Are some paint rollers better than others?

Paint Roller Advice What is the Best Paint Roller for Your Paint Project?

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Have you ever stood in the paint roller aisle in the paint or home improvement store and wondered what the difference between paint roller covers was? Some are thick, some are thin, and they come in many colors. It can be confusing. Most paint roller covers are made of woven materials and come in a variety of colors. Each brand has different colors, but the majority are white, yellow, or blue. 

 

Paint Roller Advice

Stucco, Decks, Brick, and Masonry - Thick 3/4&#; roller covers can hold more

Ceilings and Drywall - Medium 3/8&#; roller covers work best.

Walls, Wood, and Metal - Small 1/4&#; roller covers or foam rollers will produce the smoothest finish. 

Light to Medium Textured Surfaces - Microfiber rollers are best.

Smooth Surfaces - Use a white woven short nap roller for an ultra fine finish. If you use a thick 3/4&#; roller cover on a smooth wall, it will produce an orange peel textured surface.

Thick 3/4&#; roller covers can hold more paint and get into the crevices of the rough surface. If you use a thin 1/4&#; cover over stucco, the cover will rip apart quickly and not get paint into all the crevices. &#;Medium 3/8&#; roller covers work best.Small 1/4&#; roller covers or foam rollers will produce the smoothest finish.Microfiber rollers are best.Use a white woven short nap roller for an ultra fine finish. If you use a thick 3/4&#; roller cover on a smooth wall, it will produce an orange peel textured surface.

Paint Roller Covers

Choose the Right Cover Thickness

Stucco, Decks, Brick, and Masonry - Thick 3/4&#; roller covers can hold more

Ceilings and Drywall - Medium 3/8&#; roller covers work best.

Walls, Wood, and Metal - Small 1/4&#; roller covers or foam rollers will produce the smoothest finish. 

Light to Medium Textured Surfaces - Microfiber rollers are best.

Smooth Surfaces - Use a white woven short nap roller for an ultra fine finish. If you use a thick 3/4&#; roller cover on a smooth wall, it will produce an orange peel textured surface.

Thick 3/4&#; roller covers can hold more paint and get into the crevices of the rough surface. If you use a thin 1/4&#; cover over stucco, the cover will rip apart quickly and not get paint into all the crevices. &#;Medium 3/8&#; roller covers work best.Small 1/4&#; roller covers or foam rollers will produce the smoothest finish.Microfiber rollers are best.Use a white woven short nap roller for an ultra fine finish. If you use a thick 3/4&#; roller cover on a smooth wall, it will produce an orange peel textured surface.

There are two basic sizes for paint roller frames - large 9&#; long roller frames and a smaller 4&#; style. Decide which roller size to use depending on what you will be painting:

Walls and Ceilings - The large roller is better for big surfaces.

Doors, Furniture, and Cabinets - A 4" paint roller is ideal. 

Paint Roller Size

There are two basic sizes for paint roller frames - large 9&#; long roller frames and a smaller 4&#; style. Decide which roller size to use depending on what you will be painting:

Walls and Ceilings - The large roller is better for big surfaces.

Doors, Furniture, and Cabinets - A 4" paint roller is ideal. 

The sooner you start your paint project, the sooner you&#;ll be done. So, to get rolling right just follow the directions below and check out a helpful video on How to Dip a Roller.

How To Use A Paint Roller

The sooner you start your paint project, the sooner you&#;ll be done. So, to get rolling right just follow the directions below and check out a helpful video on How to Dip a Roller.

The sooner you start your paint project, the sooner you&#;ll be done. So, to get rolling right just follow the directions below and check out a helpful video on How to Dip a Roller.

You don&#;t need much to get started:

1. A paint roller.
2. A paint tray.
3. A paint tray liner.
4. A damp rag.
5. A gallon of Glidden paint.
6. A drop cloth, plastic tarp, etc. to protect flooring and furniture.

Get Your Materials

You don&#;t need much to get started:

1. A paint roller.
2. A paint tray.
3. A paint tray liner.
4. A damp rag.
5. A gallon of Glidden paint.
6. A drop cloth, plastic tarp, etc. to protect flooring and furniture.

1. To attach the roller cover to the paint roller frame, simply align the hole in the cover with the end of the frame and push it on.
2. Prep roller with a damp rag
3. Squeeze roller 3-4 times with rag
4. Make sure the entire surface area of the rag is moist and ready to apply paint
5. If needed, you can screw on a painting roller extension pole to each roller frame to reach high places.

Prepping the Paint Roller

1. To attach the roller cover to the paint roller frame, simply align the hole in the cover with the end of the frame and push it on.
2. Prep roller with a damp rag
3. Squeeze roller 3-4 times with rag
4. Make sure the entire surface area of the rag is moist and ready to apply paint
5. If needed, you can screw on a painting roller extension pole to each roller frame to reach high places.

1. Insert a plastic paint tray liner into the paint tray
2. Make sure the liner is completely secure in the tray
3. Position the tray in an area that&#;s easy to reach and close to the surface you are paint
4. Pour paint into the deep pocket of the tray
5. Fill the pocket of the tray roughly a quarter of the way up with paint
6. Don&#;t overfill the tray

Prepping the Paint Tray

1. Insert a plastic paint tray liner into the paint tray
2. Make sure the liner is completely secure in the tray
3. Position the tray in an area that&#;s easy to reach and close to the surface you are paint
4. Pour paint into the deep pocket of the tray
5. Fill the pocket of the tray roughly a quarter of the way up with paint
6. Don&#;t overfill the tray

1. Position the roller at the beginning of the grooved part of the paint tray
2. Starting at the grooved part of the paint tray, roll the paint roller back and forth a few times
3. Make sure the roller is evenly covered with a layer of paint
4. Don&#;t use excessive pressure to apply paint&#;an even, light pressure is all that is needed.

Note - Please refer to the product label, Technical Data Sheet (TDS) or Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for safety and detailed application instructions.

Note - Please refer to the product label, Technical Data Sheet (TDS) or Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for safety and detailed application instructions.

Dipping The Paint Roller

1. Position the roller at the beginning of the grooved part of the paint tray
2. Starting at the grooved part of the paint tray, roll the paint roller back and forth a few times
3. Make sure the roller is evenly covered with a layer of paint
4. Don&#;t use excessive pressure to apply paint&#;an even, light pressure is all that is needed.

Note - Please refer to the product label, Technical Data Sheet (TDS) or Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for safety and detailed application instructions.

Note - Please refer to the product label, Technical Data Sheet (TDS) or Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for safety and detailed application instructions.

1. Remove your roller cover from the roller frame right after you are finished painting.
2. Use soap and water to clean up after using latex paint. Hold the roller cover under running water and squeeze your hand over the roller to remove the paint. Repeat until all the paint is out of the roller, then let dry. Never leave the cover soaking in water.

How to Clean Paint Brushes

Clean-up

1. Remove your roller cover from the roller frame right after you are finished painting.
2. Use soap and water to clean up after using latex paint. Hold the roller cover under running water and squeeze your hand over the roller to remove the paint. Repeat until all the paint is out of the roller, then let dry. Never leave the cover soaking in water.

How to Clean Paint Brushes

Project details

Skill

Suggested reading:
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Beginner level

Cost

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A good paint roller makes all the difference in your painting project. Whether you&#;re refreshing a room or tackling a larger renovation, the right roller will help you achieve a professional-looking finish. In the video above, This Old House painting expert Mauro Henrique breaks down various roller types and techniques, plus shares tips for both experienced and novice painters.

Types of Paint Roller Naps

The nap of a paint roller refers to the length of the fibers that make up the roller cover. Different nap lengths are designed for specific surface types and have different paint applications and coverage.

Short Nap Rollers

Short nap rollers, typically 1/4 inch in length, are ideal for smooth surfaces. These rollers provide excellent coverage without adding unwanted texture to the wall. They&#;re perfect for the following:

• Cabinets
• Interior doors
• Newly plastered walls
• Smooth drywall

Medium Nap Rollers

Medium nap rollers, usually 3/8 inch in length, work for a range of semi-smooth to slightly textured surfaces. These rollers offer a balance between coverage and texture application. They work well on these surfaces:

• Ceilings
• Lightly textured walls
• Painted concrete
• Wood paneling

Long Nap Rollers

Long nap rollers, which can range from 3/4 inch to 1 inch in length, are designed for highly textured surfaces. These rollers can hold more paint and can reach deep into surface irregularities. They&#;re best for the following projects:

• Brick walls
• Concrete blocks
• Popcorn ceilings
• Stucco

Extra Long Nap Rollers

Extra long nap rollers, exceeding 1 inch in nap length, are designed for extremely rough surfaces such as cinder blocks. These rollers can hold the most paint and reach into the deepest crevices and textures. They&#;re best for these surfaces:

• Cinder blocks
• Bare brick surfaces
• Heavily limed and textured plaster walls

Choosing the Right Roller for Your Project

Consider the following factors when choosing your paint roller.

Surface Texture

The main factor that determines which roller to use is the texture of the surface you&#;re painting. As Henrique explains, matching the roller nap to the surface texture leads to better coverage.

Paint Type

Different types of paint work better with certain roller materials. Here are some examples:

• Foam rollers are great for oil-based paints and varnishes.
• Microfiber rollers work well with latex paints.
• Natural fiber rollers are suitable for oil-based paints and stains.
• Synthetic rollers, such as polyester, can be used with both oil- and water-based paints.

Project Size

For larger projects, consider using a larger roller width to cover more area quickly. Standard rollers are 9 inches wide, but you can find rollers up to 18 inches wide for expansive walls or ceilings. Smaller rollers, around 4 to 6 inches, are good for tight spaces and detailed work on large projects.

Techniques for Using a Paint Roller

Once you&#;ve chosen the right paint roller for your project, use these techniques to get a clean, professional-looking result:

• Preparation: Before painting, check that  the roller is lint-free by wrapping it with masking tape and removing it. This will pick up any loose fibers. If using a new roller, wash it with water and mild soap to remove any manufacturing residue, then allow it to dry completely.
• Loading the roller: Pour paint into the reservoir of the roller tray. Dip the roller about 1/3 of the way into the paint, then roll it back and forth on the ribbed part of the tray to distribute the paint evenly. The roller should be saturated but not dripping.
• Application: Start with the &#;W&#; or &#;M&#; method. Begin in a corner and roll the paint on in a 3&#;foot square &#;W&#; or &#;M&#; pattern. Then, without re-loading the roller, fill in the pattern with horizontal strokes. This leads to even distribution and coverage. Apply even, moderate pressure to the roller. Too much pressure can leave roller marks and cause splatter, while too little may result in inadequate coverage. Maintain a steady, moderate speed for the most consistent results
• Maintain a wet edge: Always work from a dry area into a wet area, overlapping the previous section by about 3&#;4 inches. This technique, known as &#;keeping a wet edge,&#; prevents lap marks and ensures a uniform finish.
• Avoiding roller marks: On the final pass, use light pressure and roll in one direction from top to bottom (for walls) or all in the same direction (for ceilings) to create a uniform appearance.
• Dealing with corners and edges: Use an edging tool or brush for areas the roller can&#;t reach easily. Then, blend these areas with the roller while the paint is still wet for a seamless finish.

Our Conclusion

Choosing the right paint roller and using proper techniques can significantly impact the quality of your painting project. By matching the roller nap to your surface texture and following the expert advice provided by Henrique, you can achieve professional-looking results when painting your home. 

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