What are Solar Tubes and Should You Get One?
Have you ever wanted to incorporate more natural light into your home but worried about the price? If so, you might have heard of a new little fixture that is breaking its way onto the architectural scene: solar tubes. But what exactly are solar tubes, and are they a fitting replacement for the traditional skylight?
What are Solar Tubes?
Solar tubes, also called sun tunnels, are small, metallic tubes that channel sunlight into your home via a set of highly reflective mirrors. If you’ve been thinking about incorporating more natural sunlight into a hallway or kitchen in your home, then a solar tube might be for you.
These peculiar devices are quite useful if you simply want that natural sunlight over artificial light in your home. The tubes are between 10 and 14 inches in diameter and stick slightly out of your existing roof, topped with a weather-proof plastic globe. The tube’s interior is coated in a reflective polish, acting as a continuous mirror that beams light down through the tube and into your home. As the globe gathers light from outside, it spreads it evenly on the house’s interior in a soft, white glow.
A solar tube can reliably light up to 300 square feet of space. Popular locations for a solar tube include hallways, stairways, kitchens, closets, and bathrooms.
Cost
A solar tube costs anywhere between $500 and $1,000 when professionally installed, compared to $2,000+ for a skylight. If you’re handy yourself, you could install a solar tube with a kit for anywhere between $200 and $400.
Unlike a skylight, a solar tube doesn’t require alterations to drywall, paint, and alterations to framing members.
Adding a solar tube to your home can also result in an up to 30% tax deduction because of the energy-saving nature of natural light.
Solar Tubes vs. Skylights: Pros and Cons
Solar Tube:
Pros:
Easier to install
Little interior finishing required
Less expensive overall
More energy efficient
Can give buyers an energy tax deduction
Less heat gain
Cons:
Can have water condensation inside the tube
Has no view of the sky
No benefit for resale value
Not as dramatic of an interior appearance
Skylight:
Pros:
Adds to a room’s appearance
Adds to a home’s resale value
Can be vented and/or shaded
Can be filtered to partially block UV rays
Provides a view of the sky
Cons:
Difficult installation
Needs more interior finishing
More expensive to purchase and install
Less energy efficient
More heat gain
Possible condensation and leakage problems
Overall the choice of whether to go with a solar tube or traditional skylight is up to you and your budget.
If you’re looking to install one of these features into your home, look no further than New Look Roof. Our professional roofing team is committed to giving you the best roofing service in Louisville at an affordable price. Call us at (502) 341-4415 for your free project estimate today!