Hi,

I have some areas to fill around a few ragged nail plugs, and a few small areas on some boards where there was some slight damage. Can anyone recommend a good brand of wood filler for tongue and groove 2.25 inch wide 3/4 inch white oak? Or is filler in flooring not a good idea?

I usually use Famowood filler from Woodcraft for my wood working projects. Not sure if that is durable enough for flooring though. I am finishing with Rubio Monocoat.

Also, it is recommended to fill, or not to fill, wide gaps between boards with filler?

Thanks.

Parks pro finisher makes a premixed wood filler available in White oak.It is sold at the Home Depot. My rule of thumb for filling other cracks is to only trowel fill/fill other cracks if I think I can pretty much make the floor look new. So if it is a 100 year old floor, with gaps between every row, then don't fill.

Woodwise (Design Hardwood Products) makes a top notch filler in several formats: full trowel filler for filling grain, wood patch for larger cracks and missing chunks, and a powdered form to mix to your own desired consistancy.
I would exercise a little caution about filling between board gaps. If they are transient, the floor may want to expand after filling during higher humidity periods. If this happens the filler will prevent this expansion and in mild situations will cause a cupped appearance to the floor. Under severe stress, the floor could buckle.

Ok thanks for your advice - my floor is 52 years old so I don't think I will bother with filling gaps between boards.

What do you guys do about the color vatiation for white oak, given the wide vatiatons in tone and grain of white oak boards?

We accept the fact that a wood floor is a natural product, and as such; the variations in colour, grain etc. are an enhancement of its natural beauty.