Jun. 09, 2025
Painting a room is a common DIY project that many people undertake on their own. They pick up paint, a paint tray, a paintbrush, and a paint roller, then get started painting the walls. However, if you haven't tackled a paint project before, you may not know that paint, paint trays, paintbrushes, and paint rollers come in several different types. Choosing the wrong paint tray can slow down the project, while selecting the wrong brush can leave you with a streaky finish. For these reasons along with several others, it's important to learn more about the paint and tools you need before starting a project.
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Paint rollers are a relatively basic tool. They consist of a handle, a metal frame, and a metal roller that holds a paint roller cover. Despite the simplicity of the tool, there are still several types of paint rollers and a range of paint roller cover options based on size, function, roller cover fabric, and pile height. Discover how to choose a paint roller that's suitable for your next home renovation project.
Many people grab the first paint roller they see without considering the size of the roller, where the roller will be used, or the type of roller cover. This mistake can delay the project and the wrong roller cover could result in an uneven finish. Take some time to learn about what to consider when buying a paint roller.
Paint rollers come in several different sizes, so it's important to consider the area you will be working in before deciding on a paint roller. If you are painting average-sized walls, then it's best to look for a standard roller, which typically measures 9 inches in length. For larger walls and ceilings, you can find oversize paint rollers that range in size from 12 inches to 18 inches.
However, if you are working with trim, doors, doorframes, or narrow walls, a mini paint roller is the right way to go. They come in a variety of lengths, including 2-inch, 3-inch, 4-inch, and 6-inch. Just keep in mind that a project may need more than one size of roller. Don't try to find an all-purpose roller for every surface when it's relatively inexpensive to pick up the right size paint roller for the task.
When you need to choose a paint roller cover or sleeve, it's necessary to figure out what material is best for the job. Paint roller covers are typically made of woven or knit synthetic material, lambswool, or foam. Opt for woven or knit synthetic paint roller covers if you are painting interior walls and ceilings. This fabric doesn't shed as much as lambswool and it creates a smooth, even finish.
The woven synthetic covers work best with glossy finishes, while the knit synthetic roller sleeves are better for flat or eggshell finishes. If you are working with oil-based paints, switch to a lambswool roller cover for a more even finish. Lambswool is also a good choice for glossy latex paint. Just keep in mind that the rollers tend to shed.
Foam rollers are better for painting smooth surfaces, like fine furniture. Use these rollers with varnish, polyurethane, or paint to finish off woodworking projects.
Paint roller sleeves absorb paint from the paint tray and release it on a surface when a small amount of pressure is applied by the user. With this in mind, you need to choose the pile height or nap of a paint roller carefully to avoid creating an uneven finish on smooth surfaces or having difficulties painting rough or heavily textured surfaces.
Standard interior paint projects will typically require a paint roller sleeve with a 3/8-inch to 1/2-inch nap or pile height. However, for rougher surfaces, like the back deck or fence, a 3/4-inch to 1-inch pile height is suitable. Brick, cinder block, and stone may require a thicker paint roller pile ranging from about 1 1/4 inches to 1 1/2 inches.
There are five main types of paint rollers, each designed for a specific purpose, including manual, pad, textured, specialty, and mini paint rollers. Understanding the differences between these types is essential to effectively learn how to choose a paint roller for your next project.
The most common type of paint roller is known as a manual paint roller. These are the standard paint rollers with a simple handle, frame, and rotating metal roller that are typically used for painting interior walls and ceilings. They can also be used outdoors for painting exterior surfaces when they are equipped with the right paint roller cover.
The drawback of these paint rollers is that they can be too long for painting thin surfaces, like baseboards and doorframes. However, manual rollers are one of the most affordable types available.
While they are still considered a type of roller, pad rollers do not roll. They have a flat pad that absorbs and releases the paint onto the target surface in straight, even strokes. The design of these rollers helps to prevent paint splatters that are common with manual paint rollers. However, paint pads only apply a thin layer of paint to the wall, ceiling, or any other surface, so they aren't very good for covering darker or more vibrant colors.
A textured paint roller actually refers to the roller sleeve, instead of the actual roller. You can use a manual roller with a textured paint sleeve to create innovative patterns or mimic designs, like wood grain, brick, or stone textures. The sleeves are made with foam and have individual patterns etched in to create the desired look, though these patterns can be difficult to appreciate on small walls on surfaces, so it's best to use textured paint rollers on larger walls where the pattern is easy to see.
Similar to textured paint rollers, a specialty paint roller is intended to create specific paint patterns. The main difference between the two types is that specialty paint rollers are not just manual paint rollers with an innovative roller sleeve. These are specialized tools designed by the manufacturer for specific textured paints. You don't need to use these rollers with the textured paint, but you may get better results with the specialized tool over a more general-use textured paint roller sleeve.
When a manual roller is too big to use for thin surfaces or to get into tight corners, the mini paint roller is the way to go. They come in a range of sizes, including 2-inch, 3-inch, 4-inch, and 6-inch, allowing you to select the right length based on the needs of the project. Some types of mini rollers are used with small-diameter mini hot dog roller sleeves. The reason they are referred to as mini hot dog rollers is because, with the small diameter and short pile height, the roller sleeves resembles a mini hot dog. The thin roller sleeve is ideal for painting in tight corners and difficult to reach places, like behind the toilet.
One of the main reasons to invest in the right size and right type of paint roller for each portion of a painting project is that these tools are not expensive. You can purchase two or three different paint rollers to handle interior, exterior, and detail painting and ultimately end up with a better looking home than if you tried to stick to a manual paint roller with a standard roller sleeve for the entire project.
On average, a paint roller costs about $10 to $100. As with most tools, specialized products tend to cost more, like textured paint rollers or paint-specific specialty paint rollers. Mini paint rollers, manual paint rollers, and pad paint rollers are all relatively similar in price, occupying the low end of this price range.
Once you have a better understanding of the various roller and sleeve types, as well as a firm grasp of the range of sizes, fabrics, and pile heights, then you can begin to consider which roller and roller sleeve is best for your project.
The size and type of roller can heavily depend on the location you are working in. Average-sized walls and ceilings can be painted with a standard manual paint roller or you can use a textured paint roller for a more customized appearance. Go with a mini paint roller if you are working in tight spaces or need to paint baseboards, door frames, window frames, and any other thin surfaces. A pad paint roller can be a great choice for applying a thin second coat of paint over the first coat and it can help to even out the finish, just keep in mind that the pad only applies a thin layer of paint, so it isn't a good option if you need to cover a bold color.
Whether you are working inside or outside matters. Paint roller sleeves have a fabric pile or nap that absorbs the paint and releases it when the roller is pressed against a surface. Smooth, interior surfaces should be painted with a 3/8-inch to 1/2-inch roller sleeve to get a soft, even finish. However, to ensure that you get an even finish on a textured exterior wall, stucco surface, deck, or fence, go with a 3/4-inch to 1-inch pile height.
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Further reading:Brick and stone are typically used outdoors, but some homes use these materials indoors to create a unique aesthetic. If you are painting these tough, textured surfaces, use a paint roller sleeve with a 1 1/4-inch or 1 1/2-inch nap to ensure that you get adequate paint coverage.
Microfibre paint rollers are made of very fine fibres of synthetic material, such as polyester or polyamide. They come in different pile lengths so there’s alway a roller to suit each job, but microfibre paint rollers are usually used for smooth and semi-smooth surfaces like walls, cabinets and ceilings.
Highly absorbent, microfibre paint rollers won’t need topping up as often, and will distribute paint extremely evenly – ensuring a smooth finish. They can be washed and reused multiple times meaning they’re fairly environmentally and cost friendly. Thanks to their fine fibres, these rollers are great at holding onto paint – minimising splatter and reducing clean-up times.
Microfibre paint roller sleeves are less suited to rough surfaces such as external walls or some ceilings, as the texture can damage the sleeves’ fibres. You’ll also find that some microfibre paint rollers may deteriorate when using solvent-based paints. Whilst the greater absorption means a better-quality finish, microfibre rollers will need more thorough cleaning to remove the paint.
Woven paint roller sleeves are made of fibres that have been weaved together, creating a dense fabric that can hold a lot of paint. Typically, natural fibres such as wool or mohair are used – but you’ll find some are made of polyester or polyamide. They are available in different pile lengths, which means woven roller sleeves can be used for a range of projects, but are often used for rough, textured surfaces.
The way these paint rollers are made makes the fibres durable, so they’re suitable for being reused and washed many times. They can also be used with lots of paint types, including water-based and solvent-based paints. Woven roller sleeves can hold lots of paint in the fibres, which can reduce the need to top up the roller regularly.
Woven roller sleeves may splatter more than other types of paint rollers, as the paint can drip off the fibres. Also, you may find that natural fibres may shed during use – but this will happen less if you use a high quality roller and you remove loose fibres before painting. Woven paint rollers are less suited to smooth surfaces as the finish may be uneven.
Foam paint rollers come in two types: closed-cell foam or open-cell foam. Closed-cell foam paint rollers have sealed air pockets that aren’t connected which make the sleeve more rigid – this is the most popular type. Open-cell foam roller sleeves have small, interconnected air pockets that paint can pass through – they’re flexible and better for delicate projects. Foam paint rollers are used for smooth and semi-smooth surfaces.
Foam paint rollers are very easy to clean and reuse, and will not shed fibres like woven roller sleeves. They offer a smooth and even finish, and are recommended for a range of paint types – even latex paint and oil paints. You’ll find foam paint roller sleeves are generally more affordable than other types of paint rollers, so are a common choice for DIYers.
You may find that foam paint rollers absorb less paint than other sleeve types, meaning they’ll need to be reloaded more frequently. They’re also less durable and may need to be replaced more often – although are perfectly fine to be washed and reused a few times. Foam paint rollers may leave bubbles on the surface if they’re not used properly, and are less suitable for rough surfaces as there are no fibres to get into bumps and cracks.
Double-arm roller frames have two arms on either side which hold the frame in place with pins or a full width bar. They’re generally 9-to-12 inches long, perfect for standard and large roller frames. Double-arm rollers are usually used by tradespeople for large painting projects, but are DIY friendly too.
The main advantage of double-arm rollers is the extra stability they provide, which can offer a neater, streak-free finish as well as offer extra support for the user during long projects. They’re also durable, as they hold the frame from both sides and are therefore not susceptible to damage. Double-arm rollers are also usually compatible with extension poles.
Double-arm rollers can come with a higher price tag and have a limited availability compared to standard cage rollers, which is why they’re more commonly used by tradespeople. You may also find they have limited flexibility in tighter areas due to the frame taking up space on both sides of the sleeve.
Cage roller frames, as the name suggests, have a cage-like design that holds the roller sleeve firmly in place. They’re a standard roller type and you’ll find most cage rollers are 9 inches long. Their size and stability makes them ideal for DIYers and tradespeople carrying out medium-to-large projects.
The structure of cage rollers makes them durable and suited to repeated use, as they’re not susceptible to deforming or becoming damaged over time. Cage rollers are also easy to use – simply slide the sleeve over the frame and it’s completely secure and will offer a neat finish. They’re also widely available and come at a range of price points.
Cage rollers are slightly heavier than traditional frames made of a single piece of metal due to the extra metal work – although the benefits of cage frames mean traditional frames are less common these days. They’re also not compatible with all roller covers, as the sleeve has to fit around the frame.
Adjustable paint rollers allow you to adjust the length of the frame for different sleeves and different tasks, reducing the need for multiple frames. You’ll find frames that can be between 12 and 18 inches, making them ideal for medium-to-large projects. They’re mostly used by professionals looking to cut down the number of tools they carry from job to job.
You’ll find that adjustable rollers are versatile for different projects, sleeves, and are even compatible with extension poles – making them the perfect alternative to many other frames. They’re also highly durable and stable as they secure the sleeve from both sides like double-arm paint rollers.
Adjustable paint rollers are more complex to use than other frames as they need adjusting, and if they’re not secured correctly they could come loose. They also come at a higher price tag than other frame types, due to the fact they reduce the need for multiple tools. Adjustable rollers are also less widely available.
Mini rollers are simply small versions of standard frames – a full-width bar made of a single piece of metal going through the length of the sleeve. They’re popular with tradespeople and DIYers alike and are used for smaller areas such as inside cupboards, around window frames, and behind radiators.
You’ll find mini rollers have increased precision for areas that need extra attention to detail, and they’re also lightweight which means the user has greater control. Mini rollers are also affordable and widely available. They often come as part of complete sets, which generally include the frame, a few sleeves, and a paint roller tray – making painting stress-free.
Mini rollers have a smaller coverage area, so they’re only recommended for small jobs – they’re not generally thought of as an alternative for other frame types. They’re also not compatible with larger sleeves or sleeves designed for cage rollers, as they will not offer enough stability. Mini rollers are also not commonly compatible with extension poles.
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