How Many Coats Of Paint Do I Need?

It is always wise to carefully plan and budget home improvement projects, and one function of that is deciding how much paint to buy. The first step is calculating how many square feet of wall (or ceiling) you are painting, then you need to multiply that by the number of coats you will need to get an attractive, solid, lasting color.

if you are re-coating with the same color

In general, you can plan on covering the an exterior surface in just one coat if your paint is less than 10 years old and is not severely weathered. Proper surface preparation is still vital, or no amount of coats will give lasting protection to your home. If you can afford to complete two coats, the sheen and color retention will be better, and the paint job will endure better.

For interior surfaces, one coat is usually a sufficient application as long as the previous coat is adequate and not in severe distress. In new D.C. area homes, the original builder's paint is often very thin and the first homeowner's paint job will require more coats to cover thoroughly. This low-cost paint is sometimes called builder's paint or contractor's grade, though no reputable painting contractor uses these paints in home redecoration projects.

if you are changing color

When you are making a color change in your home, the number of required coats becomes a more complex calculation. Sometimes a darker color will cover over a lighter color effectively in one coat, but professional house painters usually plan on at least two. Obviously, covering a dark color with a light one is more difficult, and requires several more layers of pigment.

Another complicating factor is the exact color you desire to use. Some shades, such as deep red and pastel yellow, are naturally "low-hide" colors, meaning that they do not hide the previous paints well. In addition, custom colors (mixed in the store or by the painting contractor on-site) cannot cover as well as factory pre-mixed colors. Finally, the grade of paint affects the coverage, and more expensive paints usually contain better pigments which will cover in fewer coats.

If you have a dramatic color change to accomplish or your new color is a low-hide variety, you can save time and money by beginning with a tinted primer. Sometimes this primer will be tinted a half-shade of the final tone to hide the previous color and lay a foundation for the new one. In some cases, however, the best base to use looks entirely different. For example, if you are painting the wall a dark red, the best deep-base primer is often bright blue! Speak to a painting professional to make sure you find the best primer for your project.

It is often possible to get an idea of a paint color's hiding capacity by finding the color code on the color card and looking it up in the manufacturer's literature. Many manufacturers provide color-hide information in their materials. You can also speak to an expert in your local paint store or consult a professional painting company.

Manor Works Painting, a northern Virginia painting contractor, is happy to help you plan and carry out your home redecoration. Contact us for painting services in suburban Maryland and Washington D.C. as well.

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