The Wood Stain Calculator computes the amount of wood stain needed to cover an area.
INSTRUCTIONS: Choose units and enter the following:
- (L) Length
- (W) Width
- (SC) Stain Coverage
- (SV) Stain Volume
Wood Stain (WS): The calculator returns the amount of wood stain needed to stain the area in gallons or quarts. The calculator also returns the surface area of the deck in square feet. However, these answers can be automatically converted to compatible units via the pull-down menu.
The Math / Science
The surface area of a floor or other area is based on the length and width. The amount of stain needed is based on other factors.
For outside decks, the surface conditions dictate the amount of stain needed. 400 ft2 to 500 ft2 of smooth surfaces can be covered with one gallon of stain. Only 200 ft2 to 300ft2 of rough surfaces can be covered with a gallon of stain.
Time to Dry
Stain typically takes four to six hours to dry. Do not place furniture on newly stained deck for at least twenty four hours.
Preparing the Surface
Stain only works if it can penetrate into the material. This means that the material should be free of loose fibers, oils and organic material such as mildew. For outdoor staining, power washing, sanding or the use of a wire brush or scraper can often effectively remove unwanted material. However, be sure to sweep off removed material, and in the event of power washing, allow the material to thoroughly dry to make it permeable to the stain.
- Flooring Cost by Area Dimensions - Computes the cost of flooring based on the dimensions (LxW) of the room and the unit price per square foot of the hardwood flooring. It also returns the square feet of the room.
- Floor Area + (Angle Bump-out) - Computes square feet of a room
based on the length and width of main room and the front and back width and depth of a bump-out. - Floor Area + (Squared Bump-out) - Computes square feet of a room based on the length and width of main room and squared bump-out.
- Flooring Cost by Square Feet Covered - Computes the cost of flooring material based on the square feet of the room and unit price per square foot of the flooring. Use this for cost of flooring with rooms with bump-outs after computing the total area (TA) using the bump-out functions above.
- Cost to Refinish Hardwood Flooring - Estimates the cost of refinishing hardwood flooring.
- Hardwood Flooring Nails Needed - Computes the number of flooring nails needed based on the room dimensions, width of the flooring boards and desired spacing of the nails.
- Wood Stain Calculator - Computes the amount of stain needed for a wood surface (e.g., hardwood floor).