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
    Juliann Klafehn · 09/02/2016
    2 Questions for you...
    I have a steel roof with wood perlins and beams that also need to be stained. How should I account for those when buying the stain and prepping supplies?
    I want to stain the horizontal surface dark and the vertical surfaces white. What do you suggest I use for the white columns?
    Thanks so much for your advice!!
  • We will reply to your comment shortly
    TWP Stains · 09/02/2016
    Melissa Brousseau:
    Just purchased cedar from amish sawmill, completely dried. Using it to wrap porch beams. Should We stain first or put up and wait til spring? In Michigan most of it will be under roof and not exposed

    Put it up and wait until Spring. Prep first as well.
  • We will reply to your comment shortly
    Melissa Brousseau · 09/01/2016
    Just purchased cedar from amish sawmill, completely dried. Using it to wrap porch beams. Should We stain first or put up and wait til spring? In Michigan most of it will be under roof and not exposed
  • We will reply to your comment shortly
    TWP Stains · 08/23/2016
    Stuart Pfeiffer:
    Can TWP 1500 be applied over sikkens Cetol SRD

    No it cannot. The Sikkens would have to be stripped first.
  • We will reply to your comment shortly
    Stuart Pfeiffer · 08/23/2016
    Can TWP 1500 be applied over sikkens Cetol SRD
  • We will reply to your comment shortly
    TWP Stains · 08/23/2016
    Amitav Singh:
    We have a 2 month old front porch. Can we stain or should we wait for a year.

    See this about new wood:

    http://www.twpstainhelp.com/need-some-help-with-twp-stains/
  • We will reply to your comment shortly
    Amitav Singh · 08/23/2016
    We have a 2 month old front porch. Can we stain or should we wait for a year.
  • We will reply to your comment shortly
    TWP Stains · 08/21/2016
    Dale Andersen:
    Do not have any rail or steps.
    I am interested in Solvet Bourne Semi Transparent.
    Iam using new western red cedar

    You can use the calculator by adding 0 for areas that you do not have. See this about new decks:

    http://www.twpstainhelp.com/prepping-new-wood-for-twp-stains/
  • We will reply to your comment shortly
    Dale Andersen · 08/20/2016
    Do not have any rail or steps.
    I am interested in Solvet Bourne Semi Transparent.
    Iam using new western red cedar
  • We will reply to your comment shortly
    Dale Andersen · 08/20/2016
    Do not have any rail or steps.
    I am interested in Solvet Bourne Semi Transparent.
  • We will reply to your comment shortly
    TWP Stains · 08/20/2016
    Darlene Ramey:
    I'm staining a fence. I have figured approx. 270 ft. around. It is 6 ft. high. thus I get 1620 sq. ft. total.
    How many sq. ft does a 5 gallon can of stain do. ? Thank you. I'm still deciding on which stain to use - doing my research. Thank you.

    If you are doing both sides than you need to double your sq footage. A 5 gallon pail of TWP covers roughly 500-600 sq feet for [u]2 coats[/u] of the TWP when applied wet on wet as suggested.
  • We will reply to your comment shortly
    Darlene Ramey · 08/19/2016
    I'm staining a fence. I have figured approx. 270 ft. around. It is 6 ft. high. thus I get 1620 sq. ft. total.
    How many sq. ft does a 5 gallon can of stain do. ? Thank you. I'm still deciding on which stain to use - doing my research. Thank you.
  • We will reply to your comment shortly
    TWP Stains · 08/19/2016
    Margaret Leinhauser:
    Total area of 3 decks 415 sq ft. How much stain do we need? The decks are 7 months old what kind of cleaner and how much of that do we need?
    Could not understand your calculator.
    Thank you.

    You need to clean and brighten for the prep. Use the Gemini Restore Kits.

    1 Gemini Kit
    3 Gallons of Stain. Only 1 coat on new wood.

    See this for more info on new wood:

    http://www.twpstainhelp.com/prepping-new-wood-for-twp-stains/
  • We will reply to your comment shortly
    Margaret Leinhauser · 08/18/2016
    Total area of 3 decks 415 sq ft. How much stain do we need? The decks are 7 months old what kind of cleaner and how much of that do we need?
    Could not understand your calculator.
    Thank you.
  • We will reply to your comment shortly
    TWP Stains · 08/17/2016
    Cheryl Bergman:
    I have a 75' long x 6' high cedar fence that is 9 years old that I want to re-stain (one side only). It was re-stained for a second time 4 years ago by a professional restoration company with a transparent stain (not a TWP stain). Questions: 1) will TWP 1500 allow the natural wood grain/wood knots show through (want this); 2) how much would I need for this project and would it require 2 coats; 3) what is the correct product to use to prep before staining? Thank You.

    1. Yes
    2. For 450 sq. feet you will need 5 gallons to do the required 2 coats.
    3. Must remove the old coating with the Restore A Deck Stripper and Brightener Kits. You would need 1 of these kits for this.
  • We will reply to your comment shortly
    TWP Stains · 08/17/2016
    J Samenus:
    Installed a new PT pine deck On July 9th. Will I need to wait to stain or can I use the TWP 1500 series stain now. Will I need the brightener?

    See this please: http://www.twpstainhelp.com/prepping-new-wood-for-twp-stains/
  • We will reply to your comment shortly
    J Samenus · 08/17/2016
    Installed a new PT pine deck On July 9th. Will I need to wait to stain or can I use the TWP 1500 series stain now. Will I need the brightener?
  • We will reply to your comment shortly
    Cheryl Bergman · 08/17/2016
    I have a 75' long x 6' high cedar fence that is 9 years old that I want to re-stain (one side only). It was re-stained for a second time 4 years ago by a professional restoration company with a transparent stain (not a TWP stain). Questions: 1) will TWP 1500 allow the natural wood grain/wood knots show through (want this); 2) how much would I need for this project and would it require 2 coats; 3) what is the correct product to use to prep before staining? Thank You.
  • We will reply to your comment shortly
    TWP Stains · 08/15/2016
    Chris Randazzo:
    We are preparing to re stain our log sided cabin, previously we were told by TWP to use 1 coat of 515 cedartone,allow to penetrate, and dry- followed by a coat of 515 cedar mixed with 315 cedar on all exterior surfaces. What is your recommendation now, I understand the 1500 series replaced the old 500 series. We have 2 pails of 515 left from last time we did the exterior. This is not enough to redo the entire project so I will need to order enough product. Also what do you recommend for cleaning the old finish - there are some areas it is worn and dry, others that still have some surfacing of the last oiling. Can you email me detailed instructions on your recommendations based on this information please.
    Thank you
    Chris

    515 was light cedar and was replaced by 1515 Honeytone. No need to mix in the 300 series. Prep with the Gemini Restore Kit and use the TWP 1515 Honeytone for the coating. You should not inter mix the 500 and 1500 Series, so unfortunately the old pails are no longer good.
  • We will reply to your comment shortly
    Chris Randazzo · 08/15/2016
    We are preparing to re stain our log sided cabin, previously we were told by TWP to use 1 coat of 515 cedartone,allow to penetrate, and dry- followed by a coat of 515 cedar mixed with 315 cedar on all exterior surfaces. What is your recommendation now, I understand the 1500 series replaced the old 500 series. We have 2 pails of 515 left from last time we did the exterior. This is not enough to redo the entire project so I will need to order enough product. Also what do you recommend for cleaning the old finish - there are some areas it is worn and dry, others that still have some surfacing of the last oiling. Can you email me detailed instructions on your recommendations based on this information please.
    Thank you
    Chris