The Low Down On Green Living
January 14th, 2008
How To Tuesday: Install Solar Tube Lighting
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Looking for a simple project to green your home? Installing a solar tube light is an easy one-day job and can be done with basic tools if you have a typical shingle roof. A solar tube provides light like a skylight, but doesn’t require major structural changes to the roof of your house.
You can purchase a solar tube kit for $200 to $400 at most hardware stores or you can find them here at Low Impact Living. There are several sizes which refer to the diameter of the reflective tube that brings light down into the room. A 10” version will provide light for about 100 square feet. A 13” option is available if you need to light a larger area, up to 250 square feet. Larger tubes are available, but require structural modifications and are more difficult to install.
We decided to install a small solar tube in our upstairs bathroom, which is the only room in our house with inadequate natural light. I’m not usually excited about reading instructions, but it was necessary for this project. The instructions were so thorough, that it would be easy to lose track of the overall steps. For any job, it’s helpful to have an understanding of the big picture before you get into the nitty-gritty. Here are the main steps involved in the installation, and some tips you may find useful.
1. Reconnaissance
The first step in the installation process is to go on a recon mission in the attic. The reflective tube needs to go down from the roof to the ceiling of the room and avoid electrical wires, plumbing, heating ducts, and other obstacles. It fits in between the roof rafters and ceiling joists so find a spot you think will work and have an assistant verify that it looks like a good spot for the room you’re trying to light.
2. Cut the holes
Next you need to identify the spot on the roof directly above the hole you’re planning on putting in the ceiling. Then draw a circle the size of your tube to make sure it will fit between the joists and rafters. Once you’re sure it will fit, drill a small hole in the center of the circle down into the room and out to the roof. Now, you can finally leave the attic! From inside the room, center a circle the size of your tube on the hole you just drilled and cut it out using a drywall saw. Then go on the roof and do the same thing…this time, you’ll need a reciprocating saw or jigsaw. Make sure to keep the saw blade vertical (not perpendicular to the roof). This will allow your tube to be installed vertically.
3. Assemble and insert the tube
Be sure to check the instructions for this part, but you probably need to connect a couple lengths of tube together and attach a dome to the top. Determine how long it needs to be and cut it to the correct length. Now just slide the tube into the hole. You may need to modify the holes slightly to get it to fit. Once you know it fits, set it to the side for a minute.
4. Weather Proofing
A large-diameter roof jack provides the seal between the roof and the solar tube. You’ll need to peel back and trim a couple layers of shingles and slide the roof jack underneath them. Make sure to put a generous amount of roof sealant on the roof jack, but do NOT put sealant on the lowest edge which allows it to drain if water happens to get underneath it. Next, slide the completed solar tube into the roof jack and down into the room. Check the instructions to see how far it should extend into the room and attach the tube to the roof jack with sheet metal screws. You will also need to nail the roof jack down and attach a drip ring to the tube.
5. Attach the Diffuser
The final step is to attach a diffuser to the bottom end of the tube. This scatters the light from the tube around the room. Usually, you screw a ring into the ceiling, and then attach the diffuser to the ring. You’re done, except for cleaning up all of your mess!
In general, I’m happy with the results of our installation. The solar tube provides enough light that we don’t need to use electricity for “normal business” in the bathroom during daylight hours. Although the small tube is adequate for our needs, I’d use a larger tube for most applications. Good luck!
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Comments
Rob Johnson
January 15th, 2008 at 9:00 pm
I wonder- wouldn’t it be easier to have them installed- I get freaky around this type of DIY. But thanks for the article!
Jason Pelletier, Low Impact Living
January 15th, 2008 at 11:10 pm
Rob:
In these parts (Southern CA), the installation typically costs $125 - $150 / unit. That’s not a huge amount of money if you’re not that comfortable cutting into your own roof. However, there’s nothing like the satisfaction of successful project, especially one that lightens your load on the planet, to truly “brighten” your day!
Denise Savage
January 16th, 2008 at 6:40 pm
We have four solar tubes in our home. They were installed during construction. We are so pleased with our decision. We almost never need to turn a light on in our hallway, utility room or bathrooms. Definitely worthwhile and very efficient.
mcark
January 21st, 2008 at 5:06 pm
Jason-
I thought I saw these on “Living with Ed” but the had a tube that you could also turn on at night….right?
Jason Pelletier, Low Impact Living
January 21st, 2008 at 7:35 pm
Some manufacturers are making models that have a compact fluorescent light in them, so you can turn them on at night as well. In addition, some even come with a ventilation / fan add-on. So, in one installation you get free light during the day, efficient light at night, and ventilation all in the same package.
lisa Lomauro
January 30th, 2008 at 12:18 pm
My father-in-law, a retired builder, put sun tunnels in their home about 20 years ago. After leaving the bathroom we’d reach to flip off the light, only to find it wasn’t on! They’re that effective. For some reason, here in NJ they were hard to find for many years. Now the box stores, and local lumber stores carry them, the newer problem is installation. We didn’t want to experiment with our roof, and I called many roofers who said they could, but never had, installed one. I finally found a great roofer who does install them, but only the roof part. Perfect! For half the price, we now have the riskier part in, and the interior part is ready for me to complete, when MY schedule permits. Try this where you live….
Jean Hollowell
May 21st, 2008 at 2:21 pm
Love Them! It is just so simple. Sunlight coming right through the celing! We bought them & had them insatalled from the solar tube company. (Not very DIY, I admit.) My daughter bought hers from a big-box store thinking hubby would install. Eventually, she hired the installer to do it on his off hours. It seems that hubby just couldn’t birng himself to cut a hole in the roof.
Also, it needs to be noted that the tube runs from the roof, through the attic and then into the celing. They can literaly be put anywhere. The tube reflects the light all the way down and does not require any electricity. I do still find myself trying to turn it off though.
Tracy H
July 3rd, 2008 at 2:33 pm
Does anyone know how these things perform where it is winter six months of the year? (Northern Minnesota)
Mike Cameron
July 6th, 2008 at 7:55 pm
Can a solar light be installed in the roof and then spit the light to 2 different rooms?
Paintings of France, Italy and Beyond » An ideal art studio?
August 4th, 2008 at 9:02 am
[...] addition to the above-mentioned option, we’re looking into some kind of solar tube lighting. Friends of ours have these installed in their home, and it’s amazing how much light it can [...]
John Izzo
September 19th, 2008 at 10:51 am
For residents in the East Bay, San Francisco, and San Joaquin counties, visit Sola-Brite’s showroom at 5729 Sonoma Drive, Pleasnton CA
Mon-Sat 9am to 3pm. We are Solatube’s premier dealer, fully licensed, certified, and bonded.
John Izzo
September 19th, 2008 at 10:57 am
In answer to some of your questions above..
1. Yes, you can add light kits in for use after hours. You can add incandescent or compact fluorescent light kits. Great for hallways, bathrooms, kitchens.
2. Performance during winter months. The tubing material is so reflective (99.7%) Whatever light you have on your roof is the quality of light youll have in your home. Works great even on cloudy/rainy/foggy days.
Feel free to call anytime with questions. 1-800-846-6621. If you arent in my market, I will direct you to the correct location or visit http://www.solatube.com to locate a dealer near you.
Solatube in Michigan : Eco Building Products
October 1st, 2008 at 1:44 pm
We carry a full in of Solatube Daylighting kits that include compact fluorescent light add-on kits, as well as ventilation kits for kitchens and bathrooms. To answer a previous question, most tubular skylights cannot be split in two directions. The can extend 12-25 feet in most cases, if not more.
Sarah
November 18th, 2008 at 2:32 pm
I live in a 3 story row house with a flat roof and am in desperate need of more natural light. I can’t imagine how it would work in a row house. Any insight?
paqul passeggiato
February 3rd, 2009 at 5:26 pm
I would like to have tube lighting install in my mobile home.
I can’t find anyone who install because I have a steel roof and they say they can’t do that .I am going to have foam sprayed on the roof so I need someone to install light first . You you know any one that could do both ?
I live in Las Vegas , Nevada. Thank you for your help Paul
Sarah
February 4th, 2009 at 3:11 pm
How would they work in a log home? There is no space between the outside and our ceiling - its just one thick log. Also, our roof is metal - how does that complicate things?
Bogna
February 24th, 2009 at 7:56 pm
Sarah,
no problem with the third and second story - the tubes extend for up to 10 feet from the roof. It is easy to make an opening in a flat roof, the Sun Dome tubular skylights have a very convenient flashing and caulk system to assure there are no leaks.
We are architects and liked these type of skylights so much we became a dealer for Sun Dome.
As for your first floor i if you installed one or two of the tubes in your stairway, you could distribute the light down to the first floor . This works, of course, if your stair is open.
Another idea for getting light into the interior- use a series of mirrors set up to reflect a window and each other. You will get glimpses of brightness which will help to break the feeling of a dark space.
See also if you can have a back splash in your kitchen remade in a reflective material, glass or mirror as well. The shiny surface will reflect the under cabinet light and will brighten your kitchen considerably. My kitchen designer friend uses this trick all the time.
linda
May 3rd, 2009 at 2:59 pm
do the tube emit light at night?
Anne Martino
May 7th, 2009 at 7:41 am
I am very interested in having one of these Solatubes installed in my kitchen. I have done allot of research on this product. It is not very popular in our area. I do not know of anyone that has one installed in my area. I would like to see what it would look like, and if it would shine enought light in my kitchen.
If any one has any information that can help me, or knows an installer, I would appreciate your input!
I live in Flanders, New Jersey ( Morris County)
Thanks so much!
Anne Martino
sylvia
June 26th, 2009 at 11:25 am
I am thinking about installing a tube with one that has a light in in.
My concern is, the sun and heat. I live in Oklahoma and with the summer heat I don’t want to cool off my living/dining room with the sun coming in from the south. Will they bring up the cooling bill?
andy
July 10th, 2009 at 7:58 am
i bought these and they work really well. i also bought some for my garden. they accent it really well with the flower design</a
Alison Hall
August 14th, 2009 at 10:49 am
I live on the Gulf Coast and have taken two direct hurricane hits. My house is miserably dark in almost all the rooms for the most part of the day. My questions:
a) How strong is the dome? Can it withstand a Cat 5 wind. If not, how would I best protect the dome if an immenent Hurricane is approaching?
b) Will I void the warantee on my roof shingles if I install the tubes myself?
c) Will my insurance still honor my wind-driven rain coverage if I have a dome on the roof?
Thanks, Alison Hall
Lucinda Poel
August 17th, 2009 at 10:20 am
We have a bathroom in our basement which desperately needs some natural light. Can we install a Solar Tube through the side wall (wall is above ground). To go through the roof would require going through three floors, something which sounds difficult. Any ideas?
superior lightning
November 12th, 2009 at 1:37 am
Very interesting..!!
As a company, we at Superior Lighting http://www.superiorlighting.com are always looking for new ways to become more environment friendly.
We offer energy efficient light bulbs and lighting solutions and work with vendors on sound packaging methods. What else can we do?
Thanks …!!
Superior Lighting
November 13th, 2009 at 7:02 am
I love seeing articles this. I myself have built a business around helping the environment. Commerce and eco friendliness don’t have to collide. Our company mission is to help our customers choose the most energy efficient lighting possible. I love explaining to someone that they should make the switch because it will save them money, but my motivation is helping save the Earth. Thanks again for the post.
Robb
December 13th, 2009 at 10:25 pm
My home office is quite dark even on the brightest days because it only has one small eastern-facing window. So i became really excited upon learning about light tubes. I did considerable research and all of the products are very similar and seem well designed and of high quality. I settled on one made by Solatube because I had seen in use ans was quite impressed. Took me about 6 hours to install it and I’m totally pleased with it. The product even gathers and provides some light at night when we have a full moon with clear skies.
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