I have tested the most popular grow tent and grow room lining materials to determine what is the most effective. The materials tested include white matt paint, white panda film, orca grow, diamond mylar and plain silver mylar.
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.
As you can see 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.
Comments
Partech LED Ltd
Mick, gloss paint has a coating over the white paint particles which absorbs light therefore it is less reflective
June 13, 2023
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?
June 13, 2023
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