Paint is primarily measured by volume, typically in gallons, quarts, pints, and liters. The coverage area that the volume of paint will cover is also an important measurement.
Here's a breakdown:
-
Volume: This refers to the amount of liquid paint in a container. Common units of volume include:
- Gallons (the most common for larger projects)
- Quarts (1/4 of a gallon)
- Pints (1/8 of a gallon)
- Liters (commonly used outside the US)
-
Coverage: This refers to the area a given volume of paint will cover. Coverage is usually expressed in square feet per gallon (sq ft/gallon).
- Factors Affecting Coverage:
- Surface Texture: Rough surfaces require more paint than smooth surfaces.
- Paint Quality: Higher-quality paints often have better coverage.
- Application Method: Spraying, rolling, or brushing can affect coverage.
- Surface Porosity: Porous surfaces (like unprimed drywall) absorb more paint.
- Color: Some colors may require more coats than others.
- Factors Affecting Coverage:
-
Calculating Paint Needs: To determine how much paint you need, calculate the total surface area you need to cover (length x width of walls) then divide that figure by the approximate coverage for your chosen paint (often found on the label). The video indicates a general rule is one gallon of paint typically covers between 300 and 400 square feet.
Example:
Suppose you have a wall that is 10 feet long and 8 feet high. The area of the wall is 10 ft x 8 ft = 80 sq ft. If your paint covers 350 sq ft per gallon, then one gallon will cover that wall about 4 times (350 sq ft/gallon / 80 sq ft/wall = 4.375 walls).
In summary, while paint is bought and sold by volume, the practical measurement for a DIYer is the coverage per gallon, allowing you to calculate how much paint to purchase for your specific project's square footage.