How easy is it to install a Solatube®?
Solatube® Daylighting Systems are engineered to make installation as easy as possible with fewer parts to assemble and easy-install features such as 'easy snap' dome, pre-installed dome spacers, twist-fit ceiling ring and snap on/off ceiling diffuser. Both the Solatube® 160 DS Daylighting System and Solatube® 290 DS Daylighting System, 250mm and 350mm diameter respectively, fit easily between standard roof rafters with no structural changes, and no need to build a skylight shaft. The two angle adapters supplied with every Solatube® are each adjustable for 0-30 degrees for ease of installation around attic obstructions.
Full installation instructions are supplied with each purchase or may be downloaded from our Installation page.
What are the options for installation?
In most areas of the UK, we can arrange for an experienced, independent installer to fit your Solatube® Daylighting System in your home, quickly and efficiently with the minimum of disruption. Please advise us when you order your Solatube® that you require installation and we will provide details of your nearest installers.
If you are a competent DIYer, then you can fit aSolatube® Daylighting System yourself. You will need to carry out some work on your roof, so you should only undertake this part of the installation if you are confident to do so safely.
Alternatively, if you are not confident to tackle the job yourself, then you can employ your own builder to install a Solatube® Daylighting System. Any competent builder, roofer or home maintenance professional should be able to install your Solatube® for you.
How long does it take to install a Solatube®?
An experienced installer can install a Solatube® Daylighting System in two to three hours. For the novice installer, more time should be allowed.
I'm having a new roof, should I install the Solatube® Daylighting System during or after installing the roof?
Solatube® Daylighting Systems may be installed as a retrofit or during build.
What if there is no attic space?
Solatube® Daylighting Systems are designed for installation even where there is no access to the attic or no attic at all.
Can a Solatube® be installed through a wall?
Yes. Although this is not what the product was originally designed for, it is possible to install a Solatube® Daylighting System to pipe daylight through a wall or into a basement. Certain factors must be taken into consideration when planning to install a Solatube® Daylighting System through a wall – please contact us for advice.
Will a Solatube® work in a caravan, house boat or mobile home?
Yes, and they install easily without structural modifications. Solatube® Daylighting Systems are a great solution for the dark interiors that can result from windows shaded by awnings and patio covers. The Solatube® 160 DS Daylighting System is usually adequate since tube lengths are short.
Will Solatube® illuminate ground floor rooms of a two-story house?
If there is an appropriate route for the tubes to run from the diffuser to the dome then it is possible to use a Solatube® Daylighting System. The 99.7% super-reflective Spectralight® Infinity material used in Solatube® extension tubes means that very effective light delivery is possible with tube lengths of up to 6 metres for the Solatube 160DS and 9 metres for the The Solatube® 290 DS Daylighting System.
Will a Solatube work with the dome installed on the north side of a roof?
Yes, a Solatube® Daylighting System will work on the north side of a house although a dome situated on a south- east- or west-facing aspect will generally capture more light throughout the year.
Do I need planning permission to install a Solatube®?
It is generally unnecessary to obtain planning permission to install a Solatube® Daylighting System. In Conservation areas or for listed buildings, however, you should seek prior approval from your local Planning Office. Solatube® roof domes are discreet and unobtrusive, and are often preferred by Planning Officers over conventional windows or rooflights. However, for listed buildings or where the roofline must be maintained, we suggest you look at the Cast Lightpipe supplied by Clement Window Group. With its traditional appearance, the Cast Lightpipe can be used on all types of roof and is recommended for use on historic buildings by Conservation Officers, Architects, English Heritage & The National Trust.
Are flexible tube systems easier to install?
Despite their inefficiency in transferring light (see Questions about tubing – above), some people are tempted to buy flexible tube systems because they believe they are easy to install.
However, to achieve any chance of being able to transmit the best (for a flexible tube!) level of light, the flexible tube has to be pulled tight and very firmly fixed to minimize the concertinaed effect of the tube - and, in practice, this is can be very difficult to achieve. A floppy tube is simply never going to work effectively! Our recommendation is not to waste your money on flexible duct systems. With Solatube® Daylighting Systems, you will get vastly more light for your money, a system that is designed for ease of installation with click fit and snap-on components and no tube stretching needed!