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Exterior Painting Square Footage Formula:
The exterior painting square footage calculation determines the actual paintable surface area by calculating total wall area and subtracting non-paintable surfaces like doors, windows, and garage areas.
The calculator uses the exterior painting formula:
Where:
Explanation: This formula calculates the net paintable surface area by starting with total wall area and deducting areas that won't be painted.
Details: Accurate square footage calculation is essential for estimating paint quantities, project costs, labor requirements, and ensuring proper material ordering.
Tips: Measure perimeter by walking around the building, measure wall height from foundation to eaves, and calculate door/window/garage areas accurately. All measurements should be in feet.
Q1: Why subtract doors, windows, and garage areas?
A: These areas are not painted, so they should be excluded from the total square footage to avoid overestimating paint requirements.
Q2: How do I measure perimeter accurately?
A: Walk around the building with a measuring wheel or use a long tape measure. For irregular shapes, break into sections and sum the lengths.
Q3: Should I include trim and details in the calculation?
A: Trim and architectural details are typically calculated separately and added as additional square footage since they require more labor.
Q4: What about multiple stories?
A: For multi-story buildings, calculate each floor separately and sum the results, or multiply perimeter by total height if wall height is consistent.
Q5: How much extra paint should I account for?
A: Typically add 10-15% extra for waste, overlaps, and multiple coats depending on surface texture and paint quality.