Naps, covers, frames and technique
The paint roller buying guide
For most interior walls you want a 9 inch frame with a 3/8 inch nap cover. Go shorter and woven for cabinets, trim and gloss; go longer for texture, stucco and brick. Everything else is detail, and the detail is below.
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01
The short version
Three choices decide how a roller job turns out. Get these right and technique gets easy.
Nap follows texture
The rougher the surface, the longer the nap. 3/8 inch for smooth walls, 1/2 inch for light texture, 3/4 inch for stucco and popcorn, 1 inch and up for brick and block. Nap guide.
Cover follows sheen
Glossy paint shows every stipple and fiber, so pair it with a woven, microfiber or foam cover. Flat paint hides texture, so a faster knit cover is fine. Foam vs microfiber.
Keep a wet edge
Most roller marks are lap marks: fresh paint rolled over paint that has started to dry. Work in sections, roll from wet into dry, and break only at corners. Avoid roller marks.
02
Nap chart: which nap for which surface
Drawn from the nap guidance Benjamin Moore, Purdy and Sherwin-Williams publish. Pick a surface to highlight its nap.
Show the nap for
-
1/4 in. and under
smooth
Very smooth: metal doors, trim, cabinet doors, plaster, smooth drywall
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3/8 in.
semi-smooth
Smooth to semi-smooth: most interior walls and flat ceilings, paneling
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1/2 in.
semi-rough
Semi-rough: lightly textured walls and ceilings, rough wood, decks, concrete
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1 in. to 1-1/4 in.
very rough
Very rough: brick, concrete block, cinder block, fences
Pile lengths in the bars are drawn at actual size in CSS inches, so they are close on most screens but not exact. Cross-sections are scaled up to show the difference.
03
Which roller do I need?
Three taps: surface, sheen and texture. You get a nap, a cover material, a width and two things to look at, with the reason for each.
Your roller
04
Cover materials at a glance
Purdy and Benjamin Moore split covers into woven (smoother, less lint) and knit (more paint, faster, a little stipple). Sherwin-Williams adds the paint rule: synthetic for latex, natural fibers for oil.
Roller cover materials at a glance
| Material | Build | Best for | Watch for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Microfiber | Woven or knit blend | Smooth walls, ceilings, cabinets; most sheens | Can shed if cheap; de-lint before use |
| Woven synthetic | Woven | Semi-gloss and gloss, trim, doors; lowest lint | Holds less paint than knit |
| Knit polyester or nylon | Knit | Flat and eggshell walls, texture, fast coverage | Leaves more stipple |
| Foam | Molded foam | Cabinets, doors, furniture, smooth enamel | No reach into texture; can bubble if rolled fast |
| Mohair | Natural, woven | Oil-based enamels and gloss on smooth surfaces | Natural fibers can mat with latex (Sherwin-Williams) |
| Lambswool or sheepskin | Natural, knit | Oil-based paint on walls | Water in latex can swell and mat it |
| Poly and wool blend | Blend | All paints; extra pickup with longer life | Usually a pricier cover |
Shopping covers? Start with the best roller covers by job.
05
The kit for one room
What a typical bedroom repaint needs, and nothing more. Each button opens an Amazon search so you can compare current options.
9 inch frame
A sturdy 5-wire frame with a threaded handle so a pole screws on.
Search Amazon3/8 inch cover
Microfiber or knit for smooth walls in flat to satin.
Search AmazonExtension pole
4 to 8 ft covers most walls and standard ceilings from the floor.
Search AmazonTray or grid
A deep-well tray for one room; a bucket grid for big jobs.
Search AmazonAngled brush
A 2 to 2-1/2 inch angled sash brush for cutting in.
Search Amazon5-in-1 tool
Scrapes paint back into the can and cleans the cover.
Search Amazon
06
Every guide
Choosing a roller, matching it to the surface, and the techniques that make the finish.
Choose a roller
By surface
How-to
Tools
07
Questions people ask
What size paint roller do I need for walls?
A 9 inch roller with a 3/8 inch nap suits most smooth interior walls. Benjamin Moore calls 3/8 inch “best for walls and ceilings”. Step up to 1/2 inch for lightly textured walls, and use a 4 inch mini roller for narrow spots.
What does nap mean on a roller?
Nap (or pile) is the length of the fibers on the roller cover. Short naps leave a smoother finish on smooth surfaces; long naps hold more paint and reach into texture. Paint makers agree: the more texture the surface has, the thicker the nap should be.
Which roller gives the smoothest finish?
A short nap (1/4 inch or less) woven or microfiber cover, or a high-density foam roller, on a smooth surface. Purdy says woven fabrics leave little lint and a very smooth finish, which is why they pair well with semi-gloss and gloss.
Are expensive roller covers worth it?
Often, yes, for visible walls. Benjamin Moore says cheaper rollers tend to shed fibers and break down after repeated washing, and suggests looking for beveled edges, no visible seams, a plastic core and bounce-back when squeezed.
Should I use a roller or a brush?
Use both. Cut in corners, edges and trim with a brush, then roll the open areas while the brushed edge is still wet. A roller is much faster on large flat areas and leaves a more even texture than a brush.
How much paint does one roller cover?
Coverage depends on the paint, not the roller. Sherwin-Williams’ calculator uses about 350 to 400 square feet per gallon; the label on your can is the number to trust. Rough surfaces and thick naps use more.
Sources: Benjamin Moore, Purdy, Sherwin-Williams, Sherwin-Williams paint calculator.