No matter how stunning the rest of your apartment is, if your floors are in bad shape, it will bring down the whole aesthetic. A wooden floor is an integral part of the beauty of an apartment. It can give the space a warm and inviting feeling and make the apartment feel more spacious.
Wooden floors can last many years if well-maintained, but over time they can get scratched and gouged from everyday use or develop gaps and tears. Your beautiful wood floors are starting to show some wear and tear, and you don’t want to replace your floors, but you also don’t want them to look worse. Don’t worry!
Wood floor filler is the perfect solution! Many think the only solution for damaged wood flooring is to replace it entirely. But with a suitable filler, you can repair and restore your floors without spending a fortune.
In this post, you’ll learn about the best products and techniques flooring professionals use to conceal cracks and other damage in wood floors.
What is Wood Flooring Filler?
Wood flooring filler is a substance on top of wood floors to fill in the gaps between the boards or planks. This is done to improve the floor’s appearance and make it more durable. It dries quickly so you can get back to living your life. Plus, wood floor filler comes in various colors to find the perfect match for your floors.
Different Types of Floor Fillers
Various types of floor fillers are present such as:
- Latex compound
- Putty form
- Lacquer based
- Epoxy
Depending on the flooring type and experience, you may choose from various filler materials. The following is a summary of the many types of floor fillers:
1. Latex Compound
Latex filler is the most common floor filling option, and it’s easy to see why. It is sustainable and quick to sand, making it very user-friendly.
2. Putty Form
Another option is putty floor filler, which works well for small projects. The main downside to this choice is that it takes a long time to dry. To get the best results, use this solution before applying lacquer or varnish to the floor.
3. Lacquer Based
Another option is to fill the gaps with a lacquer-based filler. It’s lacquer with wood dust added to it. Fine dust is combined with the lacquer during manufacturing, resulting in a paste used as a floor gap filler. This stuff dries fast and has a distinct odor, but it dries rapidly.
4. Epoxy
Epoxy floor filler combines two materials that come in different containers. They Should be stirred together right before use. Quick-drying, it’s crucial only to mix limited quantities at one time, so there is less chance of leftovers.
What is Wood Putty?
Wood putty, better known as plastic wood to some, is a material used to fill in any empty spaces or holes in wood before painting or otherwise finishing it.
Difference Between Wood Filler and Wood Putty
Although wood putty and wood filler can fill a hole in wood, each has restrictions. Significant differences between these two are given below:
Wood Filler |
Wood Putty |
| It is a water-based product | It is oil or solvent-based. |
| It is made of wood fibers and sawdust, bound together by an adhesive. | It is created from plastic and oil-based solvents, such as linseed oil. It can also include calcium carbonate. |
| It dries and hardens quickly. | It remains pliable even if wholly dried. |
| It is not a good choice for exterior projects. | It can be used for both interior and exterior projects, but it is an excellent choice for the exterior. |
| It is best for unfinished wood. | It is suitable for prefinished wood. |
How to Use Wood Floor Filler
Wood fillers are more difficult during the application process but are ultimately more helpful for woodworking projects. Following instructions can make the application of wooden floor filler easy for you:
1. Mixing
A putty knife is required to mix wood filler. Wood filler may have various hues and textures, so you must blend it until it is uniform in color and texture and attains the consistency of pancake batter.
2. Fill the Gaps With Wood Filler
Work quickly with Petroleum-based filler as they harden in no time, so you’ll need to work fast. Water-based products are creamy and stay wet much longer, so take your time with those. Use a firm motion to press the wood filler deep into the crack. Next, scrape off the excess material, careful not to damage the patched area with your knife.
3. Keep It Smooth
First, press the wood filler deep into it with your finger to fill the crack. Wipe off any excess from the wood afterward. To get the filler from your putty knife onto a scrap of wood, scrape it there. To remove residue from the blade after scraping, use a rag and water or mineral spirits– whatever you have on hand will work just fine.
4. Sand the Wood Filler Until It is Smooth to Touch
Allow the filler to harden for 30 minutes; an hour is ideal. Use an oscillating sander, starting with medium-grit sandpaper and following up with 180- or 220-grit fine paper. Finish by hand-sanding with 220-grit sandpaper in the direction of the wood grain.
5. Use a Tack Cloth to Wipe Down the Surface
If you don’t remove the sanding dust before finishing, it will create an uneven surface. The liquid and dust will mix to produce a lumpy texture—which is not what you want from your hard work in sanding. Instead of adding more water and creating more mess, use a tack cloth that will pick up the dust without wetting the wood.
6. Finish the Woodworking Project
When you’re finished repairing the wood, apply a stain to match the color. However, it won’t be perfect because the wood filler absorbs the dye differently than other parts of the wood.
Tips for Dealing with Wood Filler
The following tips can be a helpful guide for you regarding working with wood filler:
- Please inspect the condition of the wood filler; either it is suitable for use or expired.
- Don’t make a habit of using too much wood filler.
- Use a vacuum to remove large dust particles.
- Always use pre-colored wood fillers.
Want to Repair Your Damaged Wooden Floor?
Valet Works is perfect for repairing damaged wooden floors using floor fillers. Our experienced professionals have the knowledge and skills required to get the job done right, and our products are of the highest quality. We understand that your time is valuable, so we work quickly and efficiently to get the job done as soon as possible. Contact us today to learn more about our services!