Brightening Your Home Naturally Tubular Skylights vs Traditional Options

Skylights Are Great

Everyone knows what a skylight is – it’s the window in the roof that allows additional light to enter a room. They have been around for centuries and can be found in homes and even commercial buildings in almost all parts of the globe. With skylights, not only is more natural sunlight, with all its health benefits, allowed to enter a house, but the additional natural light means that the use of artificial lighting can be cut down, if not eliminated, during the day. That is good for both the homeowner’s utility bill and for the planet because the home’s carbon footprint is reduced. But skylights have evolved and today there are new high-tech skylight options that literally mean that traditional skylights belong to yesterday.

Tubular Skylights 101

The advent of tubular skylights has revolutionized not just the skylight business but the way that interior lighting is done. Tubular skylights are known by many names – light tubes, solar tubes, daylighting devices, sun tunnels, light tubes and more. But whatever the name, the way they work is the same. The only difference is the quality of the product and how efficiently it functions – there are today many manufacturers producing these tubular skylights and while all claim to be among the best, there is only one name that stands out as being the undisputed market leader – Solatube. This company is known for using cutting-edge technology, the highest quality standards and for its unwavering focus on customer satisfaction. That is why Solatube tubular skylights are the best you can get.

How Do They Work?

Traditional skylights have limitations. They can allow light to enter only into the space directly below where one is installed. Installation can be difficult and if not done properly, leaks and water entry into the structure, with the resulting possibility of dampness and rot, causing structural damage always present. With time, the glass panes can become weathered and scratched, leading to a reduction in the amount of light that is able to pass through. Repairing these skylights is not easy and the results are rarely, if ever, up to the mark. But tubular skylights have none of these problems.

Here, in brief, is what a tubular skylight is and how it works:

A small sunlight collector is mounted on the roof. This is a self-contained device.
A light tube is connected to the collector through a small hole in the roof.
Installing the light collector and light tube is simple and no structural modification to the building is required.
The light tube, which has a special highly reflective coating on the inner surface to minimize any possible light loss during transmission, carries the light from the sunlight collector to the interior parts of the house.
This means that the sunlight can be taken to parts of the home where traditional skylights cannot be installed and where windows do not permit enough daylight to enter.
The light that tubular skylights carry to the interior of the house will have a significant impact on reducing the use of electricity for lighting during the day.

Also Read: 10 Easy Green Upgrades for Your Home

These tubular skylights require no electricity or other power source to function.
Because only a small hole is made in the roof, the possibility of leakage or water entry that could cause damage is eliminated.
Tubular skylights will not be affected by weather wear and damage the way traditional skylights are and so will continue to operate at peak efficiency for many years.
The light that is carried into the interior of the house is diffused through the room by way of elegant light fittings that blend in with the décor of the home.
Solatube tubular skylights are available in a range of sizes to suit all home sizes and lighting needs.

These tubular skylights are available with a range of add-ons that increase their utility exponentially.

– The Solar Night Light Systemuses a built-in solar panel to charge up a nightlight that provides a soft, glowing light at night.

– A light add-on kitallows the same fitting to provide electric light at night, thereby eliminating the clutter that 2 separate light fittings would cause.

– A solar powered daylight dimmer allows the amount of sunlight entering the interior to be easily adjusted with a remote control.

– A ventilation kit adds a clean, neat ventilation option to the light fitting.

There is a lot more too tubular skylights and if you want to know more about these devices and how they can benefit your home, contact Sunlight Concepts, the Solatube Premier Dealer for the San Francisco Bay Area. Ask for our free consultation , where all your questions about tubular skylights will be answered, so you are in a position to make informed decisions about what is right for your home.

The 30% Federal Tax Credit on the purchase of tubular skylights is going away soon.

Tubular vs. Traditional Skylights: FAQs You Must Know

Q1. What is the difference between traditional skylights and tubular skylights?

Traditional skylights are larger roof windows that bring light directly below them, while tubular skylights use reflective tubes to carry sunlight into darker parts of a home without structural modifications.

Q2. Are tubular skylights energy-efficient?

Yes. Tubular skylights require no electricity to function, reduce daytime lighting costs, and may qualify for federal tax credits, making them eco-friendly and cost-saving.

Q3. Can tubular skylights be installed in any type of home?

Tubular skylights can be installed in most home types without major structural changes. Their compact design makes them ideal for hallways, bathrooms, kitchens, and rooms without windows.

Q4. Do tubular skylights cause roof leaks?

No. Because they require only a small roof opening and have a sealed design, tubular skylights minimize the risk of leaks or water damage compared to traditional skylights.

Q5. What add-ons are available with Solatube tubular skylights?

Popular add-ons include a solar-powered nightlight, daylight dimmer with remote control, ventilation kit, and integrated electric light add-on for night time use.

Q6. Is there a tax credit for installing tubular skylights?

Yes. Homeowners may qualify for up to 30% federal tax credit on eligible Solatube tubular skylight purchases, but this benefit is ending soon.