How paint coverage changes by surface — one gallon covers ~375 sq ft on smooth siding but only ~175 on rough stucco

One gallon spreads ~375 sq ft on smooth siding but only ~175 on rough stucco — nearly 2× difference. The surface’s texture and porosity, not the gallon math, is what throws off most paint estimates.

A comparison of how far one gallon of exterior paint spreads on different surfaces, shown as bars scaled to the coverage. Smooth, non-porous vinyl or metal siding reaches about 375 square feet per gallon; new wood about 325; fiber cement about 300; smooth stucco about 275; brick about 250; and rough stucco only about 175 square feet per gallon. Rough, porous surfaces drink paint, so coverage varies nearly two to one — and bare or weathered surfaces soak up even more on the first coat. The surface, not the gallon math, is the number-one reason paint estimates come up short. — Source: Coverage rates per the calculator’s surface data (industry spread rates 175–375 sq ft/gal)

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A comparison of how far one gallon of exterior paint spreads on different surfaces, shown as bars scaled to the coverage. Smooth, non-porous vinyl or metal siding reaches about 375 square feet per gallon; new wood about 325; fiber cement about 300; smooth stucco about 275; brick about 250; and rough stucco only about 175 square feet per gallon. Rough, porous surfaces drink paint, so coverage varies nearly two to one — and bare or weathered surfaces soak up even more on the first coat. The surface, not the gallon math, is the number-one reason paint estimates come up short.

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    <img src="https://remodelcalculators.com/api/figure-embed/paint-coverage-by-surface" alt="A comparison of how far one gallon of exterior paint spreads on different surfaces, shown as bars scaled to the coverage. Smooth, non-porous vinyl or metal siding reaches about 375 square feet per gallon; new wood about 325; fiber cement about 300; smooth stucco about 275; brick about 250; and rough stucco only about 175 square feet per gallon. Rough, porous surfaces drink paint, so coverage varies nearly two to one — and bare or weathered surfaces soak up even more on the first coat. The surface, not the gallon math, is the number-one reason paint estimates come up short." width="800" height="470" style="width:100%;height:auto;border:0" loading="lazy">
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    Diagram: <a href="https://remodelcalculators.com/construction-diagrams/paint-coverage-by-surface" target="_blank" rel="noopener">How paint coverage changes by surface — one gallon covers ~375 sq ft on smooth siding but only ~175 on rough stucco</a> — courtesy of <a href="https://remodelcalculators.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">RemodelCalculators.com</a>
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