If you’re looking to get more light and natural light inside your home but are unable to find skylights that are too large, costly or difficult for you to keep, solar tube provide an alternative that is simple. Also called tubular skylights, also known as sun tunnels. Solar tubes offer you a simple way to illuminate the dark corners of your house with soft natural light.
The most common solar tube is made composed of polished metal that is installed on the roof to direct sunlight into the interior of the home. It is typically offered in 10 and 14-inch diameters, which are able to fit between standard 16-inch roof beams. At the top of the tube is a weatherproof cap made of acrylic. On the ceiling is an opening that resembles a window with a diffuser which helps spread the light evenly.
Pros Effective, Simple and affordable
By using solar tube lights, you will be able to illuminate your home for free without the cost of installing skylights or having to alter the style the appearance of rooms.
Lights for free In a bright day, a 10-inch solar tube provides approximately the same amount of illumination that three bulbs of 100 watts. It’s enough to illuminate 200 square. feet. space well enough to allow to work in or illuminate 300 square. feet. space for less visual tasks like taking showers or folding laundry. With this amount of lighting, you’ll no longer need to turn on the electric lighting on sunny or moderately cloudy days. You’ll have more convenience and also save money. If you require illumination at night opt for the solar tube model which comes with lighting powered by electricity.
Flexibility in design With its size, skylights can be easy to miss as you walk into the room. Solar tubes on the other hand can be subtle elements of design that bring illumination without drawing attention to them. If you’re looking to bring more lighting into your living space or bedroom without changing the architectural style of your room solar tubes allow you to accomplish this. They can also be incorporated in smaller space than traditional skylights making them a great option to brighten up an otherwise dim hallway or kitchen.
Lower chance of leaks Skylights that are traditional are well-known because of their capacity to leak. One of the main reasons for this is that they accumulate debris, like leaves, which block rain as well as snow melting from draining from the roof. The water that has accumulated gets beneath the roofing material, and finally to your ceiling. The solar tubes have a lower risk of leakage due to their relatively flat, tiny dome allows for water to flow around them.
Installation that is budget-friendly Solar tubes may seem like a fancy option, but they do not need a huge investment. The tubes themselves are less expensive than skylights and are more affordable to get installed since they don’t need modifications to the walls or framing. The cost of professional installation is under $1000 for the majority of regions of the nation.
To save money the cost, you can put in solar tubes on your own with an installation kit that is just $500. However, in more difficult situations, where the installation requires connecting the tube to pipes, wiring as well as air conduits, it is best to receive more efficient results by hiring a specialist.
Cons Limits to Control and Limited Design Impact
Solar tubes offer less options to control the lighting in your home Their small size makes them ineffective to improve the architecture of your home.
There are fewer options for controlling Skylights allow you more control over the amount of light that is let through. Skylight shades work the same way as window shades. However, the range of skylight diffusers available offered on the market offers many options to distribute the light throughout the space. It is also possible to add films to block the effects of UV light on furniture and carpets. Vented skylights let you enjoy fresh air in the sunlight through opening your skylight like you would open an awning window.
Solar tubes, shades , and venting aren’t alternatives. Although you can utilize window film and diffusers however, you’ll be faced with a restricted selection than the ones offered for skylights.
A small design improvement Skylights are an architectural feature on their own that make the space appear more spacious and airy and offering you a constant perspective of the clouds that pass by. They provide a sense of luxury and an impression of being connected to the natural world. The majority of solar tubes however are tiny enough to not affect the look of the room other than the light they let in, and they aren’t able to let you observe much outside.
Not suitable for each home The type of roof you have could cause it to be difficult to put solar tubes in. Most solar tubes are made for roofs that have a slope between 15 to 60 degrees. If you live in flat space then you’ll have to search for tubular skylights specifically designed for this kind of roof. For roofs with a steep pitch like an A-frame roof, installation may not be feasible at all. The majority of DIY solar tube kit kits are specifically designed for roofs that have wooden or asphalt roofing. If you have metal or tiles on your roof, you’ll require an adapter.
In humid climates there is a tendency for condensation to form on the interior of the tube can be a typical issue. It is possible to reduce this via wrapping the tubing with R-15 batt insulation prior to install it.
If your home could do with some more light especially in smaller areas and you don’t wish to shell out a large sum or alter the appearance of your room solar tubes can be an affordable option. However If you’re looking to make an impact on the look of your room and are willing to spend the money then you may want to go with traditional skylights.
