Best Wood Fillers for Decks of 2023

The first thing to say about this FamoWood wood filler is it is solvent-free. That means it gives off minimal odors and is better for the environment. It also cleans a lot easier because you only need soap and water.

It dries in 15 minutes, so you can work quickly to get the task finished, and it won’t crack or shrink. You can sand and plane this filler, and it is stainable and paintable.

Be careful when you sand this filler because the formula contains silica, which is recognized by the State of California to cause cancer, so a facemask would be essential. It also means it might be restricted for sale in that state.

If you want a wood filler that not only repairs your deck but can work with indoor and outdoor furniture, this Bondo Putty is ideal. It’s a 2-part filler, which means it needs a cream hardener to help it set, and it bonds to concrete, wood, metal, brick, stone, and drywall.

It dries in 15 minutes and can be sanded, painted, and stained after 45 minutes. The putty comes in a 1.9-pound tin and the hardener in a 1-ounce bottle. Bondo assures us that this filler won’t shrink or crack, and it dries a pale gray for better blending.

This one applies using a spreader or putty knife, so it is a little trickier than squeezing a tube, but the advantage is you get a super smooth finish, and it is ideal for vertical surfaces.

This is a color-changing wood filler. As you apply the filler, it is purple in color, and when it dries, it changes to a natural blend. The reason is you can clearly see all the filled holes and gaps for sanding.

You’ll notice that this Elmer’s wood filler is for interior use only, but you can use it on your deck. It is non-shrinkable, so it should withstand the rigors of the elements, plus it is paintable, sandable, and stainable.

You can clean up with soap and water because the formula is solvent-free. That’s great for the environment and your health, thanks to the low VOCs. It also has a drying time of 15 to 20 minutes, so you can achieve same-day repairs.

This is the second Bondo wood filler to feature, but this one is super-quick at curing. It dries to the touch in 15 minutes and is fully paintable in 25 minutes. That means you could have your deck filled, sanded, and painted within an hour. That’s fast!

Like the other Bondo product, this is a 2-part filler, so it needs the hardening cream to cure. You can use this filler on interior and exterior wood, and it is a water-resistant formula, so you shouldn’t suffer from rainwater damage.

When you mix it with the hardening cream, it turns a pale brown color to make it easier to blend it with the wood’s natural grain. This wood filler is guaranteed not to shrink or crack, so it should withstand the ravages of the weather.

Application is via a putty knife, so while it may be trickier than other wood fillers to use, it does go on smooth, and it’s ideal for vertical surfaces and larger cracks.

Pressure-treated wood can suffer at the hands of the weather. UV light, rainwater, and even saltwater strip the natural goodness from your wood, drying, splitting, and fading. This PC Products epoxy paste is the ideal filler to use because it is resistant to dry rot, fresh and saltwater, UV light, and mildew.

If you have a teak boat deck that needs some repair work, this is the perfect filler, thanks to its resistance to saltwater.

You can use this filler indoors and out, and you can apply it in temperatures ranging from 35 to 115 degrees Fahrenheit. Once set, it withstands temperatures of minus 20 to plus 200 degrees Fahrenheit.

Once mixed in equal parts, you get 30 to 40 minutes of working time before it sets to help you get the perfect results. And once it cures, it can be painted, stained, and machined. This filler takes between 12 and 24 hours to fully set, so it will slow you down compared to other faster-drying wood fillers.

This Platinum Patch filler is rain-ready in 24 hours, and it is designed to withstand the harshest weather conditions. It has UV protection, so the radiation from the sun will have little effect, and it is mold and mildew-proof.

This putty is applied with a knife or spreader, so while it requires some practice to get right, it goes on smoothly. It also fills larger gaps and holes, even on vertical surfaces. Once it cures, it’s sandable, stainable, and paintable.

This is also a multi-purpose filler. It bonds to concrete, metal, PVC, fiber cement and so much more.

This is the second time Elmer’s has featured in the review. This interior and exterior-use wood filler contains actual wood fibers for superior sanding and painting. It resists shrinking and cracking, making it robust against weather conditions, and best of all, it is solvent-free.

When you have a softwood pine deck, it needs all the help and protection it can get.

That means it is kind to the planet and contains no or low VOCs, which is better for your health and the environment. It also means you can wash your tools clean in soapy water.

Elmer’s Stainable wood filler dries so strong, you can embed screws and bolts, and when it sets, it holds them firm. This container holds 32 ounces, and the lid seals tightly, so it shouldn’t dry out when stored for an extended period.

The only thing to watch out for is this filler contains a mucous and eye irritant membrane, so don’t get it on your skin.

This Minwax wood filler fills holes and cracks on treated and untreated wooden surfaces, and when used in conjunction with Minwax wood stains, you get double the protection. It works with oil and water-based wood stains, and once dry, it can be planed, stained, and painted.

This filler applies with a putty knife, and once on, it cures within 4 to 6 hours, so while it isn’t as fast as some water-based fillers, it still gives you the chance to complete a repair in the same day.

Minwax is a well-respected name and has been around since 1904, so you are guaranteed to get a quality product. You can work indoors and outside with this filler, making it the perfect all-around product.

The only downside to this filler is it is oil-based, so it has a strong odor, and you have to be mindful of the VOCs, which could cause headaches, nausea, or eye and throat irritation.

Water-based wood fillers are better for the planet because they don’t contain solvents. This means fewer chemicals get washed into the environment, and you don’t suffer from VOCs, which irritate your eyes and throat.

Water-based wood fillers also dry quicker, so you can complete repairs in a single day rather than waiting hours or days for the filler to cure. This Goodfilla walnut-colored filler doesn’t dry or crack and is designed with professionals in mind.

It has an unlimited shelf life, even when it dries out because it reconstitutes when you add water.

This product offers 25 percent more coverage compared to other similar products, plus it’s green because it doesn’t have VOCs and is completely non-toxic. The only downside is you have to apply it with a trowel, which might take some practice.

Sometimes you don’t need a large tub of wood filler to make repairs to your deck. Maybe you are only concerned with small patches of the woodwork? If that’s the case, this Minwax wood putty is perfect.

The first thing you notice is the price. It costs a fraction of other wood fillers and repairs minor scratches, gouges, and nail holes. It’s non-hardening, so it stays flexible. It comes in 11 different colors, so you are sure to match it to your existing deck.

It works on painted, stained, and finished wood, plus it’s easy to use, and no sanding is required. The other good news is this is a water-based filler, so it is better for the environment and has low VOCs.