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.
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.
Learn more about painting cabinets and trim here.
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 33 locations.
SHOP ROLLERS FROM ABOFF'S
The best tasks for a small paint roller
Some places are just more challenging to paint than others, and in these circumstances, you’re going to need a smaller paintbrush or roller. Smaller paint rollers can help you get to those hard to reach places. Paint smaller surfaces with ease while still providing an even professional finish.
Small paint rollers can do the job just as well as larger rollers, and they can do what big rollers can’t as well. If you’re not sure when and where you should or could be using a small paint roller, here are some tasks they are best suited for.
Furniture
Small rollers are great for upcycling items, such as tables, chairs, desks, you name it. Whether you’re looking to change the look of your items to match – i.e., painting your dining set white – or are looking to refurbish your coffee table or other furniture items. You can easily do so without the hassle of needing excess protective gear when using a spray gun by using a small paint roller.
You can achieve all your DIY dreams with a small paint roller, saving you time and money in the process.
Behind toilets and sinks
No matter how you try, you probably won’t be able to get your large or regular sized roller into hard places such as behind toilets, free-standing sinks and bathtubs in your bathroom. These areas can also make it tricky for you to use paintbrushes and spray guns, so the best tool is a small paint roller that can easily fit behind these items and still provide smooth and even finishes.
Staircases
Using a big roller or a spray gun can be difficult on stair banisters and spindles. You could use a handheld paintbrush, but a small paint roller can be used more effectively, getting into all those nooks while saving you time. Using a paintbrush can be time-consuming, so if you need to get the job done, a small paint roller will be your best option.
Doors and windows
Smaller surface areas such as window frames and even doors can be hard to do with a regular-sized paint roller, as you might not be able to reach corners as well, or the surface areas are just too small. You could create a huge mess here. Thankfully small paint rollers and can do the job even more effectively by being smaller, less messy and capable of getting into those hard to reach corners.
Skirting boards
Other hard to reach places include skirting boards. These can be tricky areas to paint, but a small roller can make the process easier while allowing for that same smooth and even paint finish.
Paint touch-ups
If you’ve accidentally damaged your wall or need to fill in holes because you’re moving or you’ve just noticed some chips in your pain, a small roller is an excellent tool for helping cover these up. Rollers provide a lovely, smooth streak-free finish when used properly, and a small paint roller is perfect for these small jobs, making the process quick and easy for you.
Paint rollers you can trust
Here at Two Fussy Blokes, we have a great range of small microfibre paint rollers that can help you with these touch-ups and get into those hard to reach places. You can choose from 5mm, 10mm, and 15mm paint rollers. They apply a flawless finish, just as well as a spray gun or a large roller.
Head to our store to check out our range of microfibre small paint rollers or contact us today for help choosing the perfect roller for whatever project you have in mind.