Measure the length and height of the fence to be stained. Multiply the length by the height to determine the total square footage of the fence. If you are going to stain both sides, multiply the square footage by two.

How do I calculate how much stain I need for my fence?

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 you find the square footage of a fence?

Step 1 – Calculate Square Footage



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.

How many square feet of fence does a gallon of paint cover?

In our experience, you can generally expect to get 350 square feet per gallon (or more) when rolling/brushing.

How many coats of stain do I need for a fence?

Two coats are best, and it’s best to avoid applying the stain in direct sunlight. Woodscapes can be second coated within two hours, depending on the humidity and air temperature. Most products can be re-coated the same day. You should stain your fence every three to four years when the coating starts to fade and wear.

How much does it cost to pressure wash and stain a fence?

Cost to Pressure Wash Fence

Fence Pressure Washing Costs
National average cost $180
Average range $125-$235
Low-end $100
High-end $300


What time of year is best to stain a fence?

Early or late summer are good times to stain a fence. You’ll need a few days of dry, warm weather, both before and after you stain. The boards need to be completely dry. A cloudy day, early in the morning or late in the afternoon are good times to work.

Should I stain both sides of my fence?

In actuality, you should be staining both sides of your fence. Not only will it be more aesthetically pleasing to all parties involved, it will help your wooden fence last longer. As the days continue to get longer and the sun beats down a little harder, sun protection should be on your mind.

Do you need to prep a fence before staining?

Tip #1: Prepare Your Fence



If you are staining a new fence, it is critical that the fence has time to completely dry. The pressure-treated woods that are used for most fencing projects today come wet.

How do I bid a stain job?


Quote from Youtube video: It's time to quote your staining. And for us fence staining is very basic we do it by the square foot if we're talking to a fence contractor we're gonna talk in the in the linear foot language.

What is the typical cost to stain a fence?

Average Cost of Staining a Fence



The average cost to hire a professional to stain a wood fence is $2,400 for a 250-foot fence. The average is $9.60 per linear foot and $1.95 per square foot.

Should I pressure wash my fence before 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. Power washing a stained fence can create divots on the surface of the wood.

Should I sand fence before staining?

You should not stain over a painted fence, sand it first to prepare the surface. If you want to add color choose a stain which will bring out the best from the grain of the wood. Often a clear stain looks best, showing off the quality of the grain in the new fence on the property.

What happens if you stain a dirty fence?

You never want to apply stain to a dirty fence. Wood fence stain will only trap any dirt and particulates existing on the fencing, and that grime may even cause the stain to not stick. Here’s a step-by-step guide for cleaning a wood fence, whether you want to use a power washer or do it by hand.

Can you use a roller to stain a fence?

If using a roller, opt for a medium nap roller cover, then fully saturate the nap with the stain. Apply the stain in two- to three-foot sections of the fence at a time, taking care to back-brush, or re-paint over uncovered areas left by the previous stroke, with a wide brush.

How many hours does it take to stain a fence?

Don’t stain wood when the temperature is over 32 degrees as it will dry too quickly and create splotches. If the humidity is below 30%, each application of stain will require roughly 12 hours to dry. If the humidity is 60% or higher, it could take 24-36 hours for each coat to dry.

What is the easiest way to stain a fence?

Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: If there's any mold and mildew on the on the fence take some clorox bleach put it on there the bleach will kill the mold and mildew then you let that dry then follow it up with a coat of stain.