Filler and caulk are not the same thing, and using the right one in the right place is what makes a room look properly finished.
Two of the cheapest products on the shelf do more for the finished look of a room than almost anything else — but only if you know which is which. Filler and caulk solve different problems, and swapping them causes trouble.
Filler — for holes and cracks in a surface
Filler is for repairing damage in a solid surface: nail holes, dents, cracks in plaster. It sets hard and sands flat so the repair disappears under paint. Build deep repairs up in layers rather than one thick pass, which shrinks and cracks, and use a fine surface filler for the last skim before painting.
Caulk — for gaps between two surfaces
Caulk is flexible and stays flexible, which is why it belongs in the gaps where two things meet — skirting to wall, architrave to wall, coving joints. Because timber and plaster move slightly, a rigid filler there would crack; caulk flexes with it. It is paintable, so it vanishes once coated.
Doing it neatly
- Cut the caulk nozzle small for a thin, controllable bead.
- Run the bead along the gap, then smooth it with a wet finger or a caulking tool for a clean line.
- Wipe away the excess before it skins, and let it dry before painting.
We stock fillers for every stage and flexible decorator's caulk and sealants. Not sure which you need? Bring us the problem and we will point you to the right tube.
