When planning a painting project, you will need to create a tool and painting shopping list. Most painting shopping lists can be easy to create. However, you will need to calculate how much paint you will need when purchasing your paint. Calculating how much paint you will need will require a certain formula to properly measure how many square feet of paint coverage you will need to buy. L.W. Winslow Painting, Inc will share how to properly calculate the paint you will need for your next painting protect.
Paint Calculation Formula
To properly measure how many square feet of walls or ceilings you will need to cover you will need a measuring tape and a note pad. You will essentially be measuring the height and width of each wall. If a wall has a window don’t try to remove that square footage. It’s good to have extra paint for touch ups later. The one exceptions is very large windows. If you have a large picture window, you can create a layout of the room and measure each segment individually. In most cases, the height remains the same throughout the room unless it is an open floor plan or elevation change such as a sunken floor. After measuring the height and width of each wall or ceiling, you will want to add the measurements together. To get the proper square footage number you will multiply the wall’s height to the wall’s width. Do each wall individually and then add each wall equation together to get the entire wall square footage.
Ceiling Paint Considerations
If you’re going to repaint the ceiling, don’t try to hold the measuring tape up in the air. Just use the room floor or foundation for your measurement, it is much easier. You can also measure the length and width of the room and multiply the two numbers together to get the ceiling’s square footage. However, if you have vaulted ceilings, neither method will work. You will need to take multiple measurements to figure out a vaulted ceiling’s proper measurement. You can start by measuring the width of the room as that will remain the same for the ceiling. Next measure one half of the ceiling length, where the two sections meet at the peak. You will need someone to help hold one end of the tape while you reach to the high end on a ladder. Repeat on the other side, then multiply the length and width on both sides. Add the two together to get your square footage.
How Much Paint Do I Need for One or More Walls
When buying the paint, each type will vary on how much square feet it will cover. Most range between 350 to 400 square feet per gallon. Additionally, you may find you need more paint for very dry walls. The longer the walls go between repainting, or even new walls receiving their first coat of paint, they tend to take more paint to cover the walls. These walls soak in more paint and often require a little bit more paint. In most cases, it is safe to get extra paint to ensure you cover all the walls. Also keep in mind most walls look much better if they get two coats, so plan for at least two coats of paint.
Interior, Exterior Painting & More in Amagansett, Bridgehampton, East Hampton, Hampton Bays, Montauk, North Haven, North Sea, Noyack, Quogue, Shelter Island, Sag Harbor, Sagaponack, Shinnecock Hills, Southampton, Springs, Wainscott, Watermill, Westhampton, West Hampton Beach, New York
If you have a major painting project coming up and want professional painting services, contact L.W. Winslow Painting, Inc and schedule our services today.