Calculator
Shed Paint and Stain Calculator
An 8x10 shed with 6 ft walls and a 4/12 gable has about 200 sq ft of paintable siding after a 30 sq ft double door. At 250 sq ft per gallon on T1-11 plywood, two coats take about 1.6 gallons, so buy 2. Rough cedar and stain drink more, about 200 sq ft per gallon.
Paint and stain calculatorUpdates as you type
2 gallons
- Wall area
- 216 sq ft
- Gable triangles
- 11 sq ft
- Net paintable
- 197 sq ft
- Coverage used
- 250 sq ft/gal per coat
- Exact need
- 1.57 gal
- Trim paint (approx.)
- 1 quart
Coverage figures are typical label ranges; your can states its own. Buy one mixed batch so the color matches across walls.
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How the paint quantity is worked out
Wall area is the perimeter times the wall height. For a gable roof, the two triangles above the walls on the gable ends add width x half-width x (pitch / 12) in total. Doors and windows are subtracted, and the net area is multiplied by the number of coats and divided by the coverage for your siding. Rough surfaces soak up more: we use 350 sq ft per gallon for smooth primed siding, 250 for T1-11 plywood, 200 for rough-sawn cedar and 400 for metal panels. Your can's label has the final word.
Paint or stain?
Solid stain soaks into wood and does not peel the way paint can, which makes recoating easier. Paint gives more color choice and a tougher film on primed siding. Resin sheds are generally not meant to be painted, and steel sheds need a primer made for galvanized metal. The paint and stain guide covers prep for each.
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Frequently asked questions
How much paint do I need for an 8x10 shed?
With 6 ft walls, a 4/12 gable roof and a 30 sq ft double door, the net siding is about 200 sq ft. Two coats on T1-11 at 250 sq ft per gallon is about 1.6 gallons, so buy 2. Smooth primed siding needs a little less; rough cedar takes a little more.
How many coats does a shed need?
Two coats is standard for new wood or a color change. A single maintenance coat can refresh a sound finish of the same color. Bare wood should be primed first if you are using paint rather than stain.
Can you paint a resin shed?
Most resin shed makers do not recommend it, because paint adheres poorly to polyethylene and tends to flake. If you must, use a primer specifically made for plastics and expect more maintenance than on wood.
This page is researched guidance, not professional engineering, legal or building-code advice. Sizes, loads and permit rules vary by product and by town: check your local code and the kit manufacturer's instructions before you build.