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
    cecil moore · 11/18/2015
    we have a cedar deck with @ 300 sq feet floor/steps + railings seriously neglected no stain or finish left, and has algae and mold. Should we use gemini or stripper. Some sun mostly shade, what type stain? Older kinda lazy homeowners. :-*
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    Shea McColley · 10/23/2015
    I built a 16'x 20' pergola out of untreated pine thinking we were going to paint it white but my wife and I both changed our minds after we finished it. now we want to stain it a dark brown color. what product do you recommend and approx. how much. I'm not sure on square footage because its a pergola. im guessing about 700 square ft because im staining top bottom and edges of all boards used. Im thinking that using untreated was a big mistake now but im stuck with it. and how long can the stain be stored indoor before its now good (it may determine how much I buy)
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    TWP Stains · 10/15/2015
    whomever:
    I used TWP 100 Pecan about three years ago. It is on a deck that receives a lot of sun and we had an outdoor rug as well. It has faded differently from where the rug was etc. Should I use the Stripper or Gemini?

    Use the Restore A Deck Stripper to ensure that it is is prepped evenly and the new stain applies evenly. Make sure that the brightener is used after the stripper to neutralize.
  • We will reply to your comment shortly
    whomever · 10/15/2015
    I used TWP 100 Pecan about three years ago. It is on a deck that receives a lot of sun and we had an outdoor rug as well. It has faded differently from where the rug was etc. Should I use the Stripper or Gemini?
  • We will reply to your comment shortly
    TWP Stains · 10/08/2015
    You can order samples here: http://www.twpstain.com/stain-samples
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    Jane Potvin · 10/08/2015
    Hi, the stain we received is quite a lot darker than what we have on the house already - can you send samples of colors so we can match up better. It was on your recommendation we went with a TWP 1530 Natural. Thanks sorry wrong email - this is correct
  • We will reply to your comment shortly
    Jane Potvin · 10/08/2015
    Hi, the stain we received is quite a lot darker than what we have on the house already - can you send samples of colors so we can match up better. It was on your recommendation we went with a TWP 1530 Natural. Thanks
  • We will reply to your comment shortly
    TWP Stains · 10/07/2015
    Anna Huisman:
    July 2014 our large deck was cleaned brightened and two coats of TWP 1500 clear was applied. Deck has some mildew and algae but in general still looks pretty good. Can I wait till next early spring or should I redo same procedure this fall(2015). We;re living in North Virginia. If I would go ahead redoing can I only do one coat to seal or do you always need to apply two coats ( wet on wet)? Thank you.

    I would just wait until Spring. Clean and reapply two very light coats.
  • We will reply to your comment shortly
    Anna Huisman · 10/07/2015
    July 2014 our large deck was cleaned brightened and two coats of TWP 1500 clear was applied. Deck has some mildew and algae but in general still looks pretty good. Can I wait till next early spring or should I redo same procedure this fall(2015). We;re living in North Virginia. If I would go ahead redoing can I only do one coat to seal or do you always need to apply two coats ( wet on wet)? Thank you.
  • We will reply to your comment shortly
    TWP Stains · 09/23/2015
    william merchant:
    hello I have just bought 5 gallons of your 1500 series stain and I was wondering the day time temperature is good about 78 to 80 degrees but the night are getting cool, which means that there is due on the deck in the mornings will that effect the stain from curing(drying)should I wait until early summer to stain my deck thank you for the input! William merchant

    It should not affect the stain so go ahead and apply this Fall.
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    william merchant · 09/23/2015
    hello I have just bought 5 gallons of your 1500 series stain and I was wondering the day time temperature is good about 78 to 80 degrees but the night are getting cool, which means that there is due on the deck in the mornings will that effect the stain from curing(drying)should I wait until early summer to stain my deck thank you for the input! William merchant
  • We will reply to your comment shortly
    TWP Stains · 09/21/2015
    Donna123:
    Hi we have a pressure treated pine deck that we had built 3 summers ago and have never stained it or put any product on it. It is in good shape, just looks real light colored now (almost white looking). I was planning on using one of your cleaners first and then using the 1500 stain. What cleaner and steps would you recommend? The deck is 9x30 (full sun) and attached to a smaller enclosed 7.5x21 deck (screened in porch). I estimated with steps, a total of 488 sq feet using your calculator with the amount of steps I have. I read in your blog too, that it may take more stain with a dry and untreated deck. Thanks for any help!

    Use the Gemini Restore Kit and pressure washing for the prep and cleaning. You will need about 4-5 gallons for 2 coats.
  • We will reply to your comment shortly
    Donna123 · 09/21/2015
    Hi we have a pressure treated pine deck that we had built 3 summers ago and have never stained it or put any product on it. It is in good shape, just looks real light colored now (almost white looking). I was planning on using one of your cleaners first and then using the 1500 stain. What cleaner and steps would you recommend? The deck is 9x30 (full sun) and attached to a smaller enclosed 7.5x21 deck (screened in porch). I estimated with steps, a total of 488 sq feet using your calculator with the amount of steps I have. I read in your blog too, that it may take more stain with a dry and untreated deck. Thanks for any help!
  • We will reply to your comment shortly
    TWP Stains · 09/14/2015
    Bill Strickland:
    I pressure washed all three decks.
    total, flat deck area = 1053 sq. ft.
    i have one, flat seating bench = 162 sq. ft.
    railing is minimal for two stair entry points with four steps, each.
    Do I really need restore-a-deck brightener? The old stain is embedded into the wood pretty deep. I will pick the redwood color=same existing color.
    I live in 46031 zip code. Any nearby dealers?

    If using the same TWP stain as before then no you do not need to use the brightener. If you are switching to TWP then you have to remove the previous coating by stripping/sanding with pressure washing. Brighten all when done. Can you advise as to which scenario is correct so we can recommend the proper materials needed?
  • We will reply to your comment shortly
    Bill Strickland · 09/13/2015
    I pressure washed all three decks.
    total, flat deck area = 1053 sq. ft.
    i have one, flat seating bench = 162 sq. ft.
    railing is minimal for two stair entry points with four steps, each.
    Do I really need restore-a-deck brightener? The old stain is embedded into the wood pretty deep. I will pick the redwood color=same existing color.
    I live in 46031 zip code. Any nearby dealers?
  • We will reply to your comment shortly
    TWP Stains · 09/11/2015
    Rube Junes:
    1. How do you calculate amount of stain needed for application to log home after corn blasting removal of existing stain product (approx 2,000 square feet of log surface including deck area)?

    2. Is one coat of stain sufficient or is two recommended?

    Two coats applied wet on wet is best. You will need 15-20 gallons for the 2000 sq. feet.
  • We will reply to your comment shortly
    Rube Junes · 09/11/2015
    1. How do you calculate amount of stain needed for application to log home after corn blasting removal of existing stain product (approx 2,000 square feet of log surface including deck area)?

    2. Is one coat of stain sufficient or is two recommended?
  • We will reply to your comment shortly
    TWP Stains · 09/10/2015
    Bruce Berryman:
    We live in northern VT (long, cold, snowy winters). I installed new siding of rough cut cedar 10-12 years ago on house and garage, including a cedar entrance gate (total: 3300 sq. ft.). When I did it, I immediately put on one coat of wood preservative from the local hardware store. Of course by now it is in pretty poor shape (dirt, mildew, brittle, discolored dark gray, etc.). I want to cover it in clear stain now (using a sprayer). I assume I need to clean it, whiten it, and stain it (with two coats of stain?). Right? Which of your products do you recommend and how much of each? Thanks!

    Do you still have old stain left on the siding? If so you will need the Restore A Deck Stripper and pressure washing to prep. Use the brightener after to neutralize. 4-5 of each. If there is not any old stain on the wood then prep with the Gemini Restore A Deck kit. You will need about 4-5 kits for this.

    Use the TWP 1500 Series for the stain and apply two light coats with the "wet on wet" application. You will need about 25-35 gallons for two coats and 3300 sq. feet of wood to cover.
  • We will reply to your comment shortly
    Bruce Berryman · 09/09/2015
    We live in northern VT (long, cold, snowy winters). I installed new siding of rough cut cedar 10-12 years ago on house and garage, including a cedar entrance gate (total: 3300 sq. ft.). When I did it, I immediately put on one coat of wood preservative from the local hardware store. Of course by now it is in pretty poor shape (dirt, mildew, brittle, discolored dark gray, etc.). I want to cover it in clear stain now (using a sprayer). I assume I need to clean it, whiten it, and stain it (with two coats of stain?). Right? Which of your products do you recommend and how much of each? Thanks!
  • We will reply to your comment shortly
    TWP Stains · 09/09/2015
    Ernest Covington:
    How much TWP 1500 needed for 888 sq. ft.(74 linear foot of 6 foot pickets, both sides) of untreated cedar fence?

    Fence installed 5/2013

    Denver, Colorado weather

    For two coats applied "wet on wet" you will need between 7-9 gallons.