Polyurethane can be easily applied with a brush, roller, or sprayer. Brushing a large project can take forever, and spraying can cost a lot of money, this is where rollers come in. They are hands-down the best way to speed up your job without breaking the bank.
Let’s dive into what separates the best and worst rollers, as well as our top picks.
Our Top 5 Rollers For Polyurethane
| Image | Product | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
Our Top Pick  | Our Top Pick | Wooster Lambswool 100
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| View on Amazon |
Best Budget  | Best Budget | Foam Pro Finest Finish
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| View on Amazon |
Best High End  | Best High End | Wooster MicroPlush
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| View on Amazon |
 | Wooster Mohair Blend
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| View on Amazon | |
 | Purdy White Dove
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| View on Amazon |
What Are Rollers For Polyurethane?
Rollers for polyurethane are very similar to paint rollers. They serve the same basic purpose, but rollers for polyurethane are made specifically to handle its thick consistency while delivering a spotless finish.
What Are The Different Types of Rollers For Polyurethane?
Like brushes, rollers come in a variety of different types. The best rollers will either be made of natural fibers, synthetics, or foam, but the most important thing to consider is how the material is crafted. Each type of roller has its own pros & cons, and each one will work better than others in certain situations.
Knit
Knit fabric rollers are built for speed and ease. They are generally made from things like polyester and lambswool. While they can hold a lot of urethane, they can also leave slight imperfections or lint in your finish. Expect to pay a little less for these at the expense of quality.
Woven
Woven mohair and microfiber rollers produce a smooth, blemish-free finish every time. Woven rollers should always be used for urethanes with a more lustrous finish, like semi-glosses and glosses. Just be prepared to shell out some extra money for these types of rollers.
Foam
Foam rollers do an incredible job at soaking up polyurethane and spreading it quickly, not to mention they are very inexpensive. They can be tricky as they are known to leave behind bubbles and inconsistencies.
How Do Rollers For Polyurethane Work?
Rollers for polyurethane work very similarly to paint rollers. They absorb more polyurethane than a brush, making them ideal for completing large projects quickly. They work best on flat surfaces like floors, decks, and fences. The only downside is that they can be tough to get in tight spots, which is why it’s always a good idea to have a brush on hand.
What Do You Look For In The Best Polyurethane Rollers?
Material
Be sure to check if a roller is made from a woven or knit fabric because they can produce different results. If your job calls for covering something like a deck or fence, you can save some money by purchasing a knit polyester or lambswool roller. If you want to tackle the floors inside your home, then spring for a high-quality woven mohair or microfiber roller.
Roller’s Nap Size
Just like any painting job, the nap of your roller should depend on how smooth your project surface is. Using a shorter nap will make the finished product look better, but they will slow you down as they won’t hold as much polyurethane. A ⅛”-⅜” nap will work best for smooth sanded surfaces. Shoot for a ⅜”-½” nap roller for interior furniture like cabinets or chairs. Extra rough exterior surfaces like decks and fences will usually require a ½”-¾” nap to ensure that you don’t miss any spots.
Best Polyurethane Rollers Reviewed
Wooster Lambswool 100 (Our Top Pick)
There is a reason that so many contractors use Wooster products, they have a reputation they fully live up to. The Lambswool 100 roller is our top pick because they strike a perfect balance between quality and cost. Say goodbye to lint because these rollers are specially designed to give you a clean finish every time!
Pros
- Won’t shed
- Hold lots of polyurethane
- Durable
Cons
- Can leave stipple marks on high-sheen finishes
Foam Pro Finest Finish (Best Budget)
If efficiency and saving money are at the top of your list, then the Foam Pro Finest Finish roller is for you. They come in a variety of different sizes, making them perfect for just about any job. Don’t expect to beat the price on these rollers because you won’t. That said, they probably wouldn’t be the best choice for a high-traffic indoor area like the kitchen if you are after a top-tier quality finish.
Pros
- Inexpensive
- Hold more urethane than other rollers
Cons
- Can leave an uneven finish in novice hands
Wooster MicroPlush (Best High-End)
Wooster’s MicroPlush rollers are the cream of the crop when it comes to leaving a perfect finish, time after time. You won’t find a better roller for polyurethane, especially if you care about quality over price point. They are a bit expensive compared to other brands, but you always get what you pay for.
Pros
- Microfiber means no lint
- Unbeatably smooth finishing
- Able to hold more urethane than most microfiber rollers
Cons
- Too expensive for quick exterior jobs
Wooster Mohair Blend (Best Woven)
Some of us want to find a perfect middle-ground between creating a quality product and saving some money. This is where the Mohair Blend roller from Wooster comes in. You get almost all of the advantages of a woven fabric roller minus the cost. The only reason that these weren’t our top pick is that they don’t seem to last as long as some of their competitors.
Pros
- Unrivaled finishing, especially for glossy finishes
- Won’t hurt your wallet
Cons
- Won’t hold up as long as other woven rollers
Purdy White Dove (Best Knit)
The White Dove line from Purdy is a favorite for contractors and DIY enthusiasts alike. They are affordable, durable, and leave a better finish than almost any knit roller. Knit fabrics are notorious for leaving behind lint particles on urethane finishes, but their top-notch construction makes this a problem of the past.
Pros
- Quality knit fibers
- Inexpensive
- Durable
Cons
- Finishes aren’t quite as good as top woven rollers
Final Thoughts On Rollers For Polyurethane
Before you spring for some new rollers for polyurethane, familiarize yourself with what your project needs are and what each type of roller excels in. You can get away with using more budget-friendly knit or foam options for low-traffic exterior jobs, but you should probably spring for a woven mohair or microfiber roller if you want the best quality.
