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With reflective foil you help your plants to grow faster and better in the greenhouse or in an alternative grow room. In our practical guide, we briefly explain what characterizes this reflector film, what you need to pay attention to when buying it and which models are specifically recommended.
Reflective foil promotes the growth of plants
Our recommendations
our recommendation
Mylar Easy Grow Eco Diamond Reflective Film (100mx1.25m)
207.87 EUR To the product| material | plastic |
|---|---|
| structure | with surveys |
| color | silver colored |
| strength | unknown |
| Dimensions | 1.25 x 100 m (roll) |
| Assembly | extra tape needed |
We recommend the Eco Diamond reflective foil from Easy Grow (Mylar) for two main reasons: firstly, because of its special structure, which ensures better light diffusion and enhances the reflective effect; and on the other hand, because with dimensions of 1.25 by 100 meters (width by length) it is particularly extensive and is also able to completely line a larger greenhouse. With the right accessories (reflective tape), the reflector foil can be attached in no time at all - whether on the walls, on the ceiling, on the floor or anywhere in the grow room.
our recommendation
Weedness black and white film 50 meter roll x 2 meter wide - reflective film for growing indoors
79.99 EUR To the product| material | plastic |
|---|---|
| structure | smooth |
| color | black and white |
| strength | 0.07mm |
| Dimensions | 2 x 50 m (roll) |
| Assembly | extra tape needed |
In contrast to the Easy Grow reflector foil, the Weedness version is not silver, but black and white. Due to the white coating on the inside, the film has a particularly high reflectivity. On the other hand, it is completely black on the outside. Like the winner in our comparison, the reflective foil is supplied as a roll - it is just as wide and half as long, but is therefore also significantly cheaper to buy. The dimensions should be absolutely sufficient for most plant breeders. The previous Amazon reviews (as of February 2022) are positive.
our recommendation
TANCUDER Plant Reflective Film,Two-Sided Foil Sheets,210 x 120cm/82.68 x 47.24inch Garden Greenhouse Grow Highly Reflective Covering Foil Sheets (Silver)
7.99 EUR To the product| material | plastic |
|---|---|
| structure | smooth |
| color | silver colored |
| strength | unknown |
| Dimensions | 210 x 120 cm (per sheet) |
| Assembly | extra tape needed |
The inexpensive reflective foil from Tancuder differs from the other two products in our comparison simply by its presentation. It is supplied in the form of individual foil sheets. Each sheet measures 210 by 120 centimetres. This version is ideal if you just want to line a small greenhouse or mini grow room with reflective foil. Like the Weedness version, Tancuder's reflective foil is not specially structured, but tends to be smooth. Again, you will need reflective tape for attachment. The majority of Amazon reviewers are satisfied with the foil sheets.
Purchase Criteria
material
Reflective foil usually consists of either aluminum or a suitable plastic, in particular a specific polyester variant. The latter is also the better solution because it is more tear-resistant and therefore more stable. Reflector foil made of aluminum is only recommended if it is relatively thick - for example double-sided.
structure
To date, most reflective foils have a smooth surface. However, there are now numerous foils that work on the principle of high-quality reflector sheets. That is, they are endowed with a specific structure. Targeted elevations on the foil have a surface-enlarging effect. This in turn ensures that the reflective foil can reflect more light and make it available to the plants, which of course benefits them.
Thickness/Thickness
The thickness or thickness of the reflective foil is a major factor in the durability of the useful plant growth aid. The following applies: the thicker the reflective foil, the better it performs in terms of robustness, tear resistance, general resilience and longevity.
color
In general, reflective foil is designed in a classic silver color. As a result, it often looks like ordinary aluminum foil from everyday kitchen use (but is of course much more robust). In addition, however, there are also more and more variants that are black and white. A white inner coating has the potential to further increase the power of reflection. In principle, however, both color versions (silver or black and white) are very effective.
Dimensions
There is no universal right or wrong when it comes to measurements. What matters is how big the film has to be to cover your individual needs. In addition to the width, the length in particular plays an important role. Speaking of rolls: reflective foil is processed and delivered either as rolled goods or as a set consisting of many individual foil sheets. A certain flexibility is associated with both variants, which is why no solution can be chosen as the clear winner here.
Self-adhesive foil/mounting
The trade has only a few self-adhesive reflective foils for greenhouses (77.12€). Basically, these variants, which are so rarely found, are logically the simplest and most convenient solution. Luckily, even without this feature, installing the reflective foil in the grow room is not too difficult. Simply use suitable, ideally also reflective adhesive tape.
frequently asked Questions
What exactly is reflective foil?
Reflective foil, also known as reflector foil, reflective foil or grow foil, is a special foil material that you can attach to your greenhouse - with the aim of increasing the light yield for the plants in it and promoting even better growth and thriving . Reflective foil often looks the same as conventional aluminum foil for the kitchen, but is more robust.
What exactly is reflective foil for?
Reflective foil makes sense if you want to increase the light density in your greenhouse or other growing room for your plants, prevent hotspots and increase yield. By lining the inner walls, ceiling and floor with reflective foil and at the same time ensuring good lighting conditions in the room, you force excellent light distribution, which helps the plants to grow optimally.
How do I properly attach reflective foil?
Fix the reflective foil inside the greenhouse or grow room - on the walls, on the ceiling and/or on the floor, depending on how intense the reflection should be. Some reflector foils are self-adhesive and can therefore be attached particularly easily. Otherwise, order reflective tape in addition to the film.
Which brands offer good reflective foils?
Some of the best-known and most popular brands of reflective film used to help plants thrive in a greenhouse include Easy Grow and Groflective. You can also get solid reflector foils from Tancuder or Dripex to expose your plants in the greenhouse to the ideal "light atmosphere".
Where is the best place to buy reflective foil?
Reflective foil is not that easy to find. You could be successful in large and well-stocked hardware stores and garden centers. Your chances are best if you look around in the assortment of a specialist shop - i.e. in a specialized grow shop. Alternatively, however, you also have the option of equipping yourself with convincing reflective foils on Amazon.
How much does reflective foil cost?
Depending on the material, quality, size and manufacturer, you pay between three and 30 euros for reflective foil. So the spectrum is enormous. For this reason, it is definitely worthwhile to subject several reflective films to a comprehensive comparison in order to determine and order the version with the best price-performance ratio in the end.
equipment
reflective tape
If the reflective foil ordered is not self-adhesive, it is advisable to buy additional special reflective tape and to stick the foil to walls, ceilings and floors and fix it in this way. Ideally, the selected adhesive tape should be robust and sticky, but can still be removed easily and without leaving any residue when it is no longer needed.
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