Hand holding paint roller with white paint and rolling over surface of a door.
Hand holding paint roller with white paint and rolling over surface of a door.

FOR SURFACES SMOOTH AS CAN BE

On smooth surfaces, you want a shorter nap length that’ll cover things evenly and easily. A ⅜" nap will do the trick, getting you a smooth, shed-resistant finish. If you’re using a premium paint like Valspar Reserve®, a microfiber cover is your best bet. Otherwise, knit and woven covers are available.

 

If you’re working with ultra-smooth surfaces, like cabinets, doors, or metal, an even shorter nap – like ¼" – is a good idea. It’ll help you get the smoothest results possible.

ADDING SOME INTERIOR TEXTURE

To get into every last inch of a textured surface, a longer nap can help. We recommend using a ½" nap in either a knit or woven cover – it’s perfect for the light textures of some walls and ceilings, concrete, and decks.

Professional painter painting an interior wall using a beige color.
Professional painter painting an interior wall using a beige color.
Roller painting with lighter neutral over a darker neutral and textured wall.
Roller painting with lighter neutral over a darker neutral and textured wall.

TACKLING EXTERIOR TEXTURES

For rough surfaces, bring out the tough stuff: a long, ¾" nap. That length of cover will do a great job of getting deep into the texture of surfaces like stucco, decks, and masonry with minimal effort.

WANT TO BROWSE ALL OF OUR ROLLERS AND FRAMES?

DON’T RUSH PAST BRUSHES

Rollers are great for covering a lot of ground quickly, but you’ll need a brush, too. Check out our brush guide, so you’ll know what your options are for your next project.

Brush
Brush