What is the difference between a woven and knit roller cover and which gives a smoother finish on smooth drywall in NB?

Woven roller covers give a significantly smoother finish on smooth drywall compared to knit covers. The construction method creates different surface textures that directly impact your final paint appearance.

Woven roller covers are made by weaving fibers together in a tight, uniform pattern, similar to fabric. This creates a denser, more compact surface with shorter, more controlled fibers. When you roll paint onto smooth drywall, woven covers release paint more evenly and leave minimal texture marks. The tight weave prevents the fibers from splaying out or creating random patterns in the wet paint.

Knit roller covers are constructed by knitting loops of fiber together, creating a more open, textured surface with longer, looser fibers. While knit covers hold more paint (great for coverage), those loose fibers create a slightly stippled or textured finish as they drag across the surface. On smooth drywall, this shows up as a subtle but noticeable texture pattern that many homeowners find undesirable.

For NB homes with smooth drywall walls — which includes most modern construction and renovated older homes — choose a woven roller cover with a 10mm (3/8 inch) nap. This combination gives you the smoothest possible finish while still providing adequate paint pickup. Popular brands available at NB paint stores include Purdy White Dove (woven) and Wooster Pro/Doo-Z (woven). Expect to pay $8-15 for a quality woven cover versus $4-8 for basic knit covers, but the finish quality difference is dramatic.

In NB's dry winter conditions (ideal for interior painting), woven covers work exceptionally well because the low humidity allows the paint to level out smoothly before drying. During humid summer months, work in smaller sections and maintain good ventilation to prevent the paint from setting before it can self-level.

When knit covers make sense: Use knit covers on textured drywall, stipple ceilings, or rough surfaces where you want maximum paint capacity and the texture won't show. For smooth walls, trim, and doors where finish quality matters most, always choose woven.

The investment in a quality woven roller cover pays off immediately in reduced brush marks, fewer touch-ups, and a professional-looking finish that you'll appreciate every time you look at the walls.

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