Welcome back to our two-part look at the pitfalls of wood filler overuse. Here we’ll look at what happens when you use too much wood filler on your hardwood floors and how you can avoid this oh-too-common mistake. Enjoy!
Part Two: When the Quick-Fix Becomes a Problem
One popular woodworking technique is to apply wood filler to open grained woods in order to give the wood a full finish. However, some flooring installation professionals don’t understand the consequences of over-application. The first thing to remember about wood filler is that it bonds to every hardwood surface you apply it to. If over-application occurs, the filler bonds with the edges of the boards. Once the wood boards contract and expand (because they will) the filler fractures the edges of the wood and creates a jagged, unattractive appearance. A lot of homeowners see this problem and try to fix it by adding more wood filler. This is a big no-no.
Cracked edges can, unfortunately, be a hopeless problem. The best way to avoid the problem altogether is to know how much filler to use and how to use it. During application, the filler should only go into the cracks and gaps, never onto the existing floor. Avoid applying filler between boards and walls – noticeable gaps between planks and walls should be filled with wood, not filler. Of course, make sure you remove any excess filler before sealing or staining. While it may seem important to cover every crack or gap, the general rule with wood filler is that less is more.
If you know what you’re doing, using wood filler can be a great way to add beauty to your new hardwood floors. However, overuse is lazy and can do irreversible damage to your floors. Before you start a hardwood flooring installation process, make sure you or the installation crew understands how to use wood filler. You’ll be glad you did.











