Paint Calculator Guide ? Estimating Your Project Cost

The Cost of Getting It Wrong

Every Pakistani homeowner has experienced the pain of buying too much or too little paint. Buy too much and you have wasted money on paint that will sit in storage until it goes bad. Buy too little and you are making emergency trips to the shop, hoping they still have your colour in stock. Getting the quantity right is essential for any painting project.

The Basic Formula

Calculate the total wall area by measuring the perimeter of the room and multiplying by the height. Subtract the area of windows and doors. A litre of Superlac emulsion covers approximately 120-140 square feet per coat. Divide your wall area by 130 to get litres needed per coat, then multiply by the number of coats. Most rooms need two coats.

Factoring in Waste

Add 10 percent to your calculated quantity for waste ? paint left on rollers, spillage, and touch-ups. It is better to have a little extra than to run out mid-project. Leftover paint can be stored for future touch-ups.

Cost Breakdown

A standard 12x12 bedroom with 10-foot walls needs approximately 4 litres of paint per coat, or 8 litres total for two coats. At current Superlac prices, expect to spend PKR 4,000 to 6,000 on paint for a bedroom, plus PKR 800 to 1,200 for primer. A full house of 3 bedrooms, living room, and hallways will need approximately 30 to 40 litres of paint.

Hidden Costs

Do not forget the costs beyond paint ? primer, wall putty, sandpaper, painter's tape, brushes, rollers, drop cloths, and possibly professional labour. These can add 50 to 100 percent to the cost of paint alone. Budget accordingly. Browse our product range for pricing.

Expert Tip from Superlac Colour Specialists: Always buy all your paint at once from the same batch number. Different batches can have microscopic colour differences that become visible once the paint dries.

Plan your project with confidence. Browse our products page for everything you need.