Tips for Choosing the Right Paint Roller and Roller Cover

When navigating the home improvement store for paint and paint products, it's difficult to not get caught up into the hundreds and thousands of different products available. From specialty paints to specialty brushes and high end, designer products―there's so much to choose from and after a while, it can become a frustrating and stressful situation. Fortunately, once you know what to look for―choosing the right paint roller is actually quite simple.

What Should I Look For In a Paint Roller?

Home improvement projects can become quite costly. That being said, it can be tempting to run down to your local dollar store and pick up whatever paint supplies they may have that week. Unfortunately, doing this can often lead to more stress. Speaking from personal experience, I've purchased the paint roller and paint tray from my local dollar store. The paint roller broke before I was halfway finished with the room and the paint tray was just slightly too small for the paint roller. So, in my personal experience: cheaper isn't necessarily always better.

When looking for a paint roller, choose a roller that is sturdy and well made. Flimsy, hollow plastic handles and chintzy framework can mean that the product will fall apart before you're done.

If you're doing a large project, it can be beneficial to choose a paint roller that features an extendable handle. An extendable handle can help speed up your project without sacrificing proper cover. A weekend project can turn into a single afternoon project with the right tools and proper preparation.

What About Roller Covers? What Kind of Nap Do I Need?

When I first entered the world of home painting three years ago, I chose whatever was cheapest. This isn't always the best option, as I ended up with a roller cover that ruined the paint job simply because the paint I chose wasn't meant for the roller cover I bought.

You should choose your roller cover after you've chosen your paint. This is because nylon and wool blends are best used for paint projects that involve alkyd paints while nylon-only covers are best for latex paints. Lambskin and mohair covers are also best for alkyd paints and not for latex paints, as the hairs of the nap can get caught in the paint.

Once you know what type of material is required, you'll find that there are also several different nap lengths for roller covers. The nap on a roller cover can be as thick as 1 and one-fourth an inch or as small as one-sixteenth an inch. The general rule of thumb is, the smoother the surface being painted, the smaller the nap should be. Therefore, a perfectly smooth wall should only require a nap that is one-sixteenth an inch; whereas a textured wall or ceiling may require a nap that is 1 and one-fourth an inch thick.