Virginia Class A Builder Lic# 2705158280

Person using calculator and tablet with pen over documents on a wooden desk for work or study.

Calculating Paint and Wallpaper

Estimating Wall Paint

  1. Add the length of each wall together.
  2. Multiply the total length of the walls by the ceiling height (this is the wall area).
  3. Subtract the square feet of the openings from the total wall area.
  4. Divide the remaining square feet by 350* to determine the number of gallons needed and increase this number by the amount of coats you plan to apply. (*Use the table below or check your paint can.
p>Example: Applying two coats, how many gallons of paint will you need for a room that is 12 x 14 with 9' ceilings? (Note: Total square foot of openings is 45).

  1. 12 + 12 + 14 + 14 = 52
  2. 52 x 9 = 468
  3. 468 - 45 = 423
  4. 423 / 350 = 1.21 x 2 coats (you need 2.5 gallons of paint)
Blue single-story house with white trim surrounded by snow and leafless trees on a cloudy day

Pratte Construction uses Premium Sherwin Williams coatings 

Estimating Trim Paint

  1. Add the total linear feet of trim.
  2. Multiply the total length by .5 (or the exact width of trim).
  3. Divide by 350.

Estimating Ceiling Paint

  1. Multiply length of room by the width of the room to find ceiling area.
  2. Divide the area by 350.

Using the Table

  1. Identify your surface in the corresponding "exterior" or "interior" table.
  2. Divide your total area to be painted by the number in the first column.
  3. Add the "second" coat. (if needed)

Wallpaper

Using the Formula

  1. Add the total linear feet of walls.
  2. Multiply the total linear feet by the ceiling height for the total area.
  3. Divide the area by 30

Using the Table

  1. Add the length of each wall together (Total Linear Feet).
  2. In the first column, identify the closest "total perimeter" and round up.
  3. Identify the corresponding number based on your ceiling height. (this is the number of rolls you will need.