Question 1

How much paint do I need for my project?

Accepted Answer

Paint coverage depends on surface type and paint quality. One gallon of paint typically covers 350-400 square feet of smooth, primed surface with one coat. However, adjust for these factors: Rough or textured surfaces (stucco, popcorn ceiling, brick) reduce coverage to 250-300 sq ft per gallon. Unpainted drywall absorbs more paint, reducing coverage to 300-350 sq ft per gallon. Dark colors being covered require additional coats - going from dark to light colors often needs a primer coat plus two finish coats. For walls, calculate the area: (room perimeter × wall height) - (window and door areas). For example, a 12×15 room with 8-foot ceilings has (12+15+12+15)×8 = 432 sq ft of wall area. Subtract approximately 20 sq ft per door and 15 sq ft per standard window. At 400 sq ft per gallon, you need just over 1 gallon for one coat, so buy 2 gallons for two coats. For ceilings, multiply length × width. Always buy 10-15% extra for touch-ups, application losses, and future repairs. Paint doesn't go bad if sealed properly and stored at room temperature.

Question 2

What type of paint should I use for different rooms?

Accepted Answer

Paint type and finish should match room function and traffic. PAINT TYPES: LATEX (water-based) is standard for most interior walls - easy cleanup, low odor, dries in 1-2 hours, durable, and costs $25-$60 per gallon. Best for living rooms, bedrooms, ceilings. OIL-BASED (alkyd) provides harder finish for trim, doors, cabinets - extremely durable, smooth finish, but strong odor, 6-8 hour dry time, requires mineral spirits cleanup, costs $30-$70 per gallon. Being phased out in many areas due to VOCs. PAINT FINISHES by room: KITCHENS - Semi-gloss or satin ($30-$50 per gallon). Moisture and stain resistant, easy to wipe clean, withstands grease. Semi-gloss for high-splash areas, satin for walls. BATHROOMS - Satin or semi-gloss ($30-$50 per gallon). Moisture resistance critical, mildew-resistant formulas best. Consider shower/bath-specific paint for high-moisture areas. LIVING/DINING ROOMS - Eggshell or satin ($25-$45 per gallon). Subtle sheen looks elegant, hides minor imperfections, easy to clean, durable enough for traffic. BEDROOMS - Flat or eggshell ($20-$40 per gallon). Flat provides rich color, hides wall imperfections, creates calm atmosphere. Eggshell if kids/pets need cleanability. TRIM/DOORS - Semi-gloss or gloss ($30-$60 per gallon). Durable, easy to clean, highlights architectural details. High-quality trim paint justified for durability. CEILINGS - Flat ($20-$35 per gallon). Hides imperfections, no glare, specifically formulated to reduce drips and spatters. QUALITY MATTERS: Premium paint ($50-$70 per gallon) covers better (one coat vs two), lasts longer (10-15 years vs 5-7), and provides richer color than budget paint ($20-$30 per gallon). Often saves money overall.

Question 3

How long does it take to paint a room?

Accepted Answer

Painting timeline varies by room size, prep work, and experience. TYPICAL TIMELINES for 12×15 bedroom (400 sq ft walls): DIY BEGINNER - 16-24 hours total spread over 2-3 days. Day 1: Prep work, taping, primer (6-8 hours). Day 2: First coat (4-6 hours). Day 3: Second coat, touch-ups, cleanup (4-6 hours). Plus drying time between coats (2-4 hours for latex). DIY EXPERIENCED - 12-16 hours over 2 days. Faster prep and application, fewer mistakes, better technique. PROFESSIONAL CREW - 6-10 hours in one day. Efficient prep, quality tools, experience speeds every step. Two-person crew can complete while paint dries. TIME BY PROJECT SIZE: Small bathroom (100 sq ft) - 4-8 hours DIY, 2-4 hours pro. Medium bedroom (300 sq ft) - 12-20 hours DIY, 6-10 hours pro. Large living room (600 sq ft) - 20-30 hours DIY, 10-15 hours pro. Whole house interior (2,000 sq ft) - 60-100 hours DIY, 30-50 hours pro team. FACTORS ADDING TIME: Heavy prep (patching, sanding, priming) adds 30-50%, multiple colors/accent walls add 20-30%, detailed trim work doubles time, textured walls harder to cut in edges (add 25%), tall ceilings require scaffolding (add 40%), and moving/covering furniture (add 2-4 hours). DRYING TIME CRITICAL: Latex paint dries to touch in 1-2 hours but needs 2-4 hours before recoating. Full cure takes 2-4 weeks. Oil-based needs 6-8 hours between coats, 24 hours before light use. Humidity and temperature affect drying - cold/humid conditions double drying time. RUSHING RISKS: Insufficient drying causes lifting, streaking, uneven finish. Plan project allowing proper drying between coats.

Question 4

Do I need to prime before painting?

Accepted Answer

Primer necessity depends on surface condition and paint transition. ALWAYS PRIME: New drywall - Bare drywall is porous and absorbs paint unevenly. Primer seals surface, reduces paint needed, ensures uniform color. Skip primer and face blotchy finish requiring 3-4 paint coats. Stained or damaged walls - Water stains, smoke damage, crayon marks, or grease bleed through paint. Stain-blocking primer ($30-$50 per gallon) seals problem areas. Dark to light color changes - Going from dark brown to light beige or white requires tinted primer matching new color. Otherwise need 3-4 paint coats. Light to dark works without primer. Glossy surfaces - Trim, cabinets, or walls with semi-gloss/gloss need bonding primer for adhesion. Otherwise paint peels. Bare wood - Absorbs paint like sponge. Primer seals wood grain, prevents tannin bleed, creates uniform surface. Raw wood to paint needs primer always. PRIMER OPTIONAL: Similar color changes - Light blue to light green, beige to tan work without primer if walls in good condition and using quality paint. Well-maintained walls - Clean, smooth walls without stains or repairs. Quality paint often has primer built-in ("paint and primer in one") adequate for this scenario. PRIMER TYPES: All-purpose latex ($20-$35/gallon) - Standard for most applications. Stain-blocking ($30-$60/gallon) - Shellac or oil-based for water stains, smoke, odors. Bonding primer ($35-$50/gallon) - For glossy surfaces, tile, laminate, challenging adhesion. Tinted primer ($25-$40/gallon) - Matched to final color, reduces coats needed for dramatic changes. COST-BENEFIT: Primer ($25-$35/gallon) plus one paint coat ($50-$70/gallon) costs less and looks better than three paint coats without primer. Professional painters virtually always prime for best results.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much paint do I need for my project?

What type of paint should I use for different rooms?

How long does it take to paint a room?

Do I need to prime before painting?