11 Best Wood Filler for Hardwood Floors: Reviews and Guide

Do you have a hardwood floor and need to repair a few small spots with cracks or gaps?

If so, you may be wondering what the best wood filler for hardwood floors is. While you can use various types of wood filler to fix these problems, not all fillers are created equal.

There are several different types of hardwood filler on the market, and it can be difficult to decide which one is right for your needs.

In this guide, we will discuss the different types of wood fillers available, as well as their pros and cons. We will also recommend a few of our favorite products for repairing hardwood floors.

Let’s get started!

Our Top Picks

Best Wood Filler for Hardwood Floors

1. Minwax 42853000 Stainable Wood Filler – Flexible gap filler for Wood Floors
2. Timbermate Wood Filler – Easiest to use wood floor filler for cracks
3. Coconix Floor and Furniture Repair Kit – Colored Wood filler for Hardwood floors
4. Elmer’s E855 Carpenter’s Wood Filler – Best Wood Filler for Red Oak Flooring
5. DAP 00585 Latex 6oz – Best Latex Wood Filler for Hardwood floors
6. FamoWood 40022126 – Best stainable wood filler for hardwood floors
7. Water-Based Wood & Grain Filler – Best Multi-use Wood filler
8. PC Products PC-Woody Wood Repair – Best exterior crack filler for wood floors
9. Abatron WoodEpox Epoxy Wood – Best hardwood floor filler for Big Projects
10. J-B Weld 8257 KwikWood – Best wood filler for floors with dry rot
11. Donald Durhams 076694000046 4-Pound Water Putty – Self-leveling wood filler

Best Hardwood Floor Filler for Cracks Reviews

To come up with the best hardwood floor wood filler, we considered the type of project, drying time, wood type, color and price-to-quality ratio.

We also researched real customer wood flooring filler reviews to make sure the products we recommend are well-loved.

1. Flexible gap filler for Wood Floors – Minwax 42853000 Stainable Wood Filler

Furniture, red oak, and baseboards develop nicks and cracks in the home. On the other hand, wood fillers help conceal gaps and cuts in wood finish and furniture.

Minwax Stainable Wood Filler is a wood filler ideal for fixing cracks, nail holes, small gouges, knot holes, and other deformities in unfinished interior and exterior wood surfaces.

You can use this product to fill gaps after erecting drywall or putting in a new door frame. You will be pleasantly surprised at how simple it is to use this flexible wood filler for floors.

It washes clean with soap and water. You may shape it with your hands, which will be easier than using a putty knife because this filler is a little smoother than ordinary putty.

You can use the Minmax 16-ounce container of wood filler with both water-based and oil-based wood stains. This wood floor hole filler stains beautifully but not precisely like real wood fibers.

Nevertheless, if you need to paint over your project, Minwax wood filler is a great fit.

What We Liked Most

This product dries to a sandable and stainable surface
It withstands rain and sun when you use it on the outside wood holes 
You can paint over it
It cleans easily with soap and water
It is ideal for filling cracks on both exterior and interior wood surfaces

What Could Be Improved

It does not stain perfectly.

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2. Easiest to use wood floor filler for cracks – Timbermate Wood Filler

Timbermate hardwood wood filler is a one-of-a-kind, water-based, quick-drying grain filler and wood putty that accepts stains beautifully. It has a long shelf life, and you can use the leftover for the next wood repair project.

It’s so simple to work with that even a novice can work with it without headaches. It has an easy soap and water cleanup. The product excellently adheres to any wooden surface and won’t crack or shrink.

It won’t cure until you apply a finish on it. If you’re not satisfied with the way it appears, the color, or anything else, simply water it down to remove it.

If it freezes, warm it in the microwave, and it’ll become malleable again. If it gets dry thoroughly, mix in water, and you’ll be able to use it as intended, resulting in zero waste.

It has a strong odor, but this should not bother you much because the ingredients are non-toxic. Before filling holes, you can add color to the filler. Use Timbermate wood filler if you desire a nice smooth finish. 

This product has excellent consistency. It is not grainy and is versatile, ideal for filling plywood holes and scratches. It also dries quickly.

It would be beneficial for you to have several colors of this product on hand to combine for proper color matching.

What We Liked Most

Amazingly simple to use and sand.
A little goes a long way.
It dries quickly
It leaves a smooth finish.
It’s available in various colors
You can easily remove it by watering it down to create the desired consistency

What Could Be Improved

It has a strong odor

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3. Colored Wood filler for Hardwood floors – Coconix Floor and Furniture Repair Kit

Coconix Floor and Furniture Kit is a simple repair kit that anyone can use at home. This product helps you achieve professional results on color desks, shelves, decks edging, molding, laminate baseboards, and other wooden surfaces. 

This same kit contains all of the products needed to complete the repair! You are not required to have any professional or technical skills to use this product. This kit is designed so everyone can use it and obtain flawless results.

This is the only furniture repair kit that includes broad colors and a color mixing chart. It allows you to make minor surface and cosmetic renovations on various furniture items.

Even as a DIYer, the product is spectacular because it enables you to work on your project like a pro. When you submit queries, customer care responds as soon as possible.

You can even work it using your hands. It covers up dents and scratches perfectly. For the best finish, follow the simple step-by-step instructions to match all popular colors and grains, making any damage disappear entirely.

This product is available in 10 base colors for mixing any dark or light shades such as brown, blonde, espresso, gray, ebony, red, tan, golden, etc. 

Whether you are repairing a new or antique item, you can expect flawless results when using this product.

What We Liked Most

It comes in various colors and a color mixing chart to help you achieve your desired color.
It is easy to use because it contains a simple step-by-step instruction menu.
You can use your hand to work it
It perfectly covers for dents and scratches
You do not need to be a professional to use it
Odorless

What Could Be Improved

It may take you a bit more time to match your desired colors

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4. Best Wood Filler for Red Oak Flooring – Elmer’s E855 Carpenter’s Wood Filler

Unpleasant holes or chips in your wooden floors and furniture do not have to spell the end of your favorite things. Filling in the blanks is a task you can do at home using Elmer’s carpenter’s wood filler.

Elmer’s carpenter’s wood filler is a wood filler that easily sands to a smooth finish and fills blemishes. It is paintable and sandable and is also resistant to shrinking and cracking.

Cleanup is a breeze; use soap and water. It is free of solvents. This product is excellent for all of your needs, including art and carpentry. When using this product, keep the lid on it and open the windows for fresh air.

Since it is toxic, work in a well-ventilated space. It is advisable to use a fan if you have it or operate from outside.  Apply thin coats and scrape away excess filler after it has dried for about a minute.

Smooth out the paste with a bit of water to avoid sanding. If you’re going to paint your final product, start with a primer coat since the paint absorbs differently from the wood filler segments.

If your product dries out in the jar over time, simply add water. Keep the container in a ziplock bag to keep your product from drying out.

What We Liked Most

It gives a smooth finish
It cleans up easily
It is paintable and sandable
It’s solvent-free
It does not crack or shrink
It is durable

What Could Be Improved

It tends to dry up if not properly stored

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5. Best Latex Wood Filler – DAP 00585 Latex 6oz

DAP 00585 6 OZ, also known as plastic wood, is a solvent-based wood filler. It has been on the market for a long time. This latex wood floor filler has a superb reputation as a dependable, eccentric, wood-repair product.

It is strong but not as epoxy wood filler, and it is straightforward to use but not as a water-based filler product. Because it is a wood filler rather than a putty, you can use it to fill both large and small holes.

This product can fill in wood holes, cracks, gouges, and other Imperfections on furniture, cabinets, woodwork, molding, windows, paneling, plywood, doors, and even painted surfaces. This product is easy to use and has a low odor. 

It cleans up easily with soap and water. It also looks and acts like natural wood. The dry time for DAP wood filler is 36 hours, and shrinkage is relatively low. Purpose Plastic wood filler somehow doesn’t stain well.

However, because it comes in different wood tones, the manufacturer proposes staining first and then filling with a color that best fits the stained wood. It is easy to shape and is ideal for restoring chipped edges, even on a colored tabletop.

What We Liked Most

It is solid and dependable
Easy to work with
It does not have a foul odor
It cleans up easily with soapy water
When dry, it looks like real wood
You can use it on different surfaces
It has low shrinkage

What Could Be Improved

It is challenging to achieve your desired color match accurately

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6. Best stainable wood filler for hardwood floors –  FamoWood 40022126 Latex Wood Filler

FamoWood is one of the best latex-based fillers suitable for interior and exterior surfaces. The beauty of this product is you do not have to wait for hours to completely dry as it takes just fifteen 15 minutes.

This solvent-free wood filler is available in different colors, so you can easily find the color you want. On top of that, you can stain or paint it to match the surrounding wood.

It is compatible with all wood species, so you can use it regardless of the type of wood you need to repair. It accepts paints just like the actual wood.

It dries quickly and is simple to sand. If you need to fill big holes or replace missing clumps of wood, apply this water-based wood filler in thin layers and allow it to dry between applications.

If you use thick coats, it won’t dry properly. It is compatible with water-based wood stains. It’s super easy to work with. You do not have to be an expert in using it and getting pro results.

It adheres to almost any surface, and you can use it to paint gouges, and you do not have to spend any time sanding them down to bare wood.

Some hardwood floor filler products are toxic but this one is safe to use. You do not have to worry about inhaling poisonous fumes when using this product. It guarantees the safety of your pets and kids.

What We Liked Most

Ease of use
Eco-friendly
Available in different colors
Dries quickly

What Could Be Improved

May crack is the wood is not stable

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7. Best Multi-use Wood filler – Water-Based Wood & Grain Filler

Time is money, and if you need a wood filler that will save you loads of time and money, this is your product. You just need to apply it once, and it lasts for years.

It has superb adhesion and works with any stain without issues. On top of that, you can blend it with dye, paint, and pigment to create custom looks. This grain filler is perfect for repairing floors, furniture and instruments.

The product is very simple to sand. It’s an ecofriendly product meaning that it poses no risk to the environment, pets, and children, and that’s why you can use it indoors.

Its coverage is twenty-five percent more than standard towel-ready fillers. Professional woodworkers and DIY devotees can effortlessly use this product for routine repairs and get expert results.

Use goodfilla water-based wood filler in your projects, and you’ll be impressed by how well it will fill, clean, and dry without shrinking.

No one will tell where it will be on your floor unless you point it out. If you are unsure what to do to fill those annoying gaps on your hardwood flooring, try this product, and you won’t regret it.

What We Liked Most

Easy to spread
It’s stainable
Easy to sand
Works as marketed

What Could Be Improved

It produces an odor when sanding and spreading

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8. Best exterior crack filler for wood floors – PC Products PC-Woody Wood Repair Epoxy Paste

When working with epoxy wood fillers, time is of the essence. If you are looking for epoxy wood filler products, your search ends here.

It has a reasonable work time that allows your creative juices to flow before it hardens. It provides you with a whopping thirty to forty minutes of work time to exercise your creativity.

This product’s efficacy is unrivaled. It has firmly established itself as one of the best wood fillers for hardwood floors. You can use it to replace vast chunks of rotted wood fibers, and no one will notice it as it’ll look like real wood once cured.

The product is resistant to dry rot and is unaffected by fresh or salty water. As a result, you have ample time to make all necessary adjustments.

You can stain or paint it to match the surrounding wood once fully cured if that isn’t enough. So, you can use it on your boat or in a marine environment. 

The high tack reduces sags and drips during hardening. Use a stiff putty knife to mix equal parts PC woody part A and PC woody part B on a clean flat surface for professional results.

Make sure not to mix with any gloves. It is one of the best wood fillers for hardwood. Use it to fill big holes and restore the wood to its former glory. It has an impressively long shelf life of up to five years.

What We Liked Most

It can withstand extreme weather conditions
It covers knot holes perfectly
Resists shrinking

What Could Be Improved

It takes time to be ready for sanding

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9. Best hardwood floor filler for Big Projects – Abatron WoodEpox Epoxy Wood Replacement Compound

Filling wide gaps on wood surfaces and the entire floor does not have to be a time-consuming process. You should do it while whistling your favorite tunes. This two-part epoxy wood filler makes wood repair such a breeze.

Fill in the cracks in the wood with this wood epoxy, and you will be happy with the results. Use the product to repair white oak and white pine wood and bringthem back to its former glory.

It is the ideal wood filler for filling large holes and small racks such as nail holes because it does not disappoint. It excels at restoring wood regardless of the cause of damage.

It is easy to apply and does not sag. The product is lightweight and will permanently bond to the existing wood. It never cracks, shrinks, or chips. It has a great working time of twenty minutes.

Staining, molding, sculpting, or forming is simple. Wear disposable gloves, nevertheless. If you use them to repair rotting and missing wood chunks, you’ll be pleased.

Once it has fully cured/hardened, it will be easy to drill, sand, and stain, once it has fully cured/ hardened. If you need to fill small and large holes, this is the product.

It shines in, filling irregularly shaped gaps. Try it, and you’ll be pleasantly surprised by how simple it is to use and how effective it is.

What We Liked Most

Easy to use 
Exceeds expectations
It’s lightweight

What Could Be Improved

Pricey but makes up for it in quality

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10. Best wood filler for floors with dry rot – J-B Weld 8257 KwikWood Wood Repair Epoxy Putty Stick

This product is suitable for wood replacement and restoration. The putty is appropriate for all kinds of wood and can be used for several household repairs.

It binds at 900 psi once mixed and won’t rot or shrink, no matter what. It will resemble real wood when stained, sanded, or sawed. It is excellent for the vast majority of do-it-yourself projects.

Use it also to replace small pieces of missing wood. This product dries in record time and is easy to work with even if you have no experience.  

Nevertheless, you can not pour it into cracks or small holes because it is not liquid epoxy. It is suitable for filling surface-level gaps due to its thick consistency. It’s an excellent choice for internal wood filling. Keep in mind that this is an epoxy.

Make sure the mixing ratio is correct. Do not pinch it; instead, cut it with a knife. Cut as much as you can use in ten minutes because it becomes less pliable.

Mix it extensively, and make sure you are done in two minutes. There should be no contrasting colors, and everything should be the same color.

Apply it immediately and avoid touching it once it’s in the right place. Please wait one hour before subjecting it to extreme stress.

What We Liked Most

It is durable
It’s stronger than wood once cured
It sticks to different surfaces
It’s simple to use

What Could Be Improved

Only suitable for small projects

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11. Self-leveling wood filler – Donald Durhams 076694000046 4-Pound Rockhard Water Putty

Old is gold. If you need an oldie, we have something in store for you. This product is the go-to wooden floor filler that has been around for years.

Since it is in powder form, it will never dry out and become ineffective like a pre mixed filler or wood putty. The 3:1 powder-to-water ratio functions well, but you can adjust the amount of water to suit your needs.

It is simple to clean, rock hard when fully dry, and suitable for various surfaces. Use it to fix dog-gnawed table legs, fill nail holes, and screw holes in sheetrock. You can also use it to tighten joints under your dining room chairs.

It’s also great for filling and repairing over-drilled surfaces in door jambs and wood cabinets. You can have a sturdy surface to screw holes into, and you will be happy.

This is an excellent product in every DIYer’s furniture repair kit. It is affordable and outperforms some wood finishes. This is a smooth cream-colored powder that you should mix with water.

It is excellent for filling grain if you mix it thin. It’s wood putty that will fill knot holes. It will shrink slightly as it dries, just like most fillers, but that does not matter compared to its results.

You may need to do more than one application in deeper holes. It sands very well, allowing you to achieve a very smooth finish. As with most putties, it will take stains.

What We Liked Most

Works as advertised
Dries rock solid
Easy to use

What Could Be Improved

Shrinks when drying like any other putty

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Best Wood Filler for Hardwood Floors Comparison Table

Factors to Consider Before Buying the Best Wood Floor Filler

A wood filler is one of the best tools for concealing any gaps in the pricey wooden furniture or on the walls. It is made of special sawdust and glue, making it a dependable material that can be easily painted or sanded to match the surrounding wood.

No one will know where you’ve used it unless you show them. Wood fillers saturate the market, so picking a product appropriate for your project is tricky.

Consider the following factors, and you’ll be able to narrow down your choices to a filler suitable for you. Wood fillers are either solvent-based or water-based. You select one of them based on your project. 

Type 

Water-based fillers are composed of cellulose, gypsum, or wood fiber. They produce minimal odor and are water sensitive, so they are ideal for interior projects. They dry quickly and clean up effortlessly with a soapy solution.

On the other hand, Solvent-based fillers are made of vinyl and epoxy composite. They emit more pungent odors but bond firmly and are resistant to weather, making them ideal for exterior projects.

They may take time to cure and set and are challenging to clean up after use. 

Is your project indoors or outdoors?

Your project will dictate the hardwood floor filler you buy. If your project is indoors, go for a filler ideal for indoor or outdoor use. If your project is exterior, settle for a filler specially formulated for external help to ensure durability.

Remember that exterior projects need a filler that can withstand harsh external climatic conditions such as UV light, rain, snow, etc. 

Drying time

Drying time refers to a wood filler’s time to cure and set. Latex-based wood fillers dry out fast, letting you finish your project more quickly than expected.

Oil-based fillers take longer to dry and set, affecting your results. Settle for a filler with a reasonable dry time as the manufacturer stipulates. 

Color

Wood fillers are available in different colors. Go for a color that matches the surrounding wood or one you can stain or paint to blend with nearby timber. Avoid buying a color that will stick out like a sore thumb to stop it from being visible.

Types of Stainable Hardwood Floor Crack Filler

Every home’s hardwood floor, cabinetry, walls, and baseboards develop scratches and cracks as time goes by. Wood fillers come in handy as you can use them to fill gaps and conceal imperfections.

Investing in a stainable wood filler with a texture similar to the nearby wood is the best way to ensure that guests do not notice. Types of stainable wood fillers are;

Gypsum-based 

Stainable wood fillers based on gypsum are commonly used for interior repairs to fill gaps in hardwood flooring and drywall. This filler is made of gypsum dust, which should be combined with water to form a paste.

The filler is no longer malleable after it has dried. Instead, it has the consistency of hardwood or, in some instances, rock.

Gypsum-based filler is not appropriate for use in areas that get moisture since it is prone to water damage. 

Epoxy-based hardwood floor gap filler

Epoxy fillers are the most durable and can be used for interior and exterior repairs. The two parts should be blended based on the manufacturer’s instructions for the filler to have the desired consistency and adhesion.

After the epoxy has been thoroughly mixed, you can apply it to the affected area.

Because they can expand and contract with changing temperatures, epoxy-based wood fillers are perfect for the outdoors. 

Latex-based hardwood floor gap filler

Since latex-based needs less preparation than epoxies, they are great for outdoor applications. They also dry faster and are water-resistant within one hour.

Latex fillers are simple to work with, making them ideal for filling holes, fixing gouges, restoring rotted wood sections, and repairing outdoor furniture. 

Wood putty vs wood filler for hardwood floors

You use a wood filler to repair the hardwood floors from the inside. As it hardens, it aids in the preservation of the hardwood’s floor integrity.

On the other hand, wood floor filler putty is used after the hardwood floor has been finished because it contains chemicals that may hurt the wood. 

FAQs

Can wood filler be used on hardwood floors?

Yes, wood fillers can be used with hardwood floors. Water-based wood fillers and latex-based wood fillers are designed for use on hardwood flooring that provide excellent durability for interior and exterior projects. Pick a wood filler based on whether you need to fill cracks in wood floors or fill wide gaps.

What do you use to fill holes in hardwood floors?

The best way to fill holes in a wooden floor is to use a good wood filler. You buy a flexible filler because you can use it indoors or outdoors.

What is the best wood putty for hardwood floors?

There are excellent wood putties in the market today. It depends on your project, budget, and procedure when applying the filler.

How do you fill large gaps in hardwood floors?

If you need to fill gaping holes or large gaps in a wooden floor, using natural rope as a filler is a simple and low-cost solution. There are also wood fillers for large holes you can use. A pre-engineered wood filler or wood dust and wood flour cement mix will be a superb option if you need to cover small cracks and nail holes.

Will polyurethane fill cracks in wood floor?

Yes, you can mix sawdust with polyurethane to fill in the cracks in unfinished wood floors. The sawdust will help to add some bulk and consistency to the polyurethane so that it is easier to apply and stays in place better. Just make sure that you use a good-quality polyurethane so that your floor is adequately protected.

How to make wood filler for hardwood floors?

Though you can use commercial wood filler to fill holes and cracks, you can make a homemade wood filler by mixing sawdust and wood glue and save a few dollars. You then apply and sand the wood filler with fine sandpaper.

What is the best wood filler for hardwood floors?

If you have hardwood floors or oak board in your home, you may notice a hole or clunk in the wood from time to time. You can use the best wood filler for hardwood floors to cover these imperfections.

A stainable wood filler would be a superb choice because you can stain or paint it to match the nearby wood and be completely unnoticeable.

Minwax 42853000 Stainable Wood Filler is our top pick filler for hardwood floors. It’s easy to use, stable, and waterproof, and you can use it indoors and outdoors.