Calculator

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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    Don · 06/13/2022
    For wet on wet application ….how long between applications….using paint brush?
    looking to use 1500 series
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    joe bowman · 06/13/2022
    if i order too much can i return the unopened containers?
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    Debbie · 05/29/2022
    I have 2000 sq feet of decking (includes all steps).  I live on the west side of MI.  My deck has been cleaned and restored by a contractor.  The decks are mostly shaded and a portion on the lower level is never exposed to sunlight.  How much TWP 100 should I get?
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      TWP Stains · 05/29/2022
      Can you post some pics for prep help? About 15-20 gallons of stain for two coats applied wet on wet. 
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    Mickey · 05/25/2022
    Currently have 415 sq ft cedar deck with TWP 100 Rustic Oak. I have cleaned and brightened it. The deck is patchy in some areas ie bare wood/Stain. Can I change color to another in the TWP 100 series - does the choice of colors matter? Am I able to over paint with the new TWP Pro Semi-solid ie charcoal or thunderstorm - does the color matter? Used the calculator to estimate and came up with 5 gallons - would have thought 2/3. Many Thanks Mickey
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    Sammy M · 05/22/2022
    I have rough cut redwood fence and I see that you recommended 2 coats wet on wet. So how do I estimate paint needed for the 2 coats using the calculator?
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      TWP Stains · 05/23/2022
      Length x height for the railing then double results for both sides.
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    Sammy M · 05/22/2022
    You replied to William Garber to enter fence height as railing height in the calculator. I have a fence with open lattice for the top 2 feet (see photo) and solid wood below. What is the correct method to estimate amount of paint needed? Do I just use the total height of the fence as railing in the calculator? Most deck railing are just railings and mostly open. My fence is mostly solid wood boards. Should I not treat the wood surface area like deck surface area?
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      TWP Stains · 05/23/2022
      Length x height for the railing then double results for both sides.
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    Ross R. · 05/17/2022
    Hi there - I just had a new cedar fence put in. Blank canvas. It's about 70 linear feet, 6 ft. height. Looking to use TWP 1500 Series in Natural. Since its about 420 sq feet, your calculator is saying I will need about 10 gallons for two coats on both sides. Does this seem correct? Will I need two coats for a new fence? Pics attached. Thanks!
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    Mission Contracting · 03/13/2022
    I will be washing and staining a fence for a client of mine. Trying to figure out how much stain is sufficient. They previously had it stained using TWP and now want to proceed with a darker TWP color (thinking dark oak). The fence is 300ft long (both sides need done) and 6ft tall.
    Would one coat be sufficient?

    pics of current fence attached
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      TWP Stains · 03/14/2022
      You have 3600 sq feet and for two coats applied wet on wet, you will need about 25-35 gallons. You will need two coats. 
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    Connie Courtney · 02/22/2022
    How much do I need to stain new Cedar Fence ?
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      TWP Stains · 02/23/2022
      What is the total sq footage of all wood added up for both sides of the fence?
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    Bobby · 11/02/2021
    Do you have a suggestion on the best type of sprayer to use to apply the stain?  Thank you!
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    Brandon Dove · 10/06/2021
    Do you have a calculator for exterior of log cabins?
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      TWP Stains · 10/07/2021
      Just do not use the railing portion in above and use the length and height of the siding for the floor.
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    pat · 10/01/2021
    twp 115 - is it available or did it change to 1500
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    Keith Merwin · 09/09/2021
    Question: My deck is two years old.  Pine treated. NEVER stained or painted. Some planks already have algae and UV damage, mill glaze and brown stuff oozing out of knots (see pics). In my particular case and to use TWP 100 semi transparent, oil based stain, do I need cleaner and brightner for prep?
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      TWP Stains · 09/09/2021
      Yes, that is correct for prep. 100 or 1500 Series.
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        Keith Merwin · 09/09/2021
        1) Difference between 100 and 1500 series? One semi transparent and one solid?  Both oil based?
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          TWP Stains · 09/09/2021
          Difference is what is allowed in your state based on VOCs. Both are oil based and semi transparent. 
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    Bobby · 08/13/2021
    I have a new 6’ pressure treated fence that is about 200 linear feet long.  Assuming the calculator is correct I will need about 10 gallons.  What should I use to prepare the fence before staining and should I wait a certain period of time between preparation and staining?  Also - can I use a sprayer to apply to stain?  Thanks!!
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      TWP Stains · 08/14/2021
      If you are doing both sides of your fence, you will have 2400 sq feet to cover and you will need 20-25 gallons for two coats. If the wood is rough sawn wood, you can stain it now with two coats applied wet on wet. If smooth wood, you will need to weather, then prep, and only apply one coat. See tips here: https://www.twpstainhelp.com/prepping-new-wood-for-twp-stains/
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        Bobby · 08/14/2021
        Thanks for that.  I think the 6’ pickets would not need prep then.  However there are 2x4 on top (typical 2x4’s found at store).  Are these classified as “smooth”?  Also can you tell me if applying via a sprayer is OK or will I waste a lot?
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          TWP Stains · 08/15/2021
          You can spray and yes, it does have some waste from overspray. You should be fine to stain now.
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    Brenda · 07/29/2021
    If we currently have Behr restore a deck, can we put a semi solid  or solid over it?
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      TWP Stains · 07/29/2021
      I assume you mean Behr Deckover as there Is no such thing as Behr restore a deck? This will have to be 100% sanded off before you can use any of the TWP Stains.
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    WDB · 06/30/2021
    Hello when calculating the size of my deck (791 sq ft of surface area) it says I will need 2 cleaner/brightener kits or 2 "jars" of stripper and 2 "jars" of brightener.  But the site also says that 1 cleaner/brightener kit will do 750-1000 sq ft and the same for the stripper and brightener.  Just wondering why the calculator says I will need 2 kits and what "jars" it's referring to with regard to the stripper?  Thanks
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      TWP Stains · 06/30/2021
      It averages at 750 per kit. It can go up to 1000 sq feet if an easy clean and or strip. It also can do down as low as 500 sq feet for difficult jobs. Since the average is 750, anything over is rounded up.
      There is no way to be 100% accurate as coverage always varies based on the wood condition, age of the wood, type of wood, etc.
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        WDB · 06/30/2021
        Thanks!
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    Dan Reed · 06/02/2021
    Hi, I am restoring my deck and trying to stay close to the same semi transparent stain color which was a cedar tone. It was applied about 20 years ago originally. Was redone once about 15 years ago. I've sent pictures of what the current color looks like on surfaces that haven't faded badly. Can you recommend which stain color I should use. The Cedar color almost looks to light but I know it's hard to tell with pictures. Should I stay with that or go to something like the redwood? 

    All of the horizontal deck boards and hand rails have been sanded smooth and stripped of old stain. A lot of the vertical sections have been roughed up but not stripped completely(like the balusters and posts). Total square footage has calculated to 817' using your calculator. Based on everything I've read I should be ordering 9 gallons of stain (I will order 2-5 gallon cans). It also says I should use 2 jars each of the Restore-A-Deck Stripper and Brightener. Since I've completely stripped 500 sq ft of deck and 102' of hand rail, do I need as much stripper and brightener?  Any other tips I should know about? Thanks, Dan - Mableton, GA
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      TWP Stains · 06/02/2021
      Hi Dan,
      Look at using Pecan color for this. Not sure on the stripper needed. Probably one Stripper/Brighener kit will work.
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        Dan Reed · 06/02/2021
        Do you think I should use 100 or the PRO?
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          TWP Stains · 06/02/2021
          Pecan comes in the 100 Series or the 1500 Series. Either is fine.
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    Michael H. · 05/29/2021
    How do I remove opaque stain to get down to natural wood surface?
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      TWP Stains · 05/30/2021
      Sand it off. Strippers will not remove solid stains fully.
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    VT Biker · 05/19/2021
    1 or old PT, southern exposure in northeast. Looks great, minimal discoloration Must I cleaned prior to applying Cedar penetrating product?
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    C Alger · 05/15/2021
    How much will a gallon of TWP 103 pro series  dark oak cover when staining a previously stained rough sawn cedar fence? ( 6 feet tall board on board) 
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      TWP Stains · 05/16/2021
      You will need to remove the current stain unless it is TWP on there now. Coverage is about 150-200 sq feet per gallon.