When you decide to take on a DIY painting project, you are responsible for creating the best results. Do you want a smooth finish, or does your vision include more texture? Every decision you make when preparing to paint will impact how it looks, including the roller you use. This blog will discuss how your roller will affect your paint texture, the types of roller naps for different surfaces, and more DIY tips.
Benefits of Fresh Paint
There are several reasons to paint the interior or exterior of your home. A fresh coat of paint can drastically improve the appearance of your home. Paint will fade and chip over time, negatively impacting its aesthetic appeal. With the right paint, you can make your home look more modern and in better condition.
What Is a Paint Roller Nap?
Your paint roller is the tool you will use to paint. The roller nap is the fabric on the end of your roller used to absorb and apply paint to your walls. The thicker the nap, the more paint it will hold.
Different roller nap fabrics are available, including microfiber, weave, and foam. Foam naps are best for smooth surfaces, and weave works well for textured surfaces. Microfiber can be used in both applications.
Roller Nap Length
Rollers generally come in sizes that accommodate a 9″ or 18″ nap. An 18″ long nap will cover more space than a 9″ nap. You will use an 18″ nap for larger spaces and a 9″ nap for smaller spaces. You can also find smaller and larger naps for specialized projects and detail work.
Roller Nap Thickness
There are several different roller nap thicknesses available:
- ⅜-inch roller nap
- ½-inch roller nap
- ¾-inch roller nap
- 1¼-inch roller nap
Thicker fabric will absorb more paint. Therefore, more paint will be put on the wall with each roll. You want the right nap thickness so that you don’t get drips on the wall while still getting the paint over the entire surface.
How Roller Nap Affects Paint Texture
The thinner the roller nap, the smoother the finish will be.
- A 3/8″ roller nap is ideal for most interior walls, metal, and smooth surfaces.
- A 1/2″ roller nap is excellent for drywall interior walls and ceilings.
- A 3/4″ roller nap is best for exterior walls and popcorn ceilings.
- A 1 1/4″ roller nap is reserved for the most textured surfaces.
How Texture Affects the Appearance of Your Paint
Textured walls and ceilings complement a rugged or industrial design aesthetic. Smooth and glossy paint better suits modern design.
If you use a thicker nap on drywall or plaster, you may inadvertently create a texture you don’t want. If you use a thin nap on textured surfaces, the paint may not be able to seep into the crevices of the texture.
What Roller Nap to Use for Different Building Materials
Materials that require a thinner nap include drywall and plaster. Materials suitable for larger naps include textured plaster or stucco, siding, decks, concrete blocks, brick, and corrugated metal.
More DIY Painting Tips
Painting requires planning, experience, and know-how. If you don’t have much experience, you can still complete your task with the proper preparation. Now that you know about the roller nap you should use for the job follow these tips for DIY painters.
Choose the Right Paint for the Job
There are several different types of paint. You need to pick the right paint for the job. For example, interior paint tends to be designed for scrubbing, while exterior paint will be designed to withstand the elements. You may also need to use different paints for different aspects of your project.
Marketplace Paints has whatever paint you need for the job. Check out the inventory for more information.
Picking Paint Colors
The color you choose for the job should complement the room. If you want to brighten a room and make it look larger, stick to lighter tones. To make a room look modern, you should use contrasting colors and bold accents. If you plan to sell your house soon, stick to neutral colors that appeal to most homebuyers.
You may need to select a primary paint color with complementary accent colors. You can stop by Marketplace Paints; our experts can help you determine what colors to use in your home.
Protect Your Items
It can be easy to spill or make a mistake while painting. You should prepare for this by protecting your home before you paint. Use tape to prevent paint from getting onto trimming or building materials near your wall or ceiling. You can also use a tarp to protect the floor, counters, and flooring.
Use a Primer
A primer is a special paint you use before applying your paint color. The primer helps protect the building material while ensuring the paint will stick to the material for as long as possible. The paint may not adhere to the surface as long without a primer, leading to premature chipping or fading.
Allow the Paint to Dry
Always allow the paint to fully dry before applying another layer. Ask a Marketplace Paints expert to learn exactly how long you need to wait for it to dry. It can take several days to complete the job if you need to apply several coats of paint. Plan accordingly.
Know When to Call a Professional Painter
If you enjoy DIY projects, you can effectively complete a basic paint job in your home. However, there are some situations where it will be best to enlist the services of a professional painter.
You should call a professional painter if you don’t have the tools to reach certain parts of your home. You may also want to use a professional for exterior paint jobs, especially if you aren’t comfortable working with exterior paints or painting while on a ladder. Furthermore, when the stakes are high, such as selling your house, you should trust the job to the professionals to ensure you don’t make any mistakes.
Conclusion
Consider the surface material and desired texture to pick the best roller nap for your project. You will use thinner naps for most interior projects and thicker naps for exterior tasks and textured materials. Your roller nap isn’t the only factor impacting the end results. Be sure to prepare yourself properly before you get ready to paint. Stop by any of our Marketplace Paints locations in North Augusta, Aiken, and Greenwood, SC, and our experts will assist you with your DIY project from start to finish.