Solatubes are so bright
Brighter than roof and sky lights
A bright idea
One of the brightest solutions around
Solatube is recognised as being one of the most efficient tubular daylighting systems on the market. This is because:
- The Solatube uses a new, redesigned dome on the roof, rather than a flat collector, which is able to gather more ambient light from all around, as it is not dependent on light shining directly down it.
Redesigned specifically for Northern Europe and also to help counter spurious claims, the new Solatube dome now delivers more light than ever before, eclipsing the competition and ensuring that Solatube remains the world’s brightest sun tunnel system.
Please be aware that there is a very big difference between different makes of tubular systems, which means that simply comparing the price of the same size systems between manufacturers does not give you an accurate picture.
Even sun tunnels using 98% rigid reflective material will deliver significantly less light than a Solatube sun tunnel which uses 99.7% rigid reflective material. It may not sound like a big difference but consider this:
- Each time light bounces it loses either 2% of its light with 98% material, or just 0.3% with 99.7% tubing.
- So, over an average tube run of say 10 bounces 98% reflective tubing loses a massive 20% of the light.
- 99.7% reflective Solatubes lose just 3% over the same tube run.
- That’s a BIG difference.
This means that you need a much larger diameter system to deliver the same amount of light as a smaller Solatube. Ultimately, the Solatube sun tunnel is the brightest system available, and delivers more light than any other.
Brighter than roof and sky lights
Conventional roof or sky lights normally need an associated plasterboard light well beneath them to funnel light in to the room below. Consequently they are unable to deliver as much light as a highly reflective Solatube, which is designed to pipe daylight down to just where you want it.
- Light wells tend to create a shaft of light leaving a brightly lit square of light, rather than well spread and evenly diffused daylight throughout the room.
- Light wells are a haven for cobwebs and spiders and will require frequent cleaning.
- The thermal efficiency of a larger roof window and light well is poor compared to a smaller Solatube. In winter you effectively have a large hole in your ceiling where heat will escape, whereas a Solatube will deliver the same amount of light but through a far smaller aperture which is sealed at ceiling height.
- In summer you are also likely to suffer from solar gain (heat build up), which the well insulated Solatube prevents.
- Condensation is likely to be an issue with roof lights, whereas a Solatube dissipates any condensation that may form, out on to the roof.
- Keeping roof windows clean can be difficult and time consuming – both inside and out, due to access and attendant safety issues. Solatubes require no cleaning or maintenance.
- When it rains, roof windows can transmit a loud drumming noise in to the room below, which a Solatube does not.
- If security is a consideration then the smaller size of a Solatube means they do not form an easy access point and also it is not possible to see through a Solatube.
