Painting Sets

Paint roller and trays are useful pieces of kit to have when decorating. Whether its your home or you're a professional tradesperson, Cromwell have a large selection of roller and trays to suit various applications, including quality products from a range of brands such as Senator® and our very own Kennedy brand.

What are paint roller sets?

Essentially a painting roller set is a paint roller and a paint tray combined meaning you have an all-in-one solution for your decorating project. They are very hand starter kits as the only additional item you will need is your choice of paint. They are also good for bolstering any additional painting related inventory that you already have especially if you are taking on a large project and multiple hands are required to help.

Paint rollers come in a variety of different types, with short and long pile options for use with different types of paints and even rollers designed for adding texture to your walls.
Rollers have the added advantage of providing greater coverage on larger surfaces like walls. Their rolling motion also allows seamless movement during application which is great for getting an even finish without blemishes like brush strokes. Roller trays allow you to measure out the amount of paint you will require without oversaturating the roller, meaning that you won't waste paint unnecessarily.

Types of paint roller sets

Much like paint rollers on their won paint roller sets come in various styles and sizes, suited to the application that you're undertaking. Below is a list of the mot common types of rollers and trays with an indication of their applications and features.

• Foam rollers/sleeves - These are ideal for applying emulsion onto smooth walls or plaster.

• Short pile rollers/sleeves - These are a good general-purpose roller suitable for most paint types and surfaces but might struggle to get a good coverage on more textured surfaces.

• Long pile rollers/sleeves - These are best used for textured walls and surfaces and the longer pile allows the paint to get into smaller gaps that shorter pile rollers might miss.

• Synthetic fibre rollers/sleeves - Best used with oil based paints like glosses, and are great at getting good coverage on flat surfaces.

• Wool rollers/sleeves - These work best with emulsion paints.

Considerations when choosing a paint roller set

The various between roller sleeves makes selecting the right type of roller a key choice in determining the finish of your painting project.

• The pile of the roller sleeve - As outlined earlier the length of the pile of the roller determines its suitability for working with different surfaces. Making sure that you select the right length of sleeve pile for your roller is key for getting the best finished results.

• The size of the roller - The area you need paint to cover has a big influence on the choice of roller set you require. When covering large areas of wall a bigger roller makes shorter work and gives you more coverage, however they are pretty cumbersome when it comes to navigating smatter nooks and crannies. In tighter spaces a mini roller might be the answer as they provide and even finish whilst being generally less awkward to manoeuvre. In some cases a specialist type of roller like a radiator roller might be required as this has an elongated handle designed for reaching down the backs of radiators, where traditional rollers wouldn't be able to reach.

FAQ

Which type of roller is best for emulsion paint?

Short pile mohair or wool rollers offer the best results when applying emulsion. Foam rollers should be avoided with normal emulsion as they can create air bubbles which will leave textures on a smooth surface.

Why do I need a painting tray?

Painting trays a re useful for several reasons. Firstly they allow you to regulate you paint use better making your cans contents go further, secondly they allow the use of a roller, helping you achieve better coverage and overall finish.