Are you overwhelmed by the myriad of advice and endless options on the best painting roller for your interior DIY projects?
In this article we're cuttin' through all of the heresay and getting down to the basics. Most of our fellow painting companies and suppliers go into great detail on what attributes to look for in the perfect roller, which is stellar: but they don’t tell you exactly which one to purchase and where to find it. So we searched the web to find this ‘perfect roller’ from real reviews from Interior Painting and Design Companies along with our recommendations. No need to look any further for your all-purpose, best painting roller for interior painting! All recommended roller covers have at least 4.5 star reviews and we'll show you exactly which one you need and where to purchase it.
What are the best painting rollers to purchase for each specific project you ask?
Jump to descriptions of the best painting rollers for DIY interior house projects.
Best Painting Roller for :
What is the best painting roller for Ceilings?
Determining the best painting roller for ceilings can depend on a few factors, the most important being the texture of the ceiling. Here are the results based on popular opinion and professional recommendations.
Roller needed for Smooth Ceilings
Purdy White Dove 9-in x 1/4-in Nap Woven Acrylic Fiber is one of Purdy’s most popular roller covers that leaves a desired smooth, lint-free finish and is compatible with all paints and stains. Smooth ceilings should have a thinner, harder nap cover (like this ¼-in nap) to prevent dripping on the floors (and you!) and provide a uniform application.
4.5 star review from Amazon customers
Roller needed for Popcorn Ceilings
Purdy White Dove 9-in x 3/8-in Nap Woven Acrylic Fiber is the best choice for textured and popcorn ceilings. This roller has a thicker and softer nap cover (3/8-inch nap cover) and works best to reach all the crevices of such an irregular surface.
4.5 star review from Amazon customers
What is the best painting roller for Kitchen Cabinets?
Kitchen Cabinets require a high-quality roller to achieve a smooth and even finish on your cabinets, which is especially important for surfaces that are frequently touched and seen up close. Using the wrong roller cover, such as one with a nap that’s too long or too short, can result in streaks and roller marks on your cabinets. Here’s the best painting roller for kitchen cabinets.
Purdy White Dove 1/4″ Nap Mini Roller Cover 4.5 star review from Amazon customers
Purdy White Dove stands out as a game-changer for kitchen cabinets and other cabinet projects around the home such as dressers or nightstands and comes highly recommended and reviewed by Interior Designer Guru Amelia Lawerence from Amelia Lawerence Style.
One more reason to buy this cover is it's awesome 4.5 star review from real customers that have already purchased this roller cover!
Thanks to its high-density woven fabric and ¼” nap the Purdy White Dove Mini Roller Cover excels at leaving behind a smooth and brushstroke-free finish on cabinet surfaces. Also boasting its lint-free design, this roller cover produces clean, professional results without leaving behind any unwanted fuzz on your cabinets.
Picture courtesy of Amazon
One more reason to buy this cover is it's awesome 4.5 star review from real Amazon customers that have already purchased this roller cover and loved it!
What is the best painting roller for Interior Doors?
Interior Doors are similar to cabinetry in that they also require a specific roller cover to produce a super smooth finish. Just like with kitchen cabinets, the best painting roller for interior doors is a high-quality woven roller cover.
Purdy White Dove 1/4″ Nap Mini Roller Cover 4.5 star review from Amazon customers
Purdy White Dove is known for its high-quality products and the ¼” nap mini roller cover is made with durable woven Dralon material and built to last, making it a cost-effective choice for your painting projects. The 4 ½ “ width of the Purdy roller cover is ideal for painting doors as it allows you to cover a sufficient area with each pass, making the painting process quicker and more efficient. The Purdy roller is very versatile and can be used with a variety of paints, including latex, oil-based and stain. Cleaning up after is a breeze: simply rinse it out with soap and water and it’s ready to go for your next project.
Picture courtesy of Amazon
What is the best painting roller for Trims and Baseboards?
When painting trims and baseboards, using the right roller can make all the difference in achieving a smooth, professional finish. Mini rollers are smaller versions of standard-sized rollers and are perfect for painting trims and baseboards and it’s recommended to use the same roller cover needed for cabinetry and doors.
Purdy White Dove 1/4″ Nap Mini Roller Cover 4.5 star review from Amazon customers
Purdy White Dove is known for its high-quality products and the ¼” nap mini roller cover is made with durable woven Dralon material and built to last, making it a cost-effective choice for your painting projects. The 4 ½ “ width of the Purdy roller cover is ideal for painting doors as it allows you to cover a sufficient area with each pass, making the painting process quicker and more efficient. The Purdy roller is very versatile and can be used with a variety of paints, including latex, oil-based and stain. Cleaning up after is a breeze: simply rinse it out with soap and water and it’s ready to go for your next project.
Picture courtesy of Amazon
What is the best painting roller for Walls?
Painting walls can transform the look and feel-good of a room, but choosing the right painting roller is essential for achieving a smooth, professional finish. Here is our recommendation for the best painting roller for walls.
Roller needed for Walls
This Wooster Pro Doo Z roller cover is the perfect all-around choice for painting your walls with a lot of surface area to cover. Its dense fibers called Doo Z resist shedding and matting and holds a good amount of paint. These rollers are perfect for use with all paints, enamels, and varnishes in sheens from flat to gloss.
4.5 star review from Amazon customers
Roll with the pros: Other industry points to consider when choosing the best painting roller for your DIY interior house projects:
Paint Quality is #1
The paint you choose will ultimately determine the quality and longevity of your finish. When it comes to painting your home, investing in quality paint like Benjamin Moore is a smart choice. With superior coverage, richer colors, durability, ease of application, environmental benefits and long-term savings, quality paint offers many advantages to lower-quality alternatives. Consider choosing Benjamin Moore for your next painting project to enjoy a beautiful, long-lasting finish.
Cover Quality Matters
Choose quality over cost-savings: Budget roller covers shed fibers and deteriorates with washings. Even though a quality roller cover may cost a little more money, it will last longer and provide better results if maintained properly.
By selecting the right painting roller and following these tips, you can achieve professional-looking results for your painting projects around the house. Whether you’re painting walls, ceilings, trims, or furniture, having the right tools can make the job easier and more enjoyable!
You are ready to get on with it and start your DIY project Paint Pals!
You deserve a welcoming, fresh space and can start in the basement (in case you are just learning). Our '5 Must-Have Tools for painting basement walls' post will get you started with the basics. You just need to bring your creativity and your A-game!
Here's a quick recap on the best painting rollers:
Best painting roller for ceilings: smooth - 9” roller cover with ¼“ nap: popcorn - 9” roller cover with ⅜” nap: Walls - 9” roller cover with ⅜” nap: Cabinets, Interior Doors, Walls & Trims - 4 ½” roller cover with ¼” nap: Smooth surface = shorter nap such as ¼”. Textured surfaces = softer and longer nap such as the ⅜”.