10 Best Rollers for Painting Doors + What Types to Look For

Whether they’re inside or outside of your home, your doors can make or break the look of your home. If your doors are in need of a makeover, you might be considering painting them on your own. This means investing in the right tools for the job.

Paint rollers are a great tool for DIY projects like this. If you’ve been wondering which roller is best for painting doors, this article will help you find the answer by covering the following:

• 10 best paint rollers for doors
• What’s the best type of roller brush for painting doors?
• Best way to paint doors: roller, brush, or spray?
• Best way to paint doors with a roller brush

Before we get into the best ways to paint your doors, let’s dive into some choices for the best roller for painting doors. If you’d prefer to narrow your choices to options specific to interior doors, check out the best paint rollers for interior doors.

10 best paint rollers for doors

There are many different choices when shopping for paint rollers, but some are better than others for specific projects. So if you are wondering which roller is best for painting doors, here are our top recommendations.

1. Purdy White Dove Jumbo Mini Roller Covers

Quantity: 2

Size: ¼-inch nap, 4.5-inch length

Material: Woven Dralon fabric

Best Feature: Versatility

The Purdy White Dove Jumbo Mini Roller Covers are a great option for working on doors with smooth surfaces. They’re made with a quality Dralon fabric that gives surfaces a smooth, lint-free finish. It works best with latex and oil-based paints.

2. Wooster Tiz Foam Roller Cover

Quantity: 2

Size: ⅛-inch nap, 7-inch length

Material: Yellow foam

Best Feature: Durability

For a durable option that will last, opt for the 2-pack of Wooster Tiz Foam Roller Covers. As one of the best foam rollers for painting doors, these roller covers are made of yellow foam that will smoothly coat your door and leave no lint behind. They can be used with oil-based paints, enamels, and varnishes.

3. FoamPRO Fine Finisher Roller

Quantity: 1

Size: 6-inch length

Material: High-density foam

Best Feature: Smooth finish

To give your door an even coverage, try the FoamPRO Fine Finisher Roller. This roller is one of the best rollers for painting front doors, as it’s made with high-density foam to apply paint smoothly with no traces of lint. It works with a variety of paints and materials and is the perfect size for the average door.

4. Wooster Super/Fab Roller Cover

Quantity: 1

Size: ⅜-inch nap, 4-inch length

Material: Proprietary golden yellow fabric

Best Feature: Coverage

The Wooster Super/Fab Roller Cover is a great option for doors with medium texture. This is one of the best nap rollers for painting doors, as it’s made of a quality fabric that allows for smooth application and full coverage. It is best suited to flat and satin paints, stains, and waterproofing.

5. Bestt Liebco Master Foam 4 Piece Mini Roller Kit

Quantity: 2

Size: 4-inch length

Material: High-density foam

Best Feature: All-in-one kit

If it’s your first time using a paint roller, this Bestt Liebco Master Foam 4 Piece Mini Roller Kit comes with everything you need. It includes 2 foam roller covers that will help you paint smoothly. It can be used with all paints except shellac.

6. Wooster Mohair Blend Roller Cover

Quantity: 1

Size: ¼-inch nap, 4-inch length

Material: Mohair-Polyester

Best Feature: Durability

Another long-lasting option is the Wooster Mohair Blend Roller Cover. This roller cover is made of mohair and polyester to give your doors a soft look while being super durable. It is ideal for smooth surfaces and various paints and materials, and it’s one of the best rollers for painting exterior doors.

7. Purdy Parrot Jumbo Mini Roller Covers

Quantity: 2

Size: ¼-inch nap, 4.5-inch length

Material: Woven Mohair

Best Feature: Quality

If you want a glossy finish on your door, check out the Purdy Parrot Jumbo Mini Roller Covers. These 2 roller covers help easily create what’s described as a glass-like look on smooth surfaces. They work best with enamels and clears.

8. Wooster Super Doo-Z Roller Cover

Quantity: 1

Size: ⅜-inch nap, 7-inch length

Material: White fabric

Best Feature: Durability

The Wooster Super Doo-Z Roller Cover is an ideal choice for doors with medium texture. The roller cover is made with a fabric that is resistant to shedding and will apply a smooth finish. It’s approved for use with all paints and enamels.

9. FoamPRO Finest Finish Mini Roller

Quantity: 1

Size: 4-inch length

Material: Super-fine foam

Best Feature: Smooth finish

If your door is made of a very smooth material, the FoamPRO Finest Finish Mini Roller is a great choice. The roller is made with super-fine foam to eliminate lint and lines from your paint. It works well with a variety of paints and materials.

10. Wooster Pro/Doo-Z FTP Roller Cover

Quantity: 1

Size: ⅜-inch nap, 7-inch length

Material: Proprietary white fabric

Best Feature: Smooth finish

For a roller cover that makes achieving full coverage easier, go with the Wooster Pro/Doo-Z FTP Roller Cover. The fabric is made with HydroFlow technology to control the release and application of your paint. It works great with a variety of paints and other materials.

What’s the best type of roller brush for painting doors?

When searching for a paint roller for doors, you should have a checklist of features and specs to help you find the right one. Follow the guidelines below to help you choose the best roller for painting doors.

Choosing the right paint roller design and grip

Your roller’s frame and handle play a role in how well you’re able to paint your doors. Here are some things to consider when purchasing a paint roller:

• Compatible: Not all roller covers will fit on the same frames, so make sure your frame is compatible with the roller cover(s) you intend to use.
• Ergonomic: Handles designed for comfort and a sturdier grip will allow you to paint for longer.
• Ball bearings: Frames with ball bearings allow the roller cover to roll over the surface easily and avoid slip ups.
• Long handle or extendable: If you’re working with a large door, make sure your roller’s handle is long enough or can be extended in order to comfortably reach the entire surface.

Choosing the right paint roller length

The length of your paint roller is also important, as it impacts how efficiently you can paint. These are the best paint roller lengths when painting doors:

• 4-inch: Mini-sized length that’s ideal for smaller/thinner sections or panels.
• 6-inch to 7-inch: Medium-sized length that is best for the average door.
• 9-inch: Average roller size; best only for large door projects, such as garage doors.

Choosing the right paint roller cover material for your project

Making sure your roller cover’s material works well with your paint and surface is ideal for getting the best results. Here are the best materials for painting doors:

• Microfiber: Fabric that helps apply paint smoothly.
• Foam: Has great absorbency and release abilities; works well on smooth surfaces.
• Synthetic blends: Includes nylon, polyester, and mohair; different blends can offer durability and smooth, even coverage.

Choosing the right paint roller nap (thickness) for your surface

The thickness of your roller nap affects how well your roller will work with different textures. These are the best naps for working with doors:

• ¼-inch: Thinner nap for applying a smooth finish to smooth surfaces, like wood and metal.
• ⅜-inch: Ideal for applying paint to smooth to medium surfaces.
• ½-inch: Works well on surfaces with medium amounts of texture.

Best way to paint doors: roller, brush, or spray?

If you’ve been wondering whether to use a roller or brush for doors, the answer is actually both. Before painting the main surface of the doors, you should start by using a paintbrush to cut in the edges of the door. Brushes are also an ideal choice for minor touch-ups or painting small/thin sections. Next, use a roller to paint the main sections of the door. Paint rollers are the best option for this as their quick to use while also giving you a smooth, even coverage.

Paint sprayers can be used to paint doors, and they’re a great choice if you’re working on a large project or have multiple doors to paint at once. However, they are pricey and tend to be a bit messier and less precise than a roller or a brush.

Choose a roller if…

• You’re painting the main surfaces of the door.
• You want to paint fast.
• You want a smooth, even coverage.

Choose a brush if…

• You’re cutting in the edges of the door.
• You want to quickly paint a small section.
• You’re doing a quick touch-up.

Choose a spray if…

• You have a lot that needs painted fast.
• You have the money to spend.
• You’re not concerned with precision or mess.

Best way to paint doors with a roller brush

When painting doors on your own, you’re going to want to do everything to make sure you get the best results. Here are some tips on how to paint your doors with a roller brush:

• Check the weather — If you’re painting an exterior door, make sure to check the forecast and plan ahead to avoid working in the rain or humidity.
• Remove the door from its hinges — If possible, removing the door and laying it down over a work station will allow you to paint the entire surface more easily and comfortably.
• Sand away the old — Use sandpaper to remove the old layers of paint and smooth the surface. This will help the new paint to stick and look better.
• Clean the surface — Use a damp cloth to wipe away any dirt or debris that could appear in the paint.
• Protect the area — Apply painter’s tape or lay down sheets on the surrounding surfaces that you want to protect from paint. This will allow you to better focus on the task at hand.
• Repair any damage — Fill any holes or cracks prior to painting, so you don’t have to repaint later.
• Apply primer — Coat the door with primer and let it dry before painting. This will help your paint stick and provide more protection.
• Use only what you need — Remove excess paint from your roller using a paint tray or a screen to help you avoid any unnecessary blotches, splatter, dripping, or uneven coverage.
• Follow the grain — Always paint in the direction of the grain to give your doors a smooth finish.
• Perfect your technique — Take the time to properly paint your doors by standing a comfortable distance away, using long brush strokes, and using the M technique to get the best finish.
• Sand between coats — Once the paint has dried, use sandpaper to lightly remove any error and give the surface an even smoother finish.

Now that you know everything about painting doors with a roller, it’s time to get started on your project. If you think you’d prefer to hire a professional, the City Painters are here to help. Contact us here or give us a call for a free quote.