How to Select the Right Paint Roller for Your Project

It can be daunting to look at the number of choices of roller covers in a home improvement store. Learn about paint roller naps and how to select the right one for your project in this video by The Home Depot:

In general, you should use a long nap roller cover for rough surfaces and a short nap roller cover for smooth surfaces.

In almost all applications when you’re dealing with a smooth surface, go with a 3/8 ” nap. It is the most univerally used roller for applying smooth surface paints onto walls, cabinets and a variety of other surfaces.

For slightly textured surfaces such as beadboard, a 1/2″ nap will give you a little more reach into that surface. For a heavily textured ceiling or stucco, a 1 1/4″ nap will reach down into the pattern and cover the surface well.