Light is the most visible and utilized natural energy source since nothing on Earth could survive without it. While sunlight has traditionally been the most effective light source, technological developments have allowed us to harness this energy in various ways.
Traditional skylights allow natural light to enter a space but often come with insulation and leakage problems. They are also limited in where they may be installed due to a need for structural reframing and the presence of an attic or crawl space.
Without these drawbacks, tubular skylights provide an alternative method to bring natural light into otherwise dim rooms. If you want to learn more about tubular skylights for your home, you have come to the right place!
What are Tubular Skylights?
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A tubular skylight lets you illuminate a gloomy area in your house with natural light while preventing some of the usual problems associated with ordinary skylights.
Since the sunshine is dispersed uniformly, there won’t be any scorching areas. Because the light is reflected, there is no risk of ultraviolet (UV) rays entering your home, industrial floors, and warehouses. Using renewable, clean energy in your home, as well as on factory floors and in warehouses, is easy and cost-free with tubular skylights.
Price Range of Tubular Skylights
You should expect to pay several hundred dollars for a tubular skylight. As a rule, cheaper models are rigidly constructed and can only be used within narrow limits. The most costly ones are constructed of malleable materials, making them ideal for spaces that don’t have a clear route to the top.
Features such as solar-powered nightlights and flush mounting are available on certain tubular skylights. Both factors will increase the final price. A conventional skylight can cost several thousand dollars or more to install, whereas a tubular skylight can be put in for far less.
Installing tubular skylights yourself from a kit will can save you several hundred dollars in installation costs if you’re handy and not frightened of heights. Skylights, unlike tubular skylights, require additional drywall to be erected. No extra work, such as framing or painting, is needed.
Tubular Skylight vs. Traditional Skylight: A Comparison
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When it comes to ultraviolet radiation protection, most skylights include filters. Still, the dome of a tubular skylight completely shields you from harmful rays. UV rays may cause irreversible damage to your skin and eyes. Therefore protecting yourself from them is crucial.
As a result of their added complexity, installing a skylight is typically best left to a skilled carpenter. Cutting rafters for installation necessitates reinforcing the rafters around them. Because of the extra work involved, tubular skylights tend to be less expensive than skylights.
Tubular skylights are superior in terms of energy efficiency because of their ability to capture light and distribute it throughout the inside of a house, factory, or warehouse. During the warmer months, especially in warmer climates, energy is lost due to heat gain, even though skylights collect three times as much light as regular windows.
Installing Tubular Skylights
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When considering the optimum placement for a tubular skylight, homeowners should look closely at their property. It is recommended that its placement is on the side of the house subject to the sun’s rays for the more significant part of the year.
For instance, the optimum place for a skylight would be on the other side of the house if shade trees were to prevent early sunlight from entering the house. The ideal location for the system may be determined with the aid of a skilled installation.
The installation of a solar tube is a great idea in just about every area of the house. Because of the glare that they emit throughout the day, tubular skylights shouldn’t be installed anywhere near electronic devices. Kitchens, bathrooms, and bedrooms are common locations where tubular skylights are installed.
Professional tubular skylight installation takes approximately 45 minutes to two hours. Still, the average homeowner may complete the task in less than a day.
Sizes Available
A polished metal tube is the conventional tubular skylight, which is put on the roof to allow sunlight to enter the home. The most typical sizes are 10 and 14 inches in diameter, which are designed to fit between 16-inch roof joists. A watertight acrylic cover is attached to the roof-facing end of the tube. The ceiling has a circular window-like aperture with a diffuser to spread the light more uniformly.
Tubular Skylights Have Flexibility Design
Skylights are noticeable when you come into a room because of their size. On the other side, discreet design components like tubular skylights add light without drawing attention to themselves.
Tubular skylights allow you to increase the amount of light in your living room or bedroom without changing the design of the space. They are a helpful technique to light up a small, dark corridor or pantry since they are smaller than conventional skylights and can fit into smaller locations.
Tubular Skylights Can Save You Electricity
Because daylighting uses natural light from the sun instead of artificial lighting, it can help you save money on your power bill. Contrarily, billions of kilowatt hours (kWH) are used annually to power artificial or electric illumination.
Using natural light instead of artificial lighting reduces the amount of energy used. Because electricity generates so much heat, daylighting can also reduce the need for air conditioning.
Tubular skylights, which can be installed on your roof by a roofing company, are a healthy, eco-friendly alternative to conventional electric illumination that also reduces your carbon footprint. Furthermore, you might expect a higher sales price for your home if you install daylighting features, should you ever decide to sell!
Some Cons of Tubular Skylights
While there are many benefits and advantages to installing a tubular skylight, there are also some drawbacks, such as a lack of customization in terms of the tubular skylight’s controls.
The amount and quality of light entering a room may be better managed with conventional skylights. Skylight shades function similarly to window blinds. There is a wide selection of skylight diffusers to choose from if you want more control over how the light enters the space.
A film may also be used to block harmful ultraviolet rays, which can discolor your carpets and upholstery. Opening a vented skylight like an awning window lets in fresh air and light. But coverings and ventilation aren’t really an option with tubular skylights. Window diffusers and film are options, although they are less versatile than the ones in traditional skylights.
Overall, a tubular skylight can be an excellent investment if you have the means to do so and would want to add them to your home. They can provide great lighting options and help to save on electricity. You may also consider upgrading to tubular skylights if you have traditional skylights. Just make sure you are aware of the costs and downsides before making a decision. And, if you do not know how to install one, it is recommended that you get expert assistance.