The rules for calculating the consumption of enamel per m2 and on what factors depends
Determination of enamel consumption is considered an important process during repair work and decoration of a room. If this indicator is incorrectly estimated, there is a risk of acquiring excess paint. Also, a situation often arises when you need to buy enamel. This can create inconvenience during the repair process or cause unnecessary expense. To avoid this, it is recommended to carry out the necessary calculations in advance.
What factors determine the expense
Enamel consumption is usually indicated on the packaging. However, in reality it can differ significantly. It depends on a number of factors.
These include in particular the following:
- Opacity. This term is understood as the ability of a dye to transmit the desired shade. The higher the number the better. Substances with high covering power are able to cover the contrasting substrate in 2 layers.
- Tools used for the application. For coloring, construction tools are used that partially absorb the material. As a result, dye loss increases. Consumption depends on the characteristics of the application and the qualifications of the master.
- A kind of matter. The type of enamel is also important. Armafinish is considered a high quality and economical dye. It is allowed to be used for different types of surfaces.
- Type of surface. Some materials absorb enamel more strongly, while others do not require special preparation. In the first case, it is necessary to apply a primer. This is not necessary when painting metal. However, if there is rust, the surface must be cleaned.
- Surface structure. Many people do not consider this factor. However, it can almost double enamel consumption. The so-called fur coats mainly affect consumption. Depending on the bumps and valleys, the actual area may be 20-30% larger than the expected area.
- Dye color. It is important to consider the shadow of the base. If the current color is the desired color, 2 coats will suffice. If you need to cover a contrasting dark shade, you will need to use 3 coats of paint or additionally prime the surface.
How to calculate correctly
On average, the enamel consumption rate is 100-180 grams per 1 m2. Experts say that an average can of 1 kilogram is enough for 15 squares of the prepared surface. The color of the coating does not matter. Enamel consumption taking this parameter into account is shown in the table:
Shadow | The area for which 1 kilogram of enamel is enough, square meters | Material consumption per square meter, grams |
white | 7-10 | 100-140 |
Green | 11-14 | 70-90 |
YELLOW | 5-10 | 100-180 |
brown | 13-16 | 63-76 |
Blue | 12-17 | 60-84 |
Black | 17-20 | 50-60 |
To reduce dye consumption, it is important to choose the right instrument for its application. The ideal option would be a silicone-based roller.
The actual enamel consumption per square meter depends on the surface structure.
So, for 100 square meters of wood, you may need more material per bucket than for metal. This must be taken into account when painting large surfaces.
Most often it is necessary to paint such types of surfaces:
- TREE. The degree of stain loss is determined by the species, porosity and roughness of the wood. 1 liter of the same substance may be sufficient for 3 square meters of loose wood, 5 squares of prepared surface or 10 squares of sanded material and dried.
- Metal. The material does not absorb enamel. Therefore, the efficiency parameters increase. On average, 1 liter of the composition is enough for 8-10 square meters of rough surface or 11-12 square meters - smooth.
- Mineral surfaces. This group includes the rest of wall and ceiling coverings - plasterboard, concrete, putty. The degree of consumption is influenced by the porosity of the material. The higher this parameter, the more enamel will be required.
It is important to use the same brand of putty, primer and enamel. This will help improve the efficiency of all components. Manufacturers determine the cost parameters of the dye, assuming that their other products will be used. When mixing materials of different brands, the final result and the cost of repairs may differ significantly from those expected.
Consumption rate of major brands
Well-known companies are constantly improving the quality of their products, which helps to significantly reduce their costs. For this, all kinds of additives are introduced into the enamel. There are such consumption rates for different brands:
- "Tex Profi" - 1 liter of material is enough for 11 square meters of area;
- Dulux BM - 1 liter is enough for 16 squares of coverage;
- Tikkurila Harmony - 1 liter of substance is enough for 12 squares of area.
Enamel is considered a popular material used for various types of surfaces. The consumption of the colorant differs depending on this.