Short answer
Use 1/2 inch for light texture (orange peel, light knockdown, rough wood, decks, concrete) and 3/4 inch for heavy texture (heavy knockdown, textured ceilings, stucco). Pick a knit cover, which holds more paint, load it fully, and roll with light pressure. Sherwin-Williams says to use 1/2 inch or more on porous or textured surfaces.
Nap by texture
| Surface | Nap | Cover |
|---|---|---|
| Light orange peel walls | 1/2 in. (3/8 in. in flat paint on very light texture) | Knit or microfiber |
| Light knockdown | 1/2 in. | Knit |
| Heavy knockdown, skip trowel | 3/4 in. | Knit |
| Rough-sawn wood, T1-11 siding | 1/2 to 3/4 in. | Knit |
| Decks and concrete floors | 1/2 in. | Knit, solvent-resistant core for oil stains |
| Stucco, split-face block | 3/4 in. to 1-1/4 in. | Thick knit |
These ranges come from Benjamin Moore (1/2 inch for semi-rough surfaces like textured ceilings, walls, decks and concrete; 3/4 inch for textured ceilings, stucco and masonry), Purdy (1/2 inch for lightly textured walls, decks and concrete) and Sherwin-Williams (1/2 inch or more when the surface is porous, textured or has nooks and crannies).
-
01Light texture
A 1/2 inch knit cover
Best for Orange peel walls, light knockdown, decks, concrete
- Nap
- 1/2 in.
- Fabric
- Knit polyester
- Width
- 9 in.
-
02Heavy texture
Purdy Colossus 3/4 inch
Best for Heavy knockdown, textured ceilings, stucco, brick (per listings)
- Nap
- 3/4 in.
- Widths
- 9, 14 and 18 in. (listings)
- Use
- Semi-rough to rough
-
03Value
Wooster Painter’s Choice multipack
Best for Big textured rooms and primer coats
- Sold as
- Multipacks
- Use
- Textured surfaces
Bob Vila named it Best for Textured Surface: the covers worked as intended on texture but left some lint and did not give a smooth finish on smooth surfaces.
Source: Bob Vila, The Best Paint Rollers, tested (updated August 2025)
How to roll texture without skips
- Load fully. A long nap holds a lot of paint; roll it in the tray or grid until it is saturated, then roll off just enough that it does not drip.
- Roll slowly, in more than one direction. On texture, a pass up and down and then a pass across fills the shadows on all sides of each bump.
- Do not press. Pressing flattens the nap and squeezes paint out of the ends. Let the fibers reach.
- Finish in one direction. Lay off with light passes so the sheen looks even.
- Buy extra paint. Texture has more surface area than its footprint, and long naps hold more paint. Coverage on the can assumes a smoother surface.
Exterior stucco and brick get their own page: exterior and stucco rollers. Wondering about decorative texture rollers instead? See textured and pattern rollers.
Questions people ask
What nap roller for orange peel walls?
1/2 inch for most orange peel. A 3/8 inch cover can work on very light orange peel in flat paint, but tends to skip the low spots on heavier texture.
What nap roller for knockdown texture?
1/2 inch for light knockdown, 3/4 inch for heavy knockdown. If you see bare spots in the valleys after the first pass, move up a size.
What roller should I use on a deck?
A 1/2 inch nap for smooth or lightly weathered boards; Benjamin Moore and Purdy both list decks under 1/2 inch. Rough-sawn or very weathered wood may need 3/4 inch. Follow the stain or coating maker’s directions; some recommend brushing or back-brushing.
Why is my roller leaving bare spots on texture?
The nap is too short, the cover is underloaded, or you are rolling too fast. Thicker naps hold more paint and push it into texture, as Sherwin-Williams puts it.
Sources
Last reviewed October 12, 2026. Specs and availability change; check the listing before you buy.