How Big Should A Nap Be For Interior Walls?

The success of a painting project relies heavily on the tools used, particularly the paint roller. Surface texture plays a significant role in the success of a painting project. For smooth surfaces, opt for a short nap (1/4 inch or less) for a smooth, even finish. For semi-smooth surfaces, use a medium nap (3/8 inch). The nap size refers to how thick its fibers are, so the one you’ll choose will depend on the type of wall texture and surface you’re working with. Examples of nap thickness and projects include 3/16″ – ¼” for smooth surfaces like metal doors, trim, and cabinet doors; ⅜” – ½” for smooth interior walls; ¾” – 1″ (19.05-25.4mm) for semi-rough surfaces like wood, stucco, or a textured ceiling; 1 ¼” – 1 ½” (31.75-38.1mm) for rough surfaces like concrete block, brick, or masonry.

Professional painters use 20mm nap rollers on ceilings, and 12mm nap rollers on walls. 18-26mm NAP Rough and Textured Surface Rollers have a thick 20mm nap, specifically designed to paint rough surfaces. Nap thickness varies depending on the surface texture and surface type. For smooth surfaces like new drywall, choose a shorter nap (3/16″ or 1/4″) to evenly apply the paint and avoid uneven paint job or paint drips.

For uniform interior surfaces like drywall, cabinets, and metal, use roller covers with smaller nap sizes, like our ¼-inch nap WhiteDove™, to ensure a smooth finish. Walls, ceilings, and paneling require a slightly larger nap size. Common Nap (10-15mm) is the universal choice for most wall and ceiling applications, suitable for flat or low sheen paints. Thick Nap (18-26mm) is suitable for most interior walls and medium-textured surfaces.

Is 10 mm roller good for walls?

The 10-15mm NAP roller is the most commonly used for painting walls and ceilings in homes. It is designed to hold a fair amount of paint, typically flat or low sheen paints. It is crucial to choose the right quality roller for the surface being painted. The nap of the roller, which is the fabric’s thickness, affects the paint holding capacity and roughness of the surface. The lower the nap, the smoother the finish. Other roller sizes include 3-5mm NAP, 7-9mm NAP, 10-15mm NAP, and 18-26mm NAP.

Can you use 3/4 nap on smooth walls?

The article explains the different roller nap sizes for interior walls, metal, and smooth surfaces, with 3/8″ being ideal for most. It also discusses how texture affects paint appearance, with textured surfaces complementing rugged or industrial designs, while smooth and glossy paint suits modern designs. The article warns against using thicker nap on drywall or plaster, as it may create unwanted texture, and thin nap on textured surfaces may hinder paint from seeping into the crevices.

What is the best nap length for smooth walls?

To apply paint to smooth surfaces like new drywall, use a shorter nap (3/16″ or 1/4″) for even application and a smooth finish. Longer napes may be used for increased production, but they may leave a textured look on smooth surfaces. Choose a nap height that provides the desired finish regardless of paint pick up and release capabilities. For rough surfaces like textured plaster or stucco, siding, decks, concrete block, brick, and corrugated metal, a higher nap (3/4″ to 1 ½”) is recommended.

Long nap heights offer better paint pick up and release, making it easier to get into cracks and crevices. Lower NAP provides a smoother finish on smooth surfaces, while higher NAP provides better coverage on textured surfaces.

What nap to use for interior walls?

The selection of roller covers depends on surface texture and environmental factors like temperature and humidity. For uniform interior surfaces like drywall, cabinets, and metal, use roller covers with smaller nap sizes like ¼-inch WhiteDove™ for a smooth finish. For walls, ceilings, paneling, lightly textured walls, decks, concrete, and textured ceilings, use ½-inch nap. For outdoor jobs or rough interior surfaces like cinder block, rough wood, and brick, use roller covers with higher nap like 1-inch GoldenEagle ™ for greater paint pickup and faster application. Woven roller covers are most compatible with paints and primers with glossier sheens, while knit roller covers are best for oil- or water-based paints due to their open fabric construction.

What roller is best for painting internal walls?

The Microfiber 10mm paint roller is recommended for topcoats on generic walls and ceilings, bedroom and living room walls without much texture. It is suitable for water-based paints but not for wallboard sealers on new gib boards due to its inability to properly distribute primers. For texture walls, the Microfibre 15mm paint roller is recommended for applying paint to wallpaper, render, tongue and groove timber.

These high-quality synthetic rollers are suitable for both standard and texture walls, as they are durable, easy to use, and do not leave lint or air bubbles. It is important to rinse and spin the roller before beginning to ensure proper application.

What size roller to paint walls?

The standard 9-inch wall roller has a width of 7-12 inches and is therefore suitable for the majority of home improvement projects. Smaller rollers, with a width of 6-7 inches, are better suited to tasks involving smaller furnishings or baseboard molding.

Is eggshell or satin better for interior walls?

Eggshell enamel, with its velvety texture, is optimal for moderate traffic areas such as living rooms. Conversely, satin enamel, with its pearl-like appearance, is optimal for moderate to high traffic areas or areas with moisture exposure, such as kitchens or bathrooms.

Can I use a 1/2 nap roller for smooth walls?

The nap size of 3/16 to 1/4 inch is ideal for smooth surfaces like wallboard, drywall, metal, and plaster, while 3/8 to 1/2 inch is preferred for most ceilings, walls, acoustic tile, paneling, smooth concrete, textured drywall, and wood. For smooth ceilings, a 1/4-inch nap is most effective. Glossy paint shows more imperfections on the wall than matte finish, so it’s crucial to match the paint roller designed for the surface. Pro Roller Company offers various paint rollers for smooth finish surfaces, and can be contacted at 800. 325. 9561.

Should I use 1 2 or 3 8 for walls?

The optimal nap size for various surface textures has been the subject of considerable research. The appropriate nap size for lightly textured surfaces is 3/8 of an inch, while moderately textured surfaces require a 1/2 inch nap. For heavily textured surfaces, such as popcorn-textured walls, concrete, or bare brick, a 3/4 inch nap is recommended. Finally, for rough surfaces, a 1 inch nap is the optimal choice.

What type of paint roller gives the smoothest finish on walls?

For smooth surfaces, use small 1/4″ roller covers or foam rollers for walls, wood, and metal. Microfiber rollers are best for light to medium textured surfaces. For ultra-fine surfaces, use a white woven short nap roller. For smooth walls, use a thick 3/4″ roller cover. Paint roller frames come in two sizes: large 9″ long roller frames and smaller 4″ style. Large rollers are better for big surfaces like walls and ceilings.