There’s no doubt that during any painting project, the best decorating rollers are going to provide more coverage than a paintbrush, which is especially handy with larger painting projects such as when you have to paint walls, decks, or large pieces of furniture.
Rollers come in two parts – the roller itself and the covers, which are what’s used to paint with and which are disposable.
Using rollers means your painting job can be cut in half, and when you’re remodelling or decorating your home with fresh paint, this is crucial.
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The Right Paint Roller
Although most paint rollers tend to look alike and they certainly perform the same service, there are a few things you need to look for when you’re shopping for this product, and this includes:
- A handle that is threaded or has clips at the bottom in case you want to attach an extension pole to it.
- A roller frame that is comfortable to hold and easy to grip.
- Ball bearings to allow them to glide over the surface smoothly.
- Whenever possible, an ergonomic handle.
There are also many sizes available when it comes to your paint roller. They include:
- 4-inch mini rollers: these are made for touch-ups and tight spaces.
- 6- or 7-inch rollers: perfect for baseboard moulding and small furnishings, and even that area of the wall behind the toilet.
- 9-inch rollers: these are perfect for the majority of painting tasks you’ll encounter, especially since it fits perfectly inside of most paint cans.
- 12-inch rollers: these are used mostly by professionals and not DIYers, but if you need a significantly large area covered with paint, this is what you want.
Finally, you’ll need to make sure the roller covers are the best ones for your particular project, and this starts by learning which covers work best for which jobs.
Here are the five types of rollers and what they are meant to do best:
- Foam roller covers: these are typically considered one-time-use rollers and do well with semi-gloss or high-gloss latex paint, as well as surfaces that are already smooth.
- Microfibre roller covers: these have diagonal stripes on the cover and do well with all types of paints. There is a learning curve, however, since they tend to pick up more paint than other types of rollers.
- Synthetic roller covers: usually made out of Dacron, nylon, or polyester, these covers are best for water-based latex paints and are very durable.
- Wool and polyester blend roller covers: these are very versatile covers that do well with both oil-based and water-based paints.
- Wool or mohair roller covers: these are the best covers for oil-based paints and pick up a lot of paint, which means you can get great coverage with just one coat.
Now that you know a little bit about what to look for in a roller and roller cover, let’s take a look at some of the best decorating rollers on the market today.
1. Seriously Good Easy Reach 9-Inch Roller Frame
If you’re painting semi-smooth surfaces and using emulsion paints, this is the roller frame you want.
It comes with a reusable roller sleeve that reduces splatter and allows for a more even paint job. It also has a telescopic extendable handle to get those hard-to-reach places.
Because the extendable arm can get up to 0.57 m when fully extended, this is perfect for large jobs that you don’t want to spend all day completing.
The Easy Reach roller frame makes every paint job a lot easier and faster, and at a price of under £10, you can purchase it without breaking the bank.
2. AXUS Décor Heavy-Duty Mini Roller Frame
Priced at just under £6, this mini roller frame comes with a paint tray and two foam roller sleeves to let you start working immediately.
It is made to use with oil-based paints and varnishes, and it allows for an extra-fine finish so that the end result is smooth and professional-looking.
Easy to afford and easy to use, this set is excellent for a multitude of paint jobs and makes any top coat you apply look like it was naturally there in the first place.
Even if you’re not an expert painter, this mini roller frame helps you get great results.
3. Stanley 9-Inch Roller Set
Stanley is a reputable name in hardware products, and this 9-inch roller set is no different.
Complete with a paint tray and two roller sleeves, you can use it for emulsion paints on both smooth and semi-smooth surfaces, so it is a very versatile product indeed.
The set sells for just under £7 and therefore is very affordable.
It is also lightweight but very sturdy, and it is just what you need for all types of painting and decorating projects.
The sleeves are made out of polyester, and the diameter of the roller is 38 mm.
4. Harris Premier Pro Roller Frame
Priced at just under £9, this pro roller frame comes with a paint tray and two sleeves that allow you to get started painting immediately.
It is excellent for walls and ceilings and for keeping paint off of the floor as you work, and you get both great pickup and coverage every time.
Lightweight at 630 grams, this roller frame is easy to use and even easier to afford, and the roller’s 3.8 cm diameter is perfect for nearly every paint job you work on.
It is also a high-quality set that should last for many years to come.
5. Polar Specialist Coatings 9-Inch Paint Roller Set
This is a super-sturdy roller set that comes with a 9-inch paint roller and a heavy-duty paint tray that comes complete with a metal handle to make it easier to carry with you around the room as you work.
Priced at just under £15, the set comes with the roller, one roller sleeve, and the paint tray, and the roller can extend up to 62 cm long, which makes it a very convenient item to have around when you have a paint job on your to-do list.
Great for walls, ceilings, and even floors, the tray also comes with a foot lock and brush holders.
6. Ultimate Paint Roller Set by Hynec
This is a complete paint roller set that sells for just under £16 and includes a 9-inch paint roller, a mini paint roller, two sleeves for each roller, a paint tray, and a 1.5-inch paintbrush with an ergonomic handle.
In fact, with this roller set, all you need to start painting is the paint itself.
Lightweight but sturdy, the rollers are easy to use and can accommodate all of your painting jobs, from tight spaces to complete walls or ceilings.
Just purchase your paint, get the roller set ready to go, and you’re all set from there.
7. Amtech Long Reach Mini Paint Roller Set
This set consists of a long-reach mini paint roller and a total of five sleeves, and it sells for a little more than £5, making it affordable for everyone.
If you already know your next job is going to require extensive use of a mini roller, you might as well choose this set because it has everything you need to start painting immediately.
Painting behind radiators and in extra-high places is no longer a problem with this long-reach roller set, and the price is just right for both professionals and DIYers alike.
8. Rodapin Polyacrylic Non-Drip Paint Roller
At a price of just over £8, this non-drip paint roller is very affordable and has a galvanised steel rod and a diameter of 7 mm.
The polyethene handle is comfortable to work with, and the roller is perfect for paint jobs that include smooth and semi-smooth surfaces, walls, ceilings, and much more.
The replacement sleeve is made out of polyacrylic fabric, and the roller is super easy to use because it weighs a mere 280 grams.
9. Bizzwizz Mini Paint Roller Set
This set includes a mini paint roller, paint tray, and a total of five roller foam sleeves that help you get an extra-smooth finish and a very professional look.
Ideal for walls, ceilings, and more, you can use this roller for both smooth and semi-smooth surfaces and get excellent results every time.
If you know you need to get to hard-to-reach places, a mini paint roller is what you need, and this is a high-quality device that is sturdy and guaranteed to last for a very long time.
It is also incredibly affordable at just under £10.
10. Cottam Multipurpose Paint Roller Set
Priced at just under £7, this set includes a 9-inch paint roller, a paint tray, and one replacement sleeve.
It also comes in a variety of colours and is designed to accommodate both inside and outside jobs.
You can use it for both emulsion and water-based paints, and it is so well-made that it has been used by both professional contractors and DIY enthusiasts alike.
Affordable and high in quality, this set makes all of your paint jobs much more straightforward, and you’ll be surprised by how smooth, even, and professional they look when you’re done.
This is one purchase you will never regret.
For more information on painting your walls and which is the best paint for doing so also for a more helpful guide on homeowner maintenance
