How To Measure A Deck For The Cost of Staining in Omaha

If your deck is looking worn and in need of a fresh stain, you might be wondering about the cost of getting it professionally stained. Maybe you’ve tried to look up prices online, but with so many variables, it can be overwhelming. You don’t want to guess and end up with unexpected costs, and you certainly don’t want to be surprised by hidden fees or charges for things you didn’t account for.

At Brush & Roll Painting, we’ve helped Omaha homeowners plan and execute their deck staining projects for years. We believe you deserve to know the cost of your project before a salesperson steps on your lawn.

This article will guide you through the process of measuring your deck for a more accurate price estimate. You’ll learn how to measure the main deck area, stairs, pergolas, and railings, ensuring that every square foot is accounted for. By the end, you’ll be equipped to use our pricing calculator, or any other, with confidence. 

Accurate Measurements for Deck Staining Cost

Knowing the exact size of your deck is the foundation for an accurate estimate. Calculating the square footage of your project ensures that you’re charged for the exact amount of work needed to get your project done right. 

However, if your measurements are off, your cost estimate will be too. Taking a few extra minutes to measure accurately can save you time and the stress of unexpected costs later on.

Decks come in all shapes and sizes, and a lot of factors can impact the price of staining them. Measuring just the main area of the deck is a good start, but it’s only part of the equation. If you have stairs, a pergola, or wood railings, those features will need staining too, and they add square footage.

Knowing how to measure each part will give you total square footage that reflects the full scope of the work, ensuring a fair price.

Here’s why this matters:

1. Transparency in Pricing: With accurate measurements, you know exactly how much deck area is being stained. This lets you see how each part of the deck (main area, stairs, pergola, and railings) factors into the cost, making it easier to know exactly what you are paying for.
2. No Surprises: If you’ve accounted for every detail in your measurements, there won’t be any unexpected add-ons or upcharges for things like stairs or extra features. This makes budgeting easier and gives you peace of mind.
3. More Accurate Online Calculator Results: If you’re using a deck staining pricing calculator, accurate measurements ensure that the price you see reflects your specific deck. Online tools can be a great way to get a ballpark figure, but only if you provide the right information.

How To Measure a Deck for the Cost of Deck Staining

Step 1: Gather Your Measuring Tools

Before you start measuring, make sure you have the following:

• A 25-foot or longer measuring tape
• Something to record your measurements, like pen and paper or the notes app on your phone
• A calculator (your phone’s calculator works well)

Step 2: Measure the Main Deck Area

1. Measure Length and Width: Begin by measuring the main area of your deck. Take the length and width and multiply them to get the square footage.
   • Example: If your deck is 20 feet long and 15 feet wide, multiply 20 by 15, which gives you 300 square feet.
2. Account for Irregular Shapes: If your deck isn’t a simple rectangle or square, divide it into smaller, easier-to-measure sections. Calculate the square footage of each section, then add them together for the total.
   • Example: If you have an L-shaped deck, measure each leg of the “L” separately. Let’s say one section is 10 x 15 feet and the other is 10 x 10 feet. Your total square footage for both sections would be 250 (150 + 100).

By breaking down irregular shapes, you’ll avoid overestimating or underestimating the actual area that needs staining.

Step 3: Measure the Staircase

Stairs are a commonly overlooked part of deck staining projects, but they add square footage and require extra time to stain correctly. Here’s how to measure them easily:

• Measure the length and width of the entire staircase. This includes all the steps, from top to bottom.

For instance, if your staircase is 3 feet wide and 5 feet long, the stair area would be 15 square feet (3 x 5). By measuring the entire staircase as one unit, you save time and ensure that the entire area is accounted for in your estimate.

Step 4: Include Pergolas and Other Overhead Structures

Pergolas, canopies, or other overhead structures on your deck will add to the area that needs to be stained, as well as to the project cost. Measuring these areas is essential for a complete estimate.

• Measure the length and width of each slat or beam on the pergola. Multiply these dimensions to find the square footage of each piece.
• Multiply that area by the number of slats or beams to get the total square footage for the pergola’s top section.

For example, if each pergola slat is 10 feet long and 1 foot wide, and you have five slats, your pergola adds 50 square feet (10 x 1 x 5). If the pergola has side beams that need staining, measure and add those areas separately to your total.

Step 5: Consider Railings (If Applicable)

Wooden railings around your deck can also impact the cost of your project, especially if they require staining. Although some calculators may not include railing square footage, knowing the area of your railings is still helpful when getting a quote.

1. Measure the height and length of each railing section.
2. Multiply these numbers to find the square footage for each section, then add up all the sections to get the total.

If your deck has two railing sections, each measuring 3 feet high and 10 feet long, the total railing area would be 60 square feet (3 x 10 x 2). Knowing this measurement helps ensure you’re not surprised by extra costs when you get your quote.

Final Cost of Deck Staining in Omaha

Let’s say you have a rectangular deck that’s 20 feet long and 15 feet wide, with a staircase, a pergola, and wood railings. Here’s how you’d measure and calculate your total square footage:

1. Main Deck Area: 20 x 15 = 300 square feet
2. Staircase: If your staircase is 3 feet wide and 5 feet long, that adds 15 square feet (3 x 5).
3. Pergola: If each pergola slat is 10 feet long and 1 foot wide, and there are 5 slats, that’s 50 square feet (10 x 1 x 5).
4. Railings: If each railing section is 3 feet high and 10 feet long, and you have two sections, that’s 60 square feet (3 x 10 x 2).

Total square footage of this deck and pergola: 300 + 15 + 50 + 60 = 425 square feet

With these measurements, you’ll be ready to use a pricing calculator and get a good idea of how much your deck staining project will cost. (Click the button below!) For a deck with 425 square feet, you could expect an average estimate of $4,250 to $6,000. This is based on an average cost of $10 to $15 per square foot. The exact price depends on the condition of your wood.

Cost of Staining Your Deck

When it comes to deck staining, accurate measurements make all the difference. By knowing exactly how much of your deck needs to be stained, including features like stairs, pergolas, and railings, you’ll get a fair and reliable price. With these measurements, you can avoid surprises, see a clear breakdown of costs, and have confidence in your budget.

For homeowners in Omaha, Brush & Roll Painting is here to guide you through every step of your deck staining project. You deserve transparent pricing, so you can plan for your project and not have any surprises.

Once you’ve completed these measurements, you can confidently use our deck staining pricing calculator.

Our calculator is designed to give you a transparent and accurate estimate based on your total square footage and any extra features like stairs or pergolas. With your numbers ready, you’ll get a clear, customized price range—no guesswork involved.