Replies

1. 
   Guest_ | Mar 05, 1999 09:08pm | #1

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   Jim, I assume you mean Solar Tubes, the mini skylites.

   If so, I have installed a bunch of them here in California. They are a great idea, but the feedback I get from the homeowners after installation is "Gee, they were so much brighter at the home center" or "They sure don't deliver much light" And the homeowners are right.

   Even on a very bright day, the units will not deliver much more than 40 watt bulb. They won't brighten much more than a closet. If it were my house, I wouldn't install one of them. They are a waste of money. Put in a couple of recessed cans, and add a 75watt flood, and call it a day.

   Now, assuming you still want to go through with it, here are my tips. You need to cut through two areas (celing and roof), only one of which is real critical, the roof. The kits come with templates, so you'll need a good jig saw or sawzall. I use the jig saw on the ceiling and the sawzall on the roof. You'll also need a plumb bob so the unit is straight (plumb) from the ceiling to the roof.

   The roof is where the unit will leak, unless you are very thorough. Carefuly peelback the shingles, make your cut, flash the living daylites out of it, and add calk for good measure.

   Oh, one more thing-I would not install these things on a roof with a pitch of less than 6 and 12. 4/12 is pushing it. Lower pitched roofs will cause the unit to leak.

   Good Luck!

1. 
   Guest_ | Mar 06, 1999 12:10am | #2

   *I did a bit of research a while back for someone else on the Sola-Tube and found that the installation cost is generally not so much that I'd want to cut the holes myself. There are also some limitations to them, including less light than expected. I chuckled to find that they have an accessory light that can be installed to provide light on cloudy days (??). There are also other brands of these, including Sun Tunnel and Sun Star. I think Scooter has it about right.

1. 
   Guest_ | Mar 06, 1999 12:30am | #3

   *Freddy would kill you for your deciding that only the roof is the important penetration!!! Bad Scooter, Bad Bad Bad.-Rob

1. 
   Guest_ | Mar 06, 1999 01:24am | #4

   *Scooter, what size solatube do you equate to a 40-watt bulb? They come in several sizes, I believe 10" diameter up to 16". Based on area, the 16" has over twice the area of the 10", and consequently, provides over twice the amount of light energy. You need to qualify your statement.

1. 
   Guest_ | Mar 06, 1999 02:33am | #5

   *I could be wrong, but I think that he meant that the roof penetration is more critical in terms of accuracy. After all, drywall repairs fairly easily if he makes a mistake.

2. 
   Guest_ | Mar 06, 1999 06:47am | #6

   *OK Chris, I'll qualify it:"approximately"Seriously, I couldn't tell you what sizes there are, but all of them I've worked with just didn't produce the light that I thought it would. The homeowners were also disapointed. I loved Barry's post about putting in a light bulb, and I'll be chuckling about that for a couple of days.After the first one I did a couple of years ago, I now admonish homeowners not to install them. They just don't produce enough light to warrant the expense. I also don't like roof penetrations, and try to avoid them whenever possible, so the idea of one more penetration doesn't get me very excited.As for ceiling penetrations and FreddyL., well, I've disagreed with him before, and I'm still alive. Seriously, here in California the issue of roof/ceiling venting is non-existent. Upgraded insulation/venting wouldn't pay for itself in 20 years. This afternoon I drove home with snow capped mountains in the background and 72 degree weather. Save your HVAC ideas for Ohio, guys.

3. 
   Guest_ | Mar 06, 1999 06:52am | #7

   *Rub some of my Adirondack snakeoils on your eyelids every night before bed and before you know it you'll see the whole world a brighter place....Simply amazing!Email me now,Jack : )

2. 
   John_F._Maxwell | Mar 07, 1999 01:03am | #8

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   I have installed two Solatube Skylights in my family room and couldn't be happier with the results. I had an opportunity to visit a home show where all the solar tube skylight manufacturers were represented and, after being able to compare them side by side, the Solatube brand offered the most in terms of ease of installation and amount of light transmitted. Granted that the brand that uses the flexible duct as the connection between the roof and ceiling is easier to install, it doesn't transmit near as much light as the Solatube. It took me almost a full day to install the two lights but that included the learning curve since they were the first two I had installed and I'm a very precise craftsman. I have since installed others in a reasonable time and my customers have been as pleased with them as I. The flashing that they provide for the roof penetration is basically foolproof and not difficult to install. Good luck. Hope this helps.

3. 
   Guest_ | Mar 07, 1999 09:24am | #9

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   We put in a " Sun Tunnel" brand last fall and it was quick enough that we didn't have to charge the homeowner too much, and they like it a lot. Went through a moderate slope shake roof and the supplied flashing hasn't leaked yet. It's a little too ugly for my own shack, but most new things are.

4. 
   SteveM_ | Mar 09, 1999 07:17am | #10

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   Well... I've only put in one sola-tube and I wouldn't recommend it to anyone. My customer was real happy, and I'm glad of that but for probably half the cost or less you could put in a couple of pot lights that work day AND night. They are simply a very expensive toy, and do a lousy job of replacing a real skylight. Well... there you have it. Another man's opinion.

5. 
   Jim_Massa | Mar 09, 1999 08:28am | #11

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   Am interested in finding if sola tubes have to be installed by a contractor or is the homeowner able to do it himself? Also are there other manufacturers that make a simular product? I'ld be interested to see how much effert there would be to installing one of these units.

6. 
   Guest_ | Mar 09, 1999 08:28am | #12

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   I have installed several of the solar tubes here in NC. Everbody seems real happy with them because you can have a skylight in a area that with a conventional skylight would be impractical. But other than that maybe in 20 years it would pay for its self over a light bulb. But that would be greatly offset by there insulation value, its like having a hole in your ceiling & roof. Thats my biggest gripe.