Reflective Poly Films & Panda Film
Reflective poly films line the walls, floors, and ceilings of grow rooms to maximize light reflection back to the plant canopy, reducing wasted light and improving the efficiency of any grow light fixture. The primary film types are panda film (black on one side, white on the other -- the white side reflects light with high efficiency while the black side creates a light-blocking barrier), reflective mylar (a silver aluminized film with high specular reflectivity), and white poly (plain white polyethylene that reflects light diffusely without creating hot spots). Each has a different reflective character and appropriate use case.
Panda Film
Panda Film is the most widely used grow room poly film -- the black/white construction allows the installer to choose which side faces the interior depending on whether high reflectivity (white side in) or maximum light blocking with moderate reflectivity is the priority. The 5-mil thickness is the standard for most grow room installations; the 7-mil is used where additional durability is needed for permanent installations or high-traffic rooms. Panda Film rolls are available in 24-inch, 32-inch, 40-inch, and 50-inch widths in 100-foot and 150-foot length rolls for rooms of all sizes.
Reflective Mylar and White Poly
AC Infinity Reflective Mylar Film Roll and DL Wholesale Diamond Foil provide higher specular reflectivity than white panda film -- useful for maximizing light intensity near walls and corners. DL Wholesale Thermal IR Blocker films serve a dual function: reflectivity plus infrared blocking for temperature management in climate-sensitive grow environments. Browse reflective film installation accessories for tapes and fastening tools, or see grow tents for enclosed growing setups with built-in reflective liners. Fast shipping.
Reflective Poly Films FAQ
What is the difference between panda film, mylar, and white poly?
Panda film is a black/white polyethylene film -- the white side reflects light diffusely at approximately 90% reflectivity, and the black side blocks light completely. The diffuse reflection of panda film distributes light evenly across the canopy without creating the bright spots or hot spots that specular (mirror-like) surfaces can produce. Mylar is an aluminized polyester film with specular reflectivity above 95% -- it reflects light in a more directed pattern that can create concentrated bright areas near the film surface. White poly is plain white polyethylene with diffuse reflectivity similar to panda film but without the light-blocking black backing. For most grow rooms, panda film provides the best balance of high diffuse reflectivity and complete light blocking.
How much panda film do I need for a 10x10 grow room?
For a 10x10 room with 8-foot ceilings: four 10-foot walls (400 sq ft of wall area) plus the ceiling (100 sq ft) and floor (100 sq ft) = 600 sq ft total. A 32-inch wide, 100-foot roll covers approximately 267 sq ft; a 40-inch wide roll covers 333 sq ft. For a 10x10 room you need approximately 2 rolls of 40-inch wide panda film, or 3 rolls of 24-inch wide material. Add 15-20% extra for seam overlaps, corner wrapping, and any wasted length at cuts. Panda Film is available in 24, 32, 40, and 50-inch widths -- select the width that minimizes the number of seams for your room dimensions.
Should I put panda film white side or black side facing the plants?
White side facing the plants (toward the grow area) is the standard for most grow room installations -- the white surface reflects diffuse light back to the canopy, increasing effective light utilization from your fixtures. The black side faces outward (toward the wall or structural surface) to provide the light-blocking function. The black side also provides a moisture barrier against wall surfaces. The exception is floor applications where black side up is sometimes preferred to prevent light reflection upward through the lower canopy (which can cause light burn on lower leaves) and to provide a more durable, easy-to-clean surface for water and nutrient runoff management.
