Best Reflective Surface For Grow Room

Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. more info

If you are growing weed indoors in a small grow room, or a large one too, you need to have certain equipment ready to go. Sure, the grow lights are very important indeed, but to increase lighting efficiency and strength, most people choose to cover the walls and ceilings of the grow room with reflective materials.

That said, finding the right reflective materials is easier said than done, but that’s what we are here for right now. Let’s get right to it and help you find the best reflective surface for grow rooms.

Image
Our Top Pick
VIVOSUN Highly Reflective Mylar Film Roll 4FT x 25FT for Outdoor Grow Room Indoor Decoration Aluminum Paint Coated 2 Mil Silver
VIVOSUN 6 Mil Mylar Film Roll, 4 ft. x 100 ft. Diamond Film Foil Roll, Heavy-Duty Reflective Film for Grow Tent, Warm House, and Grow Room (100 ft.)
NAVAdeal 2 Pack Silver Highly Reflective Mylar Films, 82x 47Inch, Metallized Foil Covering Sheet, Garden Greenhouse Farming, Increase Plant Growth Save Power, Reduce Uneven Heat Environment Safe
Product
VIVOSUN Highly Reflective Mylar Film Roll 4FT x 25FT for Outdoor Grow Room Indoor Decoration Aluminum Paint Coated 2 Mil Silver
VIVOSUN 6 Mil Mylar Film Roll, 4 ft. x 100 ft. Diamond Film Foil Roll, Heavy-Duty Reflective Film for Grow Tent, Warm House, and Grow Room (100 ft.)
NAVAdeal 2 Pack Silver Highly Reflective Mylar Films, 82x 47Inch, Metallized Foil Covering Sheet, Garden Greenhouse Farming, Increase Plant Growth Save Power, Reduce Uneven Heat Environment Safe
Price
$25.99
$94.99
$6.39
Our Top Pick
Image
VIVOSUN Highly Reflective Mylar Film Roll 4FT x 25FT for Outdoor Grow Room Indoor Decoration Aluminum Paint Coated 2 Mil Silver
Product
VIVOSUN Highly Reflective Mylar Film Roll 4FT x 25FT for Outdoor Grow Room Indoor Decoration Aluminum Paint Coated 2 Mil Silver
Price
$25.99
Image
VIVOSUN 6 Mil Mylar Film Roll, 4 ft. x 100 ft. Diamond Film Foil Roll, Heavy-Duty Reflective Film for Grow Tent, Warm House, and Grow Room (100 ft.)
Product
VIVOSUN 6 Mil Mylar Film Roll, 4 ft. x 100 ft. Diamond Film Foil Roll, Heavy-Duty Reflective Film for Grow Tent, Warm House, and Grow Room (100 ft.)
Price
$94.99
Image
NAVAdeal 2 Pack Silver Highly Reflective Mylar Films, 82x 47Inch, Metallized Foil Covering Sheet, Garden Greenhouse Farming, Increase Plant Growth Save Power, Reduce Uneven Heat Environment Safe
Product
NAVAdeal 2 Pack Silver Highly Reflective Mylar Films, 82x 47Inch, Metallized Foil Covering Sheet, Garden Greenhouse Farming, Increase Plant Growth Save Power, Reduce Uneven Heat Environment Safe
Price
$6.39

Last update on 2024-03-28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Contents

Types of Reflective Materials For Grow Rooms

Ok, so what you need to know here is that there are different types of reflective materials that can be used for grow rooms, various reflective surfaces, each with their own benefits and drawbacks.

Let’s take a look at the grow room reflective surface options at your disposal;

1. Mylar


One of the best and most popular types of reflective surfaces for grow rooms out there right now is Mylar. It is the number one choice for indoor marijuana growing, and the reason for this is because it can reflect about 95% of all light, sometimes up to 100% of light. which is very impressive no doubt.

Mylar is also very affordable to purchase, not to mention super thin and lightweight too, two more bonuses. However, do keep in mind that Mylar does have a couple of drawbacks, with a lot of radiant heat generation being one.

In other words, with mylar, you have to have good ventilation and cooling the grow room, or else things will heat up a lot. Mylar is also not very durable, prone to ripping, and prone to tearing, so you have to be very careful with it.

2. Foylon

Foylon is another very popular choice to go with when it comes to reflective surfaces for marijuana grow rooms. Now, this stuff looks more or less the exact same as mylar, but there are some key differences.

In terms of light reflection, Foylon will reflect between 95% and 100% of light, which is of course very good. Also, just like mylar, it does also produce a lot of radiant heat due to such a high amount of reflection, so you do also need good ventilation when using this stuff.

The big difference is that Foylon is made to be much more durable. It’s a bit thicker and much more resistant to tearing and ripping, thus also making it significantly more expensive than mylar.

3. Paint

Another great option, if you are looking to create a highly reflective grow room, is to use reflective paint, usually very bright and white paint.

The big benefit of using paint is that it is durable for one. A painted wall is not going to rip or tear, and if painted well, it won’t scratch or scuff either. Next, white painted walls can still reflect between 85% and 95% of light, which is pretty darn good indeed, more than enough for a basic grow room.

Moreover, white painted walls also don’t produce too much radiant heat, so you don’t have to worry much about increasing cooling and/or ventilation because of it.

However, what you do need to keep in mind here is that high quality paint is generally quite expensive, plus you actually need to apply several coats of it, and do it properly. In other words, it’s relatively effort intensive and time consuming.

4. Plastic

Plastic reflective materials can also be very useful, although not quite as popular as some other options out there, mainly the ones listed above.

The reason why plastic reflectors are not hugely popular is because they tend to absorb and radiate a heck of a lot of heat, more than any other option, which means that you have to be very vigilant in terms of cooling and ventilation.

However, on the other hand, plastic reflectors usually are not all that expensive, they are easy to hang, and super durable too, like really durable. Moreover, plastic reflective materials can reflect up to 95% of light, which is not too shabby at all.

5. Grow Tent

The other thing you can do to create a highly reflective grow room, is to not use a grow room at all, but a grow tent that is outfitted with interior walls made of reflective materials, although these will be quite pricey.


Best Reflective Surfaces For Grow Rooms: Top Picks

Here we have our top picks when it comes to reflective surfaces to increase reflectivity and lighting intensity in your grow room. We have some pretty neat picks to check out, so let’s do that right now.

1. Vivosun Mylar Film Roll

Sale
VIVOSUN Highly Reflective Mylar Film Roll 4FT x 25FT for Outdoor Grow Room Indoor Decoration Aluminum Paint Coated 2 Mil Silver
  • Premium Material: This high-quality aluminum paint coated film increases the intensity and spreads light more evenly; Both sides of the mylar film can improves the reflectivity to 95%, making sure the efficient use of light
  • Ideal Size: This 4ft. x 25ft. reflective film is big enough to cover all of your demands, such as covering the outdoor grow room; You also could cut the film into different sizes to fit your purposes
  • Easy to Clean: Our reflective mylar film is thermostable and tear-resistant features, which is good for long-term use; Also waterproof, meaning that you can simply use wet cloth to wipe the dirty mark
  • Sustainable Usage: When you don’t need the film, just roll the film up for sustainable use; Have no worries of getting dirty, you can use the sealing cover, which is included in the package, to wrap the film up to keep it clean
  • Wild Applications: Our highly reflective film could be wildly applied to different occasions, both indoor and outdoor, like grow room for plants, grow tent; Also could be used to wrap paper, home decorations

Last update on 2024-03-28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Here we have a popular and effective reflective surfaces for grow rooms, this Vivosun Mylar Film Roll. Here you get enough to cover 25 square feet, which admittedly is not that much, but enough for a 5 x 5 foot wall.

You will probably have to buy several rolls for a grow room. At any rate, this stuff can reflect up to 97% of light from grow lights, which is really good.

Now, this stuff is pretty thin and fragile, so you need to be careful with it, so you don’t puncture or tear it when hanging it, but that said, as far as mylar goes, this stuff has been reinforced to be resistant to damage, so it’s OK in this regard.

That said, it is very lightweight and easy to hang up on walls. What is cool here is the poly backing which acts as a vapor barrier, although this may add to the problem of radiant heat generation.

Pros

  • Durable for mylar
  • Very high level of light reflection
  • Lightweight and easy to hang
  • Enough for 5 x 5 feet
  • Poly backing moisture barrier

Cons

  • Will probably need several rolls
  • A bit fragile
  • Generates a good deal of heat

2. NAVAdeal Silver Reflective Mylar Film

NAVAdeal 2 Pack Silver Highly Reflective Mylar Films, 82x 47Inch, Metallized Foil Covering Sheet, Garden Greenhouse Farming, Increase Plant Growth Save Power, Reduce Uneven Heat Environment Safe
  • A HELPING HAND FOR PLANTS - Light is an important factor when it comes to achieving a healthy indoor garden. Our mylar film is metallized on both sides. It can reflect back 95% of light and reduces "hot spots" by spreading your light evenly, so that all plants have an opportunity to grow to its fullest potential. It also can protect and shield your eyes from the megawatts grow lights.
  • EASY TO USE WITH GROW LIGHTS FOR INDOOR GARDENS - Our mylar sheets are PET coated to resist corrosion and are made of high quality VMPET material. It has a 100% efficiency rate when used in your indoor garden. Use it with duct tape or 3M adhesive spray to adhere the mylar film to the wall, a flat surface, shelves, racks, and more. The mylar sheets keep all of the light inside with the garden area by creating a 2 sided mirror which allows you to view and monitor your plant growth process.
  • DURABLE, GREAT VALUE, & SAFE FOR ENVIRONMENT- Our mylar sheets are highly durable, tear-resistant, and puncture-resistant. It’s slightly sheer so you can just replace the sheets when they get too worn. This is the BEST VALUE in the market, we ship out new replacements for you if there's a problem, no questions asked. It has proven its durability for many customers for many years.
  • TREAT YOURSELF TO A THRIVING GARDEN- Our mylar films are the best friend for your succulents, herbs, perennials, weeds, annuals, edible garden goods, and more. Watch them thrive in your indoor garden. PACKAGE INCLUDES: 2Pack Mylar Films, size: 82 inches width x 47 inches Length, 210cm x 120cm.
  • MULTI PURPOSE, USE FOR SURVIVAL TOOLS & COOLING- This is also used as an emergency blanket to keep your body warm during emergency situations, marathon running, camping, and other outdoors survival sports. It can reduce the heat from the sun by simply hanging them in front of the window, a great way to save power on AC cooling. Tested reports, temperature reduced from 112F to 92F under direct sunlight exposure.

Last update on 2024-03-28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

When you purchase NAVAdeal Silver Reflective Mylar Film, you get 2 sheets, each being 82 by 47 inches large, so you will probably need to buy a few packages to totally cover a grow room, even for a small grow room.

That said, this stuff is highly reflective and will definitely get the job done, as it reflects well over 95% of light from grow lights. Something else that stands out about this option is that it is 100% eco friendly and plant friendly.

It’s perfectly fine to use in an indoor grow room for weed plants. Moreover, NAVAdeal Film is very easy to clean, which is another bonus.

However, the big downside is that this film is very fragile and tears really easily, so you need to be very careful when working with it. On that same note, it does produce a good deal of radiant heat, so being vigilant with cooling and ventilation is a must.

Pros

  • Eco friendly and plant safe
  • Cost effective
  • Good for smaller spaces
  • Super reflective
  • Easy to clean

Cons

  • Very fragile
  • Produces a good deal of radiant heat

3. Vivosun 6 Mil Mylar Film Roll

VIVOSUN 6 Mil Mylar Film Roll, 4 ft. x 100 ft. Diamond Film Foil Roll, Heavy-Duty Reflective Film for Grow Tent, Warm House, and Grow Room (100 ft.)
  • High Reflective Rate: The diamond texture improves the reflectivity up to 95%; This PET film coated with aluminum paint increases the intensity of your grow lights and spreads light more evenly
  • Ultra-durable: Made of aluminium coated PET film and macromolecular material, this diamond film features waterproof, high temp resistant and anti-corrosion; 6 mil thickness makes it hard to tear and damage
  • Complete in Specifications: Available in a variety of sizes, we have 4 x 10ft., 4 x 25ft., 4 x 50ft. and 4 x 100ft. for you to choose from; You can cut it in size that you need without worrying about tearing
  • Easy to Clean & Store: A sealing cover in the bottom of the scroll makes it safe to store; It is waterproof that you can clean it with a wet cloth easily if it gets dirty
  • Wide Applications: It would be a good option to surround the plants with this PET film; It can be widely applied in your home, grow rooms, offices, and more if you need

Last update on 2024-03-28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Alright, so here we have an absolutely massive roll of mylar film, one that comes in at 4 feet wide and 100 feet long. There are other length options too, some shorter ones, but generally speaking, this is the kind of roll you would get to cover a large grow room.

It’s probably too much for a small one. Something that really stands out about this stuff is that it can reflect up to 97% of light from your grow lights, which is not nothing short of impressive.

In terms of durability, this Vivosun Film Roll is super durable, and its thanks to the diamond texture which it features. It’s more durable than other mylar options out there right now.

However, the downside is that this texture makes it very hard to clean, although its highly resistant to tearing and puncturing. This stuff is 100% light tight, it is waterproof, it won’t corrode, and is resistant to high temperatures too.

Once again, this is mylar, so it does produce a fair amount of radiant heat that you will need to deal with.

Pros

  • Super durable
  • Very highly reflective
  • Easy to work with
  • Great for large spaces
  • Waterproof

Cons

  • Hard to clean
  • Produces radiant heat

4. Earth Start Reflective Mylar Roll

Mylar Reflective Material, 4 Feet x 25 Feet, 2 Mil
  • 2 Mil Thick (Heavy Duty not 1mil like many on Amazon)
  • 48
  • 100% Light Tight
  • Metalized on both sides
  • Durable - Puncture/Tear Resistant

Last update on 2024-03-28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Here we have another good option to go with if you need a heck of a lot of reflective material for your grow room walls. The Earth Start Reflective Mylar Roll comes in various sizes up to 48 x 200 feet, which should be enough to cover even the largest of grow rooms, especially home grow rooms.

Something else that can be said about this stuff is that although it is mylar, so not the most durable substance out there, it has been made especially thick in order to be puncture and tear resistant. That said, it’s still pretty thin and lightweight, thus making it easy to hang up, even for a single person.

Moreover, it is very smooth, so it is actually fairly easy to clean. Earth Start Reflective Mylar Roll can reflect over 97% of light from your weed grow lights, so it is very efficient in this sense.

It’s also 100% light tight, which is a big deal no doubt. It should definitely be good enough for any grow room.

Pros

  • Quite durable for mylar
  • Highly reflective
  • Easy to clean
  • Lightweight and easy to hand

Cons

  • Generates radiant heat
  • Still a bit fragile

5. Hydrofoam Black & White Poly Film

Sale
Black & White Poly Film 5.5 Mil 10' x 100'
  • Double the efficiency for your grow room with this black and white poly sheeting
  • Use the white side for walls and floors
  • Take advantage of the material's 90 percent reflectivity
  • This three-foot long folded roll unfurls to 10 feet wide and is waterproof and tear-resistant

Last update on 2024-03-27 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

So, now we are changing gears a bit, because instead of mylar, this is poly film, or in other words, it’s plastic. This is that plastic reflective material which we discussed in the above section on types of reflective materials for grow rooms.

This Hydrofoam Black & White Poly Film is white on the reflective side, very white. It has the ability to reflect between 85% and 90% of light, which is pretty good, not quite as good as mylar, but still not too shabby at all.

When you buy Hydrofoam Black & White Poly Film, you get a roll that folds out to 10 by 100 feet, which is a pretty good size. Although that said, you will need a few rolls of it in order to fully cover a larger grow room.

Moreover, a big bonus here is that this stuff is highly durable, almost impossible to tear or puncture, plus it is super easy to clean as well. A big downside however is that it is very heavy and will take some effort to hang on walls.

This stuff does produce a heck of a lot of heat though, which is not ideal.

Pros

  • Ultra durable
  • Quite reflective
  • Very easy to clean
  • Good for smaller spaces

Cons

  • Produces a ton of radiant heat
  • Quite heavy

6. VIVOSUN Black and White Panda Film

VIVOSUN Black and White Panda Film, 10’ x 50’ 5.5 Mil Poly Film, Blackout Tarp for Warm House
  • Reflective Cover: Our black and white polyester film blocks all light and reflects light back to your plants, keeping them warm in winter
  • Ultra-durable: Made from a high-strength virgin poly material, it is 5.5 mil thick and ultra-durable, and will hold up even after heavy daily use
  • Black and White Side: The black side creates a dark space that prevents light from penetrating; The white side offers over 90% reflectivity
  • Complete in Specifications: Available in a variety of sizes, we have 10 x 10ft., 10 x 25ft., 10 x 50ft. and 10 x 100ft. for you to choose from
  • Wide Applications: Ideal for planters, machinery, and floors, it can be used with the white side facing inwards so that light can be reflected back and protect privacy

Last update on 2024-03-27 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Here we have another plastic reflector option for your grow room, this VIVOSUN Black and White Panda Film, which comes in at 10 x 50 feet, so quite ideal for smaller grow rooms, although it does come in both larger and smaller sizes as well.

Something that stands out about this stuff is that it is 5.5 mm thick, and made to be super tough. It’s more durable than pretty much any other reflector out there, so much so that being rough with it shouldn’t puncture or tear it.

It’s also very slick and smooth, making it super easy to clean, another big bonus as far as we are concerned. Now, it is pretty heavy, so you will need to mount it properly, and yes, you will probably need someone to help you do so.

This VIVOSUN Black and White Panda Film will reflect about 85% of light from your grow lights, which is pretty decent. The big downside here is that this material absorbs, holds, and radiates a lot of heat, but at least it is 100% light proof.

Pros

  • Extremely durable
  • Puncture and tear resistant
  • Highly reflective
  • Easy to clean
  • Good option for smaller grow rooms

Cons

  • Quite heavy
  • Lots of radiant heat

7. Vivosun Hydroponic Mylar Grow Tent

VIVOSUN 48" X48" X 80" Hydroponic Mylar Grow Tent with Tool Bag, Observation Window and Floor Tray for Planting Growing
  • KEEPS ALL LIGHT IN: The VIVOSUN grow tent blocks all light from escaping and is lined with 98%-reflective mylar to boost the output efficiency of any grow tent setup.Zipper with black lining create a light-proof seal without the need for additional flaps and Velcro
  • EXTRA-THICK CANVAS, STANDS STURDY: The top-quality 600D canvas is tear proof and double stitched for perfect light blocking; the canvas is supported by strong metal poles that are specially finished for smooth installation.
  • ATTENTION TO DETAIL: Little is more annoying than a low-quality zipper, so we've gone to great lengths to ensure our heavy-duty metal zipper is the best on the market.
  • EASY OBSERVATION OF YOUR PLANTS: Don't throw out your back checking on your plants! Our easy-access door unzips smoothly, and the observation window makes it easy to peek inside.
  • FAST INSTALLATION: VIVOSUN grow tents are easy to install even if you've never done something like this before: no tools needed! Quality backed by our ironclad, hassle-free 2-year warranty.

Last update on 2024-03-27 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Ok, so this is not reflective material for your grow room, it’s the Vivosun Mylar Grow Tent, so kind of like a premade grow room already outfitted with reflective materials.

This thing is designed with mylar interior walls which reflect just about 100% of light, plus the mylar here is already attached for you, and specially designed to be quite durable. That said, it is mylar, so you do want to be fairly gentle with it.

Of course, this is a grow tent, a 4 x 4 grow tent, which should give you enough space for a few plants, although not that many. It’s a fully functional grow tent that comes with an easy to set up design, it comes with observation windows, thick and sturdy canvas walls, and various ventilation holes too.

The only downside here is that the zippers are a bit sticky, and they leak light too.

Pros

  • Ready to go reflective grow tent
  • Fully functional
  • Durable and sturdy
  • Super reflective
  • Complete with ventilation and more

Cons

  • Not actually reflective material, but a full scale grow tent
  • Requires assembly
  • Mylar interior is somewhat delicate

8. Jolie Matte White Paint

Last update on 2024-03-27 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Here we want to include paint for the final option, matte white paint, which does work quite well. This kind of white paint can reflect about 80% to 90% of light from your grow lamps, depending on how well you apply it.

It’s a really good option to go with because painted walls are very easy to clean, and they are very durable too. Moreover, they produce barely any radiant heat, they don’t produce hotspots, and are still quite reflective too.

This particular paint is very fast drying, about 30 minutes drying time per coat, plus it is non-toxic, has a low VOC count, doesn’t have strong fumes, and is fine for indoor use.

Keep in mind that one can of this stuff is enough to cover about 150 square feet. Of course, on the other hand, you do have to paint, which is a huge pain in the neck.

Pros

  • Safe for indoor grow rooms
  • Quite reflective
  • Durable, long lasting, and easy to clean
  • Covers a large area

Cons

  • Requires you to paint

FAQ

What’s the best grow light reflector?

As we discussed in our opening section on the types of grow room materials out there, Mylar and Foylon tend to be the most effective grow light reflectors out there, often reflecting up to 100% of light back to plants.

However, some paint options and plastic reflectors also get up there, with up to 95% light reflection.

Will mirrors work in a grow room?

No, there is a good reason why you do not see mirrors used as reflectors in grow rooms, and it is because they just don’t reflect that much light.

Sure, they are fine for reflecting images, but in terms of light, not so much. Your average mirror will reflect well under 50% of light, which is not ideal for grow rooms.

Why are reflectors useful in a grow room?

Weed plants need a lot of light to go through the process of photosynthesis, to grow and develop.

The more light is present, the more photosynthesis happens, the faster, bigger, and better weed plants grow. It’s also a great way to make up for weaker grow lights that don’t have the kind of output you are looking for.

Is aluminum foil a good reflector?

In theory yes, aluminum foil is a fine reflective material for grow rooms, and it can reflect something like 80% to 85% of light, which is not too bad.

There is a reason why many DIY grow room builders use aluminum foil, because it is super cheap and fairly easy to hang up, plus it can be found in any store.

However, the problem with aluminum foil is that it easily folds and crinkles, and as soon as it’s not perfectly flat anymore, its reflective efficiency drastically decreases. Also, foil is super thin and fragile, or in other words, prone to ripping and tearing.


Conclusion

When all is said and done, you should now know more or less everything there is to know about the variety of reflective materials that can be used in grow rooms, as well as which ones are best, and why that is so.

Now, in terms of specific products, we would definitely stick with one of the best reflective surfaces which we reviewed here today. Just remember what to look for here, which is amount of light reflected, durability, and ease of application.

Fabian

My passion for the sticky icky started nearly a decade ago, and it all began when I first laid my eyes on the beauty that is the marijuana plant.

I cover all aspects of growing from equipment recommendations to plant health/care tips to help both new and experienced growers.