How to choose which size Solarise Tube to Install.

2010-11-21T15:06:00.000-08:00

Tubular Skylight Selection Guide

Selection of a tubular skylight can become difficult task if you are planning to integrate them in your new or existing home. A fact that can add up to the value of your home along with improved aesthetics.

Let’s make this skylight selection exercise a fun way to learn something new. You’ll surely like it!

Firstly you need to decide how much light you want.
The light output obtained from a Solarise tube will be varying according to time of the day, orientation of your roof and shaft length of the skylight. But you need to make sure that your roof is not heavily shaded.
A typical solar light tube can light up an area of 150 to 600 Sq Ft. This area coverage is dependent on the height of mounting (from the ceiling). The higher the ceiling the better the light will be able to spread (8' to 12' high).

A simple way to choose the best size for you is:

1. The 10" solarise unit is a good fit for bathrooms, laundry rooms, hallways, closets, and small rooms under 150-200 square feet. Larger rooms can utilize two 10" solarise units especially if there is a ceiling fan in the center of the room. Center is always the best location if your structure will allow it unless you are wanting direct light over a certain area for reading or doing projects.

2. 14" Solarise units are a good fit for kitchens, family rooms, dining rooms. For rooms larger than 300 square feet you might think of installing two 14" tubes.

3. 18" and 21" Solarise tubes are good for large rooms with ceiling of at least 15' in height. These tubes need this height in order to properly spread the light. Ceilings under 12' are not recommended.

Lastly consider Exposure to Extreme Weather.

Not Rated polypropylene

Extreme weather can wreak havoc on your tubular skylight if they are not rated to with stand extreme climatic conditions like hail, hurricanes, extremely low temperatures etc. In such cases aluminum flashing is required which holds the tenacity to bear such type of extreme conditions. The use of protective domes is useful for protecting the lens from physical impact.


Aircraft grade aluminum rated product.


Un-coded warping polypropylene

Disintegrating polypropylene

Aircraft grade aluminum rated product

Tube Skylights, are there differences?

2010-11-17T21:10:00.000-08:00

There are quite a few Tubular daylighting devices on the market today. Are they all the same? How is the quality of the product? What are the components made from? What kind of product warranty do they have? What kind of labor warranty is there? Roofs are very expensive these days. Good roofs are made with high quality materials and come with a warranty to back up that quality. Shouldn't the same be true with anything you wish to penetrate that roofing system? Most manufactures of Tubular daylighting devices only come with a limited ten year warranty. Why is this? Is it because they don't make there products to last? Products are designed around a prodcuts warranty. That is why some roofs only have a 30 year warranty and some have a 50 year warranty. Because they are designed with materials that will only last 30 to 50 years. The same is true with any other product out there. Look at the warranty! Read the warranty! Don't be fooled by salesman! Make sure you get a product warranty and a labor warranty. Why two warranties? Well you have a company that manufactures a product and therefore warranties there product. Then you have a Contractor who installs the manufactures product. The contractor has to warranty his work. This is called a labor warranty. Well i hope this better helps ones understand about products and warranties.

Tubular Daylighting Devices

How to choose which size Solarise Tube to Install.

Tubular Skylight Selection Guide

Tube Skylights, are there differences?