Solatubes

What is a Solatube?

The Solatube was invented in Australia in 1989 and was the world's first tubular skylight. Manufacturing in the United States began in 1992 and in 1993, Solatubes crossed the border and began popping up on Canadian rooftops. They now brighten more than a half million homes and businesses worldwide.

Solatube uses a revolutionary, innovative design to capture light (both direct sun and ambient light) on a rooftop, redirect it down a highly reflective shaft, and diffuse it throughout an interior space. The Solatube is energy efficient, environmentally friendly and can be professionally installed into your home in under two hours without a mess, disruption, or any structural changes to your home.

The reason for its success is simple. It is not just another skylight. No other skylight works as brilliantly, efficiently or reliably. Solatube's patented design incorporates space–age materials that ensure maximum light transfer in direct natural light. Solatubes are manufactured to the highest standards, using only the highest quality, proven, components.

How does a Solatube work?

Solatube captures light through a dome on the roof and channels it down through a patented internal reflective system. This tubing is far more efficient than a traditional drywall skylight shaft, which can lose over half of the potential light. The tubing will fit between rafters and will install easily with no structural modification. At the ceiling level, a diffuser that resembles a recessed light fixture spreads the light evenly throughout the room.

If you're wondering how a Solatube can bring in more light than a traditional box skylight, the answer is pretty straightforward. Traditional skylights pass light through a drywall shaft and into the interior space. In this process, a large percentage of light is absorbed into the shaft itself and never reaches the room's interior. By contrast, Solatube's patented reflective system redirects light down the reflective tubing and into the room. With the tremendous reflectivity of the tubing, less light is absorbed and more useable light actually reaches the room.

Solatubes are also designed to fit easily between roof rafters without requiring structural changes. It means that there's no need to build a skylight shaft, drywall the opening, plaster, or paint. And that adds up to efficient and economical installation.

Benefits of Natural Lighting and Solatubes

Solatubes natural light is essential for living. Many of us live in homes with rooms or places that are dark and require artificial lighting. Solatubes have several advantages over traditional lighting:

• Improves moods and combats depression.
• Boosts energy and increases productivity.
• Makes interior spaces appear larger.
• Renders colors true.
• Reduces eyestrain.
• Conserves energy.
• Brings the feeling of the outdoors inside.
• Improves property resale potential.
• No structural changes to your home.
• No cleaning or maintenance needed.
• One third the investment.

How Does it Compare?

The comparison of light output between Solatubes and electric lights are substantial. Light is measured in lumens and energy usage in watts.

• A standard 100 watt incandescent bulb produces 1200 lumens.
• A 40-watt, 48-inch fluorescent tube produces 2300 lumens.

Now compare that with Solatubes.

• The 10-inch Solatube produces up to 3750 lumens.
• The 14-inch Solatube produces up to 6500 lumens.
• The 16-inch Solatube produces up to 8200 lumens.

Additional Information

On cloudy days, Solabutes function like your windows or a traditional skylight. It reflects the available light from outdoors into your home. People are amazed at the amount of light the Solatube can produce even on a gray or cloudy day.

Once Solatubes are installed and sealed, it is maintenance free. Because the design is constructed using one piece flashing, there are no seams. Properly installed, they will not leak.

Solatube Gallery

Below are sample images showing the variety of different places where Solatubes can be installed.

Library	School
Office Hallway	Office Boardroom
Family Room	Kitchen