I’ve been receiving FHB for a number of years. Love it and the insight it provides to my many interests. (Just for the record, I’m a retired navy pilot who used to chase russian nuke subs off the Intrepid (now a museum in NYC – am I old or what?) in the North Atlantic. But that’s the past.)
I enjoy woodworking, esp. remodeling and building, although on a limited scale. Currently, I’m planning to install a tubular skilight in my mid-bath. I’ve looked into Solatube, Velux, ODL, and Sun-Tek. What I’d like from you real pros is any opinions/comments on the quality/preference in brand. I live in Pensacola, FL, so, while we do get a winter (2-3 months at best), the weather is not terribly severe; summers are hot and humid. Thanks for any assistance. If one knows of a better brand, I’m open to suggestions.
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Don't know nuthin' about skylights, but wanted to thank you for your service to our country.
DITTO from WW 57
Appreciate your comment. Thanks
I can't speak of brands other then Velux. We've installed several in the last few years. I think they're flashing is good and they are super easy to install. I'm not overly impressed with the plastic bubble cover but that's just a gut feeling, we have not had a problem with them in anyway.
i have used the velux . like it a lot , if you can i recomend the solid tube over the flexible one .
Just for the record, I'm a retired navy pilot who used to chase russian nuke subs
Your name is not Duane, is it? <g> And, you are not in the Twin Cities area, right?
(Sorry, inside thing; Duane is a former P-3 driver, and Frenchy has S-2 time.)
Solatube, Velux, ODL, and Sun-Tek.
Solatube and Sun-Tek seem to be the tubular s/l contractors' choice; Vellux is what I specify and prefer.
Mostly, it seems to come down to how neatly you make the roof penetration. After that, it's in the can you get to the right spot in the attic, and whether you can easily add extras if you want them (the light kits are nice, but not if you need to add an entire circuit, which then meabs replacing the FedPac panel, etc., etc., and so on).
Hope that helps.
(Old SWO myself, if we are getting into backgrounds)
Thanks. Any particular reason for your preference? I guess the bottom line is, is there any significant difference in quality among those mentioned? I'm leaning towards the Solatube because it offers the pitched flashing unit. It doesn't appear that Velux offers one, or do they?
P.S. Don't know Duane or Frenchy, but am partial to S-2s.
Velux does have a pitched flashing unit - up to 12/12 maybe?
I wouldn't use them in place of skylights but if you have a dark hall or bathroom they are great. They do come with light kits as well.
Very easy to install.
Thanks. Any particular reason for your preference?
No call backs on Vellux for any of their products. Slight nod for their accessories. Solatube next for accessories. I've a slight "twitch" against solatube ever since they started stocking them in the big boxes--not a rational sort of gripe, but a reflexive one.
P.S. Don't know Duane or Frenchy, but am partial to S-2s.
Hang around a bit. Barring some as yet unfolding circumstances, Sphere (Duane) and Frenchy should be names you'll notice here. Both have useful information they are free in sharing. Whether that is a good thing or not is subject to a certain amount of debate--which is precisely the thing that keeps this place interesting (or did).
If you see the handle Ken, he's an old fling-wing aviator. We have a good sprinkling of Sea Service types here, which may not be immediately obvious without requesting access to the Woodshed Tavern, which has less construction-specific content. (Like Happy birthday wishes; Veteran's Day salutations, and the like.)Occupational hazard of my occupation not being around (sorry Bubba)
I find tubular skylights just awful. We are removing 5 of them currently on a remodeling project.
Spend the money and get a proper skylight that actually lets in light and allows you to see the sky.
>> I find tubular skylights just awful. << Mind supplying some more information on that?
DW wants a tubular skylight in the kitchen. It is an interior room. Problem is that the attic above is 12' high. Common sense would say that the longer the tube, the less effective. The solatube web site says that the 10" can go 20' and the 14" can go 30'. I'm very skeptical. Anyone have any first hand experience with long tubular skylights?
Another thought is which work better at getting light in the room? Tubular skylight with flex tube or straight? Again, common sense would say straight tube would work better.
Thoughts? Actual experience?
I find them aesthetically unattractive. Apparently there is a sizable contingent on this forum that thinks otherwise. I always go for an actual skylight, which in my humble opinion, actually brings in light.
Thanks for your thoughts.
I have a solar tube in my bathroom shower and I think it is amazing. I was opposed to the idea of having this installed in my bathroom, but my contractor assured me that it would work. When I first saw it, I thought it was an electric light and I went looking for the switch to turn it off, but then I realized that it was the solar tube. The light is so bright and very beautiful. If your space cannot realistically have a window (skylight) installed, the solar tube is a great option.I still find myself looking for a light switch as I am not used to having bright natural light like that in my bathroom for free, but I am getting used to it.I have a greater appreciation for solar power as the amount of light that comes into ny bathroom is great.Hope this helps.
Velux is rather a fine unit and you may choose the type of plastic for the exterior dome. You will see far greater reflectivity with the straight sections and elbows than you will with the flexible tubing. The distance will hold true in the information they have given you, however they are a bit optimistic . I have found that a maximum of 25 or so feet is best for the larger size. Keep it in course and run it straight and tru.... As to the comments regarding the visual impact of such, well it remains a cost issue for many and for some a space consideration. After all we all can not pay for a retractable roof for our living rooms right? Overall a fine and quite inexpensive option for bringing in a bit of the great outdoors...
Each product has a proper application IMO. If you are pulling them out, the question would be ... why? Are you trading one problem for another? You don't explain why [you think] they are 'awful' ... I hope that isn't the only reason you convinced your client to pull them out. Misapplied, I would find them 'awful', too.
Personally (and generally) I find skylights 'just awful'. Why? Because they are energy hogs and they tend to overheat a space in the summer if poorly oriented. Who cares about 'seeing the sky'? Go outside to do that. Generally I've never known anyone to actually use a skylight to see the sky. If mounted high, you don't get much of a field of view anyway.
An alternative to a skylight would be e.g. a clerestory or dormer style which can give you control over both the sun and the light. Plus they are aesthetic elements of the roof, usually.
It's my understanding that Velux owns Solatube.
Thanks, I didn't know that. But with all the merging today, it doesn't surprise me.
I installed 3 ODL severe weather suntubes on my house just recently. I have no experience with other brands. They were installed on a nearly flat roof, so I couldn't find Velux locally, and I had a HomeyD coupon so I got them online. The flashing is hefty one piece spun aluminum unit that is probably 9" tall, and is very well made. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend them (or at least that model)...
Z
I've only put in one of each- a Solatube circular and a Velux rectangular. Both installs were relatively painless, and they've held up for 2.5 years w/o incident.
Our Solatube threads its way through new roof, old roof underneath and into a small bathroom that became windowless when we remodeled. Unlike yojimbo2 asserts, there are uses for them. You'd never have managed to put a light well for a rectangular through our house in this spot w/o major extra effort/cost/PITA.
I haven't really looked lately, but I thought Solatube (at least in GA) was still distributed outside HD/Lowe's, though they definitely either have the Velux version or another one. And I haven't seen anything that would convince me that Velux has purchased Solatube, though that's just from a real quick search.
Thanks for the Solatube insight. (I did call Velux, they don't own Solatube, just FYI). I also tend to agree with your comment on the usefulness of the systems. In an 8x10 bathroom or smaller, light wells and the sort are just not practical; thus the solartube systems are needed.
This is the fundamental difference between tube style 'solar' skylights and conventional skylights. You need to apply them for their intended purpose. Limited access to direct roof? Do the solar tube style. Need to 'see' the sky? Do the conventional. Each has a time and place.
Generally, I'm not a fan of skylights ... although I installed one in my new house. They are VERY difficult to control the high summer sun solar gain and generally otherwise an energy detriment. Solar tubes are superior in that regard. North facing roofs, not as big of a problem ... south and west ... wow, just too much.
In most applications IMO, skylights aren't for 'viewing the sky' ... more for simply allowing light in. Deep well skylights don't do much for lighting as they don't distribute the light very well ... need to splay the light well, which is often difficult.
we were a dealer for SunTunnel for about 6 years... we became a dealer because we installed a couple of their tubular skylights and really liked them
we remained a dealer until Velux bought them .. and changed the distribution system
we have also installed a couple of the other brands... our favorite is still the SunTunnel ( now Velux )
if your goal is LIGHT... then this is a great choice... if your goal is view or ventilation , then a conventional skylight is preferable
the Velux ( flexible is the only one we've ever installed ) flashes well, the accessories are good, they stand up great ( we have a 20" flex tube installed about 1996 in our office... no yellowing, do deterioration, no complaints )
there are two basic models.... 14" and 22" ... get the biggest one that you can put in with your existing conditions ( framing 16" oc.... or 24" oc )
Mike - You have any thoughts on longer run tubular skylights? Please see my .21 post above.
i've run the flexible 21" up to 25'
the amount of light was just great.. the biggest problem was supporting the flex tube
we just replaced two conventional Velux skylights with 21" flex tube Velux because of new roof systems interfering with the old skylights
if anything .. the amount of light has been increased because the old skylights had deep narrow wells.. the flex tubes moved the light to the room betterMike Hussein Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore
I put 2 solatubes in 2 very dark bathrooms; now have plants flowering in there and people looking for light switches when they exit in the day (mighty nice with full moons as well). Liked them so well installed 2 more during the kitchen remodel.
I'm a bit of a spec's geek. What I like about the Solatube is the amount of light it brings in, with the highly polished straight tube and with the way the dome on top is designed. The straight tube makes installation more difficult than the ones with flex tubing. You have to use connectors that you can swivel to different angles, like with stovepipe. I had one place manuvering around bracing in the attic that was something of a hassle, but once it's in the results are in my opinion worth it.
Tubes vs. skylights - no brainer for me. We would have to have the skylights curtained most of the summer - just too much heat gain from a skylight. Although I believe the skylights come "double pane" they are still going to have more heat loss in the winter that tubes. I've seen very little impact to heat gain or loss from the tubes. Unscientific observation - your milage may vary.
In terms of installation, roof penetration, it's just like a big vent pipe with a large flange / base and a tube several inches above the roofing. Easy to flash / waterproof correctly.
I'm kinda not 100% sure on my recollection, but I think our Solatube went in w/o any fittings for the jog the tube makes between roof and ceiling. IIRC, the dealer showed me how to kinda miter one of the sections to make it work. Definitely saved some money.
Tempted to climb into the attic and look but it's 20F outside this AM. And I'm a confirmed Southern cold weenie.