How to Choose the Best Roller Sleeve for Your Wall Texture

April 14, 2025

Finding the Right Roller Sleeve for a Flawless Finish on Your Walls

You’re standing in the paint aisle, eyes flicking between shades of crisp white and soft sage, when it hits you: “What roller sleeve am I even supposed to use?!”. Trust me, you’re not alone. Picking paint colours is fun – figuring out which roller sleeve works best for your wall texture... not quite as glamorous. But here’s the thing – choosing the wrong roller can easily spoil the outcome, no matter how perfect your paint choice is.

Whether you're tackling a weekend refresh or finally getting around to redoing that feature wall, knowing which roller sleeve works for your specific wall surface can save a whole lot of grief – and backtracking.

Different Wall Textures and What They Mean for Your Roller Choice

Let’s start with the obvious: not all walls are silky-smooth. Some have little bumps, waves, or even deep crevices. These different textures exist for all sorts of reasons – old plaster, brick renditions, or even stylish trending finishes like bagged brick. Whatever you’re working with, the texture plays a massive role in the type of roller sleeve you should pick.

If Your Walls Are Smooth...

Smooth or nearly-smooth walls (think plasterboard, well-prepared and flat masonry) deserve a plush finish. You'll want a roller with a short nap, like the Unipro Microfibre Roller 100mm x 5mm (2 Pack). This type gives you that dreamy finish with minimal stippling, which is perfect if you’re going for a sleek modern look or simply trying to make a hallway feel less poky.

This roller is a go-to for kitchens and bathrooms too, where you generally want a cleaner and glossier surface. Smaller nap = less paint used = fewer drips = more control. That’s a big win.

If Your Walls Are Lightly Textured...

Got a bit of a roll or bump in there? Maybe your wall's seen better days or had a less-than-perfect reno patch job? Medium nap is your friend. The sweet spot is around 10mm. It holds more paint than a short nap and gently nestles colour into the indentations without going overboard. It’s a great all-rounder.

If Your Walls Are Very Textured or Rough...

Brick, concrete, or trendier rendered finishes need something more heavy-duty. This is where a thick nap roller shines. We’re talking 20mm+ to get into all those nooks and crannies. The fabric pulls paint deep into textures while still giving you uniform coverage – no white specks lurking two coats later.

Less Obvious Things That Make a Bigger Difference Than You’d Think

The Paint Type: Thick paints, like textures or exterior coatings, generally want a longer nap roller. Thin paints or low sheen finishes pair best with a shorter nap to avoid roller marks.
Your Arm Strength and Patience: Longer nap rollers hold more paint, which can mean heavier lifting and more splatter if you move too quickly. If you’re doing all the ceilings and your shoulders aren't up for a workout, cushioned grip handles go a long way.
Cleanup vs. Tossing: Microfibre rollers generally clean better (and faster) than thick wool ones. That matters when you’ve finished painting Saturday and need your house guest-ready for Sunday lunch.

So, What’s the Best Roller Sleeve Then?

Honestly, it depends. But if you're only going to keep one in the shed, a mid-nap microfiber is the Swiss Army knife of the roller sleeve world. It can flex between smooth and slightly textured walls without batting an eye, and it leaves behind fewer lint bits than cheaper foam ones.

If you’re someone who’s already dabbled in a few DIY jobs, you’ll love how versatile microfibre rollers are. In fact, it’s often the pro’s preferred go-to simply because they offer such a smooth finish, keep splatter down, and don’t wear as fast as some cheaper sleeves. Start there. Then graduate your collection as your projects change – whether you're refreshing old rock cots or reinventing your spare room as a nursery.

Paint it Like You Mean It

When you’re standing back admiring that wall you spent hours lovingly prepping and painting, it shouldn't just be “good enough”. A clean, even, satisfying finish is what really makes a paint job feel complete. The right roller sleeve might feel like a small choice, but it quietly handles one of the biggest parts of your outcome. And now? You know exactly what to reach for.

If you're unsure where to start, pop in-store or shoot us a message – we’ll point you in the right direction faster than a tape line can peel off (cleanly!).

Happy painting!

Candeece