Estimating for a Paint Quantity

When estimating for basic paint quantity, the homeowner will need to use this simple formula to calculate how much paint they will need to complete the job.


When the homeowner plans on painting a home as a weekend project, these hints are effective whether they choose to paint the home themselves or hire a professional to expedite the task for them. When determining how much paint the homeowner will need, whether previously purchased or newly constructed, the initial goal is making sure they have enough material to complete the work. Painting is the initial design statement and the ideal way to revitalize the exterior of the home. Painting the exterior of a home adds warmth in style, creates a well maintained appearance, and ensures a cost-effective method for increasing the value of the Home.

Estimate the Right Amount of Paint

The homeowner decides when he or she needs a new exterior paint job, but the only problem is that the majority of homeowners do not know how to estimate how much paint they will need to complete the task. Here are the answers they should know to ensure that they estimate the correct amount of paint. This process is important before putting on a painter’s hat.

When measuring the home, measure the total width of the walls. This includes the entire front, the back, and both or all of the remaining sides of the home. When this is complete, measure the height of the walls and estimate for any angled walls or peaks. Many painters will take an average height, but it is always better to have exact measurements.

Multiply the total width amount by the total height amount. This calculation is the total wall coverage the painter will use to calculate how much paint he or she will need.

One point to remember is that if the home has an awkward area such as a peak or gable, the painter will want to determine the space. A gable is the triangular top section of a side wall. A building with a pitched roof fills the space beneath the roof in which the slopes meet. This is an easy calculation by multiplying the gable's base width by half of the gable’s height. The painter will take this total calculation and make sure to add it to the wall space total.

The painter should never adjust for door and window areas. When an opening space is one-hundred square feet or larger, then the painter makes an adjustment in paint quantity. Other than that, the painter should never make an adjustment. In painting, there are always unforeseen elements, and it is better to have too much paint than not enough.

At this point, the painter will determine what type of paint covering he or she will want to use for the job. A good tip is to read the label of the paint to determine the coverage in square feet per gallon. Because the exterior of a home is unpredictable in dryness and substrate condition, it is best to use paint with a coverage of 250 square feet.

The painter will then divide the total square footage of wall space to cover; by the square feet coverage of the gallon of paint. Painters will always round up to the highest number. Once the painter estimates the highest number, then he or she will know the amount of gallons the painter will need to complete the project.

Other Special Areas for Calculating Paint Quantity

The following areas have special calculations to determine paint quantities. These calculations are guidelines for estimating the amount of paint the homeowner will need to account for when dealing with more difficult areas.

• The first area is the stairs, and the painter will need to include the risers and multiply them by two. Then the painter will multiply this amount by the number of stairs in the staircase to determine paint quantity.
• In regard to downspouts and gutters, the painter will find the front area and multiply it by two. The painter will then multiply that number by the linear footage to obtain the total space.
• When painting a balustrade, which is a decorative railing with its supporting upright posts, the painter will find the front area and multiply that number by four.
• The painter will want to paint the eaves of the home, to do this the painter will measure to find the area of the eaves and multiply the number by two. If the painter decides to paint the eaves and the rafters, he or she will measure to find the area and then multiply that number by three.

This process of measuring for special areas will still need the painter to divide the total areas by the square footage of the paint coverage. The amount of primer used for these areas will vary as the entire home will not require the same coverage as the finishing coat. With these guidelines, a homeowner can sufficiently estimate the correct amount of materials they will need to estimate successfully for exterior paint quantities.

Patrick Tremblay