Quick Answer
A 5 gallon bucket of paint will cover anywhere from 400 to 450 square feet in a single coat. The exact coverage will depend on the type of paint, the surface being painted, and the application method. On average, 1 gallon of paint covers about 100-150 square feet. So a 5 gallon bucket will cover approximately 5 times that amount.
Factors That Affect Paint Coverage
Several key factors determine how many square feet a 5 gallon bucket of paint will cover:
Type of Paint
– Latex paint – Latex-based paints provide better coverage than oil-based paints. A 5 gallon bucket of latex paint will cover around 400-500 sq ft per coat.
– Oil-based/alkyd paint – Alkyd paints spread thinner than latex paint. Expect a 5 gallon bucket to cover 350-400 sq ft.
– Primer – Primers are formulated to maximize adhesion and seal surfaces. Their coverage is similar to latex paint, around 400-500 sq ft per 5 gallons.
– Specialty paint – Paints like elastomeric, epoxy, and textured coatings have lower coverage rates. A 5 gallon bucket covers about 200-300 sq ft.
Paint Thickness
Thicker paint holds more solids per volume and covers more surface area. Here is the approximate coverage for different thicknesses:
– Thin paint (4-6 mils wet) – 400-450 sq ft per 5 gallons
– Medium paint (6-8 mils wet) – 350-400 sq ft per 5 gallons
– Thick paint (over 8 mils wet) – 300-350 sq ft per 5 gallons
Porosity of the Surface
Paint soaks into porous surfaces like untreated wood and concrete. Less paint remains on the surface, reducing coverage. Non-porous surfaces like metal and previously painted materials allow better coverage.
Here are the coverage estimates based on surface porosity:
– Porous surfaces – 300-400 sq ft per 5 gallons
– Non-porous surfaces – Up to 500 sq ft per 5 gallons
Application Method
More paint gets applied with tools like rollers and power sprayers. Brushes allow more controlled application and less overspray.
– Roller – Up to 500 sq ft per 5 gallons
– Brush – Up to 450 sq ft per 5 gallons
– Airless sprayer – Depends on spray settings but less than roller
Number of Coats
Additional coats of paint further reduce coverage per gallon. First coats soak into the surface more. Successive coats go on thinner.
– First coat – Up to 500 sq ft per 5 gallons
– Second coat – Around 400-450 sq ft per 5 gallons
How to Calculate Paint Coverage
To determine the specific coverage for your project, follow these steps:
1. Calculate the total wall space to be painted – Measure the height and width of each wall section and multiply to get the area in sq ft. Add up the sq ft for all walls.
2. Determine the primary factor – Consider the paint type, surface porosity, application method, and number of coats required.
3. Estimate coverage rate – Use the high end of the range for the primary factor. For example, 450 sq ft per 5 gallons for brushed latex paint on primed drywall.
4. Divide wall space by coverage rate – For a 1500 sq ft interior with primed walls using latex, 1500 sq ft / 450 sq ft per 5 gallons = 3.3 5-gallon buckets needed.
5. Round up partial buckets – Since you can’t buy a partial bucket, round up to 4 buckets.
6. Add an extra 5-10% – Get an extra bucket or two to allow for spillage, uneven application, and touching up.
This process accounts for the major factors and provides a realistic paint requirement estimate.
How to Maximize Paint Coverage
To get the most coverage from your 5 gallon bucket of paint, consider these tips:
– Use high quality latex paint for optimal spread rate and durability. Stay away from cheap paints that are mostly filler.
– Apply paint to sealed surfaces only – Paint soaks into porous bare wood and drywall. Prime and seal surfaces first.
– Paint over light colors – Darker colors often require an extra coat for hiding power. Tint the paint close to the existing wall color.
– Remove overhangs and obstructions – Painting around brackets, lights, and cabinets wastes paint. Take them down or mask them off if possible.
– Use an extension pole and high quality roller – Apply paint quickly and evenly at the ideal thickness.
– Divide large walls into sections – Work in 3-4 foot widths to ensure proper coverage and wet edge without overspreading paint.
– Pour paint into roller pans and trays – Don’t dip roller covers directly into paint buckets. This can introduce contaminants.
– Work quickly and systematically – Maintain a wet edge and complete each wall or section before moving on.
– Backroll and touch up – Roll over edges and missed spots to even out paint thickness.
Proper prep work, an efficient application process, and high quality applicators and paint will help you achieve maximum coverage from every bucket.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does all latex paint cover 400-450 sq ft per gallon?
No, cheaper grades of latex paint often provide lower coverage rates, around 250-350 sq ft per gallon. Quality mid to high-end latex paints contain more solids and spread further. Always check the manufacturer’s stated coverage rate.
How much paint is needed for the interior walls of a 2000 sq ft house?
For primed drywall with a single coat of quality latex paint, you would need around 5-6 five-gallon buckets. Calculate 2000 sq ft divided by 450 sq ft per five gallons, rounded up to 6 buckets. Add 1-2 extra buckets for cutting in, edging, and touch ups.
Can you paint over semi-gloss paint without priming?
It’s not recommended. Semi-gloss has a sheen that resists adhesion. Lightly sand and apply an oil-based primer before painting to improve bond. Alternatively, use a bonding primer made specifically for glossy surfaces.
What affects coverage more – surface porosity or paint quality?
Surface porosity generally has a bigger impact on reducing coverage. New drywall or bare wood absorbs significantly more paint than a sealed, painted surface. Using quality paint on sealed surfaces provides optimal spread rate.
How long does it take for paint to cover 400 sq ft?
With a roller, prepare to spend around 2-3 hours per 400 sq ft at a moderate pace. Cutting in edges with a brush adds 1-2 hours. Rushing leads to uneven coverage. Allow proper drying between coats. Proper prep also adds hours.
Conclusion
To determine how many square feet a 5 gallon bucket of paint covers, consider the paint itself, the surface, and tools used. On average, you can expect 400-450 sq ft of coverage per 5 gallons on primed walls with latex paint and a roller. Prepping surfaces, using quality products, and following good application practices will help maximize the coverage and performance. Calculate your specific space and factor in extras when determining how much paint to purchase.
Ummmm…. I believe you might have made a mistake in wording or calculation, because 5 gallons of paint will get closer to 1800-2000 square foot of walls covered… around 350-400 sqft PER GALLON. This number will vary slightly but not as low as it is stated in this article. Also as a maintenance worker, not even a full time painter, I’m able to complete probably close to 800-1000 square feet in one day with a roller, painting it not time consuming when in large volumes of single colored walls. I recommend double checking some research, if someone comes across this and takes it all to heart they’ll be throwing away almost a grand of their hard earned money because 5 gallon= roughly 200 bucks x 20-25 for the size of a small house, your numbers, would cost upwards of 5,000 dollars. And finally, eggshell paint is the worst paint known to man for maintenance and cleaning, you rub too hard and there goes the top coat, bump some furniture into the wall, boom there goes a whole chunk of eggshell and after 3 years it will already start taking a change to it’s top coat. Before posting articles that should be reviewed and posted by experts you should always make sure you either have plenty of hands on experience with the topic or have good sources, gonna cost people money if they don’t take this article with a few handfuls of salt.