Mylar - flat vs bubbled?

[sub]

Just curious as to what you guys use, flat mylar or bubbled mylar?
I have a roll of flat mylar I am using now, but have access to a bunch of free thermal bags, which is bubbled mylar.

Logic tells me to go for the bubbled mylar because it has a higher surface area.

Thoughts? Is there even really a difference?

 

[zenoonez]

The bubbled simply has a higher insulative value/ r-value. I would bet that the regular flat mylar has a better reflective value but has a lower r-value.

 

[sub]

Hmm, yeah that makes sense. Do you think the insulation qualities of the bubbled mylar would lend any noticeable decrease to the sound inside the box?
I'm torn between which kind to use, even though it's probably pretty negligible either way

 

[zenoonez]

Hmm, yeah that makes sense. Do you think the insulation qualities of the bubbled mylar would lend any noticeable decrease to the sound inside the box?
I'm torn between which kind to use, even though it's probably pretty negligible either way

It may have some sound insulating qualities but i dont know first hand. I guess which you use depends on what is more important, not losing light or trying to keep the noise down.

 

[sub]

Hmm, man.. I wish I had some technical data on the 2 compared to each other. I'm probably jsut being super picky.
I doubt the free mylar bags that I will be getting are as good quality as the grow-room mylar roll I have.
I'll check out the mylar bags when I get them and see if I can notice a difference. The bubbled mylar might be easier to work with as well..

 

[zenoonez]

Why not just keep the bags, use them in your next grow construction under another layer of your regular mylar. That way to have the insulation and a new coat of good mylar?

 

[sub]

Why not just keep the bags, use them in your next grow construction under another layer of your regular mylar. That way to have the insulation and a new coat of good mylar?

Either one will be for this growbox, the current mylar isn't permanently laid down. I'm also using 1/2" insulation sheets, so maybe the bubble mylar would really have no use for me?

 

[Phedrosbenny]

Mylar is a ripp off.If it is bought as mylar for growroom walls it is way overpriced.

 

[sub]

Mylar is a ripp off.If it is bought as mylar for growroom walls it is way overpriced.

For sure, now what about the efficiency of bubbled vs flat?

 

[zenoonez]

Mylar is a ripp off.If it is bought as mylar for growroom walls it is way overpriced.

What other name is it sold under?

 

[Phedrosbenny]

I get mine at the dollar store.Im not sure if it mylar.I think it is though and it works just as good.Its sold as wrapping paper,but it doesnt come in rolls.It comes in a box.

 

[Motta-Tokka]

ahh yeah the wrapping paper is pretty awesome. Look for the "Metal" type at the dollar store. Problem is its not good to get wet much as the film will look like crap after a few times. For the price its pretty good for a small grow like a closet. Not sure if it will pan out with a huge room though. I vouch for that stuff though

 

[Cannarado]

Black and white Poly > Mylar... IMO

Space Blanket = Best cheap route for mylar.

Why not use the refletix (thats a name its sold under for the bubble mylar) for insulation, and put the mylar in front of that for reflection? Then ya got reflection and insulation!

 

[sub]

Black and white Poly > Mylar... IMO

Space Blanket = Best cheap route for mylar.

Why not use the refletix (thats a name its sold under for the bubble mylar) for insulation, and put the mylar in front of that for reflection? Then ya got reflection and insulation!

Damn I didn't know b&w poly was better, I thought I read that mylar was better... oh well
as for using the reflectix for insulation, I already have 1/2" insulation boards lining my box, so I'm actually not sure if the bubbled mylar will help at all. I am getting the free stuff today, though, so I will see which one I like better, I'm still not sure of which one to use..

But black and white poly.. it's really better?

 

[Cannarado]

But black and white poly.. it's really better?

Define better. To me... YES. Most of the mylar i get (cause like stated prev, i aint paying for grow mylar, its space blanket all the way) is super thin... tears easy, see through, ect. My friend SWARES by refletix... but he's only done a eyball compairsion of being stoned and holding poly and refletix up to his light to see what makes it brighter...

In my several years of reading i came across a thread that was much like pico's reflector thread. He set up a test room with a control ect ect, and tested how much light he got from doing mylar, poly, white paint, ect. He came to the conclusion that if possible, Flat white paint is the best at like 95% reflectivity, and poly and mylar were real close. In all i think there was like a 5-8% difference between what all he tested lol. So as far as reflectivity - Wouldnt say better. But as far as quality, washability, workability, reuseability, ect - Poly all the way.

I gotta head to school, and they block IC, so i'll see if i can find a site stating the reflectivity of each and post when im back... but its more so preference of what you would rather use. I use poly on my floors and such cause im to cheap to buy saucers lol, and i dont think mylar would be great for that.

 

[B.C.]

Flat white paint reflects about 70% of light. BUT, that refectiveness doesn't go far before it's gone. The reflection of mylar ( 90 somethin % ) goes until it hits somethin. Kinda like Flouro's vs H.I.D. lighting.


Refletix reflects 90 somethin % too, but when it does, it's in every direction. Where as regular flat mylar will bounce the light back out at the same angle it goes in at. My 2 cent worth... BC

 

[maxmurder]

cannarado is right - b&w poly is better, mylar is like 98% reflective (+/-) and no good after water spots dry on it, can't wipe it down. b&w poly is like 94% (+/-) but you can spray it down with bleach in between grows and foliar all you want, lasts years. i used to just replace mylar every time but it gets expensive, just my 2cents..
peaces

 

[Phedrosbenny]

What is the difference between the white poly and white plastic trash bag?

 

[B.C.]

What is the difference between the white poly and white plastic trash bag?

About 30 bucks! White poly reflects like white paint, it jus doesn't reflect very far back. White poly is more about controlling room temps when H.I.D. lights are used. Black plastic/poly will absorb too much infrared heat, hence the white.

Mylar isn't hard ta wipe down if it's hung right. Windex an a paper towel will do the job.

If yer workin with a cab or even justa small light anywhere, mylar or reflectix is the way ta go. Might as well get the most outta what ya got. BC

 

[sub]

yeah I got the stack of free reflectix yesterday. I HAVE SO MUCH DAMN MYLAR. Haha.
I will probably use the reflectix just because it's easier to work with and probably isn't really much different at all.
Next grow I will probably go for white poly.
Thanks guys! This truly helped