know that next time you get a can to touch up and paint 1 wall, the color will probably NOT match.
I used the homedepot paint quantity calculator when I did the ext of my 2 story colonial in KC, MO.
The software estimated 36 gallons, I bought 20 and ended up using 11 gallons (that is after I painted the 1st floor and basement 3 times to use up the paint.
how many coats? if changing colors, go for a tinted primer and then the color (2 coats)
know that next time you get a can to touch up and paint 1 wall, the color will probably NOT match.
I used the homedepot paint quantity calculator when I did the ext of my 2 story colonial in KC, MO.
The software estimated 36 gallons, I bought 20 and ended up using 11 gallons (that is after I painted the 1st floor and basement 3 times to use up the paint.
how many coats? if changing colors, go for a tinted primer and then the color (2 coats)
Originally Posted By: ram_man
ok how many coats is usually necessary?
There are many variables as demarpaint noted.
What colour are the walls now?
What colour will you be painting?
What is the covering and texture of the walls (have they been previously panted and with what?)
What nap is your roller?
Is your paint Matt, Eggshell, Semi?
Then the type and quality of the paint has an effect.
Please give precise details on what you are doing!
The bottom line is; Prep the walls, Buy a Gallon and give them one coat, then see what needs to be done.
ok how many coats is usually necessary?
There are many variables as demarpaint noted.
What colour are the walls now?
What colour will you be painting?
What is the covering and texture of the walls (have they been previously panted and with what?)
What nap is your roller?
Is your paint Matt, Eggshell, Semi?
Then the type and quality of the paint has an effect.
Please give precise details on what you are doing!
The bottom line is; Prep the walls, Buy a Gallon and give them one coat, then see what needs to be done.
Originally Posted By: ram_man
ok how many coats is usually necessary?
Buy a gallon. Apply one coat, wait for it to dry, if it covered to your satisfaction stop there. If it didn't apply a second coat. Buy more paint if you need it. As a professional I apply two coats.
In some cases two quarts costs just a little less than a gallon, three quarts can cost as much or more.
ok how many coats is usually necessary?
Buy a gallon. Apply one coat, wait for it to dry, if it covered to your satisfaction stop there. If it didn't apply a second coat. Buy more paint if you need it. As a professional I apply two coats.
In some cases two quarts costs just a little less than a gallon, three quarts can cost as much or more.
Exactly.
How far is it to the paint store, etc. What is your time worth if you have to make a return trip?
If it's a 5 minute drive, start with a gallon and see how it looks.
If the paint store is a bit of a hike, at some point your time becomes more valuable than the extra money you spend on some unused paint.
For what it's worth, I just painted ONE WALL in my daughters room. We wanted to cover the multi colored stripes. We bought a quart of tinted primer and a quart of paint to paint this accent wall. Pretty much used up the entire 1/2 gallon of Sherwin Williams product for this project over a weekend.
No windows or doors on this wall, so it was the worst case scenario.
Originally Posted By: demarpaint
Originally Posted By: ram_man
ok how many coats is usually necessary?
Buy a gallon. Apply one coat, wait for it to dry, if it covered to your satisfaction stop there. If it didn't apply a second coat. Buy more paint if you need it. As a professional I apply two coats.
In some cases two quarts costs just a little less than a gallon, three quarts can cost as much or more.
How far is it to the paint store, etc. What is your time worth if you have to make a return trip?
If it's a 5 minute drive, start with a gallon and see how it looks.
If the paint store is a bit of a hike, at some point your time becomes more valuable than the extra money you spend on some unused paint.
For what it's worth, I just painted ONE WALL in my daughters room. We wanted to cover the multi colored stripes. We bought a quart of tinted primer and a quart of paint to paint this accent wall. Pretty much used up the entire 1/2 gallon of Sherwin Williams product for this project over a weekend.
No windows or doors on this wall, so it was the worst case scenario.
Originally Posted By: demarpaint
Originally Posted By: ram_man
ok how many coats is usually necessary?
Buy a gallon. Apply one coat, wait for it to dry, if it covered to your satisfaction stop there. If it didn't apply a second coat. Buy more paint if you need it. As a professional I apply two coats.
In some cases two quarts costs just a little less than a gallon, three quarts can cost as much or more.
Fill and sand any holes AND give the entire wall a light sanding before you paint.
Cut in corners and edges AS YOU Paint, to keep a wet edge.
DO NOT do ALL the cutting in, and then move on to rollering, or your walls will be 'picture framed'
Cut in corners and edges AS YOU Paint, to keep a wet edge.
DO NOT do ALL the cutting in, and then move on to rollering, or your walls will be 'picture framed'
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