One of the easiest ways that you can help to guarantee a great finish is ensuring you have the right tools for the job and when it comes to paintbrushes there are a huge range of choices. And, while there is a massive selection of brushes on the market, we’ll look at which ones you’ll likely be using on a daily basis. Not only will having the right brush help you complete the job quicker, but it will also make getting a perfect finish much easier.

Don’t go cheap

It can seem tempting, especially for those just starting out in a career as a painter or decorator to buy a set of cheap brushes but this is a false economy. Cheap brushes simply don’t last as long as their more expensive counterparts which means any cost savings that you enjoyed originally will quickly be lost as you have to replace brushes that lose their bristles and shape. As well as lifespan, another reason to avoid cheap brushes is the quality of finish simply won’t be up to that of a more expensive brush.

When it comes to brushes you will likely find that you tend to prefer a particular style and brand of brush with some of the best rated including Purdy, Hamilton, and Wooster to name just a few. And, while some jobs will call for a specialist brush, the majority of jobs can be tackled with just 3 or 4 brushes which are:

Angled cutting in brush

While you can use a standard flat brush for cutting in, an angled brush will make your job that much easier and allow you to get a perfectly straight line every time. Angled brushes come in many shapes and sizes with some of the best choices being 1 – 1.5 inch which will give you great control and allow you to get into small tricky areas with ease. Our recommendations Purdy XL Dale Elite and the Hamilton Expression 35mm brushes which provide a super smooth finish.

Flat trim brush

A wide, flat trim brush will be the perfect choice for woodwork such as skirting boards and window sashes, while also giving you precise control for rails and panels of doors and furniture. Flat brushes are very versatile and can be used for a range of interior and exterior jobs and will help you create a smooth finish. When it comes to picking a brush aim to select one with strong bristles which will help to provide a more precise finish. Our choices Hamilton Perfection Pure Bristle 3 Inch and the Purdy Pro-Extra Monarch 3 inch brushes which both offer great paint holding capacity and extra firm bristles.

Large wall brush

When it comes to getting paint on the walls and ceilings quickly, you’re going to need a bigger brush. A high-quality 6-inch brush will give a smooth finish that you just won’t get from using a roller. Where you are looking to get the best finish possible, which should be always, you will find that you always gravitate to using the large wall brush. Not only will you get a splatter free finish, but you’ll get a nice even coat with less coats. Our recommendation is this 6 inch flat wall paint brush.