How Much Paint and How Many Coats For Our Home

Questions & AnswersCategory: Exterior Painting QuestionsHow Much Paint and How Many Coats For Our Home
Rich asked 10 years ago

We have a house with painted siding. It is a light cream color. We would like to paint it brown. The house is about 1450sq/ft. There is some added surface due to one side of the house being about 5 feet higher off of the ground then the other so it doesn’t fit the standard one-level home guide.

We would like to know approx. How much paint would be required for a single coat? And, we would like to know, since it is a light color base, should we do two coats of the brown, or one coat with a tinted base, then the brown?

4 Answers
Crowder Painting answered.

Approximately 6-7 gallons per coat of a good thick acrylic paint. I recommend 2 coats of your chosen finish color for perfect coverage and longevity.

Anonymous answered.

I appreciate the answer to my question. We are trying to do this ourselves. We have bought the paint, although maybe not enough, only 10 gallons, based on your estimate. Other than the prep work, do you have any other advice? Should you start at the top and work your way down or the opposite? Thanks for your website, I appreciate it.

Crowder Painting answered.

The 6-7 gallons is just a guestimate on my part. There are many variables that affect the acuall amount you will need. But, 10 gallons is a great start.

After the prep is all done, start painting from the top down one side at a time. Begin with the soffits (eaves) then continue down. Try to work in the shade as much as possible, this is better for you and the paint.

The basic ideas work for spraying or rolling the paint. Spraying is faster, although I still recommend <a href="https://www.house-painting-info.com/back-rolling.html">back rolling</a> the first coat.

Once the first coat is finished you will know exactly how much more is needed for the second coat. Most likely 2-4 gallons.

Anonymous answered.

If you are going to repaint make sure you spend enough time on the prep work, it will help the paint work last for many years. Remember to add primer to all areas that peel down to wood. If you are worried about price of paint I would just pickup a 5 gallon bucket of paint and see how far you go with that and that will give you an idea of what you need to buy. Good luck with your painting project. This is the best way to maintain your home. As the years come and go and you see a little peel here and there go out and repair as you see them, and your paint job will last for a very long time.