Construction Estimating

Before you undertake any painting job you need to determine the dimensions of the area you are attempting to cover. The paint manufacturer will usually provide guidelines on the can to indicate how much space can be covered. Paint estimating can usually be done by performing a handful of calculations and considering some additional points that can contribute to paint requirements.

As a general guideline for estimating paint coverage, a gallon of paint will cover 350 - 450 square feet. You should base realistic estimates on 400 square feet and if you plan to use several cans of paint, it is a good idea to mix them together to avoid any streaking affect that can manifest.

To calculate paint estimates, multiply the height of the wall by its length and then divide by 400. A gallon of paint will cover a 10 x 15 foot room. If you are doing additional coats, you will need to double or triple up your estimates. There are other factors that you might also want to factor into the calculations for formulating painting cost estimate.

One factor that can increase paint requirements is textured walls. Older style rougher texture absorbs the paint and can require a little more than the standard estimates. If you are painting rough or porous walls, you should allow for a little more latitude in your calculations. Smoother walls are fine using the existing calculations.

You will also need to take into account any windows, doors or fireplaces as part of your calculations. Typical windows have a dimension of 15 feet and doors 20 feet. To get more accurate estimates, determine the exact distances (height x width) and subtract this value from your total area calculations.

Estimating paint coverage is relatively simple once you have considered the condition of the surface you are painting, calculated the total distance you need to cover, subtracted any areas that do not need to be covered and allowed for the total number of coats the surface will require. Once you have this figure you will be able to ascertain how many cans to purchase. You might also want to keep a little extra in reserve so buying additional quantity is a good idea in this regard.

For additional information about paint estimating, you should consult the representative from the hardware store where you make your purchase. They can often point out more appropriate brands for the surface you are painting and provide tips and guidelines to improve the quality of your job.

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