Paint Brushes

Get excellent results with paint brushes from Cromwell. We stock a wide selection of paint brushes in a range of handle and bristle types to give you the best choice for the perfect finish.

Our range of paint brushes has been carefully selected from high-quality brands like Eco Ezee®, Harris® and our own brand, Kennedy®.

What are paint brushes?

One of the most important tools in a painter and decorator's tool kit, the paintbrush is used for a wide range of jobs, including cutting in, treating woodwork and architraves and final touch-ups. Available to buy as an individual brush or in sets, paint brushes are usually made with a wooden or plastic handle and feature synthetic or natural bristles held in shape and attached to the handle using a metal ferrule.

The ferrule usually displays the width of the brush in inches, with most brush handles have a hole at the end for hanging storage.

Paint brush types

Paint brushes can vary greatly in their shape, size and bristle type, which will affect the type of finish achieved. Often purchased in sets, they range from economy type cheaper brushes, which may shed their bristles; to more expensive, high-quality brushes, often with natural bristles.

• Angled sash paint brush   -   Used for cutting-in tasks for precision finishing

• Masonry paint brush   -   Often wider to cover more surface area on external walls

• Waxing sash paint brush   -   Fine tipped for profiled surfaces

• Angled block paint brush   -   Often used for painting fences or masonry

• Fine-tip paint brush   -   Often called a silver or gold tipped brush they reduce tramlines for a smooth finish

• Long-reach paint brush   -   Also called a radiator brush, this type has a long handle for an extended reach

• Short-handled paint brush   -   Ideal for precision tasks like cutting in and other detail

• Square cut paint brush   -   Most commonly used for general painting on flat walls

Considerations when choosing paint brushes

• Bristle type - the type of bristle you choose for your paint brush will affect the finish you achieve. Natural paint brushes give a smoother finish than synthetic paint brushes but can absorb the moisture from water-based paints and become too soft to easily control.

• Size - for jobs like varnishing woodwork, choose a brush that's slightly smaller than the surface you're painting. While cutting-in tasks should only require a brush between 2.5 to 3 inches wide. The general size range for home decorating is between 1.5 to 2.5 inches. Larger brushes are usually reserved for painting fences.

• Shape - for painting flat surfaces, the rule of thumb is to use a square cut brush. However, for cutting in tasks an angled brush will give you more control for a clean and accurate finish.

• Quality - a good quality paint brush will cost more, but it will hold more paint and provide a better finish to your project than a cheaper brush.

Paint brush jargon buster

We want to make your purchase from Cromwell as easy as possible, and so we've broken down and explained one of our frequently asked questions to help you to make the best decision for your painting job.

What are the different paint brush bristles for?

Paint brushes are available in a range of different bristle types, and each one has it's uses and benefits.

Let's break it down...

• Synthetic bristles - are constructed from man-made materials, such as nylon and polyester. For this reason, they have no means of absorption, so are ideal for use with water-based paints and varnishes

• Natural bristles - are made from animal hair, such as oxen or horsetail and provide an excellent finish when using oil-based varnish or paint

• China bristles - these bristles are made from Chinese hogs. Black China bristles are ideal for rougher external surfaces, while white china bristle is softer for a smoother finish

• Chinex-bristles - designed to deliver an excellent finish and to clean easily. This type of bristle is made with a blend of nylon and polyester and provides a good balance between soft and stiff brushes to give a smooth finish with optimum control

FAQs

What paint brushes do professionals use?

The type of paint brushes used by professionals depends on the type of paint they're using, and the painting task of course. For cutting in, most professionals will use a 3in. angled brush and a waxing sash brush for finer detail. For larger wall spaces, a paint roller is used.
As mentioned above, professionals will alternate the bristle types they use depending on the paint or varnish they're applying to give the best finish possible with minimum track lines.

Is it better to paint walls with a brush or roller?

For large surface areas, a roller with apply a thin and consistent coat of paint to give a smooth finish. When painting walls, brushes are usually reserved for cutting in and touching up smaller areas.