Frequently Asked Questions

Solatube Tubular Skylights FAQ

Q: How does the Solatube work?: A: The seven main components of a Solatube tubular skylight are; roof top dome, roof flashing , reflective top elbow , reflective tubing installed through attic space, bottom elbow with ceiling ring and the ceiling diffuser lens. The durable weather resistant roof top dome captures and directs sunlight down the reflective tubing through the attic space. The transferred light then exits through a ceiling diffuser below into the living space you want to brighten.
Q: How does Solatube compare to traditional skylights?: A: The cost of an installed Solatube tubular skylight is more affordable than an installed conventional skylight due to the fact that traditional skylights are more labour intensive and require drywall, painting and structural joist or roof rafter modification. Tubular skylights are considered more energy efficient because they are closed at both ends and occupy less surface area on the ceiling. Some tubular skylights are provided with an energy star rating.
Q: What are Solatube: A: At our latitude during sunny weather a 10" Solatube tubular skylight can light up an area close to 120 square feet. Increasing to a 14" unit will illuminate an area over 200 square feet. In partly cloudy or overcast weather light output is somewhat less, but dramatic enough despite how dark the room was to begin with. The lighting effect from the Solar Tube is governed in some ways by the colour of the walls, my point being is that I find the lighter the walls are the brighter the room appears due to the effect of the lighter wall colours reflecting the light. and the reverse holds true for darker walls as they tend to absorb the light
Q: What Solatube sizes are available?: A: Solar Tube tubular skylights are available in both 10" (160ds) and 14" (290ds) units. The 10" Solar Tube units are most efficiant for smaller rooms such as bathrooms, powder rooms, entrance foyers, smaller stairwells, laundry rooms and narrow hallways. Solar Tube's 14" unit is designed for larger rooms that would include Stairwells, Kitchens, larger hallways, Dens, Living & dinning rooms. In some instances multiple units can be installed in longer open rooms.
Q: How does Solatube compare in quality to other brands?: A: There are various reasons why Solar Tube ranks highest in design and durability. It's flashing and dome system are UV protected and constructed of high quality materials designed to stand up to all extremes of weather. Solar Tube's seamless coated metal ribbed flashings are thicker and tougher than it's competitors. Solar Tube's patented design incorperates a reflector that is mounted inside the dome to capture low angle light thus increasing light input during the winter months, other competitors have there reflector on the outside of the dome or don't bother with one at all. The higher dome profile and one piece curved flashing coller created by Solar Tube helps eliminate the build up of snow and sheds water directly away from the unit assembly. The Solar Tube flashing is compact enough it installs on shingle roofs without having to remove and replace the shingles allowing them to be located close to the hips and ridges of the roof. Other manufacturers can offer a low profile square curb, or curved flashing dome system which in my opinion is unescesary due to the fact that they are way to oversized for they're 14" or 10" diameter tube system, forcing the installer to pry, loosen and remove many shingles on the roof thus potentialy damaging them in the process. I Know this from experience they are just plain miserable to install! Also with the competitors low profile concept they will cover over with snow and they will advertise they're products as "low cost, easy to install, claiming an advantage over dome type tubular systems" however they're quality is further compromised by they're low reflective rigid tubing or flex tubing design. They're flex tubing design is usually similar to the strechable silver dryer vent material you find at a hardware store, they are the worst inventions produced with the strechable inner surface not capable of reflecting enough light to the room below. Solar Tube's highly reflective rigid tube design is the most advanced on the tubular lighting market and is complimented by it's option of having various styles of ceiling diffusers. Solar Tube has had over twenty years of production to be proud of and there have been design modifications over the years further improving the product to what it stands today.
Q: How long does a Solatube install take?: A: Installation time usually takes between 2 to 3 hours for the Solatube, depending on access to attic, roof pitch and tube length.
Q: In what rooms can I install a Solatube in?: A: You can install Solatube tubular skylights in most rooms, providing they have a roof or attic space above.In some homes you can install to main floor through a closet or dead wall space depending on joist, rafter spacing and line up
Q: What happens if I want a Solatube installed and I have a flat roof?: A: Solar Tube have a 6 inch tall cone flashing available for both 10" and 14" Solar Tubes. This one piece flashing can be installed on any type of flat roof providing that a liscensed flat roofer will perform the necessary membrane bond to the roof ensuring a water tight seal at an extra cost. The process involves installing the Solar Tube first, then having the flat roofer performing the seal just after the install. In some cases the home owner will have Solar Tube installed at the same time they are replacing the flat roof, this process is more efficient as the roofer can easily seal the flashing in with the new flat roof being installed at the same time. Most home owners usually call they're own flat roofer that they have previously used for other flat roof matters. If needed I can refer a reputable flat roofing company with references to you. In some instances the flat roofer will build a "box curb" further raising the flashing above the roof line if required. Most flat roof installs I happen upon are usually down in the city of Toronto involving row, detatched or semi detached homes around the early 1900's that have a hallway or stairwell underneath towards the back of the house with lath and plaster ceilings.
Q: Is there any heat gain or heat loss with Solatube during summer and winter months?: A: Solar Tube Tubular Daylighting Device's are certified by the National Fenestration Rating Council. The Solar Tube units have been tested and are provided with energy performance ratings that include U-Factor and Solar heat gain Coefficient values. The results of these test yield exceptionally low results. The Solar Tube units are dual glazed at the ceiling level and are equipped with an effect lens with a seal that prevents air transfer between the living space and the tube assembly. The energy Star logo qualifies Solar Tube to be installed in all of Canada and the US.
Q: What if I'm changing my roof? When to install Solatube: A: It's usually best to have the roof reshingled prior to installing the Solar Tube for several reasons. This will ensure that the Solar Tube is properly sealed to the new roof with the roofing sealent, installing it before could prove to be difficult to seal the flashing to the old brittle shingles risking leakage. Unfortunately there are a few companies out there that would inform you to install it before the new roof just to get the sale. If you have an existing Solar Tube and your roof is been changed, normaly most roofers are familiar with the Solar Tube product and are careful enough to reshingle around it without any damage. However with some older units the tubing can be separated in the attic leaving some debris and condenstation behind in the lens cover. In this case a service call will solve the problem by reseting the tubing and lens cover firmly in place providing nothing has been damaged and needs to be placed.
Q: What if I want a Solatube and I'm having an interlock metal roof installed?: A: This depends on the thickness of new metal roof, it's more practical to have the flashing installed at the same time the metal roof is being applyed to prevent any of the metal roofing from being damaged afterwards. Some styles of metal roofing require wooden strapping added to the roof surface to support the metal roof sections, the Solar Tube flashing has to install above this strapping so that the metal roof tyles will seal properly to the flashing
Q: Can your health benefit from the natural daylight produced by a Solatube?: A: Absoulutly yes, the exposure to visible sunlight has a positive effective on our biological rythms. Our daily living depend on a certain amount of natural light during the day and also darkness at night to promote an even balance for our cyrcadian rythms. It's also proven that people with seasonal affective disorder can benefit from the natural daylighting from Solar Tube.
Q: Why Choose Performance Natural Lighting?: A: We are the leading Solatube Installation company, We sell the most volume in the GTA and we also have the lowest Solatube price in Ontario. Trust Performance Natural Lighting with over 20 years of solid Solar Tube experience to install your Solatube. Our company is fully insured, providing excellent quality workmanship and fully guaranteed. We offering written installation guarantees for all work. You can count on us for the highest quality craftsmanship. We make certain your are 100% satisfied with your Solatube and Solar Tube installation.
Q: What is The Solar NightLight: A: The Solar NightLight is an integrated solar-powered nightlight that offers soft, ambient light that helps homeowners navigate their home from sundown to sun up.
Q: What is the warranty for the Solar NightLight?: A: The warranty for the system (panels, housing and LEDs) is for five (5) years.The batteries are not included in the warranty.
Q: Is attic acces required for installation?: A: In most cases; Yes, access is needed with attics for proper location and installation for the Solar tube.