Any painting process may be made quick and easy with the use of a decent paint roller. Spend a little additional money on a high-quality roller to ensure a flawless application of the paint. A quality roller will not soak quite so much paint as a bad roller will, and it will also not leave fibres in the painting. Adjust the roller width to the scale of your work and the nap length to the gloss of your colour. If you plan to use the roller again after you’ve completed painting, clean it right afterwards.

How to Choose the Right Paint Roller

A roller distributes paint more easily and uniformly on exterior and interior surfaces with less hassle and mess than a brush.

The parts of a paint roller’s anatomy

The frames for paint rollers are composed of sturdy wire and have durable plastic handles. Roller coverings are held firmly in place by frames, which prevent them from slipping or sliding. The threaded grips on most frames make it simple to attach an extended pole.

Roller coverings are tubes with an absorbent pad on the top that fit over the painting roller frame. Synthetic textiles (knitted or woven) such as foam or polyester, as well as natural materials like lambswool or mohair, are frequently used. Covers are available in a variety of nap sizes. The more paint the pile retains, the thicker it is.

The most appropriate paint roller for the job

Frames

Choose to use a roller frame with a solid and sturdy wire cage that rotates freely on its rolling elements when shopping. Choose one with an ergonomically, easy-to-grip handle for a more pleasant painting experience.

Covers

We recommend selecting a cover that allows you to strike a balance between production and the required finish. A high-quality roller cover will function and deliver the promised results, whereas a low-cost cover will not. In the long run, spending a bit extra money up upfront could save you money and time.

There are numerous different sizes, covering fabrics, and naps to choose from depending on the work you’re doing.

Size

For most operations, nine-inch rollers are the most common size. You can use a Mini roller (4-1/2 in.)  for painting doors, trim, and other small projects. An 18-inch roller covers big areas quickly.

Fabric

Knitted and woven synthetic coverings are an excellent choice with most interior painting since they shed less and offer a smooth finish on ceilings and walls. When spreading oil-based or gloss coats, natural materials such as lambswool are preferred. Foam rollers reduce lap lines, making them perfect for spreading varnish and polyurethanes on fine woodworking.

Nap

The thickness of a sleeve is determined by its pile or nap height. On flat interior walls, a 1/2-inch nap is the most usual. On rugged external surfaces, a fluffier 1-1/4-in. roller cover is recommended. As a general rule, the bigger the nap, the more colour it holds, resulting in a more stippled (textured) surface.