What's the most reflective material...

used best for reflecting light back onto the plants?

Face it... Aluminum foil really isn't that great. Mylar works well, but what else is out there that works as well if not better?

foilon or mylar. mylar is about $20-$25 for a 3ftby25ft roll

2-3mm maylar. Wouldn't bother with the 1mm. That shit rips up bad when I mess with it. Much better going with the thicker stuff. Save yourself some hassle.

how bout mirrors if you really wanna be fancy?

doctorchaos555 said:

how bout mirrors if you really wanna be fancy?

Click to expand...

Not good ... it absorbs heat.

IMO Foylon would be best, then mylar, then a flat white paint.

Wrapping paper.

thermal shield is the BOMB and SAAFFe

A List of Reflective Materials and their Reflectivity.


Materials Reflectivity


Foylon ..................................................... 95%
Mylar ....................................................... 92-97%
Elastomere (roofing)Paint ............................. 90%
White/Black Plastic (poly).............................. 75-90%
Polystyrene Foam Sheeting (styrofoam)............ 75-85%
Flat White Paint .......................................... 75-85%
Emergency Blanket ...................................... 70%
Semi-Gloss White Paint ............................... 55-60%
Aluminum Foil ........................................... 35-55%


More Details and Explanations can be found online, here is a link to my
source: https://www.icmag.com/modules/Tutorials/Lighting/1486.htm

https://www.orcagrowfilm.com/


Highly Reflective Surface: Measured at 94% reflectivity across the full visible light spectrum. ORCA Grow Film[SUP]®[/SUP] is the highest performing reflective surface in the hydroponic industry.

A bald guy's head is 99%

ilovekasey17 said:

used best for reflecting light back onto the plants?

Face it... Aluminum foil really isn't that great. Mylar works well, but what else is out there that works as well if not better?

Click to expand...

And you're growing with CFL's....
So reflective wise they aren't that good...
I use them...
Just use more CFL's if you want more reflection...

There is so much more to the reflection equations ...
Like:
Distance reflective material is from light source for one...
If your 90% reflective material is 3' or 1 meter away from your lights...
There will be about a zero.069% reflection of a 23 watt lamp....

Don't go ripping down your Aluminum foil, to get more reflection... when your mounted reflective material is far away from your lights...
Get it?

I use the reflective Mylar auto sun shades.
I just staple them to the wall. you can cut them with scissors and they are insulated and not like the thin rolls of Mylar.
I covered a wall 8' x 6' with two of them.
They are dimpled and don't create hot spots.
You can get them at thrift stores used for cheap, or new for around $10-$15 apiece.
I get them at garage sales and thrift stores for $3-$4.

From the reading I've done, flat white paint is your best choice in a grow room as it defuses the light more evenly than any other surface.