Knowing house painting techniques is one way to freshen up its appearance and give it a new feel. However, before starting a painting project, it is important to know how to calculate paint consumption proportionately.
Wrong calculations can result in undesirable consequences, such as a lack of paint that hinders the process or an excess of paint that results in waste.
This article will guide you to find out how to calculate paint consumption correctly without missing a beat. We will discuss the steps that need to be taken, from calculating the surface area to determining the spreadability of the paint and the amount of paint needed.
How to Calculate the Paint Consumption Proportionately
To calculate the wall paint needs, there are several steps you need to take. These stages start with calculating the surface area, paint spreadability, needs, and others. The following is an explanation of the stages of how to calculate paint consumption methodically:
1. Calculating the Surface Area
The first step in calculating the wall paint is to measure the area to be painted. In this case, you can use a tape measure to measure the length and height of each side of the wall. For example, in a room measuring 4 x 5 m with a height of 3 m, there are two walls of 4 x 3 m and two other sides of 5 x 3 m.
Generally, when you start learning how to calculate paint consumption, you'll begin by calculating the area of each side of the wall by multiplying the length and height. For example, the area of both sides of 4 x 3 m is 2 x (4 m x 3 m) = 24 m². Likewise, for both sides of 5 x 3 m, the area is 2 x (5 m x 3 m) = 30 m².
The total area to be painted is the area of all sides of the wall added up. In this example, the total area is 24 m² + 30 m² = 54 m².
The formula to calculate the paint consumption is as follows:
Painted area = (Length of wall 1 x Height of wall 1) + (Length of wall 2 x Height of wall 2) + (Length of wall n x Height of wall n)
Example:
Painted area = 2(4 m x 3 m) + 2(5 m x 3 m) = 54 m²
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2. Determine the Spreadability of Paint
The next step in calculating paint consumption is to determine the spreadability of the paint. It will show how large an area can be covered with one liter of paint. This value can vary depending on the type of paint used. Generally, 1 can of wall paint can cover between 10 and 12 m² per liter.
For example, let's assume the spreadability of wall paint is 10 m² per liter. To find out how many liters of paint are needed to paint an area of ​​50.5 m², you can use the following formula::
Painted Wall Area / Paint Spreadability = Amount of Paint Required
In this case, the way to calculate wall paint consumption is:
50.5 m² / 10 m²/liter = 5.05 liters
3. Calculating Paint Need
After knowing the total area of the wall you want to paint, the next step is to calculate the paint consumption per square meter. The general wall paint requirement is 10–12 liters of paint per square meter. To anticipate shortages, you should use the lowest reference, 10 liters per square meter.
For example, if the total wall area of two bedrooms is 178 square meters, the wall paint requirement is approximately 17.8 liters. However, this calculation is not final. To find out the next steps, we will continue the discussion below.
4. Calculating the Surface Area of Doors and Windows
The next step in figuring out paint consumption is to calculate the area of the doors and windows. To calculate it, you need to subtract the area of the opening from the total area of the wall.
For example, rooms A and B have doors of the same size, about 1 m long and 3 m high. The area of the doors in each room is 3 m², so it can be concluded that the total area of the doors in both rooms is 6 m².
If room A has an additional window with a length of 3 m and a height of 2 m, and the area of window A is 6 m², then the calculation of the area of the wall to be painted is as follows:
The total wall area is 190 m². By subtracting the area of the doors and windows, we get the area that needs to be painted:
Wall Area - Door Area - Window Area = Painted Area
We can calculate the paint consumption for the doors and windows using the formula above. Here's how it looks:
190 m² - 6 m² - 6 m² = 178 m²
Read also: 4 Tips on Choosing Interior for Rooms with Cement Walls
5. Convert to Kilograms
The final step is to convert to kilograms. This is because wall paint is sold in cans or buckets in kilograms. Remember that 1 liter of paint is not the same as 1 kilogram of paint and is different from water in terms of a linear relationship between volume and mass. This is because paint has a heavier liquid density.
For example, the average density of paint is 1.4 kilograms per liter. To figure the need for wall paint per square meter for two bedrooms, calculate the volume of paint needed first, then multiply it by the density of the paint.
For example, if the total surface area of the walls of the two bedrooms is 18 m² and you want to use paint with a flow rate of 10 m² per liter, then the volume of paint needed is 18 m² or 10 m² per liter = 1.8 liters.
Next, multiply the volume by the density to get the amount of paint needed in kilograms. For example, 1.8 liters x 1.4 kilograms per liter = 2.52 kilograms. Next, round the nominal up to 25 kilograms.
Keep in mind that these numbers are only estimates. Actual paint consumption may vary depending on the degree of porosity of the wall, application method, and type of paint used.
If you want to coat the paint more than once, multiply the wall paint needed by the number of coats.
For example, if you want to coat the paint twice, then the need for wall paint will be 25 kilograms x 2 = 50 kilograms.
Tips for Saving Wall Paint
After understanding how to calculate the paint consumption, learn the tips to use it sparingly to avoid excessive use. Here are some tips for painting walls that you can apply:
1. Choose Paint According to Your Needs
Among many paint types at varying prices, you need to know that choosing the right building material is not only a matter of aesthetics but also an investment. This careful decision can help you calculate paint consumption accurately and proportionately.
High-quality paint is like a skilled painter who can paint walls perfectly in 2-3 coats. On the other hand, low-quality paint is like an amateur painter, requiring 5–6 coats of application to achieve the same results. This not only wastes time and energy but also drains your wallet.
Even though low-quality paint costs less upfront, it will ultimately cost you more to achieve the same results. Therefore, invest more in high-quality paint to get premium and long-lasting results and save money in the long run.
2. Know the Wall Types
Knowing the type of wall is an important step in calculating the amount of wall paint you need. This is because different types of walls have different levels of paint absorption.
Bare walls without primer generally require more coating than primed walls. This means you will need more paint to achieve the desired results on a blank wall.
On the other hand, painting a wall that already has primer may help save on budget and paint consumption. It then helps reduce the level of absorption on the wall.
Therefore, homeowners and construction workers need to know the type of wall that will be painted before buying wall paint. That way, the result of the paint consumption calculation will be more accurate and help you save money.
3. Apply Paint Efficiently
Painting walls requires the right techniques and tips. You can choose a roller, spray, or brush technique according to the area you want to paint. Don't forget to use a brush for areas that are hard to reach on the roller. With the right technique, you can calculate your wall paint needs more effectively and get the best results.
That is all about how to calculate paint consumption proportionately. Take notes on economical tips for using wall paint as a reference. By calculating properly, we hope you can paint your house's walls just right.
Note that before painting, the walls must be primed first so that the paint sticks well. This process generally uses a white liquid made from glue, calcium, and cement. The cement used for plastering is high-quality white cement, so the results of the wall painting won't disappoint you.
Therefore, you can use Semen Merah Putih Watershield Cement before plastering the walls. Semen Merah Putih Watershield Cement is a premium cement product that helps protect walls from mold and alkaline salts, which can cause paint to peel due to dampness on the walls.
So, contact us immediately to order Semen Merah Putih according to your needs now!
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