Solar tubes, also known as tubular skylights, sun tunnels, or light tubes, are a great way to bring more natural light into your home, particularly to dark rooms or areas that might otherwise miss out on the benefits of sunlight.
What Are Solar Tubes?
A solar tube is a metal tube that runs from your roof to the inside of your home. Its highly polished interior acts as a mirror to direct sunlight through the tube into the interior area you want to light.
A low-profile, weather-proof plastic dome or flat cover sits atop the roof-end of the tube to capture sunlight and send it through the tube’s length to the interior-end diffuser, which spreads the light in a soft, natural-looking glow.
Benefits of Solar Tubes
Inexpensive and easy to install
Unlike traditional skylights, solar tubes require little interior finishing such as reframing or drywall, making them less expensive to install (about $500 to $1,000).
Good for compact spaces
Solar tubes can bring light to small spaces – like corners, stairways, bathrooms and hallways–where traditional windows or skylights won’t fit.
Energy efficient
Solar tubes have less heat gain than windows or traditional skylights; using sunlight means less electricity usage.
Less UV light
Solar tubes block harmful UV rays at the dome.
Natural light
Diffuse, natural sunlight is a beautiful alternative to artificial light.
Considerations for Solar Tube Installation
Flexible vs. Rigid Tubing
Rigid tubing provides the maximum reflection and the most efficient lighting; however, flexible tubing is great for short runs where there are obstacles like plumbing or heating/cooling ducts.
Dome vs. Flat Cover
Some people prefer the lower profile of a flat cover. A flat cover works best on a flat or low-pitched roof, while a domed cover can gather more light on a pitched roof, particularly if it must be placed in an area that receives less direct sunlight.
Multi-level Homes
While solar tubing doesn’t require a straight run, it does require a connected tube to channel light from the roof to your home’s interior. If you live in a multi-level home, you may still be able to use solar tubes if your upper storey has a closet or other hidden space through which the tubing can run.
Combining with LED
You may want to consider solar tube products that can integrate LED lighting, allowing you to achieve maximum light at night or on darker days while still reaping the benefits of natural-looking, energy-efficient light.
Solar tubes are a great alternative to installing a skylight or a new window. Your architect or contractor can help you decide if a solar tube is right for your home and help you decide from among the various options.
Image credit: Mimi Kotter (Solatube International) CC BY-SA 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons