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For a small fence, up to 175 square feet, you will only need one gallon of stain, in any transparency. If your fence is larger, up to 550 square feet, you will need to buy 2 gallons of stain. For very large fences, up to 700 square feet, you will need 3 to 4 gallons of stain to complete the project.
How do I calculate how much stain I need for my fence?
Divide the total square feet of fence to be stained by the coverage listed on the can. For example, if you have 1,000 square feet of fence and the stain says that 1 gallon covers 200 square feet, you would divide 1,000 by 200, which equals 5 gallons to cover the fence.
How many coats of stain do I need for a fence?
In most cases, solid-color stains are like traditional paint and need just one coat to protect your fence. Semi-transparent penetrating stains often need two coats, with the second coat applied approximately an hour after the first coat.
How much will a gallon of stain cover?
On average most deck stains cover 150-300 sq. ft. per gallon depending on the age, condition, and porosity of the wood.
How do you calculate square footage of a fence?
Multiply Length and Height Measure from top to bottom of the fence to get the height. Next, take the total length of the fence and multiply it by the height (Length X Height). For example – if your fence is a total of 150 Linear Feet (LF) in length and you have a 6 ft. tall fence, the square footage is 900.
Should I pressure wash my fence before staining?
Should You Power Wash Before Fence Staining? More often than not, it is not a good idea to power wash a fence before staining it. Power washers can force the mold and mildew (the greying color of the fence) deeper into the wood pickets. This causes the wood to deteriorate quicker.
How long should you wait before you stain a new fence?
So, how long to wait? A good rule of thumb is to wait a month or two if the fence is made with dry materials. This will allow it to weather enough but not too much. If the fence is made with pressure treated materials it may be 3-4 months for the posts to dry enough and can be checked with a moisture meter.
Do I need to stain both sides of my fence?
A question that customers sometimes ask is whether both sides of the fence should be sealed. In reality, if one side of the fence faces a neighbor and they choose not to stain or seal their side will discolor and yours won’t, without this affecting the structural integrity of the structure.
Is 3 coats of stain too much?
Generally, you only need 2 coats of stain. This is because stain is known to penetrate the material so you should only use the number of coats that the material can absorb. Three coats will be too much and you’ll need to wipe off the excess.
What happens if you apply second coat of stain too soon?
If you apply a second, unnecessary coat of stain to wood that is already adequately covered, you risk creating a tacky surface that is prone to early peeling because the second coat is not penetrating the wood surface, but simply laying on top of the first coat of stain.
How much does 8 oz of wood stain cover?
Easy to use wood finish covers up to 70 sq. ft. per 8 oz.
How much should I charge to stain a fence?
The price of having a professional paint or stain your fence averages $2,000. Homeowners could pay anywhere between $750 to $4,250 depending on the condition, height and length of the fence. Costs average $3 to $17 per linear foot or $1 to $2.50 per square foot.
How much stain do I need for 400 square feet?
Divide the total square footage of the area you want to stain by the square footage covered by a can of your chosen stain. Round the result up to the next whole number. For example, if you have 400 square feet of floor to cover and a can of stain covers 220 square feet, you need two cans of that stain.
How many linear feet of fence do I need?
When constructing a board-on-board fence, subtract the board overlap from the width and divide the result into the fence length. Multiply the number of slats by the height of the fence to find the number of linear feet of slat or picket material you need.
What does linear feet mean in fencing?
Simply put, the term “linear feet” is a measurement of length. That can be the length of the amount of fencing you want to install, or the length of an individual board. You’ll use this term when estimating the amount and cost of materials you’ll need for a project.
Can I use a paint sprayer to stain my fence?
You can stain your fence using a sprayer, but you can also use a brush or roller. The stain sprayer is the more obvious choice, as it is faster and will give you a great finish. When spraying, move continuously, so that the paint is evenly applied.
Can you stain a weathered fence?
Fences usually face severe weathering, so expect the finish to last no more than three years. Before recoating, wash the fence with a garden hose sprayer and use a bristle brush on stubborn dirt deposits and stains. Let the fence dry and stain it using the same method.
How long after pressure washing a fence can you stain it?
After pressure washing a fence, allow the fence to completely dry before applying stain or sealant. Typically, a wood fence will dry fully in 24-48 hours. Staining or sealing a damp fence can result in a splotchy or uneven stain job, or the sealant taking longer to dry or not adhering to the fence properly.
Is it worth staining a fence?
A wood fence provides privacy, security and a great focal point for your property. Routine wood fence maintenance is important to maintain the aesthetic of the fence and the life of the wood. A fence should be stained every two to three years to preserve the look and function of the fence.
