skip to main content

Do any of you have (or know much about) solar tube skylights?

12 years ago

Hi,

We're considering installing a solar tube skylight in the water closet of our masterbath. The main room gets alot of light from a large east-facing window and we thought that getting some natural light in the WC would really enhance that interior space. Of course, any time you cut through the roof, there is potential for problems.

If you have one, have you had any problems or issues with it? Which manufacturer did you go with and why did you choose that one? Would you install it again if you were deciding now?

If you decided against it, what was your concern?

Thanks!!

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (7)

Billl
12 years ago
We had one in our previous house and loved it. It was there when we moved in, so I don't know the brand. We lived there for 10 years and had no roof or water issues. It provided an incredible amount of light for something so simple.

We're renovating our master bath now and will definitely be putting in at least 1 in the main area.
sevrm
12 years ago
There have been several threads on Solatubes on this forum in the past. If you Google "Solatube Gardenweb" you should be able to find them. As I recall, everyone who posted was quite happy with their Solatube.
Related Discussions
Tube skylight problem--slanted ceiling
Q
Comments (5)
Yes you would think this. They said that they really "hated" putting it in the slanted part. I am sympathetic because the area in the flat part is very crowded but yes, they could have called and should have. I think we are going to make them redo all of this which will be tough, access is very limited in this part of the house. We may end up with the exhaut fan as a vent and put the fan on the roof as a unit (fantech) and have to run a soffit through the MBR closet to fit in the vent. In other words, half baked and not looking like a totally new piece of construction. They are already two months late and with pool season coming we want them out of there so the pressure is on!
...See More
What Do You Have Too Much Of, & Why Do You Have It?
Q
Comments (89)
So many people with issues with parents...sad. I was loved, I had toys and gifts,dresses, dolls, books, sport stuff, games,I lacked for nothing . But as I got older, I think I tried to "recapture" my childhood. As an adult, I loved antique shows, flea markets, garage sales. Any time I saw something we had in our house growing up, I had to buy it. I even bought too many rose bushes and planted them in my garden, trying to re-create my Grandma's rose garden. I now have a linen closet stacked with doilies and tablecloths I'll never use, sets of fancy glasses too fragile to use, things like that. Oh, and on the funny side, my daughter cleaned out my bathroom just yesterday. She found eleven bottles of Listerine. I don't know, I hate the stuff, it burns... I remember buying one bottle because it did everything, whitens teeth, freshens breath, makes gums healthy, strengthens the enamel. I'm just always looking for something to make me happy.
...See More
Solar tube skylights....
Q
Comments (2)
I was reading an article about them, and it mentioned that they're also available with vents, which would be perfect for our bathroom, as we need to put a vent in there. I've done on-line searches but haven't found any manufacturers. Just hoping someone here knows of one.
...See More
Do you have any trees that you don't know how they will grow?
Q
Comments (13)
when I used to live in the twin cities, the common lingo used by designers and la types was that they carefully selected plants for your personal landscape based on soil preferences and adability to the area, ie, cold hardiness. And if course you can rhoddies in high pH, clay soil, in a wind tunnel. Ok, so the wind tunnels weren't that common, but my experience tells me that broad regions of the upper Midwest tend to the alkaline, and soils can vary widely over even small distances. When I lived in mn, I was constantly trying things I had no idea of how they'd grow. if you rely on only the known reliables in that weather, your idea of exotic is how many varieties of spire and nine bark can you grow? So i'd try different things. Korean arb? dead as toast before thanksgiving. Japanese Stone pine? still thriving without ever so much as the slightest winter burn almost 20 years later. Turkish filbert? one survived and thrives, one died after a couple years. You try those things that you dare. the risk is failure, the reward is something no one else has. of course, as you move into milder winters, what is defined as questionable becomes quite a bit different.
...See More
gryane
12 years ago
we have a solartube in our master bath and we love it. no problems at all. it's just great. they're quite affordable too. I say go for it!
mtnfever (9b AZ/HZ 11)
12 years ago
there was also a thread in the Kitchens forum on solatubes. I discussed the two we had in a previous house, and one was in the bath with a fan and light kit. very cool.

HTH

cheers

Here is a link that might be useful: kitchen forum solatube thread
treasuretheday
Original Author
12 years ago
Thanks so much for all of the info and advice! We're definitely getting a Solatube and I'm looking forward to bringing some natural light into this small interior space. This sounds like it will be money well spent.
jenathegreat
12 years ago
We had 3 Solatubes in our last house. We had them installed to brighten a dark living room and a windowless hall bathroom. I LOVED them. Absolutely loved them. The one in the bathroom had a light inside it so there wasn't too much stuff on the bathroom ceiling. The funniest thing was that everyone visiting would always try to turn out the light, not remembering that they hadn't turned it on and not realizing it was a skylight. Absolutely no regrets. Do expect to have to touch up the ceiling, they poked some small holes looking for where the beams were to cut the holes for them.
barbcollins
12 years ago
We have one over my kitchen island that we bought a yard sale. I do love it. Once it a while I reach for the switch to turn the lights off :)

I would love to get one in the bedroom I am now using as a home office.

But one small problem. Stink bugs have been getting in the tube. DH can't figure out how they are getting in there since it's all sealed.

Related Stories

GREAT HOME PROJECTS How to Add a Skylight or Light Tube

By Mariana Pickering (Emu Building Science)

New project for a new year: Increase daylight and maybe even your home’s energy efficiency by opening a room to the sky

WORKING WITH PROS 10 Things Architects Want You to Know About What They Do

By Laura Gaskill

Learn about costs, considerations and surprising things architects do — plus the quick route to pinning down their style

LIGHTING What to Know About Switching to LED Lightbulbs

By Karen Egly-Thompson

If you’ve been thinking about changing over to LEDs but aren't sure how to do it and which to buy, this story is for you

ARCHITECTURE What You Must Know About the Sun and Your Home

By Duo Dickinson, architect

Learn about the powerful effects of sunlight on house materials and more, and see 7 homes that address the sun's rays beautifully

GREEN BUILDING Let’s Clear Up Some Confusion About Solar Panels

By Mariana Pickering (Emu Building Science)

Different panel types do different things. If you want solar energy for your home, get the basics here first

CONTRACTOR TIPS Building Permits: What to Know About Green Building and Energy Codes

By Matt Clawson

In Part 4 of our series examining the residential permit process, we review typical green building and energy code requirements

MATERIALS Insulation Basics: What to Know About Spray Foam

By Mariana Pickering (Emu Building Science)

Learn what exactly spray foam is, the pros and cons of using it and why you shouldn’t mess around with installation

FURNITURE How to Buy a Quality Sofa That Will Last

Learn about foam versus feathers, seat depth, springs, fabric and more for a couch that will work for years to come

MOST POPULAR What to Know About Adding a Deck

By Mitchell Parker

Want to increase your living space outside? Learn the requirements, costs and other considerations for building a deck

KITCHEN COUNTERTOPS Elephants of the Kitchen? What to Know About Concrete Counters

Concrete countertops are beautiful, heavy and cool — and have their own peculiarities. And a lot in common with certain gray pachyderms

More Discussions

Help me modernize a 90s bathroom!

6

we are planning on putting the shower in front of the window.

19

Bathroom backsplash before counter install?

6

I’m semi redoing my master bath.

1

Suggestions for countertop to go with iceberg marble tile floor?

1