Wood Putty Vs. Wood Filler: Which One For Your Project - Homedit

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By Stefan Gheorghe Stefan Gheorghe Founder/CEO Stefan Gheorghe is the founder and editor-in-chief of Homedit.com. He launched the platform in 2008 out of a passion for interior design, architecture, and how people actually live in their homes. With more than 17 years of hands-on experience publishing and curating home and design content, Stefan leads Homedit’s editorial direction and personally evaluates the projects, layouts, and design ideas featured on the site. His work focuses on practical design decisions, spatial clarity, and long-term usability. Rather than following short-lived trends, he prioritizes solutions that hold up in real homes, helping readers make informed choices they can live with and rely on over time. Learn more about Homedit's Editorial Process | Updated on May 20, 2025 of 1 wood putty vs wood filler Wood Putty vs. Wood Filler: What’s the Difference? Buy Now

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

• 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.