One of the best ways to change the look of your living space is to paint the walls, but it can be hard to figure out how much paint you’ll need. Use our Wall Paint Calculator to save yourself time, money, and repeated trips to the hardware store.
How the Wall Paint Calculator Works
The calculator takes into account all the important things that affect how much paint you need, like the size of the wall, any windows or doors, and how many coats you want to use. The coverage rate of 10 square meters per liter of paint is used because it is a reliable measure that works well for most interior paints.
After you enter in the room’s size the calculator will take care of everything else. The calculator takes into account windows, doors, and other places that won’t need painting, so it can give you a very accurate estimate of how much paint you’ll need. Even a 10% waste is consider to make sure you have enough paint to finish the job.
Take Accurate Measurements
Start by measuring the height and the width of each wall. Measure in meters and remember to measure each wall separately, especially if your room is not perfectly rectangular. The calculator allows you to enter in measurements for multiple walls.
If you are not painting your doors or windows you want to exclude them from your wall measurements. While you need to measure each door and window, your measurements don’t have to be exact. A rough estimate will work, as the calculator’s waste option accounts for these areas.
When Do You Use Multiple Coats?
You can choose to from one, two, or three coats of paint in the calculator’s settings. But, how do you know how many coats of paint to use?
One coat may be enough if you are using the same color. But, if you want professional-looking walls, two coats ensure the best coverage and color consistency. If you are painting over a dark wall you will most likely need three coats of paint to get the job done.
The Importance of Paint Coverage
The calculator uses coverage rates of 10m² per liter, but actual coverage can be different based on several factors. For example, it takes more paint to cover rough or uneven surfaces than smooth ones. New drywall or plaster that hasn’t been painted might need more paint than areas that have already been painted.
Even though your higher quality pains cost more, their superior coverage means fewer coats of paint are needed to complete the job. How you apply the paint also affects coverage. Brushes and rollers use more paint than sprayers, as they both absorb paint. Brushes provide better coverage on trim, while rollers work best on walls.
Why Include the Recommended 10% Waste Option?
The calculator’s 10% wastage option is recommended because it accounts for several things.
- Paint left in cans and on equipment
- Touch-ups and corrections
- Variations in surface absorption
- Spills and mistakes during application
- Uneven coverage areas requiring extra attention
Additional Considerations
When painting your home, you must be mindful of temperature and humidity. Paint performs best when applied at moderate temperatures with average humidity. Extreme temperatures or excessive humidity may necessitate extra paint or influence drying periods.
Well-prepared surfaces frequently use less paint and produce superior results. Clean the walls, fix any damage, and prime as necessary.
When choosing paint for a room, keep its purpose in mind. Kitchens and bathrooms benefit from moisture-resistant paint, while living areas may prioritize scrub resistance for easier cleaning.
Professional Tips
It doesn’t matter how well you paint; you’ll have to touch it up at some point. To make touch-ups easy, make sure you store your extra paint the right way. Write the room name, the date, and any color codes on the can. Store the paint in a cool, dark place with the lid on tight.
Painting one wall at a time prevents the paint from running. To get smooth, even coverage, always work from top to bottom and in manageable chunks. Keeping the edge wet is the best way to prevent overlapping marks on your walls.
Before you start painting, you should think about how bright the room is. Light from the sun can really change the way colors look.
Our wall painting calculator gives you an estimate based on standard conditions. Even though it’s meant to be as exact as possible, the actual amount needed could change depending on things like painting experience, surface condition, and the properties of the paint.