Wood filler makes a significant part of woodworking. The fillers enable you to repair the dents on the surface of your decks faster. If you are looking to improve your wooden structures, whether you are a woodworking enthusiast or a carpenter, having the best wood fillers for decks is the right step towards removing imperfections and improving the look on your furniture.
In this review, we have tested some of the best wood fillers for decks that you can find in the market today. We have highlighted some of the key features that you need to check against your wood type to ensure that you land the best product possible for your woodworking projects.
Table of Contents
List of the Best Wood Fillers for Deck
1. Abatron WoodEpox Epoxy Wood Replacement Compound
The Abatron WoodEpox is our top product in the list of the best wood fillers for decks. This product comes in a complete kit that facilitates the filling of cracks on wood surfaces. What’s even amazing about this product is the fact that it cures within one hour. It is easy to mold.
One drawback of this product is that you cannot stain it easily. However, it’s a good wood filler for outdoor projects due to its strong resistance. Even if applied on a structure that receives direct sunlight, this product will still not crack with time a characteristic shared by all epoxy wood fillers.
Note: Use this product on hardwoods such as white oak. This product is not good with softwoods.
As you’d expect, this product is available in tow a two-part solution, one with a 32 oz epoxy filler container and the other a 32 oz hardener.
The Summary of Top Features
- It’s perfect for rotted wood restoration
- It fills the missing bits of wood
- The formula is 100% Solids and Shrink-Free
- Easy product to Sand and Paint
Advantages
- It’s a 2-part epoxy formulation
- The formula does not shrink
- It’s easy to sand and paint
- Cures into a rock-solid surface
- It’s for both interior and exterior use
- Easy to clean using acetone
Disadvantages
- Not suitable for large holes
- It’s poor on softwoods
2. Donald Durhams Rockhard Water Putty
This formula is the second on our list of the best wood fillers for decks and available in a 1 lb container or 4 lbs. This formula is dense, fills, and binds any material- wood or even concrete. Donald Durham’s Rockhard putty does not shrink over time, which implies that it will last for as long as the material you will fill.
Inside the box, you will get a white powder that requires only water as a solvent during preparation. When it dries, this product is whitish and hard hence needing painting, especially on wood surfaces.
Note: This product is not a good wood filler for staining.
This formula is water-based; it means we only recommend it for interior usages. You can use it outdoor as well be with several other follow up treatments.
The Summary of Top Features
- Water Putty
- The product is easy to use
- It does not shrink
- The formula comes with an excellent bonding strength
Advantages
- It’s appropriate for minor and major repairs
- This product can be sanded, drilled, painted and shaped
- It doesn’t shrink
- You can use this product on many materials
- It’s available in large quantities
- Dries faster
Disadvantages
- Dries into a white finish
- For indoor use only
3. PC Products PC-Woody Wood Repair Epoxy Paste
This product is one of the best wood fillers for decks and available as two separate cans mixed to form a 2 part epoxy putty paste. If you are looking for an effective way to repair your wood, then this product is the answer. PC Products PC Woody Wood Repair Epoxy Paste is a long-lasting product that is suitable for wood surfaces that are challenging to repair.
The good thing about this formula is it’s flexibility in usage as you can use it both indoors and outdoors. Besides, it can survive very harsh conditions, like very high temperatures.
This formula resists cracking as well as shrinking. Furthermore, it resists sunlight and fresh/salt water. What’s even impressive about this product is that it can endure damages by insects, rodents, and other damaging animals.
Overall, it is best for the vertical filling of the wood.
The Summary of Top Features
- It’s a two-part epoxy paste that replaces rotted wood and resists mildew, UV light, etc.
- For both indoors and outdoor usage
- It has an application temperature range of 35-115 degrees F plus a service temperature of between -20 to +200 degrees F
- Has a work time of 30 to 40 minutes
- You can paint, stain, and machine this product after it dries
Advantages
- Comes with a wide service temperature range
- Has high tack
- It’s a 2-part epoxy
- Long working time
- This formula is a product of real wood
Disadvantages
- Some of the users claimed it is too thick
4. J-B Weld 40007 Wood Restore Epoxy Putty Kit
This formula is a reliable one, which is why we have included it on our list of the best wood fillers for decks. The J-B Weld 40007 Wood Restore Epoxy Putty Kit takes a short time to cure. Besides, it is a 2-part epoxy wood filler that is available in both a filler resin and a hardener cream; these two together does wonders in wood repair and bonding.
When it dries, it forms a finish that is as hard as a rock with a strong bond between wooden surfaces. This formula has a tensile strength of up to 1800 PSI. Once it cures, you can easily shape it by filing, sanding, drilling, and a lot more.
You can use this product in both indoor and outdoor environments.
The Summary of Top Features
- It’s a hand mix product which makes it easy to use
- It’s a reliable formula
- You can use it on any projects-big or small
Advantages
- It’s versatile in applications
- It cures faster
- The product has high strength
- Sandable and paintable
- It’s a 2-part epoxy
5. Elmer’s E855 Carpenter’s Wood Filler
The Elmer’s E855 Carpenter’s Wood Filler is a very portable product, that’s why we classify it as one of the best wood fillers for decks. This product is available in a 3.25 oz and 7-inch long tube, making it virtually pocket size product. It is water-based, and you can paint and sand it.
Due to its size, this formula is excellent when you are looking to fill small cracks on the surface of your wooden furniture. Its squeezable containers improve the ease of application.
In addition to the above properties, this formula, the Elmer’s E855 Carpenter’s Wood Filler, is crack-proof and shrink-proof, which provides a clean and smooth seal to your wooden surface. It’s best for indoor usage only.
The Summary of Top Features
- It’s easily paintable and sandable
- Resists shrinking and cracking
- Easy clean-up using water
Advantages
- Available in a portable tube
- It’s a crack and shrinks resistant formulation
- Easy to clean up
- Available in many colors
Disadvantages
- Can sometimes dry inside the tube due to its small size
6. 3M Bondo Home Solutions Wood Filler
Initially, this product was for repairing rotted wood. It is an all-purpose formula that makes it one of the best wood fillers for decks. You can use this product in filling the gaps on the surfaces of both indoors and outdoor wooden structures.
This product is a 2-part epoxy filler with both a filler emulsion and a cream hardener, which dries to form a light tan color within 15 minutes. It is easy to apply product that is very malleable, giving a smooth and easy application that suits the beginners.
This formula is not best for the widest of gaps because it is less viscous; however, it has a high penetration, which makes it bond properly with the surface of the wood that you are looking to fill.
This perfect is best for both soft and hardwoods and does well on both indoor and outdoor structures.
The Summary of Top Features
- This product restores and replaces rotted or damaged wood on doors, fences, furniture, shutters, etc.
- You can sand and shape this product provided it’s dry
- Available in 1 Quart Can
Advantages
- It cures fast
- Easy to apply the formula
- Has a low viscosity
- Has a wide range of applications
- Best for interior and exterior use
Disadvantages
- Not suitable for large cracks
7. FamoWood 40022126 Latex Wood Filler
This formula is simply one of the best wood fillers for decks if you are looking to buy one tub of wood filler to counter all your problems. This formula is the perfect one if you want to fill cracks on the surface of the wood.
It is thick and easy to apply the product. It is highly viscous and can handle the largest of crack on the wood.
You can apply this wood filler straight from the tub using a putty knife without necessarily mixing or conducting other preparations. Furthermore, this product does not crack or shrink. You can use this product in the indoor or outdoor projects. It takes just about 15 minutes to dry into a solid surface that is sandable, sawed, painted, or stained.
The Summary of Top Features
- Dries in about 15 minutes
- It does not crack or shrink
- The product is Stainable and paintable
- Both interior/exterior use
- Contains no solvent
- It takes stains and paints like real wood
Advantages
- It has a low odor
- The product is fast drying
- Solvent-free
- Best for interior or exterior use
- You can stain or paint
Disadvantages
- Some users said it’s too grainy.
8. Minwax 42853000 Stainable Wood Filler
It’s among the best wood fillers for decks thanks to its high-performance bonding ability. The Minwax Stainable Wood Filler is the best choice for a permanent repair or rebuilding of the surfaces of the wooden structures and other hard substances.
This formula takes only 15 minutes to dry; it is easy to use and give results faster. You can sand and drill into this product without worrying about cracks. It holds the screws firmly for a very long duration. This product does not weaken, resists cracks as well as shrinkage, even on the outdoor environment.
The Summary of Top Features
- This formula is excellent for repairing cracks, nail holes, small gouges in the surfaces of unfinished indoor and outdoor wood
- It’s a stainable
- You can use it with oil-based and water-based wood stains
- Fast drying
- It’s easy to sands
Advantages
- It’s a 2-part epoxy
- It is stainable and paintable
- For indoor and outdoor use
- It comes with a powerful bond
Disadvantages
- It can harden faster for application
9. J-B Weld 8257 KwikWood Wood Repair
It is one of the best wood fillers for decks if you are working on smaller projects. The J-B Weld 8257 KwikWood Wood Repair epoxy putty is one of the easiest wood fillers to use. This product comes with a curing time of 20 minutes and takes just one hour to dry. You can shape it during the applications, and you can use it on multiple surfaces like wooden window frames or PVC plastics.
It does not shrink or crack upon drying, and you can easily sand it, drill, and paint over it. This product, however, is not suitable for staining. One other outstanding property of this formula is its high-density material, which makes it best for hardwood and dense materials compared to the less dense ones.
The Summary of Top Features
- It’ a hand mixable two-part epoxy putty formula
- It cures faster
- This formula has a lap shear strength of 900 PSI. It does not shrink or rot
- Has wide applications from door hinges repair, dry rot cracks and a lot more
Advantages
- It’s excellent in extreme environments
- Has an extra-strong bond
- Comes with a lot of versatile applications
- The product is easy to use
- It’s a crack and shrink-proof formula
10. RTG Wood Repair Epoxy Putty (2-Quart Kit)
RTG 2522 deserves to be on our list of the best wood fillers for decks because of its abilities to help with the repairing of long beams that have started to rot and to develop significant gaps. This formula is excellent and comes with a lot of flexibility because you can use it on multiple surfaces.
It has strong water resistance when dry, which makes it great for decks.
The Summary of Top Features
- It is a two-part, moldable epoxy putty
- The product is Easy-to-use with the mixing done in the ratio of 1:1 mix ratio.
- It’s suitable for interior and exterior use and does not sag, shrink, or crack.
- You can sand, paint, and stain
- It is 100% waterproof once it dries.
Advantages
- Comes as a 2-quart kit
- Blends nicely with some sanding
Disadvantages
- Not very spreadable
The Best Wood Fillers For Decks Buyer’s Guide
Things to know before buying The Best Wood Fillers For Decks
The Best Time To Use Wood Filler
There is no specific time to use a wood filler for your decks. Whenever you notice that there are damaged or rotting wood in your house, you should always consider the use of the best wood fillers for decks in the market—waiting longer before filling might prove expensive in the long run.
The Types of Wood Fillers
Since there are so many of these products in the market, you must understand the different types.
- Cellulose-Based Wood Filler: It is the most common type of wood filler you will find in the market. It’s available in pastes and powder that is mixed together using different solvents.
- Gypsum-Based Wood Filler: The ones are products of mineral powders and water, which forms a crystalline substance that offers a strong bond with the wood to create a hard surface that does not shrink nor crack.
- Latex Wood Filler: Also called vinyl wood fillers. They are products of polyvinyl acetate emulsion. These products are malleable hence easy to apply.
- Epoxy-Based Wood Filler: Most are two-part formulas and are petroleum-based putty that is best as adhesive.
- Water-Based Wood Fillers: These need water to activate the putty. Mostly they are in powder form.
Size
Most of the best wood fillers for decks are available in many different sizes. Ensure that you know the size of your projects so that you settle for the right capacity that will serve you right.
Area of Application
If you are going to use your wood filler on outdoor activities, ensure that you use the right product for that kind of job. The same applies to all the internal projects.
Color
A good number of the best wood fillers for decks are mostly white. Alternatively, you will get some that have wood-inspired colors. If you are not looking to stain or paint your repaired surface get the best possible match.
Drying Time
When it comes to the drying time of the best wood fillers for decks, your urgency matters, projects with tight timelines will require fillers that dries faster and the vice versa where applicable.
Conclusion
Wood fillers are one of the essential components of wood restoration kits. You will appreciate the versatility that this product comes with, as you can use it on several projects. It’s functions range from the repairing of cracks on your floor or the rotten furniture.
Acquiring the very best wood fillers for decks for your project is the best thing you can do in a bit to offer them protection. Therefore, we have listed some of the very best wood fillers for decks in the market. We can guarantee that every product that you shall settle on will be worth your money and time.
Tyron Otieno
Tyron is an avid woodworker and writer. He founded this website to help other woodworkers, whether hobbyists or professionals by sharing his knowledge and experiencie after a decade of woodworking.