Columbia Paint

To calculate the theoretical material cost per square foot at the suggested dry film thickness of a given gallon of paint, the following variables must be known:

Price Per Gallon of Paint
% Volume Solids
Suggested Dry Film Thickness
Material Loss Estimate

Once these variables are known, use the following formula to make the calculation:

Practical Cost
Per Sq. Ft.
At Suggested
DFT

Price Per Gallon
Of Paint

1604 x % Volume Solids
Suggested Dry Film
Thickness

(1 – Material Loss Estimate)

Example:

$15.00 Per Gallon
43% Average Volume Solids
Suggested Dry Film Thickness = 2 mils
10% Loss Estimate

Practical Cost Per Sq. Ft At Suggested DFT	=	$15.00	÷	1604 x 43% 2 mils	X	(1 – 0.10)
	=	$15.00	÷	(345	X	0.90)
	=	$.05 per sq. ft.

Volume Solids
Volume solids are important to the estimator and the contractor in terms of product and labor costs on the job.

For example, assume we have a 10,000 square foot job and the specification calls for 4 dry mils.

Paint A:	30% volume solids covers 120 square feet per gallon at 4 mils dry. The job will require 83.3 gallons with no waste. Allowing 10% waste for roller application, total material requirement would be 97 gallons. If this product costs $15.00 per gallon, total material cost is $1,455.00.
Paint B:	40% volume solids covers 160 square feet per gallon. The job will require 62.5 gallons. Allowing 10% waste for roller application, total material requirement would be 69 gallons. If this product costs $18.00 per gallon, total material cost is $1,242.00.

It is obvious that even though Paint B with 40% solids level costs $3.00 per gallon more, it’s more economical to use.

Paint B costs $0.12 per square foot.
Paint A costs $0.15 per square foot.

Additional labor savings may also be factored in with higher solids products. In many cases, higher solids products can achieve 4 mils dry with single coat applications where lower solids products may require two coats.

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