Calculator courtesy of csgnetwork
This calculator requires the use of Javascript enabled and capable browsers. Though it does intensive math calculations, it is a close estimator and enables the user to approximate the amount of paint required for a given ceiling, based on parameters entered. THIS IS A COMPLEX CALCULATOR! Pay close attention to the instructions and options. It calculates the square footage of surfaces requiring paint, less that area occupied ceiling vents or skylights. It assumes the average skylight or vent is 8 square feet; it also assumes that ceilings are flat (not sloped or angled) and drier than walls, and require more paint for the same square footage as a wall. If your vents or skylights are smaller than that or larger than that, you may use fractions such as 1.5 or .8 in the skylights field. It assumes that application paint goes on at about 350 square feet per gallon and 330 square feet for base paint; you may change either or both if you wish. It also assumes surfaces are smooth but allows for texturing. It takes into consideration spraying, which takes slightly more paint than the alternatives, brushing or rolling, either of which requires roughly the same quantity of paint but less than spraying. It considers one or two application coats and assumes no base coat. The algorithm for the base coat is slightly different based (no pun intended) on the different composition of base coat paint; it also allows for a different price.
It also considers ceiling texture; standard texture is that of a similar appearance to lightly textured walls. Uncheck the default if the ceiling is smooth. Popcorn type ceilings and acoustical ceilings take up to 85% more paint for the same square footage as smooth ceiling. Because of the varied heights and depths of such surfaces, we consider it as more square footage since in reality, it is just that. We also suggest that there is the possibility that with rollers or brushes on this type ceiling, you will use MORE rather than less paint due to waste, drippage and repainting the peaks and valleys. Spraying the ceiling is a much better choice. If you wish to paint the ceiling and it is NOT smooth, check one box or the other; you may also check both boxes if you feel the ceiling is very dry (such as in desert climates) or if it is porous acoustical tile. Checking both will calculate a much higher square footage than actual but calculates very closely to the required quantity of paint. If you wish to use a base coat of a different type of paint, check the base coat box. If you are in an exceptionally arid or desert environment, creating a very dry condition 80 percent of the year, check the dry climate box. Enter the cost of the paint per gallon for the application and for the base coat, if used; the total prices of the paints required are calculated. You may also enter labor cost per hour and the estimated number of hours; or your may enter 1 hour and the prices estimate for the labor for the entire job. To do another, click the Clear Values button and then enter a new set of values. You may also wish to just change certain fields and recalculate; however, remember that you MUST click Calculate after each modification or group of modifications prior to seeing the corrected final values.
It also considers ceiling texture; standard texture is that of a similar appearance to lightly textured walls. Uncheck the default if the ceiling is smooth. Popcorn type ceilings and acoustical ceilings take up to 85% more paint for the same square footage as smooth ceiling. Because of the varied heights and depths of such surfaces, we consider it as more square footage since in reality, it is just that. We also suggest that there is the possibility that with rollers or brushes on this type ceiling, you will use MORE rather than less paint due to waste, drippage and repainting the peaks and valleys. Spraying the ceiling is a much better choice. If you wish to paint the ceiling and it is NOT smooth, check one box or the other; you may also check both boxes if you feel the ceiling is very dry (such as in desert climates) or if it is porous acoustical tile. Checking both will calculate a much higher square footage than actual but calculates very closely to the required quantity of paint. If you wish to use a base coat of a different type of paint, check the base coat box. If you are in an exceptionally arid or desert environment, creating a very dry condition 80 percent of the year, check the dry climate box. Enter the cost of the paint per gallon for the application and for the base coat, if used; the total prices of the paints required are calculated. You may also enter labor cost per hour and the estimated number of hours; or your may enter 1 hour and the prices estimate for the labor for the entire job. To do another, click the Clear Values button and then enter a new set of values. You may also wish to just change certain fields and recalculate; however, remember that you MUST click Calculate after each modification or group of modifications prior to seeing the corrected final values.
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