Are you looking for the perfect paint roller covers for painting your ceilings?
You've come to the right place!
In this ProPaintCorner.com guide, you will learn:
- What you need to know about painting ceilings with a paint roller
- What fiber style of paint roller you should use for painting ceilings
- How to choose a quality paint roller for your ceilings
And much more!
Below is a quick list of all our top products. Keep scrolling to learn more about how to choose and use a paint roller for ceilings!
| Image | Product | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Our Top Pick
| Our Top Pick | True Blue Professional 9″ Paint Roller Covers
|
| View on Amazon |
| Best Budget
| Best Budget | Purdy Contractor 1st 3/8-inch Nap 9-inch Roller
|
| View on Amazon |
| Best High End
| Best High End | Wooster Brush Pro/Doo-Z Nap Rollers
|
| View on Amazon |
|
| Purdy White Dove Roller Cover
|
| View on Amazon | |
|
| Purdy Colossus Roller Cover 18-inches long
|
| View on Amazon |
Our Overall #1 Rated Pick
Updated On September 22, 2023
If you're looking for an epic pack of paint roller covers to get you through the process of painting ceilings, look no further than the True Blue Professional roller covers.
This pack is designed for professional painting contractors and they've truly covered all the bases when it comes to creating a high-quality paint roller.
So what makes these the best roller covers for ceilings?
Well for starters they're made of a microfiber blend which makes them excellent for picking up paint and releasing it well without all the splatter and mess.
Not only that, they're high-capacity which means they hold way more paint than some other roller covers on the market.
They're just a fantastic option for painting ceilings and creating a good smooth finish.
Top 5 Paint Roller Covers For Ceilings
In a hurry? Check out our top 5 roller covers for ceilings! Keep reading to discover more about our top picks.
What Are The Different Types of Paint Rollers For Ceilings?
Paint rollers might seem like a super straightforward painting tool to work with, but not many people realize there are a ton of different styles of paint rollers.
That's exactly why we created this guide to help you choose the best paint roller for ceilings specifically.
So what makes painting walls with a paint roller different?
Well, honestly not much! The big differentiating factor here is something called the "nap." This is just painting speak for the length of the actual fibers on the paint roller cover itself.
It's dictated by how much fiber there is on top of the roller core, and this will determine the roller's overall ability to lay down paint on the wall with a good texture.
Roller Nap Length & Style
The "nap" of the roller is basically the thickness of the material the cover is made of.
These come in all different nap lengths ranging from a 1/4-inch nap all the way up to 3/4-inch nap, with 1/2-inch nap roller being the most commonly used style.
So how do you know which one is right for your painting project? Here are some basic rules of thumb:
- 1/2-inch nap is a great all-purpose roller cover for walls and semi-rough surfaces
- 1/4-inch nap is great for smooth surfaces like new walls, wood doors, and trim
- 3/8-inch nap is by far the best general nap style for painting ceilings, which is why all of our recommendations in this guide are 3/8-inch nap
- 3/4-inch nap is really high-density which makes it great for rough surfaces like textured walls, plaster, and brick (but it will soak up a lot of paint)
Roller Cover Length
The final criteria to look for is the actual length of the roller cover (measured end to end).
This will probably depend largely on the actual paint roller frame you have on hand.
The typical size of a roller (as you'll see from our list of recommendations) is the standard 9-inch roller cover.
But they can go up to 12-inches or bigger for covering larger surface areas, all the way down to mini rollers that are great for painting baseboards and crevices.
The size of the roller you choose is more of a preferential choice, and it will only matter based on how large or small the surface is that you're trying to paint.
However, a standard 9-inch roller will do most of the work you need to get done for a typical paint job.
Read More >> What Are The Ultimate Paint Roller Extension Poles For Painting Ceilings?
What Are The Different Types of Paint Roller Covers To Choose From?
While choosing a paint roller cover might not make or break your painting job, choosing the right one will make it easier to get a fantastic paint finish.
Luckily for you, it's fairly simple to identify the right roller cover for you based on the paint project you're trying to finish.
So let's go over some of the most common paint roller cover types below so you can learn how to choose wisely and get amazing, professional-looking results!
Natural Fibers
Natural fiber roller covers are often made of materials like mohair and lamb's wool that are excellent at laying on water-based latex paints.
These types of roller covers are very versatile and they can usually work on rough surfaces and smooth surfaces alike!
Synthetic Fibers
Synthetic material paint roller covers are much more common than natural fiber covers and they're often made of things like polyester and nylon.
However, just like natural fiber covers, synthetic fiber covers are versatile and can work on rough or smooth surfaces and they work well with latex paints as well. This makes them an excellent candidate for painting walls which is why most of the ones on our list in this guide are synthetic or a synthetic fiber blend.
Foam Roller Covers
Foam roller covers are a more specific option that work well for a few particular circumstances.
For instance, foam covers are great at working with oil-based paints or high-gloss latex paints.
This also makes them excellent for working on porous surfaces like bare wood, cement, and brick.
So, depending on exactly what type of wall you're trying to paint, these might also be a good option to look into.
Read More >> What Are The Best Paint Roller Covers For Hiding Imperfections?
How Do You Choose A Quality Roller Covers For Your Painting Project?
When choosing a paint roller cover for your home improvement or DIY project, there are a few key factors to consider before you get started:
- What type of surface are you working with? (Textured ceilings, bare ceilings, etc.)
- What type of paint are you working with? (Latex or oil-based)
- What kind of finish are you going for? (Smooth, textured, etc.)
- How big is the surface area you're trying to cover? (Small room, large room, etc.)
Your answers to these questions will ultimately determine the type and style of roller you should go with.
For instance, if you're trying to paint on smooth ceilings with latex paint, you'll want to use a synthetic fiber cover that's either 9" length or longer so you can cover a larger surface area with less effort.
With ceilings in general, as long as you choose a nap length between 3/4" (for smoother ceilings) and 3/8" (for rougher ceilings) you will likely get some quality results.
But ultimately I would recommend sticking with a bigger brand name - such as Wooster, Purdy, Wagner etc. - since they generally make higher quality and shed-resistant paint rollers.
Beyond the paint roller cover you choose, though, one of my top painting tips when it comes to painting ceilings is to invest in an electric power paint roller.
I recently wrote an article on electric power paint rollers and how amazing they are for painting tall walls and ceilings because they cut out the need for refilling your paint roller every five minutes.
So if you're looking to save your arms and your back while you're painting ceilings, go check out that article to find a good option for you. Some of them are very affordable as well, so you don't need to break the bank to get the paint job done!
Read More >> What Are The Top Electric Power Paint Rollers Out There?
Supplies You'll Need For Painting Ceilings
Before you dive into painting ceilings, I did want to mention a few key supplies to stock up on before you get started because ceilings are a bit of an undertaking compared to standard paint jobs:
- Drop cloths - these are absolutely essential to avoid paint splatter
- Extension pole - this is almost guaranteed to come in handy
- A ladder - obviously, you'll need a good ladder to get the job done (especially without an extension pole)
- Paint tray - this will come in handy, especially if you don't use a powered paint roller
- Painter's tape - always make sure to use tape to make it easier to cut in without making messes
Now that you've got a good idea of what you'll need to get started, let's talk about the best paint rollers for ceilings!
Our Top Picks For The Best Rollers For Ceilings
We chose to highlight these True Blue Professional paint roller covers because they are designed for all sorts of paint jobs, including and especially painting ceilings.
This means they are great for releasing the right amount of paint as you go so you won't have to apply tons of pressure to get the paint to roll on.
Since they're a microfiber blend as well, they're great for all paints from latex paints to oil-based paints.
These roller covers are a great choice for creating a high-quality finish when painting ceilings.
Pros
Cons
Our top choice for people looking for a budget-friendly option is this stellar Purdy Contractor 1st paint roller cover.
This one, in particular, is a single paint roller, which makes it easier to just buy the number of paint rollers you'll need for your paint job.
Aside from that, it's one of the best paint rollers out there for creating a professional, smooth finish.
Plus they work with all types of paint and they do come in multiple sizes and nap styles so it'll be easy to find the right one for your specific job.
Pros
Cons
Pick #3: Wooster Brush Pro/Doo-Z Nap Rollers
Not only are they fantastic at laying down paint without creating tons of splatter, but they also work with many different types of paint and finishes.
Plus, many user reviews mention being able to use these for both exterior rough surfaces as well as interior smooth surfaces, so if you're on the fence with what nap style to go with for your project, these are a good all-around style to choose.
Pros
Cons
Pick #4: Purdy White Dove Roller Cover
These Purdy White Dove rollers are just a fantastic addition to any painter's arsenal.
Whether you're a DIY fan or an experienced painter, this little 3-pack is an excellent choice for so many different painting applications.
They're some of the best shed-resistant roller covers out there with very few complaints of lint being left behind in paint.
And since they're a 3/8-inch nap, they're a great choice for most walls!
Pros
Cons
Not only that, but it's also a workhorse when it comes to laying down a coat of paint with a smooth texture.
This style of paint roller from Purdy creates an amazing finish and because this one is 18-inches wide, it covers more surface area in less time, so if you have a big painting project ahead of you it's a great choice for that too!
Pros
Cons
Our Top Pick: True Blue Professional 9" Paint Roller Covers
Our top choice still has to be this amazing pack of rollers by True Blue.
These rollers are some of the best paint rollers out there for painting ceilings because they pick up and release the right amount of paint as you go.
That just makes it so much easier to paint your ceilings without having to hurt your arms or your back or getting splatter all over yourself.
Plus, it's such a great value for the money. Find it at the lowest price on Amazon now!
Final Thoughts On Choosing A Good Paint Roller For Ceilings
If you're just getting started painting ceilings as a DIY fan or you're a long-time home improvement painter, choosing a good paint roller for laying down paint on your ceilings is a good use of your time.
Ultimately, choosing the proper paint roller for a given scenario is a good learning opportunity, and as we went over in this guide, it's pretty easy to figure out which type and style to use once you learn the basics.
So, here's hoping you find the right paint roller for painting your ceilings and that your paint turns out great.
As always, happy painting!
