Skylights vs. Solar Tubes – Which Is the Better Choice? | Daylighting Systems Santa Clara

Skylights vs. Solar Tubes - Which Is the Better Choice?

Skylights have always been a popular way of bringing additional natural light into the home. The roof of a building normally has more sunlight falling on it than the walls, so the availability of natural light is greater than in the case of vertical surfaces. This means the sunlight that enters a house from the roof is typically more and available for longer periods than with windows. The question that many homeowners ask themselves is which is the better option – the traditional skylight or the newer solar tubes? If this is a decision you are planning to make, this information may be of interest to you.

Already Have a Skylight?

One problem with skylights is that over time, they start to leak when it rains and if the panes are of plastic or ordinary glass, they become weathered and the light that passes through is reduced. In such a case, the best option is to replace the skylight. However, keep in mind that skylight replacement is not a simple matter of removing the old one and slotting the new one in place. The new skylight has to be an exact fit and expertly installed to prevent leaks from happening in the next heavy rain. The skylight itself has to be made of the best materials and the glass must be strong enough to withstand the effects of weather and should not become scratched and opaque. Make sure you only use a company that specializes in skylight replacement to put in the new skylight.

Adding Natural Light to a Room

If your windows do not allow enough light to enter, then you can see if putting in additional windows is possible. However, this is often not possible and even if it is, the cost can be huge. A far more effective, economical, and elegant alternative is to install a solar tube, or daylighting system, as it is also known. Solar tubes are devices that use small roof-mounted sunlight collectors to capture natural light and use special high-tech tubing to carry the light to even the most interior parts of the house. The light is then diffused into the room using elegant and efficient light fixtures. The installation is quick and clean and does not require any structural modifications, nor does it affect the integrity of the building, so your home stays safe. Addons such as ventilation kits, built-in electric lights (so the same fitting works at night) and dimmers are available with leading brands like Solatube.

Also Read: Skylight Installation – The Key Issues

Want More Light?

Do you already have a skylight and want even more daylight to come into the room? In that case, a solar tube is a solution. Because they take up little space on the roof and the light can be piped through the walls, a solar tube can complement a traditional skylight. Since the light from the solar tube is diffused through a ceiling-mounted fitting, it does not look as if the whole roof has been devoted to skylights.

The Choice Is Easy 

If you need to replace an old skylight, have it done by experts who will do a professional job using the best materials. If you want to put in a new skylight, then a solar tube is the best option. And if you want to increase the amount of natural light already available from an existing skylight, then once again using a solar tube is your answer. For those living in the San Francisco Bay Area, the first step is very easy. Sunlight Concepts is the premier dealer for Solatube and the leader in daylighting systems in Santa Clara which offers a full range of solar tubes and top-quality skylight replacement. Contact the company for a free daylight consultation in Santa Clara.