Solatube Windows & Skylights - Skylights/Roof Windows
Solatube
Tubular Skylights & Daylighting Systems
Solatube Daylighting Systems bring natural light to any room.
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Product Summary
Unlike traditional skylights, our products capture the sun’s light and deliver it to indoor spaces where natural light was previously unheard of, like interior rooms, and rooms on lower floors. And only Solatube Daylighting Systems use breakthrough technology to transform virtually any room in only two hours—without the costs, leaks and hassles associated with traditional skylights.
Using advanced optics and breakthrough delivery technologies, our early designs earned accolades from industry experts and customers alike for their high performance and engineered simplicity. Since then, we’ve continued to lead the daylighting industry with optical improvements and decorative enhancements that enable our products to capture and transfer even more daylight into interiors.
Construction and materials
The Solatube Daylighting System is a revolutionary approach to bringing natural light into any space. Unlike traditional skylights, Solatube captures sunlight from the rooftop and channels it down through a highly reflective tubing system, delivering bright, consistent light to interior rooms. The system is designed for optimal performance, durability, and aesthetic integration into various architectural styles.
Construction Overview
The Solatube system is comprised of three primary components:
- The Dome: This is the exterior component that sits on the roof and captures sunlight.
- The Light Transfer Tube: This is the highly reflective conduit that carries the sunlight from the dome to the interior ceiling.
- The Diffuser: This is the interior ceiling fixture that disperses the light evenly into the room.
Materials Used
Solatube utilizes high-performance materials to ensure maximum light capture, reflection, and durability:
- Dome: Constructed from durable, impact-resistant acrylic or polycarbonate materials. These materials are designed to withstand harsh weather conditions and UV exposure while allowing for maximum light transmission.
- Light Transfer Tube: The interior of the tubing is lined with a proprietary, highly reflective material. This material is engineered to capture and redirect sunlight with minimal loss of intensity. The reflective coating is applied to the interior surface of the tube, ensuring efficient light transfer throughout its length. The tubing itself is typically made from a lightweight yet strong material designed for ease of installation and structural integrity.
- Light Add-on Fixtures (Optional): For continuous light, an optional electric light fixture can be integrated with the diffuser. This typically includes a standard bulb socket and housing.
- Ceiling Trim/Flashing: The exterior roof flashing is typically made from durable, weather-resistant metal such as aluminum or galvanized steel, designed to integrate seamlessly with roofing materials and prevent water intrusion. The interior ceiling trim is often made from polymer-based materials, designed for a clean aesthetic and easy installation.
- Diffuser: The interior diffuser is typically made from frosted acrylic or polycarbonate. This material is designed to evenly disperse the captured sunlight, preventing glare and creating a soft, natural light appearance within the room.
Key Features and Benefits
The materials and construction of the Solatube system contribute to several key advantages:
- Exceptional Light Transfer: The highly reflective tubing ensures that a significant percentage of the captured sunlight reaches the interior, often delivering more light than traditional skylights.
- Durability and Weather Resistance: The use of robust exterior materials for the dome and flashing ensures the system can withstand rain, snow, wind, and UV degradation, providing a long-lasting solution for natural light.
- Energy Efficiency: By relying on natural sunlight, Solatubes reduce the need for artificial lighting during daylight hours, leading to energy savings and a lower carbon footprint.
- Versatile Installation: The flexible nature of the light transfer tube allows for installation in a variety of roof pitches and through attics or crawl spaces, making it suitable for rooms that would otherwise be dark, such as interior bathrooms, hallways, and closets.
Frame Options
Solatube offers a range of frame options designed to complement various architectural styles and building materials, ensuring a seamless integration of their daylighting systems. These frame options are engineered for durability and aesthetic appeal.
The primary frame material used for Solatube products is aluminum. This choice of material offers several key advantages:
- Durability: Aluminum is naturally resistant to corrosion and rust, making it an ideal choice for exterior applications exposed to the elements.
- Strength: Despite its lightweight nature, aluminum provides robust structural integrity to the Solatube unit.
- Low Maintenance: Aluminum frames require minimal upkeep, resisting degradation from weather and UV exposure.
Solatube's frame systems are typically finished with a powder coating. This process provides a smooth, even, and highly durable surface that is superior to conventional painting methods. The powder coating offers:
- Enhanced Protection: It adds an extra layer of defense against scratching, chipping, and fading, ensuring the frame retains its appearance over time.
- Aesthetic Versatility: Powder coating allows for a wide spectrum of color options to match different roof colors and building exteriors. While specific color availability can vary, standard options often include shades that blend with common roofing materials.
- Environmental Benefits: Powder coating is an environmentally friendly finishing process as it contains no volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
The design of the Solatube frame is also optimized for ease of installation and to provide a secure and weather-tight seal between the unit and the roof structure. This is critical for preventing leaks and ensuring the long-term performance of the daylighting system.
Specific frame profiles and features may vary slightly depending on the Solatube product model, such as the residential skylights or commercial daylighting systems, and the type of roof installation. However, the core principles of using high-quality, durable materials like aluminum with protective powder coating remain consistent across the product line.
Features and Benefits
Bring the power of natural light into any space with Solatube, the innovative daylighting system designed to revolutionize how you illuminate your home or business. Unlike traditional skylights, Solatube's patented technology captures sunlight from the roof and channels it down through a highly reflective tubing system, delivering brilliant, consistent daylight to interior spaces, even those far from the roofline.
Features:
- Captures Sunlight Efficiently: The rooftop dome features advanced optics designed to maximize light capture from a wide range of sun angles.
- Highly Reflective Tubing: The interior of the tubing is lined with a proprietary, highly reflective material that bounces light down into the room with minimal loss.
- Seamless Integration: Designed for easy installation into pitched or flat roofs, the Solatube system integrates discreetly into your existing architecture.
- Energy Efficient: Solatube brings in natural light, reducing the need for artificial lighting and lowering electricity bills.
- UV and IR Filtering: The rooftop dome is designed to filter out harmful UV rays and excessive infrared heat, preventing fading of furnishings and keeping spaces comfortable.
- Sleek Diffusers: Various diffuser options are available to spread the light evenly and attractively within the room, preventing glare and creating a soft, natural ambiance.
- Rain and Debris Protection: The exterior dome is sealed to prevent water and debris from entering the system.
- Durable Construction: Built with high-quality materials to withstand various weather conditions.
- Optional Add-ons: Ventilation kits and LED augmentations are available for enhanced functionality and 24/7 light control.
Benefits:
- Brighter, Healthier Spaces: Experience the positive effects of natural light on mood, productivity, and overall well-being.
- Reduced Energy Costs: Significantly lower your electricity consumption by relying on daylight for illumination.
- Enhanced Aesthetics: Natural light creates a more inviting, dynamic, and visually appealing environment compared to artificial lighting.
- No More Dark Corners: Bring light to areas previously starved of illumination, such as hallways, closets, bathrooms, and interior rooms.
- Eco-Friendly Solution: Reduce your carbon footprint by minimizing reliance on electricity generated from fossil fuels.
- Increased Property Value: The addition of natural light and modern design elements can enhance the appeal and value of your property.
- Consistent Light: Enjoy a steady stream of daylight throughout the day, unaffected by cloud cover to the same extent as traditional windows.
- Simple and Effective: A straightforward and effective way to add abundant natural light without the complexities of traditional skylights.
Core Advantages:
The core advantages of Solatube lie in its revolutionary approach to daylighting. Unlike conventional skylights that can be prone to leaks, glare, and heat gain/loss, Solatube offers a superior solution through its:
- Exceptional Light Capture and Transfer Efficiency: The patented dome design and highly reflective tubing system ensure that more usable daylight is delivered to your interior spaces, even from a distance. This means you get more brightness with a smaller footprint.
- Simplicity and Versatility: Solatube's design allows for installation in virtually any room, regardless of its location within the building or the roof's pitch. It’s a remarkably straightforward way to bring natural light to previously unachievable areas.
- Energy Efficiency and Comfort: By effectively displacing the need for artificial lighting during daylight hours, Solatube significantly reduces energy consumption. Furthermore, its UV and IR filtering capabilities ensure that the light entering your home is comfortable and won't cause damage or excessive heat.
Glass Options
Solatube offers a range of innovative glass options designed to enhance the performance and functionality of their tubular daylighting devices. These options are engineered to maximize light transmission while offering benefits such as thermal control and glare reduction.
The primary glass technology featured by Solatube is their proprietary Light Additive. This advanced coating is integrated into the dome assembly and is designed to:
- Capture and redirect sunlight effectively, even on cloudy days.
- Increase the amount of usable daylight that enters the space.
- Minimize heat gain, contributing to a more comfortable interior environment.
For those seeking superior thermal performance, Solatube presents the Spectralight® Infinity dome. This option is specifically engineered to:
- Significantly reduce heat transfer, both in and out.
- Provide excellent insulation properties, helping to maintain consistent indoor temperatures year-round.
- Contribute to energy efficiency by reducing the need for artificial lighting and cooling.
Solatube's commitment to daylighting technology also includes considerations for glare control. While not a specific glass type in itself, the design and reflective properties of the dome assemblies, in conjunction with the Light Additive, work to diffuse light and reduce harsh glare, creating a more comfortable and usable illuminated space.
The standard dome material is a high-impact, UV-resistant acrylic, chosen for its durability and clarity. Over this, the Light Additive is applied to optimize light capture and redirection.
It's important to note that the specific glass configuration and available options can vary slightly depending on the Solatube product series and the intended application. However, the core focus remains on maximizing natural light while providing effective thermal management and visual comfort.
Options-Styles
Solatube offers a range of innovative daylighting solutions designed to bring natural light into any space. Their product line primarily focuses on tubular daylighting devices (TDDs), often referred to as sun tunnels or solar tubes, which capture sunlight and channel it indoors.
The core of the Solatube system is its ability to effectively transmit sunlight. This is achieved through a combination of advanced optical technologies. The dome on the roof captures sunlight, and the highly reflective inner surface of the tube redirects it down into the building. This system is designed to provide consistent, bright light throughout the day, regardless of the sun's position.
Available Options and Styles
Solatube offers several product lines tailored to different needs and applications:
- Residential Series:
- Daylighting Systems: These are the standard TDDs designed for residential use. They are available in various sizes to suit different room dimensions and light requirements.
- Smart LED Add-on: For instances where additional or supplemental light is desired after sunset, an optional integrated Smart LED light can be added. This provides a practical lighting solution when natural light is not available.
- Transfer Interceptor (TI) Lite: This is a specialized product designed to capture and redirect light from a south-facing roof into north-facing rooms, overcoming traditional limitations of light direction.
- Commercial Series:
- Daylighting Systems: Larger and designed for the demands of commercial buildings, these systems are engineered for high light output and durability. They come in a range of sizes suitable for offices, schools, retail spaces, and more.
- Smart LED Add-on: Similar to the residential offerings, commercial systems can also be equipped with integrated Smart LED lighting for extended use.
Beyond the primary product lines, Solatube provides various accessories and enhancements to customize the system:
- Flashings: Essential for a watertight installation, Solatube offers a variety of flashing options to accommodate different roof types, including asphalt shingles, tile, metal, and wood shakes.
- Diffusers: These are the interior light-emitting fixtures. Solatube offers a selection of diffuser styles to complement various interior decors, including:
- Craftsman Series Diffusers: Designed to evoke a more traditional or rustic aesthetic.
- Modern Series Diffusers: Featuring sleeker designs for contemporary interiors.
- Designer Series Diffusers: Offering more decorative and artistic options.
- Standard Diffusers: The common, clean-lined options that provide excellent light diffusion.
- Light Add-ons: As mentioned, integrated LED light kits can be added to both residential and commercial systems.
- Ventilation Add-ons: Some Solatube systems can be configured to include an exhaust fan, providing both daylighting and ventilation in a single roof opening.
- UV Filters: Optional filters can be installed to block harmful UV rays, protecting interior furnishings and artwork from fading.
The installation process for Solatube systems is designed to be efficient, often requiring minimal structural modification. The reflective tubing is a key component, featuring a proprietary inner coating that boasts extremely high reflectivity, ensuring maximum light transfer from the dome to the diffuser.
Price Tier
Solatube offers a range of tubular daylighting devices, with variations in materials, features, and installation complexities that place them across different market tiers. Understanding these differences will help you select the right Solatube for your needs.
Solatube 160 DS (Designer Series)
- Market Position: Mid-Range ($$)
- How It Compares: This model represents a solid upgrade from basic, fixed skylights by offering a more efficient and less intrusive way to bring natural light into a space. Compared to premium options, it provides excellent daylighting performance without some of the advanced features or customizability of higher-tier systems.
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Key Value Drivers:
- Highly reflective tubing captures and redirects ambient light with minimal loss.
- Features a double-glazed, leak-resistant dome with an integrated light-diffusing lens for soft, glare-free illumination.
- Includes a basic mounting system and often comes with a limited warranty, signifying reliable performance for its price point.
- Installation is generally straightforward for qualified professionals, contributing to moderate labor costs.
- Best Suited For: Homeowners looking for a significant improvement in natural light for common areas like hallways, bathrooms, or kitchens without the expense of a large, complex skylight installation. It’s a popular choice for renovation projects where bringing light into darker interior spaces is a priority.
Solatube 290 DS (Designer Series)
- Market Position: Mid-Range ($$)
- How It Compares: As a larger diameter option within the Designer Series, the 290 DS offers increased light output compared to the 160 DS. It maintains the value proposition of the mid-range by delivering substantial daylighting performance for its cost, while still being more accessible than premium, larger-scale architectural lighting solutions.
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Key Value Drivers:
- Larger diameter tubing allows for greater capture and transmission of sunlight, ideal for larger rooms or areas requiring more light.
- Utilizes the same highly reflective material as other Solatube products for efficient light channeling.
- Features Solatube's standard leak-resistant dome and integrated diffuser for comfortable lighting.
- Warranty coverage indicates its durability and expected lifespan, typical of mid-range options.
- Installation labor is comparable to the 160 DS, making it an economical choice for its light-gathering capacity.
- Best Suited For: Homeowners and builders seeking to illuminate larger interior spaces such as living rooms, open-plan kitchens, or master bedrooms effectively and affordably. It's an excellent option for maximizing natural light in areas where multiple smaller units might otherwise be required.
Solatube 220/290 QS (QuietSwitch Series)
- Market Position: Premium ($$$)
- How It Compares: The QuietSwitch series elevates the Solatube offering by introducing integrated features that enhance convenience and control, placing it above standard mid-range options. While offering advanced functionality, it remains more cost-effective and less invasive than custom architectural lighting systems that might require extensive structural modifications.
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Key Value Drivers:
- Includes an optional integrated LED augmentation light, allowing for illumination even when natural light is insufficient.
- Features Solatube's Smart Integrated Transfer System (SITS) and the QuietSwitch technology for silent, seamless operation of the LED light.
- The tubing and dome materials are designed for optimal light transmission and durability, backed by extended warranty coverage.
- Installation labor may be slightly higher due to the integrated electrical components, but it offers a cleaner, all-in-one solution.
- Best Suited For: Homeowners who desire enhanced functionality and convenience in their daylighting solutions. This is ideal for those who want the option of supplemental light at the touch of a switch or for spaces that require consistent illumination throughout the day and night, such as home offices or primary living areas.
Solatube with Solr Power
- Market Position: Premium ($$$)
- How It Compares: Solr Power systems represent a step up from basic daylighting by integrating solar power for the optional LED augmentation, offering a more energy-efficient and self-sufficient lighting solution. This places it above standard powered units by offering green technology, yet it is generally more affordable and simpler to install than high-end, integrated architectural lighting systems.
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Key Value Drivers:
- Features an integrated solar panel and battery system that powers the optional LED augmentation light, reducing reliance on household electricity.
- Offers enhanced energy efficiency and sustainability, aligning with modern building practices.
- The high-performance tubing and durable dome ensure maximum light capture and longevity, supported by comprehensive warranty.
- Installation complexity is similar to other powered Solatube units, with the solar component being a self-contained addition.
- Best Suited For: Environmentally conscious homeowners or those looking to minimize their electricity consumption. It's an excellent choice for off-grid applications, sustainable building projects, or for any homeowner who wants a smart, energy-saving lighting solution for rooms where consistent light is desired.
For the most accurate pricing and to discuss specific project needs, please request a formal quote from an authorized Solatube dealer.
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