These calculations will help you determine the square footage for the proper amount of stain and prepping supplies needed to refinish your deck or fence using TWP 100 or TWP 1500 Series.

This is intended to provide you with an approximate estimate only. Material requirements may vary according to application method, surface condition, and weather conditions.

Prepping Options

  • Gemini Restore Kit. This will be used for new, gray, dirty decks and for applying TWP over an intact older coating of TWP.
  • Restore-A-Deck Stripper and Restore-A-Deck Brightener. This is used for removing old coatings of stain. Use this if you are switching from a different brand to TWP or if you have a neglected coating of TWP that has failed unevenly.

Deck Sq. Footage

Flooring Length x width =?

Railing Length x height =?

Steps Width x Depth x #of Steps =?

Add up all 3 for the Total Sq. footage.

Fence Sq. Footage

Length x height =?

Multiply x 2 for both sides = Total Sq. Footage

If you have questions, please ask below.

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  • We will reply to your comment shortly
    Matt P · 12/10/2023
    Looking to see how much stain I need for new deck around pool, attached photo. Project has been ongoing for two years so wood needs to be prepped well for sure. Railing is all around pond side only and will have metal spindles railing length is 64’ with width 10” and bottom connection for spindle is a 2”x4”. Top side of pic has deck board fence 9’x4’. There are two open pavilions 16’x22’ and 16’x10’. Big pavillion is A roof that will need stain inside all the way up. Small one only has posts and cross joists. Pump has an enclosure that is 8’x4’x3’ and enclosed on both sides, top, front.  The back of the deck has boards running across to enclose area. Deckboards cover an area 3.5’x25’.  There are 4 stairs, all one step except one. First is 3.5’x8” x 2, 5.5’x8” x1, 2.5’x8” x1, 4’x8”. 
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      TWP Stains · 12/11/2023
      Please add up all square footage to be stained and let us know the total. No picture.
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    Ben · 11/16/2023
    Staining new deck 896 ft with your natural stain color . Don't know if I need to use 1500 or 100 series and your advice on amount and would be appreciated 
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    David · 10/03/2023
    Have 3 yr old red cedar fence, never been stained.  Total of 1340 sq ft.  Leaning toward semi-solid cedar gold. How much cleaner, brightener, and stain would I need?  
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      TWP Stains · 10/03/2023
      2 each of the Gemini Cleaner Brightener Kits. About 10 Gallons of stain if doing 1 coat. 15 gallons of doing 2 coats applied wet on wet. 1 coat is typically enough with the semi-solids.
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    Spencer · 09/18/2023
    I have a new cedar deck in Iowa that is 6 months post construction. Railing balusters are black aluminum. I'm looking to use TWP 100 Pecan.  The deck is 23'x14'.  Full dimensions are below.  What amount of stain do you recommend?  I will use the cleaner and brightener first.  Any application tips?
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      TWP Stains · 09/18/2023
      One 5-gallon pail and one prep kit should work here.
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    Robin Perkins · 09/16/2023
    TWP to stain and weather proof 3500 square feet of wood back yard fencing
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    JoeB · 09/13/2023
    I have 600 sqft of pressure treated, sanded off the old coat and will wash with deck cleaner before application.  This is a 10+ year old deck in pretty decent shape.  How much of the TWP 100 would I need, and is multiple coats required or desired?  If so, how long between coats?
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    David · 09/12/2023
    I am staining my rough sawn cedar home. 40 years old. Cleaned with cedar wash and brightener.  Sealer will be applied and then stain. Contractor says we have 5000 sq. Ft. I already have 15 gls. Of 1501. How much more?  David
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      TWP Stains · 09/13/2023
      For 2 coats applied wet on wet, you would need a total of 40-50 gallons for 5000 sq. feet.
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    DD · 09/11/2023
    For a newly installed fence 250 feet long, 6 feet tall, how much stain (1501) is required?
    • We will reply to your comment shortly
      TWP Stains · 09/11/2023
      For 3000 sq feet, you will need about 25-30 gallons for 2 coats applied wet on wet.
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    Trent · 09/11/2023
    Can you estimate two coats of TWP 100 for me? Is two of the 5-gallons buckets too much for this project? I have 16x20' deck with pergola above it. 
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      TWP Stains · 09/11/2023
      What is the total square footage of all wood to be stained added up?
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        Trent · 09/11/2023
        Around 1,100sqft total with the pergola included. Also, do you have a suggestions for staining that pergola??
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          TWP Stains · 09/11/2023
          10 Gallons would be correct for that amount of square footage. You probably only need one coat though on the vertical wood so you might be able to get by with 6-8 gallons.

          Use a stain pad or brush for the pergola.
          https://www.twpstain.com/wood-and-deck-stains/application-tools/brushes-stain-pads
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            Trent Senske · 09/19/2023
            One more factor: I sanded the deck with 60grit after the stripper and brighter. Pressure washer really raised the wood fibers and I read that they should be sanded before staining.

            I want to put two coats on but I’m wondering if I can’t now that it’s sanded to 60grit.
            • We will reply to your comment shortly
              TWP Stains · 09/20/2023
              Typically just one coat of the wood has been sanded.
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            Trent Senske · 09/19/2023
            Prep is finally done. Time for stain! Is there any reason not to go with 2 coats on everything? 
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            Trent · 09/11/2023
            One more question. From what you can see... Would you recommend the Gemini Cleaner/Brightener before we stain? Or the R-A-D Stripper/Brightener?

            I would like to get as much of the old flaking stuff off the pergola as possible.
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            Trent · 09/11/2023
            Thanks!
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    Sonya Smith · 09/07/2023
    I used TWP 203. What do I need to do before restaining with same stain?  I’m guessing I’ll need about 5 gallons
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    daniel edward provident · 09/06/2023
    new wood do i need a kit ? or just the 1501
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    Sue · 08/31/2023
    I want to have a cedar fence re-stained after the old stain (different brand) was removed. Do I calculate the amount  of product (stripper, brightener and TWP stain needed) by using your calculator and doubling the surface (for the two sides of the fence)? Do you have any coupons for TWP-101 and/or the stripper, brightener? I hope to be notified via email when an answer is posted. Thanks
    • We will reply to your comment shortly
      Sue · 08/31/2023
      Thanks. I attached two pictures about segments of the bottom of the fence. Some places have been deteriorating. Can the stripper clean them and can the brightener and stain do what they are supposed to do in the damaged areas to restore them? I would not want to spend a lot of money on the products and labor to learn after the fact that I wasted time and money. Thanks.
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        TWP Stains · 09/01/2023
        It will clean the surface but you have water damage that is internal so you will have some discoloration there. It will look much better. 
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          Sue · 09/01/2023
          And one more thing: how many working days from the day I place the order until I get the products (I live in zip 97229, Portland, OR). Thanks.
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            TWP Stains · 09/01/2023
            4-6 business days.
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              Sue · 09/01/2023
              Thanks and have a nice holiday weekend!
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          Sue · 09/01/2023
          Thanks. Could you please tell me how much stripper, brightener I need for the fence for the total of 800 sq ft fence and how much TWP 101 stain I need for this fence + 2 gallons for the deck? Please also let me know what's the shelf life for these products (in case the work cannot be done this fall). I assume that shipping would be free. Please confirm. I appreciate it.
          • We will reply to your comment shortly
            TWP Stains · 09/01/2023
            About 8-10 gallons of stain for the fence. 1-2 Bags of Stripper and Brightener. Shelf life if unopened is 3 years. 5-gallon pails ship free. Single gallons do not.
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              Sue · 09/02/2023
              I wanted to place the order, but I realized that there are different strippers (liquid and powder) and brighteners. The fence and deck are cedar. Which specific products should I use and what's the difference in how they work and ease of using them? If done according to the instructions, for how many years should the job last? Is the shelf life (in a shed) for the stain also 3 years. Thanks.
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                  Sue · 09/15/2023
                  My contractor is late...  Now it's a gamble because of the weather.  - Is it OK to do the stripping and wait with the brightener or the brightener needs to be applied immediately?
                  I purchased all products, including the TWP 101 stain for the fence.
                  - Do I understand correctly that I need at least 5 days of dry weather to do the the staining after the brightener is applied on the fence (2 days for that to dry, one day to stain and 2 more days for the stain to dry)?
                  - if the stripper and brightener are applied, how long can I wait for 5 days of nice weather before the stripper has to be applied (and not waste work/products)?
                  - the total surface of the fence (both sides) is about 800 sq ft? Is it possible to apply the stain in one day? Does the fence need only one layer of stain?

                  Thanks for the help.
                  • We will reply to your comment shortly
                    TWP Stains · 09/16/2023
                    -Brighten right after stripping. 

                    -48 hours after prep to stain. 12 hours after applying for no rain.

                    -You can still all the wood in one day, it is not that hard. You need 2 coats applied wet on wet:
                    https://www.twpstainhelp.com/twp-stain-wet-on-wet-application/
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                      Sue · 09/16/2023
                      Thanks a lot for the quick reply. If I do the prep, is there a max amount of time that I can wait without having to redo the prep (if I have to, due to the weather) before applying the stain?
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                        TWP Stains · 09/16/2023
                        2 weeks.
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                          Sue · 09/16/2023
                          Thanks! The wet-on-wet link is for decks (not a fence) and it states: "In most cases, a second coat only needs to be applied to horizontals as the verticals will last twice as long". Do I need a second coat on the fence or not?
                          • We will reply to your comment shortly
                            TWP Stains · 09/16/2023
                            Yes, you need 2 coats on a fence.
                            • We will reply to your comment shortly
                              Sue · 09/16/2023
                              Thanks.
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                  Sue · 09/03/2023
                  Do I need the additives or I will be fine without them?
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                    TWP Stains · 09/04/2023
                    You do not need the additives.
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                      Sue · 09/04/2023
                      Thanks, I placed the order.
                • We will reply to your comment shortly
                  Sue · 09/03/2023
                  Thank you! Are there any detailed instructions for the stripper and brightener anywhere on the website (how to apply/use, tools needed, time needed between applying the two - if any, drying time needed, etc.)? If the contractor wants to use a power washer, what setting that should be used at for the fence, to avoid damaging the grain of the wood?
                  • We will reply to your comment shortly
                    TWP Stains · 09/04/2023
                    Directions are on the product pages and the containers.
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                      Sue · 09/04/2023
                      Sorry, the only instructions I see are with the product's picture (https://www.twpstain.com/restore-a-deck-stripper-brightener-kit-detail) and I cannot read them or enlarge them. Is there anything else that is easily readable? Thanks.
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                        TWP Stains · 09/04/2023
                        The directions are on the containers when you receive them.
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                          Sue · 09/04/2023
                          I understand, but the contractor wants to read them now to assess the work involved, timing, requirements, etc.
                          • We will reply to your comment shortly
                            Sue · 09/06/2023
                            So no readable instructions on the website?
                            • We will reply to your comment shortly
                              TWP Stains · 09/06/2023
                              The pictures with instructions can be enlarged by clicking on the picture then and printed out to read.
                              • We will reply to your comment shortly
                                TWP Stains · 09/06/2023
                                You can also save those pictures to your computer and then enlarge them there.
                                • We will reply to your comment shortly
                                  Sue · 09/06/2023
                                  Thanks. Saving and enlarging worked, clicking and enlarging did not.
    • We will reply to your comment shortly
      TWP Stains · 08/31/2023
      Fences are measured length x height x 2 for both sides. We do not have any coupons currently. 
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    Gregg Shipman · 08/26/2023
    I have a new log cabin with hand peeled pine logs I need to stain. The walls are 9' high and the cabin is 30' x 40'. The Eaves are 7' high. The dormers on each side are 5' high and 15' long. The eves will have rough cut pine board and batton on them. I've used your products before and plan on using TWP 1500 Natural on the logs and B & B. How much stain do I need please and do you have any suggestions for applying to raw wood? Thanks!
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    Beverly Prahl · 08/16/2023
    My deck is 85 sq ft and is about 40 years old. I have already cleaned the deck and did some sanding with 60 grit paper. The wood has a lot of splintering. I’m trying to preserve the deck the best that I can. It has not been stained in approximately 25 years. It gets late afternoon, setting sun. What stain would you recommend? Thank you
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    Julie Burke · 07/07/2023
    Please help me calculate: 6' fence (never stained or sealed - most is one year old - 200' is much older but I will only seal one side. Total linear feet: 2,577 one side, 1,059 (one side of the 200' side of yard, both sides of the newer fence). I come up with about 25 gals.
    • We will reply to your comment shortly
      TWP Stains · 07/07/2023
      Total sq footage of wood to be stained?
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    Alex · 07/05/2023
    It will be wet on wet
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    Alex · 07/05/2023
    How much TWP for 3000 ft.²
    • We will reply to your comment shortly
      TWP Stains · 07/05/2023
      25-30 gallons for 2 coats applied wet on wet.
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    Fred · 07/02/2023
    One of the attaches pages of your website indicates the 1500 is 350 Voc, the other indicates 250 Voc ?