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WHAT'S NEW
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Easily calculate how much paint to buy
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Finding out how much paint you'll need before buying is a simple matter of careful calculations. Whether you want to put pen to paper or use an online paint calculator, we've got you covered.
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By Vickie Reichardt
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Spring has sprung and many a homeowner's fancy turns to thoughts of renewing, refreshing and repainting. But once you've cleared out the room you're going to spruce up, and carefully picked out a colour that'll soon grace its walls, how will you know how much paint to buy? And how can you avoid coming up short, literally or esthetically?
The basics on how to calculate how much paint you'll need
Almost all paint manufacturers and big-box hardware stores have paint calculators featured on their websites, where you can simply type in room measurements and their tools will reveal the amount of paint you'll need to get the job done. The calculations are simple, though, and you can easily figure it out at home:
1. Measure the height and width of each wall you'll paint. Multiply height x width to determine the area of each surface, and then add those areas together for the total surface area to be painted. (For a rough estimate of the ceiling area, measure the length and width of the floor.)
2. Measure the height and width of each surface you do not plan on painting. This includes doors, windows, built-ins, radiators, trim, etc. Multiply height x width of each surface to determine the area of each, then add all the areas together for the total surface area not to be painted.
3. Subtract the area not to be painted from area to be painted for your final surface area amount. Multiply this number by the number of coats you expect to do (a minimum of two is recommended). This is the total surface area you will paint. Take this number with you when you head out to buy your paint.
A general rule of thumb is that a one-gallon (4L) can of paint covers approximately 375 to 400 square feet (37 square metres) of surface. Most manufacturers include the estimated coverage amount directly on the paint cans, so check the labels when you buy.
Now that you've calculated the amount of surface coverage you'll need, there are additional factors to take into consideration before you dip your brush in and begin:
Paint colours may affect how much paint you need
High-contrast colour changes (i.e., painting a light wall a dark colour, or vice versa) requires extra coats and, thus, more paint. Ask your paint retailer about buying a tinted primer to reduce the number of coats you'll need.
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