Inexpensive Mylar replacement.

I don't have a camera handy but I am growing on a budget just above, nothing. I found a great, and very cheap replacement for reflective Mylar at Walmart. Go to the camping section and buy yourself some survival blankets. they are just under $3 dollars for about 4X8 piece. When you hang it use a piece of cardboard on top of blanket to staple it to your wall. The cardboard keeps it from tearing. I did all my walls for $12 dollars. I also Glued the material to the tops of my DWC containers, and just cut holes in it for the net pots. keeps light out and reflects it back up to the plants.

I hate to burst your bubble, but those survival blankets are Mylar sheets.

well I am a newb, but still much cheaper then ordering mylar off line or hydro store.

Even cheaper to go to the dollar store and find some wrapping paper with reflective backing...

I like the idea of the blankets musan...thnks for the info drop

I never thought of that, using Mylar survival blankets.
Wont insulate as well as the rolled mylar bubble tape you get at HomeDepot...
But it'll deff do the trick, and its much cheaper.
Good eye mate.

Good tip. Another "cheap" way to find Mylar is to buy the car windshield reflectors and cut them to size. They come in different sizes at places like Walmart, and I bought several at the $.99 store/dollar store and used them to build my grow boxes (when they had them). They reflect up to 95% of the light and their air pockets work to insulate your grow pretty well!

I have read but not confirmed the safety blankets are only about 70% reflective. If you hold them up o the light (this I have done) not only can you see through them, but they are actually riddles with thousands of little holes (maybe so you don't sweat) .. well, not actually holes, just pin pricks where light gets through the backside.

Now if true, and I have used them myself, simple flat white paint is supposed to be over 80% reflective (if memory serves).. soooo

Whatever that is worth.. I found safety blankets neat looking the first few days, and then they got old and messy and just became a pain in the ass.. BUT, for a small PC grow or something, why not.. although again, plain flat white reflects better.

I like the foam insulation board from home depot. $15 for a 4'x8' sheet. They also sell 2'x4' sheets. I use a 4'x4' hydro tray for drainage (in bags with soil), and the one inch thick board fits snuggly into the drain grooves standing up. I now wish I didn't do the walls in my room (5'x9'x9' tall). The boards can easily me move or modified with a razor knife.

Flat white paint. Easy to clean and if it gets too dirty, just throw on another coat. Mylar is a PITA to work with and a bitch to clean. And once it gets dirty, it's reflectivity drops fast.