Wood Putty vs. Wood Filler: What’s the Difference?

While wood putty and wood filler are both used to fill holes and cracks, they serve different purposes.

Wood putty vs wood filler

  • Woody putty is oil-based and ideal for finished wood pieces in moisture-prone areas.
  • Wood filler is water-based and ideal for filling small holes, cracks, and gouges, in wood you’d like to paint or stain.
Feature Wood Filler Wood Putty
Best For Unfinished wood Finished wood
Composition Wood fibers + binding agents Synthetic compounds (plastic/oil-based)
Hardening Dries and hardens completely Remains pliable
Sandable Yes No
Stainable/Paintable Yes (stainable versions available) No staining; some are paintable
Indoor/Outdoor Use Mostly for indoor; some two-part fillers for outdoor Better for outdoor due to flexibility
Application Surface Before finishing (raw wood) After finishing (stained/painted wood)
Shrinkage Can shrink or crack when drying Resists cracking or shrinking
Ease of Removal Difficult once hardened Easier to remove while soft
Drying Time Quick (30 min to few hours) Slower (2–8 hours or more)

One major distinction not fully captured in the table is structural integrity. Wood filler, especially two-part epoxy types, can reinforce weak areas and even be drilled or screwed into after curing. Putty, on the other hand, is purely cosmetic. It’s ideal for hiding surface flaws but offers no support or bonding strength, it’s not designed to rebuild material.

Filler integrates into the prep phase,  it’s applied before sanding, staining, or sealing. It becomes part of the substrate. Putty, by contrast, is a post-finish product, applied after everything else. It’s a finishing touch, not a prep tool. This difference can affect timing, labor, and outcome depending on your workflow.

The post Wood Putty vs. Wood Filler: What’s the Difference? appeared first on Homedit.



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