☞ How large an area does the Solatube light? |
A 160DS or 10-inch Solatube will provide light for a 200 square foot area, the 290DS or 14-inch Solatube lights a 300 square foot area and the 21-inch lights up to a 450 square foot area. The square feet of estimated lighted area is based upon a tube length of 6 feet, an 8 foot ceiling, with the dome being in direct sunlight. The light output will vary depending on the intensity of the sun. For example, there will be more light at midday than in the morning or evening. Light output may also decrease slightly as the length of tube increases. Back to Top | ☞ What is Spectralight Infinity? |
Proprietary Spectralight Infinity tubing transfers the maximum amount of light into your room without any loss of colour for the brightest, whitest light. It is the most reflective material on the world market today. Back to Top |
☞ How does Solatube's light output compare to electric lights or traditional skylights? |
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.
The 160DS Solatube produces up to 4600 lumens
The 290DS Solatube produces up to 9100 lumens
The 160DS Solatube compares to a 2' x 2' skylight and the 290DS compares to a 2' x 4' skylight. Back to Top |
☞ How does a Solatube bring in more light than a traditional skylight? |
Traditional skylights pass light through a drywall shaft and into the home. Using this process, a large percentage of light is absorbed in the shaft and never reaches the room's interior. Solatube's patented reflective system found inside the dome redirects low angle light (early morning and evening light) down the reflective tubing and into the room. Due to the tremendous reflectivity of the tubing, less light is absorbed and more useable light actually reaches the room where it is needed. Back to Top |
☞ What happens on a cloudy day? |
Patented internal reflective systems for the Solatube, along with highly reflective tubing, transfers direct and ambient light down into the room with minimal light loss, providing good performance even on cloudy days. The 160DS and 290DS Solatube features RayBender 3000 technology, a proprietary lens designed to direct light from any direction down the tube for maximum light output. Back to Top | ☞ Will a Solatube work when installed on the north side of a house? |
A Solatube works well on the north side of a house. Due to Raybender 3000 and Spectralight Infinity, any location will provide more light than a conventional skylight, window or other similar product. Back to Top |
☞ How long can the tube be? |
As the tube length gets longer, the light output is reduced only slightly with the new Spectralight Infinity coating (the most reflective material on the market today). Good lighting results can be expected for tube lengths up to 20 feet for the 160DS Solatube and 30 feet for the 290DS Solatube, Spectralight Infinity material coats the inside of tubing, reflector and elbows. Back to Top |
☞ To what degree do colder weather and northern latitudes affect Solatube performance? (i.e. Maine, Alaska, Austria, Switzerland, and snow areas) |
Solatubes have been installed in the northern USA, Canada and Europe. Having a complete sealed system, Solatube works very well in cold weather. Because of its small size and seals at the ceiling level, Solatube causes almost no heat loss. This also prevents warm moist air from inside the house escaping and condensing inside the skylight. In extremely cold weather, a small amount of frost may appear inside the dome, but this disappears again when the temperature increases. Back to Top |
☞ Is there any heat build-up? |
No. Solatube's dome has UV protection eliminating 99% of harmful rays so fabrics won't fade when exposed to daylight all day long such as in a walk-in closet. Also, in the summer heat will not be transferred to your room as it will through windows, reducing your air-conditioning costs. Back to Top |
☞ Is Solatube difficult to install? |
No. The 160DS and 290DS Solatubes fit easily between 16" on center roof rafters, and require no structural changes, so there is no need for a carpenter to build a skylight shaft using lumber, drywall, plaster and paint. The adjustable tubing design includes two angle adapters that allow installation around attic obstructions and extension tubing comes in short segments that fit easily together. Furthermore, all tubing has been designed to telescope together to make installation expedient. Back to Top |
☞ How long does it take to install a Solatube? |
Approximately two hours or less on shingle asphalt roofs, while other roof types may take slightly longer. An additional half hour each is required if a ventilation kit and/or light kit is added. Back to Top |
☞ When do you install the Solatube if you are re-roofing or building a new house? |
Generally, after the new roof is in place, and drywall is on the ceiling. However, the Solatube can easily be installed at the same time that the roof is going on in most cases. When installing a Solatube on a tile roof, installation is usually done after the roof is completed. On hot mop applications installation is best done at the same time to ensure proper seal. If re-roofing after installation has taken place, take care not to disturb the tube too much when removing and installing asphalt shingles. Disassembly should not be necessary unless new roofing material is thicker than original (eg. strapping for metal roof). Be sure to use screws (not nails) to reattach flashing and seal with caulking. If removal is necessary, please follow these steps: REMOVAL OF SOLATUBE Step 1. For installations greater than 2’ from roof to ceiling, the extension tube assembly must be tied in place to allow it to stand freely after removal of the top tube section. Enter the attic and cross tether the lower extension tube section to the building structure with plumber’s tape or equivalent. Step 2. If the top tube assembly is taped or screwed to the lower tube section(s), remove screws and foil tape to enable the removal of the top tube. Step 3: On the roof, remove dome with screwdriver and lift off dome. Mark the position of the top tube and reflector on the flashing for later reassembly. Remove top tube assembly from the flashing. Caution: Solatube reflective surface may focus sunlight, causing intense heat or fire. Do not leave top tube unattended or in contact with combustible materials. Step 4. Place a bag or plastic cover over the exposed tube in the attic to keep dust or debris from entering Solatube assembly. Step 5. Clean sealant off screws fastening flashing to roof and remove them. Using a heat gun, knife, and flat bar to cut through sealant under flashing, remove flashing from roof material. Clean sealant from flashing surface for reassembly. RE-ASSEMBLY Step 6. To check that the new roof hole is in the same location and fits properly, remove protective cover from extension tube assembly in attic, place flashing over hole in roof, insert top tube assembly, and check to see if the tubing lines up. Trace flashing location onto roof and mark top tube orientation on flashing to locate for final assembly. Refer to Solatube Brighten Up Series installation instructions to complete roof flashing and dome installation. Note: be sure to use screws (not nails) to reattach flashing and seal with caulking. Back to Top |
☞ What if there is no attic space? Or if I have a cathedral ceiling? |
Solatube has been designed for installation even where there is no access to the attic, and with numerous flashings and options, most applications can be addressed. Back to Top |
☞ Can Solatubes be installed in commercial buildings? |
Yes. Solatubes have been installed on commercial buildings throughout the world including, schools, churches, industrial buildings, post offices, and hospitals. There are also some unique accessories for commercial applications. Back to Top |
☞ Do Solatubes leak? |
Solatube is designed for leak-free operation when properly installed. The metal, injection molded polypropylene, or fiberglass roof flashings are one-piece and seamless to eliminate leakage. Back to Top |
☞ How durable is the Solatube? |
All parts are covered by a 10-year warranty. The Duradome10 is made from a high quality acrylic resin that is specifically formulated for increased impact, chemical, weather resistance and high clarity. The tubing is made from puncture proof aluminum sheet with a UV protective covering, which prevents deterioration over time. Other assemblies are injection molded to ensure strength and quality. Back to Top |
☞ Is Solatube maintenance free? |
All assemblies (dome, diffuser, flashing) have seals and all joints are sealed to stop bugs and dust infiltration. Solatube is designed to be a sealed unit. Unlike traditional skylights, there is no messy drywall shaft that requires cleaning and re-painting. The design and shape of the dome, reflector and flashing eliminates build-up of outside debris, making the Solatube maintenance free. Back to Top |
☞ Are there any condensation problems? |
No. The Solatube is completely sealed at the ceiling location to prevent warm moist air in the house from migrating up the tube. The dome seal allows the outside air to mix with the tube air, eliminating the air temperature contrast that contributes to condensation. In homes which are very air-tight and have evidence of condensation on the windows, will show condensation on the Solatube also. This can be corrected by improving ventilation in the whole house by running and exhaust fan and/or opening a window a small amount and by ensuring humidity levels are below 50%. See info on Moisture Problems Back to Top |
☞ What are the product and installation warranties? |
The product warranty for all skylight components is 10 years and for all electrical components is 5 years. We provide a full 10-year warranty on our installation. Back to Top |
