5 Times to Choose a Foam Paint Roller

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Paint rollers can be a fun and convenient addition to any painter's toolkit, whether you're a professional or a do-it-yourselfer. What really makes paint rollers so effective isn't just good paint skills, it's also a matter of working with the right type of roller.

The two most common types of rollers are the nap rollers and foam rollers. Nap rollers are made up of numerous fibers or strands. Foam paint rollers offer a budget alternative to traditional rollers and are specifically helpful with certain kinds of painting jobs.

Here are some of the most common ways that painters use a foam paint roller for interior or exterior painting work.

1. Smooth Surfaces

While your individual projects may vary, a good rule of thumb painter's use is to plan on using foam rollers for smooth interior walls and traditional rollers for the more uneven exterior walls of a home.

Because of the way they absorb the paint, foam paint rollers are most useful on smooth surfaces. When a wall has been finished to a fine, smooth flatness, the foam roller glides along and dispenses paint evenly.

Imagine the way a nap roller would go about that same job. The varying fiber lengths would absorb and apply paint unevenly and potentially leave behind roller marks. Consequently, it's where traditional nap rollers shine that foam rollers fall short: the rougher, irregular surfaces. Rough exterior walls and popcorn ceilings actually squeeze paint out of foam rollers and make them drip.

2. Thinner Paints

The benefit of using foam is that it absorbs liquids easily, and when the outer surface of the foam is smooth, it redistributes that same liquid evenly. In the painting world, thin paints absorb well, so varieties like water-based paints and latex work ideally with foam rollers.

On the other hand, oil-based paints tend to be thicker and more syrupy than liquid-like. Try to avoid using foam rollers with oil-based paints, as they likely won't absorb as completely or as evenly, thus negatively impacting the finished paint job.

3. Large Surface

As stated, foam rollers are especially absorbent, which translates to taking in a larger volume of paint than a traditional roller might. Having lots of paint in the tank means it's a tool best suited to having a lot of surfaces to cover.

Brushes or other tools may better serve a painter on smaller walls and surface areas.

4. Matched Width Trim

Smaller foam paint rollers called "trim rollers" are available for various types of trim frames, molding, and other smaller bits of a job. These 3-4-inch designs can give trim the same neat look as the wider foam roller gives to a wall area. So long as you get the appropriate sizes of trim roller you can quickly cover all of the parts of a room or space.

5. For Short Term Use

Foam roller covers do not tend to last a long time. They are great for when a painter does not take on jobs routinely. If you're the kind of craftsman who only paints a room when you get sick of its current color once every few years, foam rollers are for you. They're inexpensive, and while useful, are in no way precious.

If you do anticipate that you'll be painting frequently, traditional lambskin rollers may be a better idea, since a one-time purchase will last you quite a while.

Substitute When Necessary

Keep in mind that all of these rules are interchangeable and interdependent. For example, just because you have a large surface to paint doesn't mean you're restricted to using a foam roller, as that same large surface may also be a rough surface.

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Similarly, foam rollers can be used on occasions when they are not the ideal tool. For instance, you may have a project where spray painting would be the absolute best method for paint applications. However, sometimes the best option isn't a practical option. Spray painting requires specialized tools, preparation, and skill to adequately control the distribution of paint, whereas a foam roller just requires paint and your arms.

Edward Kimble, a professional painter, and the author of "Interior House Painting Blog" contributed to this article.

Paint Roller Advice What is the Best Paint Roller for Your Paint Project?

Have you ever stood in the paint roller aisle in the paint or home improvement store and wondered what the difference between paint roller covers was? Some are thick, some are thin, and they come in many colors. It can be confusing. Most paint roller covers are made of woven materials and come in a variety of colors. Each brand has different colors, but the majority are white, yellow, or blue. 

 

Paint Roller Advice

Stucco, Decks, Brick, and Masonry - Thick 3/4&#; roller covers can hold more

Ceilings and Drywall - Medium 3/8&#; roller covers work best.

Walls, Wood, and Metal - Small 1/4&#; roller covers or foam rollers will produce the smoothest finish. 

Light to Medium Textured Surfaces - Microfiber rollers are best.

Smooth Surfaces - Use a white woven short nap roller for an ultra fine finish. If you use a thick 3/4&#; roller cover on a smooth wall, it will produce an orange peel textured surface.

Thick 3/4&#; roller covers can hold more paint and get into the crevices of the rough surface. If you use a thin 1/4&#; cover over stucco, the cover will rip apart quickly and not get paint into all the crevices. &#;Medium 3/8&#; roller covers work best.Small 1/4&#; roller covers or foam rollers will produce the smoothest finish.Microfiber rollers are best.Use a white woven short nap roller for an ultra fine finish. If you use a thick 3/4&#; roller cover on a smooth wall, it will produce an orange peel textured surface.

Paint Roller Covers

Choose the Right Cover Thickness

Stucco, Decks, Brick, and Masonry - Thick 3/4&#; roller covers can hold more

Ceilings and Drywall - Medium 3/8&#; roller covers work best.

Walls, Wood, and Metal - Small 1/4&#; roller covers or foam rollers will produce the smoothest finish. 

Light to Medium Textured Surfaces - Microfiber rollers are best.

Smooth Surfaces - Use a white woven short nap roller for an ultra fine finish. If you use a thick 3/4&#; roller cover on a smooth wall, it will produce an orange peel textured surface.

Thick 3/4&#; roller covers can hold more paint and get into the crevices of the rough surface. If you use a thin 1/4&#; cover over stucco, the cover will rip apart quickly and not get paint into all the crevices. &#;Medium 3/8&#; roller covers work best.Small 1/4&#; roller covers or foam rollers will produce the smoothest finish.Microfiber rollers are best.Use a white woven short nap roller for an ultra fine finish. If you use a thick 3/4&#; roller cover on a smooth wall, it will produce an orange peel textured surface.

There are two basic sizes for paint roller frames - large 9&#; long roller frames and a smaller 4&#; style. Decide which roller size to use depending on what you will be painting:

Walls and Ceilings - The large roller is better for big surfaces.

Doors, Furniture, and Cabinets - A 4" paint roller is ideal. 

Paint Roller Size

There are two basic sizes for paint roller frames - large 9&#; long roller frames and a smaller 4&#; style. Decide which roller size to use depending on what you will be painting:

Walls and Ceilings - The large roller is better for big surfaces.

Doors, Furniture, and Cabinets - A 4" paint roller is ideal. 

The sooner you start your paint project, the sooner you&#;ll be done. So, to get rolling right just follow the directions below and check out a helpful video on How to Dip a Roller.

How To Use A Paint Roller

The sooner you start your paint project, the sooner you&#;ll be done. So, to get rolling right just follow the directions below and check out a helpful video on How to Dip a Roller.

The sooner you start your paint project, the sooner you&#;ll be done. So, to get rolling right just follow the directions below and check out a helpful video on How to Dip a Roller.

You don&#;t need much to get started:

1. A paint roller.
2. A paint tray.
3. A paint tray liner.
4. A damp rag.
5. A gallon of Glidden paint.
6. A drop cloth, plastic tarp, etc. to protect flooring and furniture.

Get Your Materials

You don&#;t need much to get started:

1. A paint roller.
2. A paint tray.
3. A paint tray liner.
4. A damp rag.
5. A gallon of Glidden paint.
6. A drop cloth, plastic tarp, etc. to protect flooring and furniture.

1. To attach the roller cover to the paint roller frame, simply align the hole in the cover with the end of the frame and push it on.
2. Prep roller with a damp rag
3. Squeeze roller 3-4 times with rag
4. Make sure the entire surface area of the rag is moist and ready to apply paint
5. If needed, you can screw on a painting roller extension pole to each roller frame to reach high places.

Prepping the Paint Roller

1. To attach the roller cover to the paint roller frame, simply align the hole in the cover with the end of the frame and push it on.
2. Prep roller with a damp rag
3. Squeeze roller 3-4 times with rag
4. Make sure the entire surface area of the rag is moist and ready to apply paint
5. If needed, you can screw on a painting roller extension pole to each roller frame to reach high places.

1. Insert a plastic paint tray liner into the paint tray
2. Make sure the liner is completely secure in the tray
3. Position the tray in an area that&#;s easy to reach and close to the surface you are paint
4. Pour paint into the deep pocket of the tray
5. Fill the pocket of the tray roughly a quarter of the way up with paint
6. Don&#;t overfill the tray

Prepping the Paint Tray

1. Insert a plastic paint tray liner into the paint tray
2. Make sure the liner is completely secure in the tray
3. Position the tray in an area that&#;s easy to reach and close to the surface you are paint
4. Pour paint into the deep pocket of the tray
5. Fill the pocket of the tray roughly a quarter of the way up with paint
6. Don&#;t overfill the tray

1. Position the roller at the beginning of the grooved part of the paint tray
2. Starting at the grooved part of the paint tray, roll the paint roller back and forth a few times
3. Make sure the roller is evenly covered with a layer of paint
4. Don&#;t use excessive pressure to apply paint&#;an even, light pressure is all that is needed.

Note - Please refer to the product label, Technical Data Sheet (TDS) or Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for safety and detailed application instructions.

Note - Please refer to the product label, Technical Data Sheet (TDS) or Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for safety and detailed application instructions.

Dipping The Paint Roller

1. Position the roller at the beginning of the grooved part of the paint tray
2. Starting at the grooved part of the paint tray, roll the paint roller back and forth a few times
3. Make sure the roller is evenly covered with a layer of paint
4. Don&#;t use excessive pressure to apply paint&#;an even, light pressure is all that is needed.

Note - Please refer to the product label, Technical Data Sheet (TDS) or Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for safety and detailed application instructions.

Note - Please refer to the product label, Technical Data Sheet (TDS) or Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for safety and detailed application instructions.

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1. Remove your roller cover from the roller frame right after you are finished painting.
2. Use soap and water to clean up after using latex paint. Hold the roller cover under running water and squeeze your hand over the roller to remove the paint. Repeat until all the paint is out of the roller, then let dry. Never leave the cover soaking in water.

How to Clean Paint Brushes

Clean-up

1. Remove your roller cover from the roller frame right after you are finished painting.
2. Use soap and water to clean up after using latex paint. Hold the roller cover under running water and squeeze your hand over the roller to remove the paint. Repeat until all the paint is out of the roller, then let dry. Never leave the cover soaking in water.

How to Clean Paint Brushes