Orca Film Vs Black and White Poly

What do you guys think? I have close to 700 sq foot in space. The orca film is about 400% more expensive

Orca is def a better product, but not 400% better

Vivosun sells heavy duty black and white panda film, works great and isnt that expensive.

At 11 mil the orca is much thicker than most other options and should last longer in your application. If this will be used long term then I suggest using strips of 1x2, staple the poly to that and roll it around the 1x2 one time and then screw or nail the strip of wood to the wall or ceiling. This will hold up a lot longer than just popping staples through the poly and having all the "load" hanging on the staples.

Doesn't even have to be a 1x2, could just be a piece of fur strip (thats actually the way to go).

diggs99 said:

Orca is def a better product, but not 400% better

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Yeah at that cost one may as well frame in a wall with 2x3 studs on 24" centers and hang some cheap 3/8 drywall on it.

I would note that the extra thickness only adds durability on the Orca, the normal B&W poly will stop light just fine. So if this is just a one or two run deal then go cheap. (I never say that)

If you had to frame all 4 walls (about 105 feet) it would might be around $400 - $500 if you went budget mode (I am high, @diggs99 what do you think?) I found that 54 inch x 100 foot rolls of Orca run about 200 ish. Thats only 54 inches wide so yeah, it might actually not be much savings at all with the Orca.

I came up with those numbers by taking the sqrt of 700 and multiplying that by 4 to get a linear footage 105.8 , so about 70 2x3's for studs, top and bottom plates. About 26 sheets of drywall. Some cheap fasteners. Might even be able to swing a cheap $40 interior door as an upgrade if you frame the opening correctly.

I understand totally if someone doesn't want to do that because of renting or whatever, just doing the mental exercise, keeps me sharp (ish). lmao

Renfro said:

If you had to frame all 4 walls (about 105 feet) it would might be around $400 - $500 if you went budget mode (I am high, @diggs99 what do you think?) I found that 54 inch x 100 foot rolls of Orca run about 200 ish. Thats only 54 inches wide so yeah, it might actually not be much savings at all with the Orca.

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I think 4-500 is a reasonable number for 100+ ft of walls.

I would def frame and drywall and flat paint walls before orca for sure, but if lower cost is what OP is after, just b/w panda film should be fine to protect from light.

Will the white paint be as effective tho

Devil_lettuce said:

Will the white paint be as effective tho

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flat white paint on drywall is better then any panda or orca film imo

I might do that then. Because I am framing walls already wanted to use the grow film to make sure it was more reflective

Devil_lettuce said:

I might do that then. Because I am framing walls already wanted to use the grow film to make sure it was more reflective

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Oh if your framing anyway, I'd def go with painted walls.