Wood fillers are materials used to repair woods with holes and create smooth surfaces. The holes to be filled with a wood filler may be because of something as minuscule as the wood grain. If this is the case, then a wood filler can be used to smoothen the wide grain wood's surface to make sure the surface adequately absorbs finish and stains. Wood fillers are also used to fill nail holes and cover the exposed head of nails in finished projects. A large inconsistency or damage on a cabinet can also be patched using a wood filler, but this could create a very unappealing feature on the cabinet. When such large areas are to be patched with a wood filler, then an opaque finish should be applied to the surface.

 

The main components of a wood filler are the filling substance and a binding agent which is usually an adhesive. Professional grades of wood fillers are made to have a consistency just like putty. These types of wood fillers are easy to use and are available in different colors to match different surfaces and produce even finishing results. An old but still commonly used method of creating a wood filler is to mix saw-dust from the wood used for the project with glue. This results in a simple wood filler that matches the color and other properties of the surface it is to be used on.