Roofing to the Stars: Skylights versus Solar Tubes

by Cascade United Roofing

Design

Skylights are a pane of glass that allows natural light into a room via the roof or ceiling. They are best in rooms that have enough space to install the light shaft without interfering with electrical wiring or attic obstacles. Rooms with vaulted ceilings work well for skylight installation and will provide an architectural enhancement. Your custom kitchen or formal dinning room might be the perfect place to add a skylight.

 

Solar tubes capture daylight from the rooftop carrying the light through a tubular shaft and delivering it into the home through a round dome. A 10” light tube can bring about as much light into a room as a 2×4 skylight but will provide little appeasement to the eye. Solar tubes are best in a closet, hallway or bathroom where there is not much space needed to bring light into the area.

 

Function

Skylights are most likely going to be larger than a solar tube and allow more of the daylight into the room. You want to consider what you are trying to accomplish by bringing natural light into the space. Skylights do require that there is a clear path for installation so that the light shaft can fight between any rafters and joists. With good carpentry there is a way around these problems but there may be a difference in price.

 

Solar tubes are very flexible and can work around obstacles caused by the attic, ducting or wiring. The tubing can easily bend creating a clear path from your ceiling to roof. There is not a lot of space required for solar tube installation and can offer light to those dark hard to reach places. There is also an electrical light option that can offer a unique lighting experience. Installation is usually easier, which allows for an inexpensive yet effective way to add light to your home.

 

Pros of Skylights

  • Enhances the architecture of the room by giving an open and spacious feeling
  • Adds value to your home
  • Provides lots of natural light
  • Reasonably priced when you have the space and proper light shaft

 

Pros of Solar Tubes

  • Fits in small or tight spacse
  • Inexpensive and flexible installation
  • Adds natural light in the replacement of electrical light fixtures
  • Electrical light can also be added

 

Cons of Skylights

  • Depending on placement, installation can be more complicated and pricey
  • Ultra-violet light and heat can make their way into the home
  • Skylights require a larger area and direct path to the roof or ceiling

 

Cons of Solar Tubes

  • There is very little architectural enhancement created

 

Either option you choose will be adding natural light to the dark spaces in your home allowing you to depend less on electrical light fixtures. Depending on what you want to accomplish, you will probably find that natural light will enhance any room no matter what installation you prefer.