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Exterior Paint Calculator

Calculate masonry paint, primer, and woodwork paint for rendered walls, brickwork, soffits, fascias, windows, and doors - by elevation with opening deductions.

Exterior Paint Calculator

Masonry paint, primer, and woodwork paint by elevation - with opening deductions and best-fit tin sizes

Masonry / Wall Paint
Smooth: ~5-7 m²/L · Textured: ~3-4 m²/L · Limewash: ~4-6 m²/L
Apply to friable, powdery, or previously unpainted render / masonry
Exterior Woodwork Paint (fascias, soffits, window frames, doors)
Gloss / satin: ~13-16 m²/L · Microporous: ~12-15 m²/L
Tick the sizes available in your chosen paint. The calculator picks the best combination to minimise waste.
10%
10% is typical. Increase for complex gable ends, irregular elevations, or pebbledash surfaces.

Elevations

Global Woodwork Totals (across all elevations)

Enter total m² of exterior woodwork - fascias, soffits, window frames, doors, gates, etc. Use the guide in the sidebar.

Fascia boards + soffits combined
~0.5-1.0 m² per window
~1.8 m² per door face (painted both sides = 3.6 m²)
Gates, bargeboards, decorative timber, etc.

Job Costing (optional)

Results

Net Masonry Area
-
m² (less openings)
Total Woodwork
-
m²
Total Paint to Buy
-
litres (all paints)

Paint Breakdown

Surface / Paint Area Coats Litres Needed Litres to Buy Best Tin Combo

Elevation Breakdown

Elevation Gross Area Openings Net Masonry Area

Measuring Elevations

  • Measure each elevation (front, rear, each side) separately as width × height
  • Height = from DPC / ground level to the top of the wall or soffit line
  • Deduct all windows and doors that will not be painted with masonry paint
  • Gable ends: measure the rectangular portion then add the triangular area - or add 10-15% to the wall area
  • Pebbledash and rough textured surfaces absorb more paint; use 3-4 m²/L rather than 5-7 m²/L

Typical Coverage Rates

Paint typem²/L
Smooth masonry paint5-7
Textured masonry3-4
Sandtex / Weathershield5-6
Pebbledash surface2-3
Limewash4-6
Stabilising primer5-8
Exterior gloss / satin13-16
Microporous exterior12-15
Exterior wood primer11-13

Woodwork Area Guide

ItemApprox m²
Front door (both faces)3.6
Casement window (small)0.5
Casement window (large)1.0
Fascia board (per LM)0.15
Soffit board (per LM)0.15-0.3
Barge board (per LM)0.15
Garage door7-9

Preparation Tips

  • Apply stabilising primer to any friable, powdery, or chalky render before painting
  • Fill all cracks with exterior filler or flexible sealant before priming
  • Never paint in rain, frost, or temperatures below 5°C
  • New render should be left to cure for at least 4-6 weeks before painting
  • Brush apply the first coat - do not roller on rough render as back-roller coverage is poor
  • A second coat applied within 24 hrs (wet-on-wet) gives better adhesion than waiting

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