I’m chronically on TikTok and love watching videos of professional painters and decorators using a telescopic paint roller to refresh a large wall in just a few minutes.
Experts in the field confirm a an adjustable extension pole, available at The Home Depot, is the key to doubling your speed and completing painting jobs at home in record time with a super smooth and even finish. I gave it a go in a recent DIY project and couldn’t believe how much easier it made things.
If you’re swotting up on how to paint ceilings or other spaces in your home, this is the one item worth investing in to speed up your paint project and have you back to enjoying your space in record time.
Why the pros love using telescoping arms when painting
Our painting pro Todd says, 'This one is a total workhorse. The locking mechanism is rock solid. It clicks in instead of twisting, so it doesn’t spin loose mid-stroke. It’s extendable but stays rigid, which makes a huge difference when you’re trying to control the roller at full reach.'
They really do double your speed when painting, says Todd Harmon, an interior designer and the founder of Aura Modern Home. He says, ‘Yes, they do, and not in a marketing-hype kind of way. I say this as someone who has tackled everything from 15-foot foyer walls to awkward stairwells in my own home and clients’ properties.
‘A telescoping roller arm doesn’t just add a little speed, it fundamentally shifts the efficiency of your workflow. You're not repositioning a ladder every five minutes, which is where time usually vanishes.’
Using a telescopic arm for your paint roller also shifts the physical pressure from your wrist to your arm, meaning you can make wider, sweeping movements and finish the job much quicker.
Todd recommends the Mr. LongArm 3212 Pro-Pole Extension Pole (6 to 12 feet) from Amazon if you need serious reach. He explains, 'From vaulted ceilings to tall exteriors, this pole is incredibly stable for its length. The aluminum/fiberglass construction keeps it lightweight but firm. It’s worth every cent if you're doing larger areas.'
I found a good quality arm to be crucial in speeding things up when I revived my home office setup, as it meant I didn’t have to keep stopping and moving the ladder to paint a new section of the ceiling. All I had to do was reload my roller. It meant I painted the ceiling of a small room in around 20 minutes overall.
As I have chronic pain, I took lots of breaks and did this in two-five minute bursts, the same way I use adaptive pacing for cleaning and decluttering.
Todd adds, ‘When I use a high-quality, locking telescopic pole (not the wobbly budget ones), I easily finish large walls or even ceilings in half the time. That means if I would have spent two hours rolling out a room, I’m done in one, with far less neck strain and zero ladder drag. It’s not just faster, it’s smarter.'
We recommend the adjustable extension pole with cover from The Home Depot as it has a sturdy steel construction.
‘Aside from speed, the biggest unsung benefit is consistency,' Todd adds. 'With a telescoping arm, your angle stays steady, your pressure remains even, and you cover wide swaths without stopping and starting. That gives a smoother, more uniform finish, especially helpful with flat or matte paints that show overlapping marks easily.
My husband, who is fit and healthy, painted the ceiling of our large bedroom in 20 minutes without breaks, and it gave us a breathtakingly smooth finish.
Todd adds that telescopic paint roller arms are great for painting ceilings, especially living rooms, kitchens, and those hard-to-reach spots above stairs. He says, ‘It’s also ideal for painting exterior walls, where lugging a ladder around becomes more dangerous and annoying. I’ve found it especially useful for high garage walls and vaulted bedroom ceilings.’
How to get the most out of your telescopic paint roller
Todd advises only extending your telescopic pole as far as you need, because ‘longer isn’t always better. Keep the balance right so the roller head stays under control and doesn’t wobble or drag.’s
Picking the right telescopic arm is important, and I’ve seen this firsthand. I had to ditch my cheap one and invest in a good, sturdy one, such as the arm included in the 27-piece painting kit with extension pole from Amazon.
Interior designer Todd adds, ‘Get a pole with a locking mechanism that doesn’t twist loose halfway through a stroke. Nothing kills momentum faster than a saggy roller. I recommend using a roller with a metal core rather than plastic when working with an extended pole, as it will resist flexing and give a more solid, professional feel.’
This is especially evident when you're painting textured walls, as the added leverage you get from using a roller on a telescopic arm will allow you to push the roller 'deep into grooves for better coverage without going over the same spot endlessly,’ Todd explains.
Mistakes to avoid when using an extended paint roller
Don’t overextend the pole, thinking it’ll help reach ‘just one more inch’, Todd explains. ‘It’ll become top-heavy and harder to control, and that’s how corners get dented and paint ends up on the floor.’
You should also avoid rolling too quickly, as these fast sweeps can cause specks of paint to fling about onto whatever is below or nearby, and a nuisance of a wall painting mistake.
Using thick plastic sheets from Lowe’s will help keep your furniture and flooring safe from specks, without them billowing up or tearing when you move around.
What to shop
Todd says, 'This is a good mid-range option for everyday home use. It’s not as heavy-duty as Wooster or Mr. LongArm, but it holds up well and won’t break the bank. I recommend it for folks doing a quick refresh or tackling one or two rooms.'
This kit comes with everything you need to complete your painting project quickly, including a sturdy telescopic arm, brushes, and 9-inch and 4-inch mini rollers.
Todd says, Always pour your paint into a deep well tray or bucket with a screen; otherwise, you will end up wasting time trying to reload from shallow trays if your roller is six feet away from your hands.’
Meet the expert
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