Caring for your house’s exterior is a routine job that dramatically improves its look and safeguards it against environmental factors. When considering exterior paint jobs, one frequently asked question is how much paint do I need to purchase? In most painting projects, the quantity of paint that you need depends on the size of the home, the type of siding, and whether you want to apply one initial coat or several subsequent coats. In this article, you will find some recommendations on understanding how many gallons of exterior house paint will be required.
Count the Area of Every Exterior Surface in Square Footage
The best method of determining how many gallons of paint to buy is to identify the number of square feet to be painted on the exterior part of the building.
This includes:
– Siding
– Trim
– Doors
– Windows
– Other surfaces, including the shutters and railings, and so on
In the case of a one-story home, the measurements of each wall segment must be taken for height and width to obtain the square footage. For multi-story homes, while taking dimensions, ensure that each floor is measured separately. You must add up the entire square footage combined.
Uneven Surfaces
Most homes have irregular surfaces which have to be treated individually. Features such as gables, dormers, and corners need additional computation. So, calculate by using the measure of height x width just as you would a flat wall.
Measurement is slightly tricky because of the pitch of the roof and other angular dimensions of the roof. Try to take measurements as close to the real thing as possible. Please ensure that the irregular surfaces are measured on both sides, front and back.
Consider the Type of Siding
Another factor related to the paint calculation is the type of siding on your house because it requires more paint than other siding types.
Here is how much paint different sidings typically require per coat:
Wood: 400 to 500 square feet in a gallon (of paint)
Vinyl: 400 to 500 square feet per gallon
Brick: 150 to 200 square feet per gallon
Outdoor Wall Cladding – Stucco: 100 to 150 square feet per gallon
Therefore, painting on a rough or porous surface takes a lot of paint to give an even coating. Remember that the type of siding informs the number of gallons you would require.
Factor in the Number of Coats
- For exterior painting projects, at least two layers of paint—priming and finishing—are generally needed. The base coat provides a suitable surface on which the finish coat can stick.
- Some painters advise on three coats of paint- the first being a primer and two coats of color. This adds stability and convenience for the person who uses it.
- Do not forget to assign costs to all coats that may exist. Remember also that doors, trims, and windows are usually painted with a brush rather than spraying.
Determine Gallons Needed
Measuring gallons can be done much simpler once all the measurements and contributing factors have been considered.
Here is the formula:
Total square footage/coverage rate of paint (per coat) = gallons needed per coat
So, for example:
3,000 square feet wooden exterior home
400 square feet of area per gallon of paint
Two coats recommended
3000 ÷ 400 = 7.5 gallons per coat
Paint required: 7.5 gallons for the first coat and 7.5 gallons for the second = 15 gallons
You should always round up to the nearest gallon and buy a little more paint than you need. The remaining paint should be kept for touch-up jobs or any other close-by projects that may require the color.
When Painting, Consider Hiring a Contractor
Preparing and painting your home’s outside may seem like a massive project. If this is the case, it may be a good idea to hire a professional painter. Skilled contractors possess the apparatus, competencies, and capacity to deliver the project appropriately.
Definitely try to get a few quotes for the job, and never hesitate to ask questions. Make sure the quote expresses how many coats are included and what surfaces will be prepared or painted. This can go a long way toward reassuring you that the brand new exterior you’ve put on your home will indeed endure.
Conclusion
Knowing the correct number of gallons of paint required for the exteriors of our homes requires a lot of measurement, math, and planning. But if the time is taken to get the square footage right and think through the coatings and siding, then the accurate amount of paint can be purchased. The good news is that hiring professional painters eliminates all these steps or risks involved while painting. This is what makes it possible to revamp your home exterior with a new coat of paint, with the right color and method that affords the proper protection.
