Photo: Virote Chuenwiset (Shutterstock)
One of the benefits of using wood to build furniture, structures, and other objects is its ability to be fastened together using materials like screws, nails, and glue, and techniques like dovetailing. And because wood is a natural material, when you’re working with lumber (as opposed to particle board), whatever you make will be unique, thanks to its grain and knots.
Wood, under some circumstances, can also be forgiving—like if you need to fill in a crack, nail hole, or a larger missing chunk. And that’s where wood putty and wood filler come in. Here’s the difference between wood putty and wood filler, and when to use each.
The difference between wood putty and wood filler
Wood putty and wood filler may sound like they’re the same thing, but the materials shouldn’t be used interchangeably. Here’s what to know about each:
Wood putty
Have to apply it with a putty knifeStays pliable, even when in useCan’t sand it Difficult to stainComes in a variety of colors to match stained or varnished woodCan be used indoors or outdoorsWood filler
Typically a mixture of wood fibers (like sawdust) and a hardening resin (either water or petroleum-based) that soaks into and bonds with the wood fibersHardens as it curesCan be sandedCan be stained and to match the woodTypically used for indoor wood
When to use wood putty vs. wood filler
Because of their properties and composition outlined above, wood putty and wood filler each best for specific (and different) tasks. Here’s when to use wood putty versus wood filler:
When to use wood putty
On woodwork that expands and contracts based on the humidity (like in a bathroom or basement)On wood that has already been varnished or stainedTo fill in dents, cracks, scratches, and small holes in finished furniture, flooring and interior woodworkTo fill in gouges and cracks in exterior woodworkTo fix cracks in decking boardsWhen to use wood filler
To patch interior woodwork before staining and finishingTo fill in nicks, scratches, holes, and gouges in unfinished furniture and wood flooringTo shape damaged edges on tabletops, countertops and shelvingIn most cases, the decision of which material to use is pretty straightforward, based on where the wood is located and whether or not it’s finished.
