Caulk & Filler for Decorating Projects
Find the right caulk or filler for your decorating project at The Paint Shed. We offer a range of decorator's caulk, wall fillers, wood fillers, masonry fillers and multi-purpose fillers with quick-drying properties to repair cracks, fill holes and seal gaps.
Shop trusted trade paint brands, including Polycell, Teamac and Bartoline for a professional finish. Enjoy free delivery on orders over £50.
Related Categories
New 
Recommended 
Filler vs Caulk | |
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Filler | Decorator's Caulk |
Repairs holes, cracks and imperfections | Fills gaps and joints |
Generally dries to a harder finish | Remains flexible |
Used to restore a smooth, even surface | Used where minor movement can occur |
Often sanded smooth once dry | Usually smoothed while wet |
Suitable types available for walls, wood and masonry | Useful around skirting, architraves, frames and trim |
Usually painted after drying | Designed to be painted once cured |
Caulking for Paint Decor Projects
Trade caulk is a flexible seal primarily used by professional painters and decorators to fill gaps and joints.
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Function: Fills small gaps and joints before painting or decorating.
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Best for: Sealing gaps where slight movement can occur, rather than filling large holes or deep surface imperfections.
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Application: Ideal for skirting boards, trim, door frames, windows, doors, ceilings, fixtures and units.
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Formulation: Trade decorator’s caulk is typically acrylic-based, providing a tough, flexible rubber seal that accommodates slight movement.
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Finish: Creates a smooth, seamless finish ready for painting.
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Drying time: Typically dries within a few hours. Check the individual product for recommended drying times.
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Paintable? Yes. Most decorator’s caulk can be painted over once sufficiently dry.
Read our professional guide on caulk, including how to apply it correctly, as well as answers to common questions.
Decorating Fillers
Decorating fillers provide solutions for repairing and preparing surfaces before decorating. Trade fillers can either be multi-purpose or designed for specific surfaces and types of repair.
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Function: Repairs holes, cracks and surface imperfections before painting or decorating.
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Best for: Smoothing and repairing uneven surfaces, from small imperfections to larger holes and deeper repairs, depending on the product.
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Application: Suitable fillers are available for walls, plaster, wood, masonry, metal and other surfaces. Always check the product's recommended applications.
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Formulation: Available as ready-mixed, powder and specialist formulations, including lightweight, flexible and heavy-duty fillers.
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Finish: Creates a smooth, even surface that can be sanded and painted once fully dry, where appropriate.
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Drying time: Varies by product and repair depth. Check the individual product for recommended drying times.
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Paintable? Yes. Most decorating fillers can be painted once fully dry and prepared according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Wood Fillers: For interior or exterior wood, we recommend using a specialised filler. Some wood fillers are made from wood dust and binder, creating a heavy-duty solution that helps restore and preserve your woodwork. Our wood fillers can fill holes, gaps and imperfections, helping restore your wooden surface to its original condition. Most of our wood fillers are ready-mixed and fast-drying, allowing you to start painting within hours. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for application, drying times and suitability.
Before applying fillers, you must properly prepare your surface.
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Remove damaged or rotted wood. Keep going until you reach the bare, unaffected wood grain.
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For small areas, sand inside the area, cleaning up any dust as you go.
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Apply the filler using a putty knife; cover any gaps or imperfections completely before smoothing off any excess filler. (Find appropriate tools in The Paint Shed’s accessories section)
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Once cured, you can sand, paint or varnish the entire repair area as desired, leaving a long-lasting repair ready for paint or varnish.
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Paint when the surface is completely dry.
Different surfaces and repairs require different fillers. Explore suitable options for walls, wood, masonry, metal, floors and more. Always check the individual product for specific application guidance.
Interior Walls
For | Filler type | Products to consider |
Small cracks and imperfections | Fine surface filler | |
Holes and general house or building repairs | Multi-purpose filler | |
Larger or deeper holes | Heavy-duty filler | |
Gaps around trim and joints | Decorator’s caulk |
Exterior Walls
For | Filler type | Products to consider |
Cracks and holes | Exterior wall filler | |
Larger masonry repairs | Exterior repair filler |
Interior Wood
For | Filler type | Products to consider |
Nail holes and small imperfections | Wood filler |
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Cracks and general repairs | Wood repair filler | |
Gaps around woodwork | Decorator’s wood caulk |
Exterior Wood
For | Filler type | Products to consider |
Small holes and cracks | Exterior wood filler | |
Larger timber repairs | Two-part wood filler |
Metal
For | Filler type | Products to consider |
Small imperfections | Suitable multi-surface filler | |
Joints and gaps | Appropriate sealant |
Floors
For | Filler type | Products to consider |
Gaps and joints | Flexible sealant | C-Tec CT1 Sealant & Adhesive, where suitable |
FAQs
Not exactly. Decorator’s caulk is a flexible filler and sealant for gaps and joints, while decorating filler is generally used to repair holes, cracks and imperfections in surfaces such as plaster and wood.
Yes. Decorator’s caulk is ideal for filling small gaps and joints around skirting boards, trim, door frames and windows. Its flexible formula allows for slight movement while creating a smooth, paintable finish.
Polyfilla is generally used to repair holes, cracks and surface imperfections, while caulk fills gaps and joints where some movement is expected. Filler dries harder, while caulk remains flexible.
Yes. Most decorator's caulk is designed to be painted over once cured. Check the manufacturer's recommended drying time, particularly when using quick-drying caulk.
The best wall filler depends on the repair. Fine fillers suit small imperfections, while multi-purpose or heavy-duty fillers work for larger holes. Choose an exterior-grade filler for outdoor walls and a suitable product for surfaces such as plaster.
Most cartridge-based decorator's caulk requires a caulking gun, such as the Prodec Extra Strong Caulking Gun. It makes the product easy to apply and helps create an even bead along gaps and joints. Some products are supplied in tubes and don't require a gun.
Silicone caulk is generally better for waterproofing and moisture-prone areas, while decorators caulk is designed to fill paintable gaps and joints. Decorators caulk can usually be painted over, whereas standard silicone is generally not paintable.
Buy Easy-to-Apply Filler and Caulk at The Paint Shed
The Paint Shed is the UK's most recommended independent paint retailer, with 24 stores across Scotland and Northern England. We aim to make it simpler for trade professionals and DIYers alike to buy trade-quality paint and associated products at competitive prices.
Why choose the Paint Shed?
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A wide range of trade paint and designer brands
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Product-specific advice from our knowledgeable team
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In-house colour matching service
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Quality paint tools and accessories
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Free standard UK mainland delivery* on orders over £50
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Click and collect at our 24 stores across Scotland and the north of England
* Delivery fees and additional timescales apply for deliveries to the Isle of Wight, Isles of Scilly and remote mainland areas.
Achieve an invisible, professional finish with our trade caulk filler products. Contact us for more information or bulk pricing.