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solar tubes

Tuna1 | Posted in General Discussion on December 29, 2008 07:54am

Would appreciate recommendations for brand(s) of solar tubes/tunnels for bedrooms, hallways, etc. I have a pitched roof and want to lighten up several rooms. Obviously the south roof side will capture more light but how will the north side do?? Also, do they amplify the amount of light that enters the room? I’m not thinking of energy efficiency so much as get more light into dark rooms. Thanks for any input

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  1. yojimbo2 | Dec 29, 2008 08:16am | #1

    Solar tubes are awful. The light output is minimal. They are a huge waste of time.

    Instead install a real skylight. You will be happy you spent the extra money.

    1. User avater
      Huck | Dec 29, 2008 08:26am | #2

      I don't think they're awful...but I admit their benefits are limited.  It seems like in a small white room, like a bathroom or hallway, with an 8' ceiling, they do the most good.  In a larger, darker room, especially if there is a higher ceilng, they just seem to add a shaft of light that does little to "brighten" the room. "...craftsmanship is first & foremost an expression of the human spirit." - P. Korn

      bakersfieldremodel.com

      1. User avater
        tkiser | Dec 31, 2008 04:06am | #23

        I am interested in installing Sun Tubes in my rehab project. I have 2x6 16'OC and foam filled cavities does anyone know the minimum you can use? I plan on using it in the stairway.

        Thanks

        Tim

        1. MikeSmith | Dec 31, 2008 07:18am | #24

          i don't know what the "foam filled cavities" refers to

           

          but you could use a 14" Velux Suntunnel in that locationMike Hussein Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore

          1. User avater
            tkiser | Jan 01, 2009 05:27pm | #25

            Foam filled is spray foam insulation

    2. wrudiger | Dec 29, 2008 08:42am | #3

      The light output is minimal

      Not according to the flowering plants sitting under them in my house.

      Instead install a real skylight

      If you like to totally roast in the summer, unless of course you have a shade (pretty much required here), and then the light output is non-existant.

      Bottom line - it all depends.  In my experience & situation the solar tube (at least the Solatube brand - highest light capture / transmittance) is the only way to go.  Different strokes and all that... 

      1. User avater
        Huck | Dec 29, 2008 09:22am | #4

        Here in So. Cal. skylights can be oppressively hot, and should be used judiciously.  My friend went up on the roof and spray painted his, it was getting so hot in summer.  In a different climate it might be a different story.

        I have added solar tubes to bathrooms and hallways with good success.  The problem is, everyone keeps trying to switch it off before they leave the room!

        I installed one in the middle of a living room with a high ceiling - the clients loved it, but I didn't think it lit up the room very well, looked odd to me, like the "transporter" or whatever on the old star trek tv show.  "...craftsmanship is first & foremost an expression of the human spirit." - P. Korn

        bakersfieldremodel.com

        1. User avater
          NickNukeEm | Dec 29, 2008 04:36pm | #7

          The problem is, everyone keeps trying to switch it off before they leave the room!

          The first one I installed in a bathroom several years ago, that's exactly what I did the first several times I left the room.  "I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul."  Invictus, by Henley.

          1. User avater
            BillHartmann | Dec 29, 2008 08:37pm | #8

            Most of the systems that I have seen just have a flat round diffuser
            and they are the best looking thing.Does anyone make terminations that are domed and frosted glass
            or "alabaster" and brass trim so that it looks like a light fixture.Something like thishttp://www.lampsplus.com/Products/Traditional-Bronze-Finish-15-inch-Wide-Ceiling-Light-Fixture__12650.htmlhttp://www.lampsplus.com/Products/Franklin-Iron-Works-Crossings-15-inch-Wide-Ceiling-Light__31067.htmlFor example..
            William the Geezer, the sequel to Billy the Kid - Shoe

      2. yojimbo2 | Dec 30, 2008 03:19am | #9

        You and Huck have a point. I live in the SFBay area, and they definitely don't work here. I imagine in a desert climate, a solar tube would work.

        1. Frankn | Dec 30, 2008 03:44am | #10

          Hi have installed several Sun tunnels.First off they are not a waste of time. They work great for locations that a skylight will not work. Installation is a breeze.Skylight can be a heat loss in the winter and a heat problem in the summerJust like anything if it used for the right application it preforms well

        2. MikeSmith | Dec 30, 2008 04:26am | #11

          yo.... there is nothing peculiar to the SF Bay area that  inhibits a suntunnel / solar tube

           

          if a skylight works,  a suntunnel will alsoMike Hussein Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore

          1. yojimbo2 | Dec 30, 2008 10:43pm | #14

            I would think that you would need a lot of sunlight to make it work. I just have never seen one that I felt actually put out any light. I also find them, for whatever reason, patently unattractive.I would much rather have an actual skylight, with clear glass. Place properly, with a dramatic ceiling opening, makes a world of difference.

          2. MikeSmith | Dec 30, 2008 10:48pm | #15

            they don't need direct light.... ambiant will do quite wellas with regular skylights...... the bigger the aperture, the more lightMike Hussein Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore

        3. wrudiger | Dec 30, 2008 04:28am | #12

          Are you on the foggy side of the Bay?  I'm in CC County... 

          Pacifica? Skylights for sure!  Pleasant Hill?  Only if you are under a whole lot of trees!

          1. yojimbo2 | Dec 30, 2008 10:36pm | #13

            Up in the wine country.

  2. User avater
    Huck | Dec 29, 2008 09:34am | #5

    http://www.taunton.com/finehomebuilding/how-to/articles/tubular-skylights.aspx

    "...craftsmanship is first & foremost an expression of the human spirit." - P. Korn

    bakersfieldremodel.com

  3. MikeSmith | Dec 29, 2008 03:04pm | #6

    my favorite is Velux ( Suntunnel )

    either the 14" or the 22" with or without light kits

    Mike Hussein Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore
  4. User avater
    popawheelie | Dec 31, 2008 12:15am | #16

    We have one that came with the house and everyone likes it. It does put out a fair amount of light.

    There are guys that do them and you get a discount of you get three or more.

    I do like real skylights though. I grew up in L.A. and have seen some really large ones that totally change a room.

    1. MGMAN | Dec 31, 2008 12:43am | #17

      FH showed a bath remodel sometime ago where the used a tube in a tray ceiling over a sink/vanity area, always thought ithat looked pretty cool.

  5. frenchy | Dec 31, 2008 01:40am | #18

    Don't think to install them in cold weather climates.. massive heat loss!

    1. MikeSmith | Dec 31, 2008 02:15am | #19

      frenchy.....   tubular skylights do not have a massive heat loss

      they have far less heat loss than a regular skylight

       

      and that is just out-of-the-box

       

      if you take some extra pains , you can pretty much eliminate the sidewall loss, then you are limited to the loss at the bottom of the tunnel  ( velux has a double glazed diffuser  for cold climates  )    and some convection losses within the tunnel

       

      but these are all considerably less than a conventional skylightMike Hussein Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore

      1. frenchy | Dec 31, 2008 02:43am | #20

        Mike. 

          Here in  the frozen tundra we call Minnesota a solar tube  doesn't work in the winter because much of the time it's so badly frosted or snowed over.. remember in a location where R 40 is required and many homes have R50  you have R nothing (or close to it)

        1. MikeSmith | Dec 31, 2008 02:45am | #21

          frenchy.......  same is true of a skylight.......   the discussion was about  the relative  merits  of skylights  vs... solar tubes

           

           Mike Hussein Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore

          1. frenchy | Dec 31, 2008 03:49am | #22

            mike,

               Sorry the original poster asked about solartubes I think it was later that someone brought up skylights..

             That's why I put the clause in mine about the location because the original poster didn't include that data either in the post or in his bio..

        2. Snort | Jan 01, 2009 05:56pm | #26

          If there is such a massive heat loss out of a solar tube, wouldn't the roof top aperture stay clear of that frost and snow?I've found the tubes to be quite en-light-ening... even to the point of people looking for a light switch to turn them off.http://www.tvwsolar.com

          Now you see this one-eyed midget

          Shouting the word "NOW"

          And you say, "For what reason?"

          And he says, "How?"

          And you say, "What does this mean?"

          And he screams back, "You're a cow

          Give me some milk

          Or else go home"

          1. frenchy | Jan 01, 2009 07:07pm | #27

            depends on hard the snow is falling and or how cold it is.. Don't forget at the same time the inside is frosting up badly..

          2. theslateman | Jan 01, 2009 07:11pm | #28

            Frenchy,

            Hijack here.

            You ready to sell me your beam tools yet ???

          3. Snort | Jan 02, 2009 12:51am | #29

            <Don't forget at the same time the inside is frosting up badly..>Must be able to take a shower under one, eh?http://www.tvwsolar.com

            Now you see this one-eyed midget

            Shouting the word "NOW"

            And you say, "For what reason?"

            And he says, "How?"

            And you say, "What does this mean?"

            And he screams back, "You're a cow

            Give me some milk

            Or else go home"

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