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
    Michael · 03/30/2019
    Please define "wet on wet" Thanks...Michael
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    Andrew · 03/24/2019
    Last year I stained my deck with the 1503 Dark Oak (love it). This year I plan on staining my fence, also with the Dark Oak. It is a 6' pine fence that is exactly one-year old. The fence is 250' long, so I will need to cover 3000 sq ft (250*2*6). I know the stain covers approximately 150-300 sq ft / gallon, but should I expect to be on the low or high end of that given that it's a one-year old pine fence that has never been stained? Also, I'm hoping that, again because of it's age, I can just lightly pressure wash and then stain without needing any type of pre-treatment. Is that correct? Thanks!
    • We will reply to your comment shortly
      TWP Stains · 03/25/2019
      For two coats applied wet on wet, you will need about 25-30 gallons for 3000 sq feet. You will need to prep with the Gemini Restore Kit: https://www.twpstain.com/gemini-s-restore-a-deck-cleaner-and-brightener-kit

      You cannot just lightly prep. You have to remove mill glaze and oxidation.
      • We will reply to your comment shortly
        Andrew · 03/31/2019
        Thanks for the reply. Given the amount of stain required and the need for 3000 sq ft worth of prep kit, I'm thinking I'd like to put this off for another year so I'm better prepared for the cost. Would one more year of unprotected exposure (I live in Central Ohio) be so terrible? That is, would I do any damage or somehow make the job even harder more expensive by waiting an additional year? Thanks again!
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          TWP Stains · 03/31/2019
          It will not harm the wood but it will make it harder to prep. More oxidation/graying to remove.
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            Andrew · 04/01/2019
            One last question...would there be any downside to prep/staining the outside of the fence this year, and then doing the inside of fence next year? Would this lead to any strange aging effect (like warping)?
            • We will reply to your comment shortly
              TWP Stains · 04/01/2019
              We would not suggest that. You will have issues with drips on the opposite side.
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    Chris · 03/24/2019
    I like a medium golden oak. Can your dark oak be mixed with natural in the 1500 series? Or do you know a better combination and what ratio? Also can this stain be applied with a lambs wool pad?ThankYou
    • We will reply to your comment shortly
      TWP Stains · 03/24/2019
      You can mix TWP colors of the same series but you will have to test the ratios on your end. No, on the lambswool applicator.
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    mike · 02/19/2019
    Can I use a roller with TWP 100? Can it be sprayed using air sprayer, hand sprayer?
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      TWP Stains · 02/20/2019
      TWP is best applied with a stain brush or a stain pad. It can be sprayed as well with an airless or pump sprayer.
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    richard · 01/16/2019
    Can any of your solid stains be used in a sprayer or must they be painted or rolled?
    • We will reply to your comment shortly
      TWP Stains · 01/16/2019
      TWP does not come in a solid stain.
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    Tom Sintzel · 09/19/2018
    I'm redoing my decks. I originally put down Behr solid color all-in-one stain sealer. It pealed after a few years I have two decks 13 x 18 and 30 steps.


    I had used a large floor sander and some boards are very difficult to get the remaining stain off. It very hard to remove using a hand powered belt sander. Any suggestions such as power washing to remove or use the stripper to remove the remaining remnants of stain. Then re-sand. I haven't started sanding the decks since I will need to use the power sander 60=80 grit hoping to find a better anwer to removal. I read on your website that your stripper will not remove solid stain.


    Most of the saned deck that is seen in the picture will take water and not bubble, but some boards have left over stain and water will bead up so the deck is not ready to finish.


    Also, I have 275 wooden spindles and I can't sand each one. Should i use a solid stain on the deck and match the spindles. would semi look good on the floor and solid on spindles.
    • We will reply to your comment shortly
      TWP Stains · 09/19/2018
      The only way to remove the solid stain is to continue to power sand. A stripper will not work. If you want to do a two toned deck then use a solid stain for the railings and the TWP for the floors once you have 100% sanded off the solid stain that is currently there.
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    Nick · 09/12/2018
    I have a red cedar fence that was installed in Missouri in October 2017. It is a total of 293 feet, is 4 feet high, and has 2 inches between pickets. How much stain do I need to do both sides of the fence?

    Thanks.
    • We will reply to your comment shortly
      TWP Stains · 09/12/2018
      20-25 gallons to do both sides. Sq footage is about 2400 sq feet for all.
  • We will reply to your comment shortly
    Robert Schwirz · 09/11/2018
    Just got a 800 sq ft cedar deck installed about 2 months ago. The color of the cedar has changed a little already. Do I have to wait longer to apply the 101 stain and do I need to use a cleaner first?
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    KAREN · 08/30/2018
    How long after using Gemini Restore-A-Deck, can TWP 100 stain be applied?
    • We will reply to your comment shortly
      TWP Stains · 08/30/2018
      About 48 hours after the prep.
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    Linda · 08/29/2018
    I have 289' of 6' privacy fence that was installed 10 months ago. The wood has a rough finish. I was looking at using the 1500 stain. Do I need to clean with the brightener first or can I just go with the bleach and water as per the instructions on the data sheet for the 1500? Also, is it required that 2 coats be used? Since the wood is rough I think that an airless sprayer might be the easiest and best way to go- any thoughts? How much stain should I purchase (289x6x2= 3468') to do both side of the fence? Thank you, Linda
    • We will reply to your comment shortly
      TWP Stains · 08/29/2018
      Best to use the Gemini Restore Kit for the prep. 2 coats wet on wet will be needed. Spray on your first coat and back brush your second coat to ensure an even application with no drips. About 30-35 gallons for the two coats applied wet on wet.
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    Gail · 08/02/2018
    Our deck is 1400 sq ft. We will be using the TWP 1500 stain in Dark Oak.

    The deck is 20 yrs. old and has never been stained.

    We have power washed and jomaxed it,

    will follow through with deck brightener,

    is this the correct procedure?

    On your TWP stain info is says 150-200 sq ft per gallon.

    When we click on the Product Data link it says 300-400 sq ft per gallon.

    Which coverage amount should we use, how many gallons do you suggest for the 2 coats wet on wet?

    Thank You,

    Gail
    • We will reply to your comment shortly
      TWP Stains · 08/02/2018
      Yes, the prep sounds good. For 1400 Sq feet and the two coats applied wet on wet. You will need about 13-15 gallons.
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    George · 07/30/2018
    I would like to refinish my PT deck in my NC mountain home with TWP 100 Cedartone. The deck is 9 years old and half of it is in the afternoon sun and other half is under an overhang. The part in the sun is more weathered. Here are pictures of both (first is not covered and second is covered). Do I need to strip and brighten or do you recommend I must use an orbital sander and sand it down to bare wood first? I would appreciate your advice on what I need to do.
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    Kris · 07/21/2018
    I have an 800 foot cedar fence and want to stain both sides. It has never been stained before and is about 8 months old. I hope to stain the posts a darker shade than the fence boards. How much of the 1500 series should I buy to complete this job? Do I need the prep kit since it has not been stained before? I am looking at the black walnut and rustic for the colors.

    Thanks
    • We will reply to your comment shortly
      TWP Stains · 07/22/2018
      For a fence sq footage, you need to do this math: Lenght x Height x 2 (for both sides) = ?

      Let us know what that comes to for the amount of prep and stain products needed. Yes, you have to prep. Thanks!
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    ray · 07/11/2018
    I need 15 gallons of twp 200 stain shipped to Vancouver Canada, what are the shipping costs?
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    Charles · 07/11/2018
    I was online searching for best stains when I came across your product. I have a cedar deck at my home in western Washington State which had semi-transparent staining many years ago. I have prepped with pressure washing and am about to sand. Would I still need to apply RAD Brightener or other prep prior to TWP? And how many coats are recommended?
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      TWP Stains · 07/11/2018
      Please post a picture of your prep. TWP us applied 2 coats with wet on wet application.
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    Randy · 06/23/2018
    I will say, I used Thompsons on our two decks and it did not last 2 years. I use TWP Stain & Sealer and we get 5 years out of it. It takes 10 gallons to cover our decks that get about 7 or 8 hours of sun aday.
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      Kelly · 08/11/2018
      How many square feet of deck would you say you covered with TWP? Ours is approximately 600 square feet. How many gallons do you think it would take? We are putting down brand new cedar.
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    Jan · 06/15/2018
    Can I use TWP stain on the inside siding (preserved wood) of a screened-in porch that is open to all elements year round? Rain and humidity produce mildew here in Maryland. It was first stained 6-7 years ago with a semi-transparent stain by Cabot.
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      TWP Stains · 06/16/2018
      Yes as long as you prep correctly by removing the Cabot.
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    Charlotte · 05/28/2018
    I stained my deck approximately 5 years ago, do I need to use the stripper or just the cleaner and brightner? I will be restaining using the same color.
    • We will reply to your comment shortly
      TWP Stains · 05/29/2018
      The Cleaner and Brightener should work for the prep.
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    Paul · 05/25/2018
    Are the prices on the website in US dollars? Ordering into Canada and before I check out my cart I want to see if it’s worth with the exchange rate
  • We will reply to your comment shortly
    Mike Newberg · 05/24/2018
    I just had a six foot, 350 feet long Red Cedar privacy fence installed. I would like to stain both sides. How many gallons of 100 Series stain should I purchase and how long should I wait to apply the stain?


    Thank you
    • We will reply to your comment shortly
      TWP Stains · 05/24/2018
      Is the fence wood rough sawn or smooth cut?
      • We will reply to your comment shortly
        Mike · 05/24/2018
        It is rough cut. Thank you.
        • We will reply to your comment shortly
          TWP Stains · 05/24/2018
          You can stain now as long as the wood is clean and dry. For 4200 sq feet, you will need about 7-8 of the 5-gallon pails for the two coats applied wet on wet.