Something To Reflect On.

redirasta

Well-Known Member
Did you Know that clean white styrofoam is nearly 100% reflective?
Whereas, Mylar is only 90% reflective.Aluminum foil only reflects about 75% of the light. White paint relfects sbout 85% of the light, and semi-gloss paint relfects about 80%. Any light that does not reach your garden is wasted.
 
Man..I was just gonna make a new post regarding things that reflect light...Ive been thinkin'..what about CD's??The other side of the CD,the mirror like side??Will it work,cus I cant afford mylar right now!!

Also,evryone name a cheap alternative to mylar..such as wrapping paper,thermal blanket,etc
 
i think the problem with cds might be similar to mirrors
the light has to pass through a layer of something, reflects off of the shiny stuff and then pass back through that layer of something whether it's glass or the treated plastic

i think i read the other day someone using the inside of potato chip bags (apparently they're made out of mylar?)
 
i think the problem with cds might be similar to mirrors
the light has to pass through a layer of something, reflects off of the shiny stuff and then pass back through that layer of something whether it's glass or the treated plastic

i think i read the other day someone using the inside of potato chip bags (apparently they're made out of mylar?)

I cant believe I forgot the inside of chip bags!!But will this work??Man this thread needs more attention,cus when youre growing..more light=better plants...so we need a good cheap alternative to mylar..that can be found everywhere~!~!
 
How nearly is "nearly 100% reflective"?

Most Mylar retailers claim it is between 95% and 99% reflective. Link 1 Link 2 And this Wiki Page also claims it reflects up to 99% of light.

From Wiki Page:
Biaxially oriented PET film (mylar) can be aluminized by evaporating a thin film of metal onto it. The result is much less permeable to gasses (important in food packaging) and reflects up to 99% of light, including much of the infrared spectrum. For some applications like food packaging, the aluminized boPET film can be laminated with a layer of polyethylene, which provides sealability and improves puncture resistance. The polyethylene side of such a laminate appears dull and the PET side shiny.
 
You can get 2' X 2' mylar squares from discarded flower arrangements at your local cemetery dumpsters, etc.
 
Go to the dollar store (or any variation of) and buy the reflective tissue paper. Works nicely, and only a dollar =)))
 
Man,does the styrofoam really work??Cus I might just buy a styrofoam cooler,and grow my plants in there!!With CFLs and a fan blowing inside of it!!
 
Ravoli, how well does it work, and how far will that $1 go? IE sq ft?


The kind I bought came with 4 sheets, 36x36 or somewhere near there. Not sure on the reflectivity, considering the package didn't say what it was made of specifically, but I've heard it's made from a super-thin mylar variant. And, well, it works for me.
 
I'm waitin' w/ya . . . must insulate my area b4 winter and have a 4X8 sheet of what appears to be styro-foam . . . where's the beef?
:blsmoke:

Then we must bump this thread like it was an 8Ball at a South Beach Gay Party in the 90's!!!!Will styrofoam reflect light??How bout chip bags!!Damn I need a reflectie matreila for my grow box!!
 
Mylar = 98% reflective
Flat white paint = 98% reflective
White Panda Film = 97% reflective

These three above are the best choice for reflecting light.

Then it goes

REFLECTIX tm = 94% reflective
Styrofoam = 90%

Aluminum foil = 37% reflective.
 
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