When calculating how much paint is necessary to complete a project, it does require a little time and thought. By taking a quick look at a room or a home’s exterior , it is possible to come up with a ballpark figure, but for an educated estimate, it takes a little effort and a few, simple calculations. It is also a good idea to think about the type of paint that will be used for the job and what tools will be required for applying it.

Measuring the Walls:
Before doing anything else, when determining the amount of paint needed to paint a room, break out the tape measure and begin taking measurements. Measure the length and width of the wall, and subtract any space occupied by windows and doors. Keep in mind that most homes have eight foot ceilings, so the wall space is generally 8 feet multiplied by the length. If you are going to paint the ceiling, get ceiling measurements by measuring the floor to get an accurate number with far less effort.

Rate of Coverage:
The reason that it is important to know the type of paint that you will be using is because it is important to understand the amount of coverage each type of paint provides. For example, most types of paint cover 250 to 350 feet per gallon.

There are a lot of different things that affect the actual coverage rate of a room. One of the most important things to take into consideration is the surface that is being painted. When a surface is porous or very rough like concrete, it takes a great deal more paint to cover the area.

Generally allow about 20% more paint to complete the project. As a rule, it is good to remember, that the higher the paint quality is, the better the coverage will be. More often than not it is prudent to plan for two coats of paint even if the paint seems to cover in a single coat. For durability, especially with exterior finishes, that second coat is important.

The way that the paint is applied to the surface of the wall also determines the rate of coverage. When using a roller or brush the coverage rate is much higher than using a spray. When reading the rate on the label, it is fair to adjust up for a paintbrush or roller, and down for a sprayer. When applying darker color paint, it will generally cover move quickly than lighter colors, and whenever light paint is being applied over dark paint, always plan to apply a second coat.

Doing the Math:
After estimating the coverage that a particular project will require, it is time to determine how many cans of paint will be needed to complete the job. Just divide the total area that is to be painted by the paint’s coverage rate, and then round up to the nearest whole, and this is then number of gallons that will be needed to complete the project. Whenever in doubt, remember that it is better to overestimate a little than it is to underestimate and run out of paint for a project.

The Grand Total:
When calculating the cost of the paint for a project, simply multiply the price per can times the total number of cans required for the job. Then add in the cost of paintbrushes, rollers, tape, drop cloths and any other required supplies. Once the amount of paint and the price of the paint have been calculated, it can be plugged into the project’s budget, and the work can begin.

Author Bio: This article was written by Alyssa Davis of Metal-Wall-Art.com who specializes in creating uniquely stylish interiors with large wall mirrors and sailboat wall decor.

Category: Home Management
Keywords: home, decor, design, wall art, improvement, remodel, budget, repair, organize, feng shui, clean