Give Life to Your Furniture and Floorboards With the Best Wood Filler

Buyer’s Guide for Finding a Wood Filler

Picking the right wood filler greatly depends on the wood you are working with, as well as the damage you are looking to repair. If you are relatively new to wood filling, here’s a comprehensive and informational buying guide for you. 

What Is a Wood Filler?

A wood filler is a substance made from wood byproducts like sawdust or wood dust, which is suspended in a water or petroleum base. Commonly used to seal cracks and crevices in old wooden furniture or floorboards, wood fillers tend to dry up quickly and will ensure whatever cracks you are concealing are impenetrable. There are many different types of wood fillers available in the market, and you can easily paint over them as well. 

Factors to Consider When Buying a Wood Filler

To ensure you buy the perfect wood filler for your woodworking needs, here’s a list of factors you should keep in mind before making your final purchase. 

Type of wood filler

Wood fillers are classified into two types: water-based and petroleum-based. Water-based wood fillers have sawdust and wood dust suspended in water, whereas petroleum-based ones are suspended in petroleum-based substances. Water-based fillers have less odor and dry quickly, making them perfect for indoor use. Petroleum-based fillers, on the other hand, are waterproof and durable—making them ideal for outdoor use. In some cases, you can even purchase a plastic wood filler that is synthetic. 

Drying time

Drying time is essential for people who must be quick with their projects and repairs. Most wood fillers dry up almost instantly, making them sandable in about fifteen to twenty minutes. For staining and painting, the minimum waiting time is usually half an hour. On the downside, the drying time can significantly vary based on the type of wood filler and its formula. 

That said, always pick a wood filler based on the project you are looking to work on. 

Quantity

The quantity in which wood fillers can be bought varies greatly. While it is easy to buy a wood filler that comes in a squeezable tube, it’s recommended to buy wood filler in tin cans for larger projects. It also isn’t advised to keep wood filler around in case it reacts with the atmosphere and dries up.

That said, buying in just the quantity you need is the best way to go. If you are thinking of keeping the extra filling in your garage or attic, buy small sealed cans or tubes that can be used on the spot when needed. 

Indoor and outdoor

Keeping in mind the area where you are looking to work is also very important. Indoor fillers can easily be water-based and quick-drying since they are not exposed to the weather or any damaging forces. For external or outdoor fixing, stick with a durable and water-resistant option that does not leave your repairs at the mercy of the weather. If you are fixing wooden fixtures in a bathroom or have a generally humid climate, however, you should consider using outdoor wood fillers for indoor projects. 

Wood Filler v. Wood Putty: Know the Difference

Although wood filler and wood putty seem similar, they are very different products with different uses. Wood putties are actually synthetic and are used for tending to wood that has already been varnished and stained. Even though they are not made of wood, wood putties give a very similar finish—which can help preserve the aesthetic appeal of the wooden furniture you are trying to fix. 

On the downside, wood fillers only fill in the cracks and must be painted on or treated to match the rest of the wood as needed.