flat white paint vs glossy

[KaBloom]

Why is it recommend that grow rooms be painted with a flat white when a glossy finish seems like it would be more reflective? Also are intake & outake necessary for anything other then temp/humidity control? Thanx

 

[Dusty Kiefers]

Once read an article that stated flat white was better than mylar dont understand that but whatever. Intake and exasht keep the air exchange continuious if you dont have it you have to exchange air every fifteen to thirty minutes so plants can breathe. Hope this helps.

 

[KaBloom]

Thank Dusty!!! Just seems that glossy would do a better job at reflecting light.... doesn't it??

 

[Teldren]

Flat white reflects light evenly. Gloss would have concentrated hot spots where the light is brightest.

 

[KaBloom]

Thank Teldren , that actually makes sense to me...

 

[Guesstimator]

Another thing I've read is that Mylar (and "shiny") reflects heat as well as light. I just switched from Mylar to a more flat white and have observed the plants now receive less intense direct and indirect heat from the (vented and cooled) light source. Or so it appears to me anyway. I see a more even distribution of light now as well. Just my "beginners observation" so take it for what it's worth. Good luck!

 

[bearkat42]

I would suggest that you go with white elastomeric roof paint. A rubberized roofing paint with over 90% reflection. Mildew resistant. Highly reflective. Flat white, on the other hand, is only 75-85% reflective.

 

[PatBezz]

Stick with flat white ceiling paint mate the research is out there just search for a few minutes. Cheers Pat.

 

[jayg]

I am a painter by trade. The first thing that comes to mind for me is humidity. When I see a bathroom painted in gloss or even semi-gloss, the moisture seems to stick to the walls for hours. This might spell disaster for a small, or even medium size room.

 

[Notchrob]

I would suggest that you go with white elastomeric roof paint. A rubberized roofing paint with over 90% reflection. Mildew resistant. Highly reflective. Flat white, on the other hand, is only 75-85% reflective.

This is your best bet.I use reflectix

 

[dc534]

Went with flat white myself. With CFL's they are maintained so close to the plants that the minimal amount of light reflectivity you get from any surface is not worth that much time honestly. I try not to overthink things when it comes to this. I went with the easiest option and that was a spray paint flat white.

In retrospect I would have not gone with spraypaint, to me it is hard to get an even coat with spray paint, ended up having to buy a second can and going over it again. Going with just regular paint is probably best option if using paint you control the amount of paint more easily and can therefore get better coating.