Best Paint Rollers For Masonry Exteriors: A Comprehensive Guide

Painting the exterior of a house is a daunting task, and it's important to have the right tools for the job. Paint rollers are ideal for large, flat surfaces, and textured surfaces like stucco, concrete, and brick. When choosing a roller, consider the size, shape, and roughness of the surface to be painted. For masonry, a long-pile roller is best. These rollers are designed for very textured surfaces, allowing paint to be applied in all the small gaps and cracks found on rough surfaces.

Masonry roller sets

When it comes to painting the exterior of your home, a good-quality paint roller will help you achieve the best finish. For masonry, you will need a roller with a long pile or thick nap—the fibres that make up the roller cover—to ensure the paint gets into all the small gaps and cracks on rough surfaces.

The Rota Premier Masonry Paint Roller Set is a good option, with its exceptional loading capacity saving you time, money and labour. The kit contains one 11-inch deep tray, one 10-inch and one 4-inch Dualon padded woven roller sleeve on a stick system. With over 70 five-star reviews, this set is available for £11.74 ex. VAT or £9.78 from Toolstation and can be delivered in as little as five minutes.

For a slightly smaller roller, the ProDec 9-inch x 1.75-inch Extra Long Pile Polyamide Heavy Duty Woven Paint Roller for Masonry Paints is a good choice, with its hard-wearing fabric offering an excellent finish and superb paint pickup. Available from Amazon, this roller has earned 4.4 out of 5 stars from 248 reviews.

If you're looking for a set that includes a brush, the ProDec PRRT028 5-piece Twin Masonry Paint Roller, Frame, 4" Brush and Tray Set could be a good option. This heavy-duty paint roller set is suitable for painting with smooth and textured masonry paints on exterior walls, and it has earned 4.5 out of 5 stars from 839 reviews on Amazon.

For a larger roller, the ProDec 15-inch x 1.75-inch Heavy Duty Woven Trade Professional Double Arm Paint Roller is a good choice for fast coverage when painting with emulsion and masonry paints on interior and exterior walls and ceilings. This roller has earned 4.4 out of 5 stars from 242 reviews on Amazon.

Remember to consider the size of the area you need to paint and choose a roller that is comfortable for you to handle. You may also need an extension pole to reach high walls.

Roller length and width

When it comes to painting exterior masonry, the best paint rollers are long-pile rollers with a nap thickness of between 3/4" and 1 1/2". These rollers are designed to hold a large volume of paint and are suitable for rough, textured surfaces such as brickwork and masonry.

The width of the roller will depend on the size of the area you are painting and your personal preference. 9" rollers are the most common and are suitable for most home projects. They are easy to control and can fit into a 5-gallon bucket of paint. For larger exterior walls, a roller of 12" or more is recommended to speed up painting time. Smaller rollers of 6-7" are more suitable for small furnishings, while mini rollers of less than 5" are ideal for narrow areas and hard-to-reach places.

Roller materials

The material of the roller cover is an important consideration when choosing a paint roller for masonry exteriors. Different materials are suitable for different types of paint and surface textures. Here are some of the most common roller cover materials:

• Natural fibres: Natural fibre roller covers, such as those made from lamb's wool or mohair, are ideal for oil-based paints and can be used on any surface texture. They are a good choice for masonry exteriors as they can handle the roughness of the surface and provide a smooth finish.
• Polyester/Nylon: Polyester or nylon covers are effective with water-based latex paints and are suitable for any surface texture. They resist matting, which makes them a good option for achieving a smooth finish on masonry.
• Foam: Foam roller covers work well with oil-based or high-gloss latex paints, particularly on porous surfaces like bare wood. However, they may not last as long as other types of rollers, so they might not be the best choice for large masonry exterior projects.
• Blended fibres: Blended fibre roller covers, such as a combination of natural wool and polyester, are versatile and can be used with multiple types of paint. They are a good choice for masonry exteriors as they can handle oil or high-gloss latex paint and are preferred for porous surfaces.
• Microfibre: Microfibre roller covers can hold up to three times more paint than a standard roller cover, making them a good choice for large masonry exterior projects. They provide a smooth finish and work with all types of paint, making them a versatile option.

When choosing a roller cover material for painting a masonry exterior, consider the type of paint you will be using and the level of texture on the surface. Opting for a quality roller cover will provide better results and more uses, even if it costs a little more.

Roller nap/pile

The thickness of roller covers is called the nap or pile. The thicker the nap, the more paint a roller will hold and the rougher the surface it is designed for. Conversely, the thinner the nap, the smoother the finish.

A thinner nap of 3/16 to 1/4-inch is perfect for smooth surfaces such as metal doors, interior doors, trim and cabinets. They work well with semi-gloss or gloss coatings and both oil- and water-based enamels.

A nap of 3/8 to 1/2-inch is suitable for semi-smooth surfaces such as drywall, and can be used on painted or unpainted walls and ceilings.

For stucco and other semi-rough surfaces, a nap of 3/4 to 1-inch is preferable.

For rough surfaces like brick, masonry, cinder blocks or chain-link fences, a thick nap of 1 1/4 to 1 1/2-inch is ideal. This allows the paint to be applied evenly and effectively to rough surfaces, ensuring that it gets into all the deep surfaces and small gaps and cracks.

For exterior walls, a long-pile roller is recommended to ensure paint is applied evenly and effectively to rough masonry walls.

Roller use and maintenance

When it comes to painting masonry exteriors, a roller is a good option. The best rollers for this job are long-pile rollers, which are designed for very textured surfaces. The longer fibres allow the paint to be pushed into all the small gaps and cracks found on rough surfaces.

Choosing the Right Roller

As well as the longer pile, you should opt for a roller with a wider width for exterior walls. A 12" roller is a good size for painting masonry as it can be used both internally and externally. A 15" roller is the largest common size and is usually used for large exterior surfaces.

Preparing the Roller

Before you start painting, you will need to prepare the roller. If you are using an extension pole, attach this to the roller frame first. Then, slide the roller cover onto the frame. It is important to choose the right roller cover based on the type of paint you are using. Natural fibre roller covers, such as lamb's wool or mohair, are ideal for oil-based paints, whereas polyester covers are more suitable for water-based latex paints.

Painting with a Roller

When painting with a roller, you should always use a paint tray. Pour the paint into the tray and use the textured area to distribute the paint evenly across the roller. Try not to dip the roller directly into the paint tin. When painting, use slow and gentle motions and avoid applying too much pressure. Move the roller in straight lines and avoid zig-zagging, as this will cause the paint to gather in the corners of the roller and splatter.

Cleaning the Roller

After you have finished painting, you should clean the roller. The cleaning process will depend on the type of paint you have used. If you have used water-based paint, scrape any excess paint back into the tin and then rinse the roller under warm water until the water runs clear. If you have used oil-based paint, you will need to clean the roller with a solvent such as white spirit. Scrape the excess paint back into the tin and then roll as much paint as possible onto a disposable surface. Fill a tub with white spirit and place the roller inside, leaving it to soak for around 5 minutes. Repeat this process until all the paint has been removed.

Storing the Roller

Once the roller is clean, you can store it in a sealed plastic bag until you need to use it again.

Frequently asked questions