11 Best Reflective Materials for Grow Rooms in 2024

VIVOSUN Horticulture Highly Reflective Mylar Film Roll

NAVADEAL Silver Reflective Mylar Film

VIVOSUN 6 Mil Mylar Film Roll

Reflective materials are materials that reflect light, and they help plants get adequate light. Sometimes, in grow rooms, the light coming from light bulbs does not reach all plants, or some plants simply do not get enough light.

Reflective materials help to reflect the light around them back to the plants. They also help growers spend less on energy consumption because they eliminate the need to get extra grow lights.

There are different types of reflective materials. However, not all reflective materials are ideal for plants; an example is a mirror, and the reason for this is further discussed in the buying guide.

Popular reflective materials for grow rooms are Mylar, aluminum foil, foylon, panda plastic, white paint, etc. Some of the best grow tents on the market also come lined with reflective materials.

The Eleven Best Reflective Materials for Grow Rooms Are Reviewed Below

Getting the right reflective material on the market can be a bit of a hassle as dozens of them are on the market. However, reviewed below are some of the best reflective materials on the market. They should help you make informed decisions when it comes to reflective films.

1

VIVOSUN Horticulture Highly Reflective Mylar Film Roll

VIVOSUN is a leading brand when it comes to the making of tools and equipment for growing plants indoors and outdoors. Among their list of high-quality products are digital timers, reflective materials for grow rooms, etc.

This reflective material for grow rooms is one of the best on the market, and it helps users create grow rooms conducive for growing plants such as marijuana. It is relatively easy to mount and can reflect about 92 to 97 percent of bulbs light in a grow room.

VIVOSUN Horticulture Highly Reflective Mylar Fill Roll is made from high-quality material. The uniquely designed material comes with a poly backing which also doubles as a vapor barrier, making it waterproof.

It is very durable and resistant to tear and puncture. It helps to increase the grow light intensity and reduces the amount users spend on electricity. This reflective mylar film also helps retain heat, ensuring that the plants grow in an ideal environment.

The VIVOSUN Reflective Mylar Fill Roll also has an impressive heat resistance temperature which stands at a maximum of1900C/3740F.

Key Features:

  • Reflects 92 – 97% of bulb’s light
  • Waterproof
  • Heat insulating
  • Heat resistance temperature of 1900C/3740F
  • Corrosion-resistant
  • 25 ft length

Specification:

  • Brand: VIVOSUN
  • Product: VIVOSUN Horticulture Highly Reflective Mylar Film Roll
Pros
  • It is easy to mount
  • It is waterproof
  • It is durable
  • It is puncture and tear-resistant
  • It is heat insulating
  • It lasts long
Cons
  • Nil

2

NAVADEAL Silver Reflective Mylar Film

NAVADEAL Silver Reflective Mylar Film is one of the best reflective materials available on the market. It is highly reflective, thanks to its design. It is made of high-quality VMPET. The material is corrosion and wear-resistant.

Both sides of the material are made of Mylar which increases its reflectiveness. The reflective material can reflect about 95 percent of light. It also spreads the light evenly, reducing hot spots in the film, and this is very beneficial for the plants in your grow room because it evens the distribution of light in the tent.

The material is durable, and it is designed to be tear and puncture-resistant. It comes in two sheets, each with a dimension of 82 x 47 inches. The Silver Reflective Mylar Film is relatively easy to tape or adhere to the walls of indoor gardens.

The material is environmentally-friendly and not harmful to plants. It also has outdoor applications, and according to the manufacturer, it comes with a money-back guarantee.

Key Features:

  • Both sides are made of Mylar
  • Two sheets
  • Reflects 95 percent of light
  • PET Coated

Specification:

  • Brand: NAVADEAL
  • Product: Silver Reflective Mylar Film
Pros
  • It is easy to install
  • It helps to even the distribution of light in grow rooms
  • It is durable
  • It is tear and puncture-resistant
  • It is corrosion and wear-resistant
  • It is environmentally-friendly
Cons
  • Nil

3

VIVOSUN 6 Mil Mylar Film Roll

Another quality product from VIVOSUN. This six-mil mylar film roll is one of the best diamond mylar film rolls available on the market, and it is relatively affordable. It is made of aluminum-coated PET film and a macromolecular material, both of which are responsible for its impressive features.

The material is highly reflective. It can reflect approximately 92 to 97 percent of light. This increases the amount of light that plants get significantly and reduces the cost of electricity as you don’t have to invest in more grow lights.

The film helps to evenly spread light and reduce indoor heat, ensuring that your plants grow at an optimal temperature.

The material is durable and comes with diamond textured surfaces. It is resistant to tear and corrosion, as well as high temperature. It is also reusable, saving users money and time.

It is waterproof and very easy to clean, all you have to do is wipe the material with a wet cloth, and you are good to go. VIVOSUN 6 Mil Mylar Film Roll comes in different sizes, which are 10, 25, 50, and 100 ft, respectively.

Key Features:

  • PET film
  • Macromolecular material
  • Tear and corrosion resistant
  • Diamond textured surfaces
  • Reflects 92 to 97 percent of light
  • Waterproof

Specification:

  • Brand: VIVOSUN
  • Product: VIVOSUN 6 Mil Mylar Film
Pros
  • It is easy to mount
  • It distributes light evenly
  • It is waterproof and easy to clean
  • It is reusable
  • It is corrosion and tear-resistant
Cons
  • Nil

4

Happy Hydro 7 Mil UV Treated Light Proof Panda Film

This is an impressive product from Happy Hydro, also renowned for some of the best trimming scissors, trichomes loupes, etc. The poly film material is suitable for different types of grow rooms and hydroponics gardens, and greenhouses.

It has a 10 x 25 inches dimension, and it is relatively easy to install either through hanging, stapling, tacking, or taping. The material is also 7-mil thick, making it resistant to tear and reducing the need to double the film. It has dual sides consisting of black and white sides, respectively.

The Happy Hydro Light Proof Panda Film’s white side is 90 percent reflective, improving your lighting efficiency. This helps users to save costs and have no need to increase electricity usage. Your plants are also safe from harmful hot spots as the material evenly diffuses the light in the grow room.

The black side helps prevent outside light from being transmitted through the material to the plants, aiding their growth and development. The material is lightweight, durable, and waterproof.

Key Features:

  • White and black sides
  • Reflect 90 percent of light
  • Poly panda film
  • 10 x 25 ft dimension

Specification:

  • Brand: Happy Hydro
  • Product: 7 Mil UV Treated Light Proof Panda Film
Pros
  • It is easy to install
  • Both sides of the film aid the growth of the plants
  • The material evenly diffuses light
  • It is tear-resistant and waterproof
Cons
  • Nil

5

Earth Start Reflective Mylar Roll

This reflective material is multipurpose, and it helps users create grow rooms suitable for growing plants such as marijuana. It is relatively easy to mount, and according to the manufacturer, the material 100 percent light-tight. Although that claim is exaggerated, it does perform when it comes to reflecting light to plants in grow rooms.

Earth Start Reflective Mylar Roll is made from high-quality material. The uniquely designed material is 2-mil thick, 25 feet long, and both sides of the film is metalized.

It is very durable and resistant to tear and puncture. It helps to increase grow light intensity and reduces the amount users spend on electricity. This reflective mylar film also helps retain heat, ensuring that the plants grow in an ideal environment. It is easy to install on flat surfaces using thumbtacks or staples.

Key Features:

  • 25 feet long
  • 2-mil thick
  • Both sides are metalized

Specification:

  • Brand: Earth Start
  • Product: Reflective Mylar Roll
Pros
  • It is easy to install
  • It is durable
  • It is puncture and tear-proof
  • Reflects light
Cons
  • It is not 100 percent light-tight.

6

HFS Horticulture Highly Reflective Mylar Film Roll

HFS Horticulture Highly Reflective Mylar Film is one of the best aluminum plated reflective materials for grow rooms.

The material is made of PET, and the surface of the material is plated with aluminum. The film roll is relatively large with a dimension of 4 x 100 feet. There are other sizes such as the 4 x 25 and 4 x 50 ft rolls available on the market.

As a result of being treated with aluminum plating, this highly reflective material is relatively smooth and offers users a long-lasting performance. The material is UV resistant and offers users top-notch reflection performance.

The material can reflect about 92 to 97 percent of light. It can be used to improve the lighting in grow rooms and act as a shade to prevent light penetration in the grow room.

The material is durable, wear, and corrosion-resistant. It is also waterproof and easy to clean. It has a maximum heat-resistant temperature of 1900C/3740F, just like the Vivosun reflective sheet reviewed above.

Its features allow it to stabilize the internal temperature of grow rooms and ensure that plants grow in an ideal environment.

Key Features:

  • PET material and aluminum coating
  • Heat resistant
  • Reflects about 92 to 97 percent of light
  • Smooth surface
  • Dimension of 4 x 100 feet
  • Waterproof

Specification:

  • Brand: HFS
  • Product: Horticulture Highly Reflective Mylar Film Roll
Pros
  • It is easy to use
  • It is easy to clean
  • It is waterproof and anti-corrosion
  • It is tear-resistant
  • It is light-tight
  • It is heat resistant
Cons
  • Nil

7

VIVOSUN 2-in-1 36”x24”x53” Mylar Reflective Grow Tent

VIVOSUN is also a leading name for growing tents, and they come equipped with reflective materials. This eliminates the need to get reflective materials as your grow tent already provides them.

This particular grow tent is multi-chambered. That is, it has two partitions, of which one is larger than the other. The tent offers users a space for propagation, vegetation, as well as flowering stages of plants.

The tent is lined with reflective mylar material that reflects about 98 percent of the lights. It also blocks light from escaping from the tent. This helps to increase output efficiency.

The tent’s 600D canvas ensures that it is tear-proof. Other features of the grow tent include a floor tray, vent holes for grow tent fan and filter output, strong metal poles to support the canvas.

VIVOSUN Mylar reflective tent is durable, waterproof, and relatively easy to assemble. It has a dimension of 36x24x53 inches. There are other sizes larger than this one available on the market.

Key Features:

  • 600D canvas
  • Reflective mylar material
  • Strong metal poles
  • Vents
  • Waterproof
  • Floor tray

Specification:

  • Brand: VIVOSUN
  • Product: 2-in-1 36″ x24″ x53″ Mylar Reflective Grow Tent
Pros
  • It is easy to set up
  • Most of the interior is covered with Mylar reflective material
  • It is ideal for growing plants indoors
  • The reflective material helps block light from escaping
  • The tent is compact
Cons
  • Nil

8

iPower GLTENTXS3 Hydroponic Water-Resistant Tent

iPower is an impressive brand in the horticulture industry, especially when it comes to indoor products. Among their products are grow lights, ventilation kits, grow light stands, grow bags, grow tents, timers.

This grow tent is arguably one of the best around, and it is evident in the number of favorable reviews it has received from customers. The tent’s interior is lined with 98 percent reflective mylar, which helps to reflect light inside the grow room and increase output efficiency.

The tent is made from durable oxford fabric. It is waterproof, wear-resistant, and tear-proof.

It is supported by strong metal poles and corner connectors. The access door is very easy to zip and unzip. The grow tent also has a window that allows for external observation.

Apart from having its own reflective Mylar, this grow tent also comes with a removable floor tray, tool bag, user manual, among others. It is relatively easy to set up the tent.

Key Features:

  • High-quality oxford fabric
  • heavy duty zippers
  • Water-resistant
  • Lightproof
  • 98 percent reflective Mylar
  • Floor tray
  • Toolbag
  • Metal poles

Specification:

  • Brand: iPower
  • Product: GLTENTXS3 Hydroponic Water-Resistant Tent
Pros
  • It is easy to assemble
  • It is light proof
  • The interior is covered with 98 percent reflective mylar
  • It is water-resistant
  • The tent is sturdy and strong
  • It allows for the effective growth of plants indoors.
Cons
  • Nil

9

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This is another quality tent from VIVOSUN; however, it is way larger than the other VIVOSUN tent reviewed above, and it has two chambers.

The tent’s interior is lined with 98 percent of reflective Mylar to increase the tent’s output efficiency.

The tent’s zipper is also lined with black and helps to ensure that the tent is lightproof. The tent’s canvas is made of high-quality oxford fabric, and it is double stitched to make it tear-proof and block light seamlessly.

The tent also has an observation window that makes it easy to monitor the tent’s interior without having to step inside. It also comes with an easy-access door.

The tent is held by strong metal poles and connector which ensures that its stands sturdy. It is waterproof, durable, and relatively easy to install. Other accessories that come with the VIVOSUN Hydroponic, Reflective Mylar Grow Tent, are filter straps, a floor tray, etc.

Key Features:

  • High-quality oxford fabric
  • Double-stitched
  • Light-proof
  • Water-resistant
  • Lined with 98 percent reflective mylar
  • Observation window
  • Metal poles and connector
  • Easy-access door
  • Dimension of 96x48x80 inches

Specification:

  • Brand: VIVOSUN
  • Product: Hydroponic Reflective Mylar Grow Tent for Indoor Plant
Pros
  • It is easy to assemble
  • Interior is lined with 98 percent reflective mylar
  • It has an observation window
  • It comes with a floor tray
  • It has easy access doors
  • It is durable and lightproof
  • It is water-resistant
Cons
  • Nil

10

RUST-OLEUM Ultra Matte Interior Chalked Paint

White paint is another highly reflective material. This paint does help get the job done, especially if you are using a cabinet as a grow room or don’t want to go throw the stress of lining your grow room walls with Mylar or aluminum films.

Rust-Oleum Ultra Matte Interior Chalked Paint is a latex formula paint that can be used on various types of interior surfaces such as ceramic, metal, wood, as well as canvas. This means it can be used to paint the interior of grow tents, especially those that are not lined already with reflective material.

It is relatively easy to clean; soap and water are enough to help you remove the paint off a surface. The paint adheres to surfaces excellently, and it is also odor-free.

The paint dries relatively fast and leaves a smooth finish which is essential, especially when used in a grow room.

Key Features:

  • Linen white color
  • Can package
  • Low-odor
  • Latex formula
  • Ultra-matte and smooth finish

Specification:

  • Brand: RUST-OLEUM
  • Product: Ultra Matte Interior Chalked Paint
Pros
  • It is easy to apply
  • Ideal for a variety of interior surfaces
  • It is odor-free
  • It reflects light very well
  • It dries relatively fast
  • Easy to clean
Cons
  • Nil

11

VIVOSUN Black and White Panda Film

This panda film is 5.5-mil thick and is lightproof. It is made from quality virgin poly materials. It offers users durability and does not get torn easily.

The bright side of the film reflects 90 percent of bulbs’ light which is suitable for plants growing in grow rooms. The black side of the film helps to provide a light-resistant partition.

The film can be used on grow room walls and floor. Another perk of this film is that it can be used both indoors and outdoors.

The film comes in different sizes, which are 10×10, 10×25, to as much as 10×100 ft, allowing potential users to have several viable options to pick from depending on their needs.

The panda film comes with a one-year warranty.

Key Features:

  • 5.5 mil thick
  • Virgin poly materials
  • Lightproof
  • Light reflective

Specification:

  • Brand: VIVOSUN
  • Product: Black and White Panda Film
Pros
  • It is easy to apply
  • It can be used both indoors and outdoors
  • It is highly reflective
  • It is light proof
  • It comes in different sizes
Cons
  • Nil

Buying Guide Questions

Growing marijuana efficiently requires considerable work. There are tools and equipment that ensure the process’s success, and one of those tools is reflective materials.

Reflective materials have their advantages as well as disadvantages; however, the advantages supersede the disadvantages. That is why growers must gather as much knowledge as possible on these materials. It is not strange to hear people asking about the effectiveness of these materials, as well as which one is best on the market. The answers to these and more are provided below in this buying guide.

What is the best material to reflect light?

There are various types of materials around that can reflect light. However, when it comes to reflecting light to plants, not all materials are suitable for that. Examples of materials ideal for reflecting light are Mylar, Foylon, Aluminum foil, flat white paint, Panda plastic, and orca grow film.

  • Mylar and Foylon

Mylar is one of the most popular materials used in reflecting light indoors. It reflects light, either sunlight or grow light, reflecting a minimum of 92 percent of those lights. However, it does have its shortcomings, most of which are related to its thickness. Most reflective mylar materials available on the market are relatively slim and lightweight, and they are prone to get torn or punctured easily. They can accumulate dirt easily, and this reduces their ability to reflect light properly.

However, some reflective mylar materials have overcome these challenges and are easy to clean, saving users’ cost and time. There is another material that is closely similar to Mylar, and that is Foylon. This material is more durable than Mylar, and it can reflect up to 95 percent of light. Another advantage of Foylon is the fact that it doesn’t fade easily compared to Mylar.

  • Aluminum Foil

Another material ideal for reflecting light is aluminum foil. It is best to install aluminum foil in such a way that allows the shiny part to face the grow room, not back. This increases the reflectiveness of the material and improves plant growth. It is also important to ensure that the foil is not too close to the plants to avoid creating hotspots that are harmful to plants.

  • White Paint

Flat White paint is another impressive material suitable for reflecting light. It is ideal for cabinet grow rooms, grow room floors, ceilings as well as walls depending on preference. The light should be directed towards the white painted surface, which further reflects it to the plants. The higher the reflectance of white paint, the higher the amount of light it will reflect. It is essential to put this into consideration when shopping for one.

  • Panda Plastic

Panda plastic is another popular material that reflects light very. It may not be as popular as mylar or aluminum foil, but it does deliver when it comes to performance. It is known as Panda plastic, thanks to the white and black color of its respective sides. It is usually thicker than Mylar and more durable. Although some panda materials are relatively light, it is advisable to go for the thicker ones.

However, one of the shortcomings of panda plastic is that it tends to produce more heat which can be harmful to plants if not monitored properly. An ideal way to check this shortcoming is to ensure that the material is not too close to your grow light.

  • Orca Grow Film

Orca grow film is arguably one of the best materials for reflecting light. However, it doesn’t come cheap, which is one of the reasons why it is not as popular as the other reflective materials discussed above. The material can reflect about 94 percent of light. It is very durable.

What can I put on my grow room walls?

To increase the efficiency of light and ensure that your plants are receiving adequate light, it is essential to use reflective material on your grow room walls. If you don’t like the idea of placing reflective materials on the walls of your grow room, it is ideal that you first check if your marijuana plants are getting the right amount of light that they need for growth. You can do this using a light meter. If you discover that the light is insufficient, you may have to get those reflectors or invest in more grow lights, and the former is the least expensive option.

Why are reflectors useful in a grow room?

Reflectors are useful in grow rooms because they increase the amount of light available to plants in grow rooms without increasing the amount of electricity you consume. Good reflectors can help to boost the light in your grow room by an extra 30 percent. This is good news to your plants and increases plant output efficiency.

Do mirrors help in a grow room?

Mirrors also reflect light. However, when it comes to reflecting light adequately for plants, they are not the best compared to the reflectors available on the market, and they are not recommended. This is because the mirrors project infrared light, which is not ideal for plants. Infrared light emits more heat, which is harmful to plants as they will be exposed to too much heat, which in turn causes burns. Therefore, mirrors will not help in your grow room but cause more harm.

Which side of aluminum foil reflects light?

Aluminum foil normally has two sides, which are the shiny side and the dull or less-shiny side. The shiny side of the foil is the part that reflects light the most. Therefore, if you use aluminum foil as a reflector, you should ensure that the part facing outside of the grow room space is the shiny side to get maximum reflection.

Can you use tin foil to reflect light?

Most of what is called tin foil today is aluminum foil which replaced tin foil in the twentieth century. It can be used to reflect light in grow rooms to improve plant growth. It may not reflect light as much as Mylar or white paint, but it does get the job done. When using tin foil, it is essential to ensure that the shiny part is not facing the grow room walls but rather faces the lights to ensure maximum reflectance.

Does tin foil help plants grow?

Yes, it does help plants grow. Although it not the best reflector on the market, it is also a good candidate if that is what you can lay your hands on. They are also relatively cheap.

Can you use aluminum foil instead of Mylar?

It depends on the amount of light that you want to be reflected. If you have a high demand for light, you may want to go for Mylar reflective materials because of their high reflectivity compared to aluminum foil. However, if you want to reflect light in your grow room moderately, you can use aluminum foil.

What is the most reflective surface?

The most reflective metal across the visible spectrum is silver which reflects 95 percent of light. This is followed by aluminum. However, silver-coated films are relatively more expensive than aluminum films. This makes silver films scarce, and since white paint, aluminum foil, etc., are more affordable and can get the job done, they are well sought after.

What is more reflective white or silver?

Silver is considered a white metal, and it does have a high level of reflectivity. White is highly reflective. When it comes to reflectors for grow rooms, silver-coated reflectors tend to reflect more than white paint reflectors. However, white paint helps eliminate hotspots in grow rooms which can be harmful to plants.

Is Mylar more reflective than tin foil?

Mylar tops the tin foil when it comes to reflectivity.

Common Mistakes to Avoid:

  1. Using Inadequate Materials: Don’t compromise on reflective materials. Using subpar options may save money initially but can lead to reduced plant growth and yield in the long run.
  2. Neglecting Maintenance: Regularly clean and maintain your reflective materials. Dirt and dust buildup can significantly reduce their reflectivity.
  3. Placing Reflective Materials Too Close: Ensure that reflective materials are positioned at an appropriate distance from your plants and grow lights to avoid creating hotspots.
  4. Ignoring Temperature Control: Materials like Panda plastic can increase heat in your grow room. Proper ventilation and temperature control are essential to prevent heat-related damage.

Recommendations for Specific Grow Room Setups:

  1. Small Cabinet Grow Rooms: Flat white paint is an excellent choice for small spaces. It can be applied to walls, ceilings, and floors to maximize light reflection.
  2. Large Grow Rooms: Consider using Mylar or Foylon for larger grow rooms where high reflectivity is crucial to cover a larger area effectively.
  3. Budget-Friendly Options: If you’re on a tight budget, aluminum foil or tin foil can provide a cost-effective solution for reflecting light.

Conclusion

Knowing the right material to use as a reflector in your grow room is vital. Some have to be a bit far from the plants and grow lights, while some have to be closer. Therefore, it is important to understand the materials’ properties to achieve your growth aim and not cause harm to your plants.

Reflective materials help you reduce your energy consumption, which helps you save more money and time. To get the best out of reflective material, ensure that you don’t compromise when it comes to the quality of the material.