.png?width=180&quality=75&format=webp){kind=logo}
Wood Plugs & Plug Kits
Species-matched hardwood plugs for a seamless, fastener-free appearance
Species Matched
Plugs matched to Ipe, Cumaru, Tigerwood, Garapa, and more
Complete Kits
Includes plugs, screws, drill bits, and weatherproof adhesive
Smooth or Ribbed
Ribbed plugs fill imperfect holes for a stronger bond
Wood plugs provide another way to achieve a clean deck surface without visible fasteners. Our plugs are precision-matched to popular hardwood species, and complete kits include everything needed for professional installation.
Showing 0 products
All AccessoriesNo products found
Try a different search term
How to Plug a Hardwood Deck
Countersink the Screw
Use a 3/8″ countersink bit to create a flat-bottomed hole roughly 1/4″ deep. The screw sits at the bottom; the plug fills the remaining space.
Apply Exterior Adhesive
Put a small bead of waterproof polyurethane glue (included in kits) into the hole. Too much glue squeezes out and creates a mess; too little and the plug loosens over time.
Seat the Plug
Tap the plug in with a rubber mallet or wood block until it seats against the glue. Ribbed plugs self-center and grip irregular holes; smooth plugs work best in precision-drilled holes.
Flush-Cut After Curing
Wait 24 hours for the adhesive to cure fully, then trim the plug flush with a sharp chisel or oscillating multi-tool. Sand lightly and apply finish.
Pro Tip from Our Deck Specialists
Order plugs cut from the same species AND the same board lot as your decking for the closest color and grain match. Plugs from a different harvest can look noticeably different.
Frequently Bought Together
Accessories that pair well with plugs & plug kits for a complete installation.
Ships Nationwide
Fast LTL freight delivery
Quality Guaranteed
Professional-grade products
In Stock
Ready to ship today
Expert Support
Call 1-844-674-4455
Plug Options Compared
Plugs turn a face-screwed deck into a surface with no visible fasteners. The choice is mostly about how forgiving the plug is of an imperfect hole.
| Option | Fit behavior | Best for | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|---|
| Smooth plug | Relies on a clean, correctly sized bore | Shop conditions and careful drilling | Unforgiving of drill wobble or oversized holes |
| Ribbed plug | Ribs compress and add glue surface | Field installation where holes vary slightly | Rib lines can show if left slightly proud |
| Complete plug kit | Plugs, screws, countersink bit and adhesive together | A first plugged deck, or a single-species job | Less flexible if you need a different screw length |
| Species-matched loose plugs | Bought by species and size to top up | Repairs, replacements, and topping off a big deck | Grain and tone vary naturally between plugs |
Smooth plug
- Fit behavior
- Relies on a clean, correctly sized bore
- Best for
- Shop conditions and careful drilling
- Trade-off
- Unforgiving of drill wobble or oversized holes
Ribbed plug
- Fit behavior
- Ribs compress and add glue surface
- Best for
- Field installation where holes vary slightly
- Trade-off
- Rib lines can show if left slightly proud
Complete plug kit
- Fit behavior
- Plugs, screws, countersink bit and adhesive together
- Best for
- A first plugged deck, or a single-species job
- Trade-off
- Less flexible if you need a different screw length
Species-matched loose plugs
- Fit behavior
- Bought by species and size to top up
- Best for
- Repairs, replacements, and topping off a big deck
- Trade-off
- Grain and tone vary naturally between plugs
Installation Considerations
A plugged deck looks best when the plugs are treated as a finish operation rather than an afterthought at the end of the day.
Bore depth controls the result
The countersink has to leave enough room for the screw head plus the full plug. Too shallow and the plug sits proud; too deep and you are trimming a plug that never fully seats.
Orient the grain
Rotate each plug so its grain direction roughly follows the board. This is the single biggest factor in whether the plug disappears or reads as a dot.
Use exterior-grade adhesive
Interior wood glue will fail outdoors. Use an exterior polyurethane adhesive so plugs stay put through wet-dry cycling.
Let plugs cure before trimming
Trim proud plugs flush after the adhesive has cured, then sand lightly. Cutting green adhesive tends to pull plugs loose.
Expect color variation
Plugs are cut from the same species, not the same board. Tone and grain will differ, and all of it evens out as the deck weathers.
Common Mistakes
Using interior wood glue
Do this instead: Switch to an exterior-grade polyurethane adhesive rated for wet exposure.
Trimming plugs flush immediately
Do this instead: Let the adhesive cure first, then flush-cut and sand.
Ignoring grain direction
Do this instead: Align each plug with the board grain before the adhesive grabs.
Expecting a perfect color match
Do this instead: Treat variation as normal; plugs and boards converge in tone as the deck weathers.