Question 1

How much stain do I need for a fence?

Accepted Answer

It depends on your wood type. Rough cedar absorbs the most stain at only 4 m²/L — nearly twice as much as smooth pine at 8 m²/L. Pressure-treated pine falls in between at 6 m²/L. Enter your total fence area and select your wood type to get an accurate estimate. As a rough guide: a 20m × 1.8m fence (36 m²) in rough cedar needs about 9 L per coat; the same fence in smooth pine needs about 4.5 L.

Question 2

What is the difference between solid and semi-transparent stain?

Accepted Answer

Solid stain is opaque like paint — it completely covers the wood grain and provides maximum UV and moisture protection. It lasts longer (5–7 years) but hides the natural wood appearance. Semi-transparent stain penetrates into the wood and enhances the grain while providing colour and protection. It shows the natural wood texture but typically lasts 2–4 years before reapplication. For older weathered wood, solid stain is often the better choice. For newer attractive wood grain, semi-transparent preserves the look.

Question 3

Can I stain new pressure-treated lumber?

Accepted Answer

Not immediately. New pressure-treated lumber is kiln-dried after treatment but still retains significant moisture from the chemical treatment process. Staining over wet PT wood causes the stain to sit on the surface rather than penetrating — it will peel within months. Wait 3–6 months for the wood to dry and weather before staining. To test readiness, sprinkle water on the surface: if it beads up, the wood is too wet; if it absorbs quickly, the wood is ready.

Question 4

How many coats of stain does a fence need?

Accepted Answer

Semi-transparent stain typically requires only 1 coat on new or freshly sanded wood — over-application can cause the stain to stay tacky and not cure properly. Solid stain is applied in 2 coats on bare wood for full coverage and durability. On re-staining over an existing semi-transparent stain in good condition, 1 coat is usually sufficient. Always check the manufacturer's instructions on your specific stain product.

Question 5

How do I calculate fence area?

Accepted Answer

Multiply total fence length by fence height. For example, a fence that runs 20 metres at 1.8 metres tall = 36 m². The calculator includes a dimension helper — enter length and height to compute area automatically. For board-on-board fencing, add approximately 20% for the overlapping boards. For picket fences with gaps, reduce by 20–30% depending on how open the design is.

Question 6

Why does rough cedar need more stain than smooth pine?

Accepted Answer

Rough cedar has a deeply textured, open-grain surface that significantly increases the actual painting area compared to its flat measurements. The texture also makes cedar highly porous — stain soaks into the wood quickly rather than sitting on the surface. This combination of increased surface area and high porosity means rough cedar absorbs approximately twice as much stain per square metre as smooth pine. Smooth pine has a tight grain and consistent surface that allows stain to spread further.

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