Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

Trying to find a material that is highly reflective of most/all IR/NIR light, whilst being minimally reflective, or ideally not reflective at all of UVA/UVB light. So far it seems like gold is a top contender. Two questions.

1) Is gold/gold-plated metal the best option?

2) Is it gold's composition or its color that exhibits these properties? Given the cost, could a gold-colored metal, or even gold aluminum foil, work as a viable substitute?

Thanks!

You can look into IR reflective paint products. You can see if they provide spec sheets with absorption/reflectivity spectrum.