Comparing grow tent lining for performance
We setup a grow light and reflective walls and measured the quantity of light reflected by white matt paint, white panda film, orca grow, diamond mylar and plain silver mylar. Plain silver mylar reflects most light down onto the plant canopy with diamond mylar second and white finishes the least effective.
Procedure for testing reflectivity of difference grow room surfaces
The 4ft x 4ft or 1.2m x 1.2m test area was lined with the materials and an ARAY 8 500W LED grow light hung at 11" or 28cm over the test surface.
I took 64 ePAR measurements with the Apogee Instruments MQ-610 quantum par meter. The PAR charts measure the total amount of light or PAR reaching the test surface representing the plant canopy.
Grow room reflective materials compared
Below is the table of test results of the difference reflective materials used. The simple and cheap option matt white paint performs much better than white panda film or the expensive Orca grow materials. However big improvement is possible by upgrading to Silver mylar.
Although white surfaces are highly reflective the light is reflected in all directions. In a grow tent or grow room situation where light is hitting the side walls the most effective solution is a shiny surface which reflects most of the light down onto the grow area.
4 thoughts on “Best grow tent lining & best grow room wall finish”
MIGRO
Leslie, Gloss white paint does not reflect as much light as matt white. The oil coating over the white particles absorb photons and reduce reflection.
Leslie Filip
To Partech LED Ltd. : Can you cite any data that shows gloss paint is less reflective than matte? A cursory Google search lists a plethora of paint companies that all say gloss reflects more light.
Partech LED Ltd
Mick, gloss paint has a coating over the white paint particles which absorbs light therefore it is less reflective
Mick
Hi Shane, thank you for all the time and effort you put into testing and sharing your knowledge!
I keep seeing matt paint being recommended for grow area for some reason? Gloss white would be far more reflective for a grow area as matt paint is porous, porous paint will also gather bits of debris that will eventually decay and possibly cause mould in the grow area.
Please can you do a myth busting test on Matt vs Gloss white?