6/7

Best Basic Roller Frame

Wooster 501 Paint Roller Frame

The Wooster 501 Roller is a 9-inch high-quality frame that will deliver smooth results. The thick, comfortable handle has a nonslip coating built for long paint jobs. Thinking of adding an extension rod? This frame will resist twisting while you’re in the zone. A sturdy rim at the bottom of the grip helps with unwanted movements while the metal wires of the roller keep the roller cover in place as you paint.

Pros

• Standard size to work with buckets and trays
• Has a thick, comfortable handle
• Compatible with an extension rod

Cons

• Doesn’t include a roller cover

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7/7

Best Roller Frame for Large Areas

Purdy Adjustable Frame Roller

Just what you need for painting huge areas, the Purdy Adjustable Frame Roller proves that the bigger the roller, the more efficient the paint job. The versatile roller frame adjusts from 12 to 18 inches, and can be used with all roller cover nap heights, so you can swap out size covers for different types of jobs. Plus, the frame has a special angled design, making for better wall coverage and allowing it to get very close to the baseboards and ceiling. Load this monster up and finish painting a room in less time!

Pros

• Adjustable frame size
• Angled design provides better wall coverage
• Fits most extension poles

Cons

• Doesn’t include a roller cover

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What to Consider When Shopping for Paint Rollers

• Frame: Choose one with a sturdy, strong wire cage that spins easily on its ball bearings. For comfortable painting, pick one with an easy-to-grip, ergonomic handle.
• Cover: In episode 12 of the Painting and Decorating Contractors Association’s (PDCA) “Trade Best Practices Series,” Chris Shank, PDCA’s education director,  explains the importance of using high-quality covers when painting a room. Shank recommends choosing a cover that lets you balance production with the desired finish. “A professional-quality roller cover will perform and produce expected results,” he says, “and a cheap cover won’t.” Spending a little more upfront can save you time and money in the long run. There are many types of sizes, cover fabrics and naps to match the job you’re doing.
• Size: Nine-inch rollers are a popular size for most jobs. An 18-inch roller covers large areas faster while mini rollers (4.5 inches) are best for painting trim, doors and smaller projects.
• Fabric: For most interior painting, woven or knitted synthetic covers are the right choice, because they shed less and provide a smooth coating on walls and ceilings. Natural materials, like lambswool, are recommended when applying oil-based or gloss coatings. Foam rollers eliminate laps lines, so they’re ideal to use on fine woodwork to spread varnishes and polyurethanes.
• Nap: The nap or pile height of a roller indicates its thickness. The most common nap is 0.5 inches., recommended for smooth interior walls. A fluffier, 1.25-inch roller cover works best on rough exterior surfaces. Rule of thumb: The larger the nap, the more paint it holds, which means a more stippled (textured) finish left behind.

How We Found the Best Paint Rollers

As shopping experts, our only job is to help you find a winning product. We start with the research and reporting basics—what products are made of, what they look like and how much they cost—to ensure that we’re only recommending the buys that are worth your time and money. Then, we research the features that speak to the product’s quality, taking advice from industry insiders and subject matter experts on what makes a product a smart value (or worthy of a splurge). Finally, we do the work of combing through user reviews to see how real people interact with the product, and if it stands up to the test.

FAQ

How do you clean a paint roller?

Before you clean your paint roller, scrape off excess paint using a scraping tool or putty knife. After removing any excess or dripping paint, take the roller cover off the roller frame to wash. We recommend using warm water and dish soap to wash. After submerging the roller into a bucket of warm, soapy water, massage the roller to loosen any stuck-on paint. Consider using gloves to wash your brushes so that your hands and nails stay clean of paint.

If you’re cleaning a paint roller after using an oil-based paint, you might want to use a solvent to break down the paint before washing. After washing the roller, rinse and make sure to dry it to prevent fibers from clumping.

How do you use a paint roller?

To start, dip your roller lightly into the paint—we recommend using a paint tray—and roll it back and forth on the ramp of the tray to evenly coat the paint on the roller cover. It’s best to start with a thin layer of paint to avoid clumping and dripping during application. When you roll the paint onto the surface, like a wall, try working in a large zigzag pattern and filling in with crisscross strokes.

How do you keep a paint roller from drying out?

Whether you’re a new DIYer or professional painter, it’s smart to maximize the use of your paint roller. You can do so by keeping it from drying out in between uses. If you only need to keep it from drying out for a short period of time, plastic wrap or a plastic bag will do. If you need to prevent your roller from drying out overnight, we recommend using foil and keeping it in the fridge.