Restore-A-Deck Stain Calculator
These calculations will help you determine the proper amount of stain and prepping supplies needed to refinish your deck or fence using Restore-A-Deck stains. This is intended to provide you with an approximate estimate only. Material requirements may vary according to application method, surface condition, and weather conditions.
- Use the RAD Deck Stain Calculator to estimate gallons needed by entering measurements, selecting product, wood condition, and number of coats.
- RAD Semi-Transparent Wood Stain covers 100 to 200 sq ft per gallon, while RAD Solid Color Stain covers 200 to 350 sq ft per gallon.
- RAD Solid Color Stain always requires two coats; new wood under one year old needs only one coat of RAD Semi-Transparent.
- Always buy 10 to 15 percent more stain than estimated, as leftover stain can be saved for future maintenance coats.
RAD Deck Stain Calculator
Use the calculator below to estimate how many gallons of Restore-A-Deck stain you need for your deck. Enter your measurements and select your product and wood condition for the most accurate estimate.
RAD Deck Stain Estimator
RAD Solid Color Stain always requires 2 coats. RAD Semi-Transparent on new wood less than one year old requires only 1 coat. See new wood tips.
RAD Fence Stain Calculator
Use the calculator below to estimate how many gallons of Restore-A-Deck stain you need for a fence. Click to expand.
Coverage Rate for Restore-A-Deck Stains
| RAD Product | Coverage Per Gallon Per Coat | Coats Required | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| RAD Semi-Transparent Wood Stain | 150 to 250 sq ft | 1 to 2 coats | Can be applied to damp wood same day as prep. New wood under 1 year old: 1 coat only. |
| RAD Solid Color Stain | 200 to 350 sq ft | 2 coats required | Coverage is consistent coat to coat. Can be applied to damp wood same day as prep. |
For more aged and porous wood you could easily factor in some extra stain. On newer wood that is still smooth and dense, you probably are not going to use as much. It is better to buy more than you need than to not have enough. You can always save leftover stain for the next maintenance cycle. RAD Semi-Transparent has a shelf life of 1 year if opened and 2 years unopened. RAD Solid Stain has a shelf life of 1 year if opened and 2 years unopened as long as the can is properly resealed.
Prepping Options
- Restore-A-Deck Cleaner and Brightener Kit. Use for new, gray, or dirty decks and for recoating over an intact existing coat of RAD stain.
- Restore-A-Deck Stripper and Brightener Kit. Use when removing old coatings of stain, switching from a different brand, or when the existing RAD coating has failed unevenly.
Shop Restore-A-Deck Prep Products
Proper prep is what makes RAD stain adhere and last. Choose the kit that matches your project below.
Cleaner & Brightener Kit
For new, gray, or dirty decks and recoating over intact RAD stain.
Stripper & Brightener Kit
For removing old stain, switching brands, or unevenly failed coatings.
Need a different size? See all RAD prepping kits, including Package 600, 1000, 1600, and 3200 for larger decks.
Restore-A-Deck Prep Product Coverage
Both kits use powdered concentrate that you mix with water. Each container makes 5 gallons of usable product.
| Prep Product | Coverage Per Gallon | Kit Coverage | Use For |
|---|---|---|---|
| RAD Cleaner (Step 1, Cleaner/Brightener Kit) | 100 to 200 sq ft | 600 to 800 sq ft per kit | New, gray, or dirty decks with no old stain to remove |
| RAD Stripper (Step 1, Stripper/Brightener Kit) | 100 to 200 sq ft | 500 to 1,000 sq ft per kit | Removing old transparent, semi-transparent, or semi-solid stains |
| RAD Brightener (Step 2, both kits) | 150 to 200 sq ft | 500 to 1,000 sq ft per kit | Neutralizing cleaner or stripper and prepping wood for stain |
My Pro Tip: RAD Stripper removes most transparent, semi-transparent, and semi-solid oil and water-based stains, but will not fully remove solid color stains, paints, or varnishes. For those, use the RAD Paint & Solid Stain Stripper instead.
If you have questions, please ask below.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Restore-A-Deck Stain Calculator
How many gallons of Restore-A-Deck stain do I need for a 300 square foot deck?
For a 300 square foot deck floor using two coats of RAD Semi-Transparent stain at 150 to 250 square feet per gallon per coat, plan on 2 to 4 gallons. For RAD Solid Color Stain at 200 to 350 square feet per gallon per coat, plan on 2 to 3 gallons for two coats. Add extra if you are also staining railings and steps.
How is RAD Solid Color coverage different from RAD Semi-Transparent?
RAD Solid Color Stain uses the same coverage rate for both coats, 200 to 350 square feet per gallon each time, since it is a film-forming product that does not absorb progressively deeper with each pass. RAD Semi-Transparent covers 150 to 250 square feet per gallon on the first coat, and the second coat typically covers up to 50 percent farther since the wood has already absorbed its initial saturation.
Does new wood need less RAD Semi-Transparent stain?
Yes. New wood less than one year old should receive only one coat of RAD Semi-Transparent stain instead of two, since dense, unweathered wood does not absorb a second coat properly. This roughly cuts your stain needs in half compared to a weathered deck requiring two coats. See our new wood staining guide for full details.
Does RAD Solid Color Stain always need two coats?
Yes, RAD Solid Color Stain requires two coats regardless of wood age or condition, since it is an opaque, film-forming finish that needs full, even buildup to properly hide the wood grain and provide durable protection.
How much extra Restore-A-Deck stain should I buy?
Buy at least 10 to 15 percent more than your calculated estimate. Wood porosity varies board to board, and running short mid-project can leave visible lap marks if the stain dries before you finish. RAD Semi-Transparent and RAD Solid Stain both have a shelf life of about 1 year once opened, so leftover stain can be saved for future maintenance coats.
Can I use this calculator for a fence stained with Restore-A-Deck?
Yes, use the separate RAD Fence Stain Calculator above. Enter the length of one side only and select whether you are staining both sides — the calculator automatically doubles the square footage if needed. Fences are typically rough-sawn and will always need 2 coats regardless of stain type.
