Whether it’s your concrete floors, walls, or outdoor patio, painting concrete can help breathe new life into your home. If you’re thinking about freshening up the look of your concrete, you’ll need the right tools for the job.
Paint rollers are a great way to quickly apply paint while also achieving a beautiful coverage, but not all rollers are created equal. This article will help you find the best paint roller for your concrete project by covering the following:
- 10 best concrete paint rollers
- What’s the best type of roller for painting concrete floors
- Best way to paint concrete: roller, brush, or spray
- Best way to paint concrete without leaving marks
Before we get into what kind of paint roller to use for concrete, let’s dive into the best choices for concrete paint rollers. If you’d like to expand your search beyond rollers, check out the best paintbrushes for concrete.
10 best concrete paint rollers
While there are many options available, not all paint rollers will work well with concrete. Here are our recommendations for the best paint rollers for concrete.
1. Wooster Super/Fab Roller Covers
Image Credit: Amazon.ca
Quantity: 3
Size: ½-inch nap, 9-inch length
Material: Proprietary golden yellow fabric
Best Feature: Coverage
For those looking for a multi-pack, the Wooster Super/Fab Roller Covers are a great option. The high quality fabric helps the roller covers resist matting and give you smooth, even coverage. They work great with flat or satin paints, stains, and waterproofing.
2. Purdy Colossus Roller Cover
Image Credit: Amazon.ca
Quantity: 1
Size: ¾-inch nap, 18-inch length
Material: Woven polyamide material
Best Feature: Smooth finish
If you're working with rough concrete, try the Purdy Colossus Roller Cover. This cover is designed with high-quality material to apply paint smoothly and cleanly. It works great with latex and oil-based paints.
3. Wooster Painter’s Choice Roller Cover
Image Credit: Amazon.ca
Quantity: 1
Size: ¾-inch nap, 9-inch length
Material: Green fabric
Best Feature: Durability
The Wooster Painter's Choice Roller Cover is a great choice for those working with semi-rough and rough concrete. This cover is made of quality, durable material to help you complete projects that don't require a fine finish. The fabric works most ideally with flat paints.
4. Purdy White Dove Roller Cover
Image Credit: Amazon.ca
Quantity: 1
Size: ⅜-inch nap, 9-inch length
Material: Woven Deluxe Dralon fabric
Best Feature: Versatility
If you're working with smooth or semi-smooth concrete, the Purdy White Dove Roller Cover is a great option. This cover has a quality make that will help you achieve a smooth finish and it’s one of the best rollers for painting concrete floors. It's also been approved for use with all paints.
5. Wooster Golden Flo Roller Cover
Image Credit: Amazon.ca
Quantity: 1
Size: ¾-inch nap, 9-inch length
Material: High-capacity yellow fabric
Best Feature: Versatility
For high-quality work, opt for the Wooster Golden Flo Roller Cover. This roller cover works well with rough concrete to provide quick and even coverage, which makes it one of the best paint rollers for concrete blocks. It's super durable and works with a variety of materials.
6. Purdy Pro-Extra Colossus Roller Cover
Image Credit: Amazon.ca
Quantity: 1
Size: 1-inch nap, 9-inch length
Material: Woven polyamide material
Best Feature: Durability
The Purdy Pro-Extra Colossus Roller Cover is great for working with extra rough concrete. This roller cover is made with highly durable material that can hold even more paint and provide a smooth finish, which makes this cover another one of the best rollers for painting concrete blocks. It is ideal for use with latex and oil-based paints.
7. Wooster Super/Fab FTP Roller Covers
Image Credit: Amazon.ca
Quantity: 3
Size: ¾-inch nap, 9-inch length
Material: Proprietary microfiber
Best Feature: Shed-resistant
For those wanting to stock up on quality roller covers, check out this 3-pack of Wooster Super/Fav FTP Roller Covers. These roller covers are super durable and have a controlled release, helping give your rough concrete a beautiful coverage. They're shed and matting resistant and work best with flat, eggshell, and satin paints.
8. Purdy Marathon Roller Cover
Image Credit: Amazon.ca
Quantity: 1
Size: ½-inch nap, 9-inch length
Material: Nylon-Polyester
Best Feature: Smooth finish
If you want a guaranteed smooth finish, the Purdy Marathon Roller Cover is a great option for you. This roller cover is designed to limit lint and has pick-up and release technologies to give you a desirable finish in less time. It's ideal for interior and exterior paints that are oil or water-based.
9. Wooster American Contractor Roller Cover
Image Credit: Amazon.ca
Quantity: 1
Size: ¾-inch nap, 9-inch length
Material: Durable fabric
Best Feature: Coverage
The Wooster American Contractor Roller Cover is a great affordable choice. It's designed to be very durable and pick up and release paint well. It works great on rough concrete and can be used with all flat, eggshell, and satin paints.
10. Wooster Pro/Doo-Z Roller Cover
Image Credit: Amazon.ca
Quantity: 1
Size: ¾-inch nap, 9-inch length
Material: High-capacity white fabric
Best Feature: Quality
Another Wooster roller cover that will get the job done is the Pro/Doo-Z Roller Cover. It's made of high-density fabric to prevent shedding and give your concrete a smooth finish. It also works with a variety of materials.
What’s the best type of roller for painting concrete floors
For those wondering what paint roller to use on concrete, you can easily narrow down your search by knowing what characteristics to look for. Follow these guidelines to determine the best concrete paint roller for your project.
Choosing the right paint roller design and grip
The roller frame/handle you purchase to paint your concrete can impact your comfort and efficiency. Here are some things to look for in a paint roller frame for concrete projects:
- Ergonomic: Handles with an ergonomic design will keep your hands comfortable, allowing you to paint for longer.
- Long/extendable: Opting for a long handle or one that can be extended or threaded will allow you to comfortably paint concrete flooring and other tall surfaces.
- Compatible: Make sure you select a handle that fits the roller cover(s) you wish to work with.
- Ball bearings: Roller frames with ball bearings will allow your roller to apply paint smoothly without bumps and errors.
Choosing the right paint roller length
The ideal length of your roller cover depends entirely on the size of your concrete project, as well as your own preferences. These are the lengths you’re most likely to encounter when selecting a paint roller for concrete:
- 6-inch to 7-inch: Ideal for smaller concrete projects, such as doors.
- 9-inch: Average roller size for concrete walls and bigger surfaces.
- 12-inch: A great size if you’re working with a concrete project that’s larger than average.
- 18-inch: Professional sizing for incredibly large concrete projects.
Choosing the right paint roller cover material for your project
Another important factor in choosing what paint roller to use on concrete is the material of the roller cover, as different materials react differently with different paints/liquids and surfaces. Here are the synthetic materials you’ll most likely choose from for painting concrete:
- Dralon: An acrylic fabric that provides durability against water and liquids.
- Nylon: Adds increased durability to when blended within fabric.
- Polyester: Great for shape retention and helps to apply paint smoothly and evenly.
Choosing the right paint roller nap (thickness) for your surface
The thickness of your roller’s nap will determine how well it will work with various surfaces. These are the different naps you’re likely to choose between for your concrete projects:
- ⅜-inch: Ideal for semi-smooth to medium poured concrete.
- ½-inch: Best for medium poured concrete.
- ¾-inch: Works for semi-rough poured concrete or concrete blocks.
- 1-inch: Ideal for rough concrete blocks.
Best way to paint concrete: roller, brush, or spray
The tool(s) you choose to paint your concrete with depends entirely on your specific project and your own personal preferences. For the average concrete project, it’s recommended that you use a paint roller to paint the main surface of the concrete. Rollers will speed up the painting process and give you an even coverage. Brushes are great to use along with a roller for cutting in and painting any edges or corners of your project. They are also most ideal for covering smaller sections or completing minor touch-ups.
You can always choose to really speed things along by using a paint sprayer if you have a large amount of work to accomplish and have the money to invest in one. However, some sprayers can get overspray and get a little messy, so be prepared.
Choose a roller if…
- You’re working on a larger project.
- You want to paint faster.
- You’re painting the main surface of a project.
Choose a brush if…
- You’re cutting in or painting the edges and corners.
- You’re only painting a small section.
- You’re doing a small touch-up.
Choose a spray if…
- You have a lot that needs painted.
- You want to really speed up the process.
- You have the money to spend.
Best way to paint concrete without leaving marks
With all the time and effort put into painting concrete, you’re going to want to make sure it pays off. Here are some tips for painting concrete without brush marks:
- Check the weather - If you’re working outside, check the forecast and plan ahead to avoid working in rain or humidity.
- Clean the surface - Use soapy water to remove any dirt and debris that could prevent your paint from sticking.
- Complete any repairs - Fill any cracks and holes before painting to save you from having to redo it later.
- Protect the surrounding area - Use painter’s tape or sheets to cover any nearby surfaces that you’d like to protect from your paint so you can focus on the task at hand.
- Prime the surface - Apply a primer before painting to help give the surface a uniform look.
- Use only what you need - Use a paint tray or screen to remove excess paint from your roller before applying. This will help you avoid blotches, dripping, splatter, and uneven coverage.
- Perfect your technique - Stand the proper distance away, paint in long strokes, and use the M technique in order to get the best results.
- Finish sections before they dry - Make sure to complete an entire section before it dries in order to avoid evident overlapping and uneven coverage in the finished product.
Now that you know everything about painting concrete 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.