Measure surfaces and subtract openings for accuracy. Choose texture depth and coats for better planning. Download results and share with your crew easily.
| Scenario | Net Area | Pattern | Coats | Coverage Rate | Waste | Container Size | Containers Needed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Backyard wall | 300 ft² | Medium | 2 | 125 ft²/gal | 10% | 1 gal | 6 |
| Garden shed | 42 m² | Smooth | 2 | 10 m²/L | 8% | 5 L | 2 |
| Planter faces | 120 ft² | Heavy | 1 | 110 ft²/gal | 12% | 0.5 gal | 3 |
Start by listing every coating surface in your garden project: boundary walls, planter faces, shed panels, and privacy screens. Measure length and height for each section, multiply by quantity, then sum for base area. If you already have a measured total, enter it directly to speed planning. For repeating panels, such as fence bays, measure one bay and multiply by the count to reduce errors.
Subtract areas you will not coat, such as doors, windows, vents, access gates, and inset panels. Accurate opening subtraction prevents overbuying and improves scheduling, especially when multiple small cut‑outs exist. Keep measurements in the same unit system as your coverage label. When openings are irregular, approximate them as rectangles and add a waste buffer rather than guessing oversized values.
Manufacturers publish a nominal coverage rate per container. Real coverage changes with texture depth, surface porosity, and application method. This calculator applies a pattern factor to the label rate: smooth surfaces typically spread farther, while heavy textures consume more material due to higher film build. As a practical check, many coatings cover roughly 90–150 ft² per gallon per coat on textured masonry, or 8–14 m² per liter on smoother substrates.
Total material need equals net area times coats, divided by adjusted coverage. Add a waste percentage for overspray, roller loading, mixing loss, and touch‑ups; 8–15% is common outdoors. Finally, convert required volume into containers using ceiling rounding so you never run short mid‑application. If you must switch container sizes, rerun the estimate to compare purchase counts and leftover volume.
Optional pricing turns quantities into an estimated material budget. Use the overage value to plan storage and minimize leftover waste. For best results, verify product compatibility with masonry, wood, or metal substrates, follow curing windows between coats, and record batch numbers for future maintenance and color matching. Plan around temperature swings.
Use the manufacturer’s stated rate on your container label. If you are unsure, start with a conservative value, then adjust after a small test patch on your actual surface.
Deeper textures create more surface area and require thicker film build. That reduces practical coverage per container, so the calculator applies a pattern factor to reflect typical real‑world spread.
Subtract large openings that you will not coat. For tiny items, it is usually faster to leave them in and rely on the waste allowance to cover minor exclusions.
Outdoor projects commonly use 8–15%. Use higher values for sprayers, windy conditions, rough masonry, or first‑time applicators. Use lower values for careful rolling on smooth surfaces.
Enter the container size you plan to purchase, then compare options by rerunning the calculation. The container rounding shows how many units you should buy to avoid running short.
Yes. Add a price per container and currency to estimate material cost. Labor, tools, primer, and surface repair are not included, so treat the cost as a materials baseline.
Important Note: All the Calculators listed in this site are for educational purpose only and we do not guarentee the accuracy of results. Please do consult with other sources as well.