Aluminum Foil

If i am pretty much broke does aluminum foil act well as a reflector. I know not as good as mylar but would it be better then nothing, or not nothing but better then white walls?

jtotheitothedblmwhy said:

If i am pretty much broke does aluminum foil act well as a reflector. I know not as good as mylar but would it be better then nothing, or not nothing but better then white walls?

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go with white walls, aluminum foil creates hot spots, and does not reflect as much light.

madradrox said:

go with white walls, aluminum foil creates hot spots, and does not reflect as much light.

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Once agin im not tring to be arguementitive but how does white walls have better reflectivity then foil. I can see my reflection in foil not on walls. I agree with hot spot tho.

Aluminum foil is no more than 55% reflective - if used, make sure that the dull side is the one that is used to reflect the light. When it becomes creased its reflectivity is even lower (around 35%.) It is also very dangerous to use because it creates hotspots easily.

White walls are better coz they dont create heat spots like foil does.

GoldenGanja13 said:

Aluminum foil is no more than 55% reflective - if used, make sure that the dull side is the one that is used to reflect the light. When it becomes creased its reflectivity is even lower (around 35%.) It is also very dangerous to use because it creates hotspots easily.

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To add to your post. Flat white paint has a reflectivity of 70% to upwards of 90% depending upon what kind of white paint you use. Titanium white is the most reflective of all the flat whites, though it can be expensive. You could look into a semi-matte finish as its not glossy (stay away from glossy, flat white is more reflective) but it has enough of a smooth finish for scuffs and stains to be washed off of it.

Now since you're low on funds you could do what i did and go to a party store and pick up a silver mylar table cloth for $6 and cut it up to fit whatever application you want. I picked up a 8.5' x 6' table cloth.

Also foil is a much better reflector of heat than of light, it's funny but thats what it was designed for right, to keep food warm. I'd say even white computer paper would be a better option than the foil as far as low budget solutions go.

Bud Frosty said:

I was just messin with this yesterday. I had a white peice of ceiling tile and a peice of cardboard covered in tin foil. I actually seemed to get better light reflectivity from the white ceiling tile. The foil was more spotty when the tile seemed to make a better glow that covered more area.

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Actuallyyeah that makes sense since there is no way to get your aluminum foil flatened perfectly the whit probally is more uniform allowing more light to be reflect back more efficiently thanks all for brain storming