Wood Floor Filler vs. Putty: What to Use & When

When it comes to hardwood flooring installation, achieving a flawless finish is essential. One of the most important steps in the process is filling gaps, cracks, and imperfections in the wood before finishing the surface. Whether you're installing pre-finished solid hardwood or engineered hardwood, selecting the right hardwood floor filler or wood floor putty is key to ensuring the longevity and beauty of your floors. In this blog, we'll explore the different types of fillers used for both pre-finished and unfinished hardwood, highlighting our preferred products for a superior finish.

Why Use Hardwood Floor Filler?

Hardwood floor filler plays a crucial role in the installation process. It helps cover imperfections such as small cracks, holes, and gaps, ensuring a smooth, even surface before finishing. Without the right wood filler, your floors may not only look uneven but may also have gaps that collect dust and dirt over time. A good filler ensures your floors are both aesthetically pleasing and easier to clean, enhancing their durability and lifespan.

Wood Filler vs Wood Putty

Wood filler and wood floor putty serve different purposes in floor repair. Wood filler is ideal for unfinished floors and is used before staining or sealing. It dries hard, is sandable and stainable, and works well for filling small cracks and gaps—but it can be brittle and may crack over time, especially in high-movement areas. In contrast, wood floor putty is best used after the floor has been finished. It remains slightly flexible, making it good for filling nail holes or minor damage in finished wood. However, it isn’t sandable or stainable, so it must be color-matched to the floor beforehand. In short, use wood filler before finishing and putty afterward.

Wood Floor Putty for Pre-Finished Solid Hardwood and Engineered Hardwood

For pre-finished solid hardwood and engineered hardwood installations, we use the Oil-Based Custom Blending Kit by Color Putty. This high-performance putty kit includes sixteen 3.68 oz jars of custom-blended putty in a variety of shades to match any wood color. It allows our installers to blend the putty to match the specific wood tones of the flooring, ensuring a seamless repair.

Why Choose Oil-Based Putty?

The Oil-Based Custom Blending Kit is an excellent hardwood floor putty for pre-finished floors, ensuring that any repairs blend seamlessly with the wood’s natural beauty, creating a smooth and consistent look across the floor. It also works well in filling nail holes, cracks, and minor imperfections, giving your hardwood floors the professional touch they deserve. Here are the highlights:

• Durability: Oil-based putty is incredibly durable and resistant to wear, making it ideal for high-traffic areas where durability is key.
• Custom Color Matching: The kit’s variety of shades ensures a precise match to your hardwood’s natural color, offering a more professional and polished finish.
• High Performance: This putty is known for its strong bonding properties, providing a long-lasting fill that stands up to daily wear and tear.

Hardwood Floor Filler for Onsite Sanding and Finishing

When sanding and finishing hardwood onsite, we use a water-based filler to address gaps and cracks. Unlike the oil-based putty used for pre-finished floors, water-based fillers are ideal for unfinished hardwood. They are easier to apply and can be sanded more smoothly, making them a perfect choice for flooring that will be sanded and finished onsite.

Why Choose Water-Based Filler?

Water-based fillers are an excellent choice when you're looking to enhance the appearance of unfinished hardwood floors. They help smooth out gaps and imperfections before the final finishing touches are added, ensuring a pristine and uniform surface.

• Easy to Apply: Water-based fillers are more pliable and easier to spread, making them ideal for filling larger gaps and cracks during the sanding process.
• Quick Drying: These fillers dry faster than oil-based fillers, allowing the sanding and finishing process to proceed without significant delays.
• Sanding Compatibility: Water-based fillers are designed for easy sanding, ensuring that once the filler dries, the surface is smooth and level for a flawless finish.

How to Apply a Wood Floor Filler or Putty

Using wood floor filler or putty correctly is an essential part of the hardwood floor installation or repair process. Here's a quick overview of how we apply fillers to ensure the best results:

1. Clean the Surface: Before applying anything, we make sure the floor surface is clean and free from dust, dirt, and debris. This ensures the filler adheres properly.
2. Application: For pre-finished floors, we blend the wood floor putty to match the color of the wood and apply it to any gaps or imperfections. For unfinished floors, the water-based filler is spread evenly over the area to fill gaps and cracks.
3. Allow to Dry: We allow the filler to dry completely before sanding. This ensures the filler sets properly and creates a smooth surface.
4. Sand the Floor: After the filler has dried, we sand the floor to remove excess filler and ensure an even surface. Skip this step if applying putty, as those cannot be sanded.
5. Finish the Floor: Finally, once the floor is smooth and the filler has seamlessly blended with the wood, we apply a finish or sealant to protect the surface and enhance the floor's natural beauty.

The Importance of Choosing the Right Product

Knowing when to use a which product is crucial in achieving a smooth and flawless hardwood floor. Whether you're installing pre-finished solid hardwood or engineered hardwood or finishing hardwood onsite, choosing the right hardwood floor filler or wood floor putty ensures a professional and lasting finish. Our installers rely on the Oil-Based Custom Blending Kit by Color Putty for pre-finished hardwood and water-based fillers for onsite finishing, both of which provide excellent results.

By selecting the appropriate product for your flooring, you can rest assured that your hardwood floors will not only look great but will also be durable and easy to maintain for years to come. Whether you're dealing with minor imperfections or larger gaps, the right filler will enhance the beauty and longevity of your floors.

Ready to Start Your Hardwood Flooring Project?

If you're considering hardwood floors for your home, it's essential to work with experienced professionals who understand the importance of proper preparation. At Rejuvenation Floor and Design, we ensure that every detail of your flooring installation is handled with care, from selecting the best hardwood floor filler to installing and finishing your floors. For more information about our services or to schedule a consultation, reach out to us today!