The tool matters as much as the paint. Here is how to choose, and why a cheap brush is a false economy.
You could paint a whole house with either, but the pros switch between the two constantly — because each does one job better than the other. Knowing when to reach for which, and buying tools that hold up, is half the battle.
Use a roller for
Big, flat areas — walls and ceilings. A roller lays paint on quickly and evenly, and covers far faster than a brush ever could. The pile depth matters: shorter pile for smooth surfaces and a finer finish, longer pile to push paint into textured or rough surfaces like masonry.
Use a brush for
Cutting in edges, corners and around fittings, and for all your woodwork. A good brush holds its shape, carries the right amount of paint and lets you lay a clean line where a roller cannot reach.
Why quality pays
- A cheap brush sheds bristles into your finish and loses its shape after a job or two.
- A quality brush picks up and releases paint evenly, cuts a cleaner line and lasts for years if you clean it.
- A good roller sleeve holds its pile wash after wash instead of matting or shedding.
Spread the cost of a good brush over the jobs it survives and it works out cheaper than replacing bad ones. We stock trade-favourite Hamilton and ProDec brushes and sleeves, plus frames, trays and scuttles — ask us which suits your paint and surface.
