When it comes to choosing the best wall paint brush vs wood paint brush, there are a lot of things to consider. Your brush is the thing standing between you and a flawless finish, and there is a big difference between the best paint brushes for walls and the right wood paint brush.
Different tools can produce different results, which is why we've put together this handy guide here at Harris: to help painters and DIY enthusiasts choose the right brush for the job.
The best paint brushes for walls differ greatly from the best wood paint brush, as each surface has different needs.
When you paint a wall, you’re working with a large, flat surface. But woodwork on the other hand entails things like skirting boards, doors, trim, stair spindles, fencing, decking etc. These surfaces are much smaller and more detailed, requiring much more precision and control.
Using the wrong brush for either can leave you with a less than desirable final result, so what brushes should you use for each job, and how do you pick the right one?
For larger paint jobs like walls and ceilings, you want a brush that holds onto plenty of paint, as well as one that covers a lot of surface area faster, to prevent the paint from drying too quickly as you work.
You also need to think about the smaller details like corners, edges and light switches and choose a high quality angled brush to cut in and smoothly blend everything together with fewer strokes.
Wider, flat brush heads to hold onto paint and cover more surface area more efficiently
Synthetic bristles are ideal for smooth application of water-based paints and offer fantastic durability
Angled brushes for cutting in around corners and edges, with the tapered bristles giving you plenty of precision and control
Longer handles for brushes used to paint large, flat areas for better reach and greater comfort for long painting sessions
Great for everyday DIY jobs, these brushes offer smooth application and even coverage every time with emulsion paints for a great finish on your walls and ceilings.
These brushes are designed for efficiency, better paint-pickup, and guaranteed no bristle loss.
These are our highest performance options, created with the best possible results in mind. Paint faster with minimal brush marks using our range, ideal for cutting in and creating neat edges.
For better coverage, try pairing your quality wall & ceiling brushes with a large, medium pile roller and focus on cutting in with the brushes.
If you would like to know more tips and tricks about painting walls, check out our blog and the how-to video guide.
Finding the right wood paint brush is important, as interior woodwork requires a bit more precision than a wall or ceiling. With woodwork often being finished with gloss, satinwood or varnish, imperfections are all the more visible, so you need a brush that can deliver the best possible finish.
For more information on how to paint interior woodwork, check out our how-to video guide on how to paint your wooden furniture.
Angled or rounded brush-heads are the best tool for areas that require a bit more attention and technique. Look for these brushes when working on edges, trim and detail work.
Shorter handles are better for these jobs, with a smaller handle giving you the opportunity to carefully paint detail areas up close.
Harris Seriously Good Woodwork Brushes
Great accuracy and smooth coverage for skirting boards, doors and frames.
Harris Ultimate Woodwork Gloss Brushes
Designed for the finest finish, with guaranteed no bristle loss and a smoother, glossier application process.
If you want to know more about painting interior woodwork and furniture, take a look at our blog post and how-to video guide.
When choosing the best wood paint brush for the job, exterior woodwork requires different tools to achieve the best-looking results. Exterior surfaces tend to be much tougher due to their exposure to the elements and heavy use and require a little more elbow grease, meaning thicker paint and more durable brushes are needed.
If you are working on a larger exterior woodwork project like a fence, and feel like you need a more in-depth guide, check out our blog post and how-to video guide.
Larger brush heads are the best option for a wood paint brush when painting surfaces like fences and sheds, picking up more product and allowing you to work more efficiently on tougher areas.
Thicker brush-heads are ideal for painting large, heavily worn areas like decking, designed to hold onto a large quantity of thick paint and get the job done efficiently and streak free.
Ergonomic handles are great for bigger exterior woodwork jobs, reducing wrist and arm fatigue and letting you get into those hard to reach areas without a mess.
For those working on their outdoor furniture, but unsure where to start, check out our blog post on the best brushes for the job.
If you want more DIY tips and tricks on how to make each paint job the best it can possibly be, take a look at our tips and advice blog.
For those jobs that can be indoors or outdoors, like furniture and wooden panelling, there are some different tools and techniques. If you want to know more, take a look at our blog posts on how to paint wooden panelling and how to paint furniture and check out our how-to video guide on exterior wall painting.
| Feature | Walls & ceilings | Woodwork |
| Paint type | Emulsion | Gloss, satin, stain, varnish |
| Brush size | Small to medium | Medium to large |
| Filament type | Softer filaments | Blended stiffer filaments |
| Finish focus | Finish & coverage | Precision & coverage |
| Best shapes | Flat, angled | Angled, round, precision |
At Harris, we are passionate about brushes. Leslie G. Harris hand-made the first paintbrushes in Bromsgrove back in 1928, and we have worked to become the UK’s number one paintbrush and roller brand, and our goal is simple: We want everyone to enjoy decorating, so we ensure our products make it better and easier for everybody.
From guaranteed no bristle loss technology, specialist brush designs and ergonomic handles designed for your comfort and convenience, here at Harris, we care about the important stuff.
Our decades of experience will leave you safe in the knowledge that, whether you’re repainting the living room, refreshing your furniture or taking on the shed, we offer the right brush for every job.
And everything you paint will be seriously good.
