Parquet Gap Filling in Warsaw — Professional Wood Floor Putty

Gaps between parquet boards are one of the most common issues in older apartments across Bielany and Żoliborz. Wood shrinks over time, boards shift, and before you know it there are visible cracks collecting dust and letting draughts through. Parquet gap filling (putty) is the step that bridges every gap, crack and chip before the final coat goes on. Skip it, and even the best lacquer or oil will look patchy and uneven. If you’ve had your floor sanded but not filled — the job is only half done.

How much does parquet gap filling cost

The price depends on the floor area, gap width and board condition. Narrow gaps under 2 mm close in a single pass. Wide gaps over 5 mm need multiple coats or wooden inserts. Current rates for all flooring services are in the table below.

How parquet gap filling works — step by step

1. The parquet is sanded — old lacquer is removed and the surface levelled. Filling over an old finish is pointless.
2. Sanding dust is collected — this will become the filler base. Dust from your own floor gives a perfect colour match.
3. The dust is mixed with a binder (nitrocellulose or acrylic compound) to a thick cream consistency.
4. The paste is spread across the entire floor with a spatula, filling every gap, crack and defect.
5. Excess is scraped off with a wide blade — paste remains only in the recesses.
6. After drying (typically 2–4 hours) the surface is sanded with a fine 120–150 grit abrasive.
7. Vacuum, wipe down — the floor is ready for lacquer or oil.

Common mistakes with parquet filling

• Using a ready-made shop filler instead of mixing with your own sanding dust — the colour won’t match and patches show through the lacquer.
• Filling over old lacquer — the compound won’t bond and pops out under load.
• Mixing the paste too thin — it runs straight through the gaps instead of filling them.
• Not letting the filler dry fully before final sanding — the abrasive clogs and the surface stays uneven.
• Skipping the final sanding pass after filling — lacquer goes on over ridges and the surface feels rough.
• Filling only the obvious gaps and ignoring the rest — the difference becomes very visible after lacquering.

What to prepare before the technician arrives

• Clear the room completely — we fill the entire floor area.
• Check for protruding nails and hammer them flush — they’ll tear the sanding belt.
• Ensure a working power supply — the sander draws significant wattage.
• Decide on the final finish (lacquer, oil, wax) — this determines the primer type.
• Inform your neighbours — sanding is noisy, although modern machines have dust extractors.
• Provide access details: intercom code and parking info.

A real case from Warsaw

An apartment in Bielany, oak herringbone parquet, 40 m². After sanding, gaps of 3–5 mm were exposed — decades of central heating had dried the wood. The technician collected the sanding dust and mixed it with a nitro binder. Two passes: the first filled the main gaps, the second addressed minor cracks. After drying, a finish sanding at 120 grit. Result: the floor looks like a solid sheet — not a single gap visible, the filler colour is indistinguishable from the wood. The next day, two coats of polyurethane lacquer — the parquet looks brand new. The owner had been considering laminate replacement but changed his mind after seeing the restored original floor.

Frequently asked questions

Can parquet be filled without sanding first?
No. Filler is applied to bare wood only. It won’t adhere to old lacquer.

Does the filler work under any finish?
Yes — lacquer, oil and wax. The key is using a binder compatible with your chosen finish.

Will the gaps come back?
Wood is a natural material — it expands and contracts with humidity changes. Small gaps may reappear after 3–5 years. Keep indoor humidity at 45–60% to extend the result.

How long does the filling take?
The application itself takes 2–3 hours for 30 m². Add drying time (2–4 hours) and finish sanding. We typically complete everything in a single working day.

Can you fill just part of the floor?
Technically yes, but the result will be worse. Dust from a spot-sand differs in shade. Best to do the whole room.

Who does the work

Parquet filling and restoration is carried out by technicians with hands-on wood flooring experience. We arrive with a sander, consumables and binding compounds. We cover all of Warsaw and surrounding areas. Call or message us — we’ll assess the scope and quote before the visit.