How does the Solatube Daylighting System work?
The Solatube Daylighting System captures light through a dome on the roof and channels it down through our internal reflective system. This tubing is far more efficient than a traditional drywall skylight shaft, which can lose over half of the potential light. The tubing will fit between rafters and will install easily with no structural modification. At the ceiling level, a diffuser that resembles a recessed light fixture spreads the light evenly throughout the room.

 

What is a Solatube Daylighting System and how does it compare to traditional box skylights?
Traditional skylights have their place, as do tubular skylights. There are a few key benefits of the Solatube Daylighting System, however, including flexible location options, low cost of installation and better lighting performance.

 

Location
The Solatube Daylighting System can be installed in places where a traditional skylight wouldn't be an option, such as rooms without direct roof access or small areas like bathrooms, closets and hallways. The units are compact in design (as small as 10 in/250 mm in diameter) and feature adjustable tubing with angle adapters that allow for installation around attic obstructions.

 

Light Output
The Solatube Daylighting System is able to accomplish better lighting performance results than a similar size box skylight, because it doesn’t use a skylight well (in which light is lost through absorption into the drywall shaft). They capture light more effectively on the rooftop and efficiently transfer more of it down the reflective tube and into the room.

 

Additionally, the Solatube Daylighting System provides better light diffusion. Instead of lighting only the space directly below the skylight, the daylighting system uses optics to spread the light out, often lighting the entire room.

 

Light Enhancements
Traditional skylights do not offer any optical enhancement devices to help increase performance. On the north side of a sloped roof, the light output from a regular skylight is significantly reduced without these devices.

  

The Solatube Daylighting System, for example, features several patented enhancement devices, which work in concert to capture more light from all angles and reflect it down the tube for higher light output during early morning, late afternoon and in the winter months when the sun is low on the horizon.

  

The Solatube Daylighting System transfers the maximum amount of ambient light into a room with minimal light loss, allowing it to provide great performance even on cloudy or rainy days. In fact, it captures ambient light so well, on a full-moon night, you can actually see a nice glow.

Cost
The cost of the Solatube Daylighting System is more affordable than most traditional skylights. Remember, the cost of the traditional skylight is only a portion of the total materials cost. One must also add in the cost of framing members, paint, drywall, etc. Then, labor becomes a very large portion of the cost because a contractor must frame out the skylight shall, drywall it, tape it, then paint it.

What about Leaks?
The Solatube Daylighting System circular one piece seamless flashing design allows rain and debris to bypass the skylight naturally. The Solatube flashings have no joints or weak points that may separate and allow water to enter.

 

Traditional skylights have a reputation of leaking. Many times this is an issue of incorrect installation, but their square design invites problems. First, the flat up-slope side collects branches, leaves and other debris, which interferes with proper drainage. As the water dams up, it migrates under shingles or tiles to find an escape route, causing leaking.

 

The round design and one piece flashing system of the daylighting system allows water and debris to flow past unobstructed. The entire unit is sealed to lock out any moisture.

 

Additional Solatube Options
The Solatube Daylighting System can also be multi-functional. The daylighting system can be equipped with options like an integrated light kit (for night-time lighting), a Daylight Dimmer (Patent 7,082,726) to modulate the amount of light desired, as well as a ventilation fan, providing a two-or three-in-one unit from a single ceiling fixture. Again, traditional skylights can't offer you these features. (See all available options.)

 

How large an area does the Solatube Daylighting System light?
A Solatube 160 DS (10 in/250 mm Daylighting System) will provide light for up to a 200 square foot (19 sq meter) residential area. A Solatube 290 DS (14 in/350 mm Daylighting System) lights up to a 300 square foot (28 sq meter) residential area. A Solatube 21-C and 21-O (21 in/530 mm Daylighting System) lights up to a 500 square foot (46 sq meter) residential area. For Commercial Building applications, please consult a Solatube design professional, since acceptable illuminated areas will greatly vary due to ceiling heights and space uses.

 

These estimated lighting areas are based upon an average 6' (1.82m) tube length and 8' (2.4m) ceiling height, with the dome being in direct sunlight.

 

Light output will very depending on the intensity of the sun. For example, there will be more light at mid-day than in the morning or evening. Light output may also decrease as the length of tube increases.

 

Can I install a Solatube Daylighting System myslef?
Installation of a Solatube Daylighting System is very easy. An experienced contractor or handyman can do it in a few hours. The Solatube Daylighting System is designed with a patented fastening and telescoping tube system that virtually eliminates the need to enter the attic. Additionally, many components are pre-assembled at the factory for minimum assembly time.

 

Both the Solatube 160 DS (10 in/250 mm Daylighting System) and 290 DS (14 in/350 10" (250mm) fit easily between roof rafters with no structural changes, so there is no need to build a skylight shaft. Our adjustable tubing design includes two Spectralight® Infinity angle adaptors that allow installation around attic obstructions and Spectralight® Infinity extension tubing in 16" (400mm) and 24" (600mm) segments. All are designed to telescope together for easy installation with no cutting necessary.

What if there is no attic space?
Solatube Daylighting Systems are designed for installation even where there is no access to the attic or no attic at all. Our unique telescoping tubing allows complete installation from the roof and inside the building.

 

Can the dome be raised higher above the roof?
All flashings can be modified by adding a turret extension. The turret extension raises the turret of the flashing so the dome will clear thicker roofing materials or roof obstructions, such as multiple roofing layers, HVAC units or extra thick shingles. Turret extensions are available in 2", 12", 24" & 36" and 48" heights.

 

How long can the tube be?

Recommended Maximum Tube Run
Solatube 160 DS (10 in/250 mm) Brighten Up® Series	20' (6m)
Solatube 290 DS (14 in/350 mm) Brighten Up® Series	30' (9m)
Solatube 21-C (21 in/530 mm) SolaMaster® Series	40' (12m)

 

How short can the tube be?
There is no minimum distance. No attic applications with vaulted or open beam ceilings are quite common.

 

Is there a way to turn off or "block out" a Solatube Daylighting System?
Yes! The Solatube Daylight Dimmer (Patent 7,082,726) allows the natural lighting level of a room to be turned up or down on demand, providing unprecedented flexibility for tubular skylights in both residential and commercial applications. The Daylight Dimmer easily controls the amount of light desired in any room from the convenience of a switch. Available for Solatube 160 DS, Solatube 290 DS, Solatube 21-C and Solatube 21-O. Patented variable butterfly baffle controls light output. Perfect for bedrooms, family rooms, offices, classroom and conference rooms.