Extension Poles
Using a roller without an extension pole is almost like walking up a down escalator.
For interior house painting with 8’ ceilings, a 2’to 4’ telescoping extension pole is all that is needed. A 1’to2’ extension pole is quite useful in hallways. The extension pole allows two hands to control the roller while painting walls. It also allows one to stand back from the wall being painted and see the coverage.
For higher walls and ceilings or some exterior painting applications a longer extension pole can eliminate the need for scaffolding or keep down the amount of time on the ladder. Cut in the trim and corners from a ladder and roll the rest safely from the ground. Professional painting contractors will have 6’ to 12’ and 8’ to 16’ extension poles and sometimes longer.
For rolling paint or stains on floors or decks a 4’to8’ extension pole works best. Twelve foot ceilings also require a 4’ to 8’ extension pole for painting the ceiling or wall.
Purdy and Wooster make excellent telescoping extension poles that lock at different lengths. However, for painting a room or two, a cheaper wood handled pole will do the trick.
