Below, we&#;re delving into an in-depth extension poles review, focusing on the world of paint roller extension poles. These trusty tools have been in regular use by our dedicated team of painters, decorators and window restorers, proving their worth across a multitude of projects over several months.

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In the following sections, we&#;ll be sharing their valuable insights and experiences.

But before we dive into our recommendations for the best extension poles for paint rollers, let&#;s take a moment to understand what these poles are and why they&#;re an essential item in your painting toolkit!

Anatomy of a paint roller extension pole

A paint roller extension pole is a very simple tool comprised of just a few parts, including:

• The handle &#; usually, extension poles are available in a couple of different heights (2-4ft, for example), and the handles are pretty much always extendable.
  
  
• Grips &#; many extension poles have foam or rubber grips that make them very comfortable to use all day long.
  
  
• Locking system &#; locking system for the extendable handle. Some of these are plastic clamps, other are metal pin and hole systems.
  
  
• Thread &#; the thread is on the top of the pole and is designed to fit almost all paint rollers on the market. Some rollers don&#;t fit on poles, but we have some adaptors below to help with this.

Our paint roller extension pole review

The paint roller extension poles that we&#;re about to discuss have undergone thorough testing by our team of professional painters and decorators.

Certain poles have been put to the test over years, across a wide variety of painting tasks, while others have been in our arsenal for just a few months.

Nevertheless, thanks to the extensive amount of painting we undertake, we&#;ve been able to identify distinct examples of each pole&#;s strengths and weaknesses. This extensive hands-on experience uniquely positions us to provide you with in-depth and reliable insights.

Purdy Extension Pole Review

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While this paint roller extension pole enjoys some of the highest ratings online, we believe it might not entirely live up to the hype. Based on our experience, the actual value it offers may not completely align with its widespread acclaim.

• It has a good adaptor that does provide a pretty solid connection between the pole and the roller.
  
  
• Good grip handle

• The locking mechanism on this pole is prone to slipping during use. 

The locking mechanism on this particular pole operates essentially as a clamp that secures onto the pole and attempts to maintain its set position. However, based on our experience, we&#;ve noticed that this clamp tends to lose its grip with repeated use.

Consequently, when painting walls or ceilings, there&#;s a risk that the pole may slip from its selected position. This can potentially make your painting task more challenging, so it&#;s an important factor to consider.

We find a pole with a pin-and-hole locking system to be much more robust.

Granted, you have unlimited height options with this one, but the lock itself does let this pole down somewhatIn our experience, we&#;ve found poles with pin-and-hole locking systems to be significantly more reliable.

This model offers infinite height adjustments, which is a plus, but the locking mechanism seems to be its Achilles&#; heel.

Sherlock Extension Pole Review

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So far, though, the Sherlock extension pole has held up nicely. We have used this pole to paint many jobs, and it has done its job very well.

• This pole does have a very good, fixed locking system that works very well.

• The lockingThe extension pole, though, is completely plastic (even the lock).
  
  
• Not the cheapest 

This extension pole could be an excellent choice for DIY enthusiasts or handymen who don&#;t spend extensive hours painting each week.

With its sturdy and lightweight construction, it allows for smooth application and ensures you can reach all the necessary areas with your paint.

The key is to be gentle and cautious while manipulating the plastic lock to avoid any slippage. Handled with care, this paint pole could be a dependable companion for all your occasional painting endeavours.

Shur-Line Extension Pole Review

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So far, though, the Sherlock extension pole has held up nicely. We have used this pole to paint many jobs, and it has done its job very well.

• It has a brilliant length control, is nice and sturdy and really not too heavy to use all day.
  
  
• Best locking system
  
  
• Best telescoping mechanism
  
  
• Very comfortable gripe

• The locking mechanism on this pole is prone to sSadly, though, we did have to repair the tip adaptor on our pole as it disconnected from the pole.

We simply used a pipe clamp for this. They are really cheap and held it nice and securely. Of course, it would be great if the pole hadn&#;t broken in the first place, but the fix was simple.

ProDec Advance Extension Pole review

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ProDec is back with another pole extension that has some equally enjoyable features as the first.

• It has a very clever locking system that feels very positive in use and holds the pole extremely firmly while painting.
  
  
• Very reasonably priced.
  
  
• Best value for money.

• Unfortunately, this roller extension pole falls a bit short due to its tip adaptor.

For reasons we&#;ve yet to ascertain, the adaptor doesn&#;t securely hold all paint rollers. It&#;s slightly loose, resulting in some rollers wobbling during use. This issue can potentially disrupt a smooth painting experience, so it&#;s an aspect worth considering before opting for this particular model.

Are you interested in learning more about Telescopic Pole? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!

We have never had a paint roller fall off of this extension pole, but with the wobbliness of the tip, we wouldn&#;t be surprised if it did happen to someone. If you&#;re careful, though, this extension pole is very good and great value for money.

ProDec Extension Pole review review

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ProDec is back with another pole extension that has some equally enjoyable features as the first.

• It comes with a threaded adaptor and a push-fit one too.
  
  
• The locking mechanism works really well too. The pole itself is aluminium, and so it is nice and robust, yet lightweight too.

Overall, we really liked this roller extension pole. It works well, hasn&#;t failed and has been a nice addition to our painting tools.

Does a paint roller extension pole have to be the same brand as the paint roller?

Correct, paint rollers and poles are generally designed to be universal. The thread patterns are standardized across all poles, meaning that if your roller is equipped with threads, it should fit onto any pole.

This interchangeability allows for flexibility and convenience when choosing your painting tools.

What is a paint roller extension pole, and why do you need one?

A paint roller extension pole extends the height of your roller, allowing you to paint ceilings and tall walls without using a ladder or constantly stretching.

They are really handy to have. Not using a paint roller extension pole can mean that painting is unsafe, but it is also very tiring if you need to stretch and reach above your head all day. Whether you are a DIYer painting a few rooms in your home or a handyman who does a spot of painting here and there, an extension pole is a very valuable piece of kit.

How to fit a roller to an extension pole?

Fitting a roller to an extension pole can be as simple as screwing it on to the threaded portion of the pole. If the roller doesn&#;t have threads, though, you need to find a suitable adaptor that will secure the roller.

Just above this section are the best adaptors to secure paint rollers that don&#;t have threads. You can either use a clamp and clamp the handle or use a push-fit style adaptor. Either works well, but clamps are a bit more versatile as they can hold brushes and scrapers as well.

How to use a paint roller extension pole

After securely affixing the paint roller to the pole, the next step is to find a comfortable working height. To do this, simply adjust the pole and give it a trial run before loading any paint onto the roller.

Discover that optimal &#;sweet spot&#; where you can confidently control the roller, easily reapply paint, and adequately cover the walls or ceilings at hand.

Once you&#;ve found that perfect balance, it&#;s time to load up your roller with paint and begin your painting process. Start by painting the area slowly and deliberately. Especially if you&#;re new to using a paint roller on an extension pole, taking your time is key. You&#;ll want to ensure a neat, even application, which often requires a slower, more measured approach.

Using a paint roller attached to an extension pole involves much the same motions as you would use with a regular paint roller. The main difference is that you&#;ll want to use both hands on the pole to ensure greater stability.

Painting with an extension pole may take a little getting used to, but typically, most individuals become comfortable with the technique within a few minutes, and can swiftly progress to painting efficiently and quickly.

Another important point to keep in mind is to be conscious of your surroundings when using an extension pole. With the increased reach comes the potential for inadvertently splashing paint where it&#;s not intended to go. So, stay alert and mindful of your environment to avoid any unwelcome painting mishaps.

Conclusion

We hope this look at paint roller extension poles and handy adaptors has been helpful.

For more equipment, tips and tricks in the painting world, please explore our website further. We have all of the best equipment and tricks to make any painting or decorating job quick, easy and enjoyable.

Unger Professional Cleaning Blog

Finding the Best Extension Pole for Window Cleaning: A guide to which pole is right for you

Although there&#;s no hard and fast rule to determine which window washing extension pole is best to meet each job&#;s requirements, understanding the basics of pole selection can achieve a better clean and safer experience. In general, when selecting an extension pole for professional window cleaning, focusing on price, weight and flex will yield the best choice for your unique needs.

The Physical Risk of Choosing the Wrong Window Washing Pole

It&#;s a common mistake for window washers just starting out, or facility managers on tightened budgets, to select a pole based on price alone. The risk here, is that often the cheaper pole, the floppier and heavier the pole is. For the pole user, a floppy, heavy pole requires more physical exertion to maneuver, increasing the likelihood of repetitive stress injuries (RSIs) when used frequently.

Common injuries from pole work include wrist pain, numbness of fingers, elbow pain, shoulder pain, upper and lower back pain, neck pain and tension headaches, all of which you can minimize by broadening the pole selection criteria to include weight and flex. Evaluating these pole characteristics will help you select a pole that minimizes the potential for RSIs by allowing the operator to perform the job with the minimum amount of physical effort.

3 Considerations for Selecting the Best Extension Pole for Window Cleaning

The most critical component of the pole you select is the material it&#;s made of, as that directly impacts the cost, weight and flex. To establish what material is best for your window cleaning needs, consider the following:

How tall is your highest window?

Are you cleaning 1st floor windows, or do you need to extend to clean 2nd and 3rd story windows? The height you need affects the length of the pole needed and the pole material you choose.

When calculating the required pole length, consider that the operator is not standing flat against the building. The operator stands away from the building, working the pole at an angle at which the pole will flex. To account for this positioning, a good rule of thumb is to take the height of the window and multiply it by 1.2  to account for the distance between the operator and the building. For example, for a 40&#; window, you need a 48&#; pole (40 x 1.2 =48).

Note that some manufacturers promote the actual height of the pole while others advertise the working height of the pole. Working height is the physical length of the pole plus an additional 3&#; &#; 4.5&#;, depending on the pole, to account for the operator holding the pole. Therefore, when calculating the pole length you need, be mindful of whether the pole length is referring to actual or working height. 

When considering the height of your windows, flex becomes a key factor. The higher you go, the less flex you want in the pole. Too much flex in the pole and it becomes increasingly harder to control the motion and apply the pressure needed to create the scrubbing agitation. For the operator, the extra flex of some poles, such as aluminum poles, means harder work, extra fatigue, and longer time on site. Depending on your pole length, you may need to consider a higher quality material, like carbon fiber, that has less flex to avoid these pitfalls.

Do you need a telescopic or extension pole?

There&#;s a sizable difference between telescopic window cleaning poles and extension poles for window washing in terms of weight. With telescopic poles, each section collapses into another. Whether you need a long pole for high access window cleaning or a shorter pole for first floor windows, an operator using a telescopic pole is carrying around the same amount of weight for either job.

On the other hand, a window cleaning extension pole is modular, meaning that the sections stack end-to-end. The benefit of this design is that the operator only carries around the length of pole needed, decreasing the load when cleaning ground level windows and increasing the weight of the pole only when cleaning windows at great heights.

To figure out which pole is best for your needs, consider how many windows are cleaned, the height of the windows and the frequency of cleaning. The greater the number of windows, the higher the windows and/or the more frequent cleaning, a lighter pole, such as carbon fiber, is ideal.

What is your budget?

It&#;s typical for a buyer to lean toward a less expensive option if given the choice. However, in the world of window cleaning poles, when it comes to cheaper models, you&#;re going to get a product made from cheaper materials. Each material has its own characteristics, which need to be evaluated against the job requirements to see if it is the best extension pole for your window cleaning needs.

There are five main categories of pole materials:

$    Aluminum Poles
The Pros: Durable  and inexpensive
The Cons: Heavy and flexes significantly from extension and use

$$ Fiberglass Poles
The Pros: Lighter than aluminum and easier to maneuver
The Cons: Flex is still an issue

$$$ Hybrid Poles
The Pros: Fiberglass pole with a carbon fiber wrap; Great price point
The Cons: Floppy and heavy when used over 30 feet

$$$$ Carbon Fiber Poles
The Pros: Extremely rigid and lightweight for high access window washing
The Cons: More expensive than aluminum and fiberglass poles

$$$$$ Hi Modulus (Hi-Mod)
The Pros: Stiffest pole you can get for high access cleaning
The Cons: Expensive

Sourcing Your Next Window Washing Extension Pole

After evaluating flex, weight and price, one other point to evaluate is the ergonomics of the pole. Make sure you look at the pole&#;s diameter at the part you&#;re holding to assess its level of comfort, keeping in mind the time spent gripping the pole. Also, consider the height of the pole when it&#;s fully collapsed. You want to be able to easily adjust the pole sections simply by standing and reaching without much effort.

Before making a pole selection, we recommend a product demonstration to assist you in assessing the pole&#;s flex, weight, ergonomics and maneuverability. Click here to see Unger&#;s selection of window cleaning extension poles and to request a demo.