New Jersey homeowners have many questions about exterior house painting. Some of them have complicated answers, but some are quite simple. In the case of using a brush versus a roller for exterior painting, it is utterly simple to answer: both! It is a bit like asking if you need a frying pan or a spatula to make a grilled cheese sandwich!
That answer may be easy, but it is probably not complete enough to be helpful. Let’s take a minute to look at what you use the brush for, and when you use the roller for your exterior painting.
Exterior House Painting: When to Use the Brush
Your paint brush is mainly for two purposes:
- Cutting in
- Trim and Doors
Cutting In
Cutting in is the process of painting along all the edges of your wall, wherever it meets another surface. This means the four outside edges, but it also includes window frames, door frames, light fixtures, outlets, and anything else that interrupts the “wide open spaces” of your wall.
When you cut in, get a moderate amount of paint on the brush and carefully paint a strip 3-4 inches wide along all the edges mentioned above. To achieve cleaner lines, apply painter’s tape to the other surfaces beforehand.
Do not cut in the whole wall at once, then roll the rest. Instead, cut in one portion, then use the roller to fill in that section of wall. Then cut in more, and roll more, gradually working across the wall. This keeps a wet edge, meaning the paint from your cutting in is still wet when you do your rolling.
Finally, as you do your cutting in, watch for drips and runs. If you see any, use the brush to smooth them out before they begin to dry.
Painting Exterior Trim and Doors
Brushes are easier to use for painting small lines and complicated profiles, like you find on trim and doors. Also, many people prefer the look of brush painting compared to rolling on these surfaces.
Use a 2 or 2 1/2 inch, angled brush for painting trim and doors. Again, never load your brush with too much paint, but use a moderate amount. Work systematically, and watch for drips, pools, and runs. As always, apply painter’s tape beforehand to get the cleanest lines.
When to Use a Roller for Exterior House Painting
Remember those “wide open spaces” mentioned above? That is where you use that roller. Use a clean, high quality roller with a medium or thick nap. Fill your paint tray with about 1 1/2 inches of paint. Dip your roller about 1/3 of the way into the paint, then use the slanted, corrugated surface of the tray to roll the paint onto the whole surface of the roller. Don’t overload it.
Apply the paint in a broad “W” shape at first, then work methodically through the whole area, spreading out the paint evenly. Work in squares, starting from an upper corner, and then work down and across the wall. After you have finished a section, look over it again for lap marks. This can happen if too much paint is on the edge of the roller. Just smooth them out, and then keep going!
Cherry Hill Painting
There are good reasons to try exterior house painting as a do-it-yourself project. However, if this turns out to be a little more than you want to tackle, there are also great reasons to hire a local house painter.
For New Jersey and Philadelphia homeowners, Cherry Hill Painting is a name you can trust for exterior house painting. Additionally, we provide interior painting, carpentry, cabinet painting, deck refinishing, and more. Call us for a free estimate: we look forward to working with you!