Woven fabrics, including microfiber and mohair, prevent lint from being left behind while providing an exceptionally smooth finish.
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Knit fabrics, like polyester and lambswool, hold more paint and cover larger areas faster while leaving some stipple.
Roller cover nap sizes, or thickness of the fibers, varies from low to high based on the surface you are painting. Low-nap rollers pick up less paint, while high-nap rollers pick up and hold more for larger projects.
Surface texture and general environmental factors, including temperature and humidity, should also factor into your roller cover selection. For uniform interior surfaces like drywall, cabinets and metal, use roller covers with smaller nap sizes, like our ¼-inch nap WhiteDove™, to ensure a smooth finish. Walls, ceilings and paneling require a slightly larger nap size of 3/8-inch; for lightly textured walls, decks and concrete, use a ½-inch nap; and for textured ceilings, stucco and masonry, use ¾-inch.
For outdoor jobs, or when painting rough interior surfaces such as cinder block, rough wood and brick, look for roller covers with a higher nap, like our 1-inch GoldenEagle™ for greater paint pickup that reaches every nook and cranny, as well as faster application and increased productivity.
Having the right roller can make or break your project. But how do you know which one is right for you? Let us help give you some tips from the professionals.
Rollers can come in a variety of sizes. They range most commonly from 3 inch mini rollers to 18 inches long. Mini rollers are generally used for smaller areas such as closets, cabinets, or behind toilets. For the average wall, a 9-inch roller would suit perfectly. The larger rollers tend to be used on large projects and for commercial painting.
TIP: 9 Inch Roller is the most commonly used size
The next thing to consider is the fiber the roller cover is made of. Roller covers are replaceable sleeves that fit your specific paint roller. They come in different materials, ranging from natural and synthetic fibers to foam. Each roller cover works best in specific applications.
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When using latex paint, a nylon or polyester roller cover tends to work best. The nylon or polyester material resists matting, making them the best option for water-based latex paint.
On the other hand, a wool roller is a good choice when working with oil-based paint. This is most ideal for painting on any surface that has texture.
A woven roller cover is most ideal for high sheen paints such as the semi-gloss finish. The woven roller reduces the amount of lint as the fibers making up the roller are locked into the backing.
A microfiber roller will give the smoothest finish possible for eggshell and other flat paint sheens. Microfiber tends to be very popular with contractors as they hold four times their volume of paint to help finish big projects efficiently.
A foam roller will help to get a smooth finish on a surface such as cabinets. Foam can hold a lot of paint, fitting for porous surfaces such as bare wood.
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A final thing to consider is the nap of the roller. The longer the nap, the more paint it can hold. But the flip side of that is that the longer the nap, the greater the risk of leaving behind a stipply, textured finish on your wall. Here is a general rule of thumb when choosing a nap length.
TIP: 3/8 nap tends to be the average size for most home projects.
Aboff's has a wide variety of rollers to choose from. If you are still unsure, talk to your Aboff's Paint Specialist at any of our 32 locations.
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