Guides & Articles

In-depth guides to help you understand the concepts behind our calculators.

Paint Coverage Guide: How Much Paint Do You Actually Need?

Calculate paint coverage for walls, ceilings, and trim. Covers surface area math, one-coat vs two-coat coverage, and factors that affect how far a gallon goes.

Interior Painting Cost Guide: Budgeting for Every Room

Understand interior painting costs for DIY and professional projects. Covers per-room costs, paint quality tiers, prep work, and where to save without sacrificing quality.

Exterior Paint Selection Guide: Choosing Paint That Lasts

Choose the right exterior paint for your home. Covers acrylic vs oil-based, sheen levels, weather resistance, and recommended products for every surface type.

Primer Guide: When You Need It and How to Choose the Right One

Learn when primer is necessary, which type to use, and when you can skip it. Covers latex, shellac, and oil-based primers for every surface and situation.

Deck Staining Guide: How to Stain, Seal, and Protect Your Deck

Complete guide to staining and sealing wood decks. Covers stain types, prep work, application techniques, and maintenance schedules for lasting protection.

Cabinet Painting Guide: How to Paint Kitchen Cabinets That Last

Paint kitchen cabinets with a factory-smooth finish. Covers prep, primer selection, paint types, application techniques, and drying time between coats.

Bathroom Painting Guide: Moisture-Resistant Finishes and Techniques

Paint your bathroom with the right products and techniques for high-moisture environments. Covers mildew-resistant paint, prep work, ventilation, and sheen selection.

Paint Color Selection Guide: How to Choose Colors You Will Love

Choose paint colors confidently with this guide. Covers color theory, undertones, lighting effects, sampling methods, and room-by-room color strategies.

Wallpaper Removal Guide: Methods, Tools, and Surface Prep for Painting

Remove wallpaper cleanly and prepare walls for painting. Covers scoring, steaming, chemical strippers, and repairing damage from wallpaper removal.

Trim and Baseboard Painting Guide: Clean Lines and Durable Finishes

Paint trim, baseboards, door frames, and crown molding with a smooth, durable finish. Covers prep, paint selection, brush technique, and cutting-in tips.

Spray Painting Guide: Using HVLP and Airless Sprayers for Interior Projects

Learn to use paint sprayers for interior projects. Covers HVLP vs airless, setup, masking, technique, and troubleshooting common spray painting problems.

Drywall Repair Before Painting: Patching Holes, Cracks, and Damage

Repair drywall damage before painting. Covers nail holes, small patches, large holes, crack repair, skim coating, and achieving a smooth, paint-ready surface.

Exterior House Painting Prep Guide: Surface Preparation for Long-Lasting Results

Prepare your home exterior for painting. Covers power washing, scraping, caulking, priming, and addressing common exterior surface problems.

Paint Finish and Sheen Guide: Flat, Eggshell, Satin, Semi-Gloss, and Gloss

Choose the right paint sheen for every room. Understand flat, eggshell, satin, semi-gloss, and gloss finishes, their durability, and where to use each.

Painting Over Dark Colors Guide: How to Cover Dark Walls Effectively

Cover dark paint with lighter colors effectively. Learn the right primer, number of coats needed, and techniques to avoid bleed-through and uneven coverage.