How Much Paint do You Need?

Paint is expensive, so you definitely don’t want to overbuy. First figure out how many square feet are in the room by measuring perimeter of the room and multiplying that number by the room’s height. This is your square feet. Then, subtract 20 square feet for each door in the room, and 15 for each window.

1 Gallon of pain should cover around 350 square feet. Pain on drywall and darker colors will require two coats of paint, which means you’ll double the amount of paint needed.

An easy way to do it is like this: get your total for square feet and divide it by 350. The number you get is the number of gallons of paint you need to get the job done, assuming we’re talking about one coat.

Tools and Materials Needed

Ok, now you’ve got your paint. What other tools and materials will you need?

Tools

• Putty knife
• Towels / rags
• Sponge
• Floor duster
• Brushes
• Rollers
• Extension pole
• 5 gallon bucket
• Paint tray
• Paint grid
• Latex paint respirator
• Ladder (if necessary)
• Safety glasses

Materials

• Spackling compound
• Sandpaper, 220-grit
• Painter’s tape
• Primer
• Drop cloth
• Paint

Step 1: Prep your walls

Inspect the walls for cracks, holes, and dents. Fill in and flatten out imperfections with spackling compound. Let it dry, then sand it down until it’s flush with the wall.

Wipe down entire wall with a wet rag to rid it of dirt, grime, and dust.

Step 2: Mask the room with painter’s tape

Cover the ceiling where it meets the wall. Cover windowsills and doorframes. Using painter’s tape will give you a solid line without risking getting paint anywhere it’s not supposed to be.

Step 3: Spread drop cloths and move furniture

Move furniture out of the room. Spread drop cloths around as much of the room as possible, but at least around the walls being painted.

Step 4: Outline the room with primer

Also called “cutting in,” outlining the room is all about doing the detailed areas first. Pain around the windows, along the ceiling, around the door, and basically anywhere you have painter’s tape.

Step 5: Prime

When painting new drywall, a primer is necessary. It will seal the wall and prevent future mold and decay. Primer is usually white paint that is specifically designed to adhere to and receive the top coat of your paint.

Step 6: Sand and clean

After the primer has dried, lightly sand away bumps, chunks, ridges and any other imperfections until you have a smooth surface. Wipe clean with a clean, damp towel and let it dry.

Step 7: Paint!

Now you’re ready to paint! Outline the areas around the windows, doors, and ceiling just like you did before, then use a larger brush on the rest of the wall. Tightly seal up your paint and clean your brushes with paint thinner and you’re all set!

For bigger projects and remodeling, don’t hesitate to contact Bauer Construction Inc. We’re professional and courteous from the estimate to the final cleanup. Ask for Jeff at 847-553-5331.