Pure white paint reflects light best. Being the most reflective color, it reflects nearly 100% of light, as it doesn't absorb light or warmth.
When considering paint's ability to reflect light, it's crucial to understand the Light Reflectance Value (LRV). The LRV scale ranges from 0 to 100, where:
- 0: Represents absolute black, absorbing all light.
- 100: Represents pure white, reflecting all light.
Therefore, the higher the LRV, the more light a paint reflects. Paints with an LRV below 50 will absorb more light than they reflect, making a room appear darker.
Here's a breakdown:
- Best Reflectance (Close to 100 LRV): Pure White.
- Good Reflectance (60-80 LRV): Off-whites, light grays, and pastel colors.
- Poor Reflectance (Below 50 LRV): Dark blues, greens, reds, and blacks.
Ultimately, when the goal is to maximize light reflection in a room, choosing a pure white paint with the highest possible LRV is the most effective strategy.
