Live in Tucson , AZ; roof ridge runs east/west… considering skylights versus solar tubes on south face of roof. understand that glass tech. has come long way in terms of passing heat/light via reflective/refractive properties of light but can’t help but wonder if skylight, logically, won’t pass much more heat with the light than a solar tube ever would. Yes, the glass itself , wouldn’t feel hot to the touch but it seems it would pass the heat nevertheless and there’s already plenty of heat in Tucson! Will welcome any feedback. Thanks, Tuna
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Replies
Solar tubes hands down less heat gain. I have west-facing low-e french doors that get hot to the touch, and they don't even start to get sun till mid-afternoon. Can't even imagine how hot a south-facing roof in AZ would get!
The better solar tubes (I prefer Solatube brand) let in an amazing amount of light - people keep reaching for the light switch when they leave the bathroom.
thanx a heap... have been looking at Solatube and that's where I'm headed. thanx again
how do solar tubes live with high winds
You might check back about 6 months... One of the forum members set a section of his mirrored tube on top of a wooden deck.... I believe he described that it almost burned a hole through the decking as the sunlight was focused on the wood deck.
I saw on a Direct TV channel where the diffuser used block the heat rays and scattered the other wavelengths into a brighter span with no heat transfered. Like anything that lets light through the roof, they are all subject to wind, hail, and changing weather. All can leak and let the rain come gushing in...
Bill