NEW Solatube dome delivers the most light!
Solatube has continued its strategy to carry out research and development in to tubular skylight technology. This research has resulted in a redesigned dome, specifically for Northern Europe, that delivers more light than ever before, eclipsing the competition and ensuring that Solatube remains the world’s brightest tubular skylight system.
Solatube has always been at the forefront of dome technology. Solatube were the first tubular skylight company to introduce lenses in our domes, ensuring more light was transferred in to your home. Solatube tubular skylights use breakthrough optical technologies to pipe pure, natural light indoors. From sun up to sun down, daylight is captured by the Solatube patented rooftop dome and transferred through the world's most reflective tubing.
A patented daylight-capturing dome lens that:
Redirects low-angle sunlight for maximum light capture
Provides consistent daylighting throughout the day
Redirects low-angle winter sunlight for maximum light capture
Increases light input for greater light output
Delivers unsurpassed year-round performance
Solatubes NEW redesigned dome delivers even more light than before, knocking the competitions claims of delivering 70% more light out in to the darkness. Available in either polycarbonate or acrylic the dome was re designed to perform even better in the daylight conditions of Northern Europe and counters the spurious and out of date claims being made by competitors, whose comparisons are based on the old style dome.
In fact the Solatube tubular skylight remains the highest quality and brightest sun pipe system on the market, outperforming all the others by delivering more light consistently throughout the year from dawn until dusk.
Along with the new dome Solatube continues to use the world’s brightest solar tubing material to ensure you receive more daylight than any other tubular skylight system available today.
What material is best for a sun pipe dome?
Plastic is a better material to use because glass transmits less light than plastic domes. In addition, glass is a much colder material than plastic and consequently systems using a heavy, glass dome are far more susceptible to condensation issues and require additional and more costly insulation to prevent this. Also, it is not possible to include UV inhibitors in glass so the reflective tube lining degrades and becomes less effective at delivering daylight.
What are the pros and cons between polycarbonate and acrylic plastic domes? Acrylic doesn’t discolour so much as polycarbonate over time. However, acrylic is a flammable material and continues to burn once the heat source is removed, whereas polycarbonate does not. Consequently, Solatube specifies a polycarbonate dome as standard as this is what complies with UK Building Regulations, but it is the only manufacturer to also offer an acrylic option for the same price, if you prefer. So you can choose which route you want to go down; something that the competition does not do.
Why a polycarbonate dome? - Solatube tubular skylights comply with UK Building Regulations
Where Building Regulations apply (or you want the building to comply with Building Regs), then Solatube is the only system that complies according to requirement relating to the spread of fire. Regulations regarding fire spread at roof level are very specific and differ from those in most other countries. Some manufacturers only offer an acrylic (PMMA) dome, which does not self-extinguish and continues to burn. Solatube domes are primarily made from polycarbonate, rated a Tp(a) material, which does not sustain a flame and will self-extinguish. Solatube's BBA Certificate confirms that the polycarbonate dome meets the UK building regulation requirements. However, as mentioned before, with a Solatube you can also choose an acrylic dome if you would prefer.
Ultimately, Solatube is available with either polycarbonate or acrylic dome material. Acrylic is compliant in most other countries, but not in the UK, as detailed above. We therefore recommend polycarbonate domes are supplied in the UK, but ultimately, the responsibility for compliance rests with the building owner; our aim is to ensure the decision maker has accurate and appropriate information so that they may make an informed decision.
Do sun pipe domes need cleaning?
There is no need to clean the new Solatube domes as they are still maintenance free. The curved shape ensures that the dome’s surface is cleansed whenever it rains, making it maintenance-free, unlike a flat window which requires regular cleaning.
Is it possible for the Solatube dome to break?
A polycarbonate dome is incredibly strong, it’s one of the reasons why they are specified by the Home Office for installation in prisons and detention centres – they are almost impossible to break, even with a sledge hammer!
Solatube roof domes are injection moulded for superior strength, using super-impact-resistant, Tp(a) fire rated polycarbonate with UV inhibitors. These domes are certified by the BBA to be compliant with UK Building Regulations.
Consequently, a Solatube polycarbonate dome will not break down over time and become brittle.
Comparison testing
Currently there are no up to date comparative tests available for the sun pipe market. However Solatube intends to head back to the BRE soon to show how much more light is delivered by a Solatube than its competitors.
Existing online results can be misleading as some companies test different sizes against each other. i.e. The bigger the diameter of tubing the more light you will receive in general. The exception is of course flexible tubing which delivers a very poor amount of light for its size.
If you’d like more help or information about a Solatube, or other make of tubular skylight system, please contact us on 01721 730385 or download our FREE Ultimate Guide to Solatubes HERE.