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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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.
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
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
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
Foam filled is spray foam insulation
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...
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
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.
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
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.
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
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
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.
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
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!
Up in the wine country.
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
my favorite is Velux ( Suntunnel )
either the 14" or the 22" with or without light kits
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.
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.
Don't think to install them in cold weather climates.. massive heat loss!
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
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)
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
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..
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"
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..
Frenchy,
Hijack here.
You ready to sell me your beam tools yet ???
<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"