How to Add Solar Tube Skylights to Your Design

When designing a room, the right light can transform a space––and arguably the most impactful type of light is natural light. While it isn’t always possible to add windows to a room, solar tube skylights, like our VELUX Sun Tunnel skylights, are a perfect solution.

Fitting into your ceiling like a recessed light would, these functional skylights can be installed in almost any room, and help deliver natural light exactly where you need it most. Let's take a look at how solar tube skylights can provide an elegant and efficient way to increase daylight in all corners of your home.

What Is a Solar Tube Skylight?

A solar tube skylight is a type of skylight that channels sunlight into areas of your home where traditional skylights might not fit or be practical. These skylights work by capturing sunlight through a rooftop dome and reflecting it down a tube into your interior space. The result is natural light that brightens dim areas of your home quickly, efficiently, and affordably. 

How Solar Tube Skylights Look in Different Rooms

Oftentimes, you see tubular skylights used in small spaces, like hallways and closets. While they are great for adding natural light to smaller areas, these skylight options can offer many other benefits throughout your home. From brightening dark corners to enhancing the overall ambiance, they can transform a variety of spaces in unique ways.

For example, they offer great task lighting when placed around workstations, like kitchen islands or sinks. 

When used in bathrooms, the natural light from the Sun Tunnel helps create a fresh, airy feeling to the space because it is less harsh than artificial lighting––perfect for relaxing and unwinding.

In larger spaces like living rooms, Sun Tunnel skylights can work with skylights to bring natural light into darker corners that often go unnoticed. By strategically placing these tunnels, you can create a brighter, more inviting atmosphere that enhances the overall warmth and openness of the room.

Types of VELUX Sun Tunnel Skylights

Here at VELUX, we offer two types of Sun Tunnel skylights, each designed to meet different installation needs and space requirements.

Rigid Sun Tunnel

The rigid design option is perfect for spaces with the roof farther from the ceiling. It features highly reflective material, allowing maximum light transmission across greater distances.

Flexible Sun Tunnel

If you need to navigate around pipes or beams in your attic, the flexible tube option is the right option for you. By easily bending around obstacles, it gives you more flexibility when adding daylight to your home.

Choosing the Right Sun Tunnel for Your Home

Deciding between a rigid and flexible Sun Tunnel comes down to the unique layout and lighting needs of your home. If you have a straight, unobstructed path from your roof to your room, the rigid tunnel is the best option for getting the brightest light. However, if your space has angles or obstructions, the flexible tunnel is the better fit, providing more adaptable light placement.

If you need help determining which option is best for you, talk through your options with a Design & Product Advisor. We offer free virtual consultations to help you get your daylighting project started with confidence. To schedule a time to talk to a skylight expert, click here. 

Quick Installation in 3 Easy Phases

One of the standout advantages of our tube skylight is its quick and straightforward installation, often completed in under 90 minutes. Here’s how it's done!

The Attic

Your installer will begin in the attic by checking rafter locations, taking measurements, and marking where the ceiling and roof openings will be.

The Rooftop

Next, on the roof, your installer will cut an opening and install the top collar, which is the upper part of the tunnel, along with the lens and flashing system.

The Interior

Finally, inside your home, the installer will cut a hole in the ceiling and install the lower portion of the reflective tunnel, connecting the two openings and sealing the seams. To complete the process, they'll add the diffuser and trim ring in the ceiling, allowing natural light to illuminate your space. 

With a quick and efficient installation, you'll soon enjoy the beauty and benefits of natural daylighting in your home!

Add Accessories to Match Your Design

Both tube options come with a variety of Sun Tunnel accessories to further personalize the look and feel of the light entering your home. To minimize glare, you can choose from frosted or clear diffusers, while our patterned diffusers offer a unique way to match your interior design style. Or, if you want light at all hours of the day, the tube can also be illuminated with a solar-powered night light when daylight is not available.

Want to Learn More About VELUX Sun Tunnel Skylights?

To learn more about solar tube skylights and how they can add the perfect touch to any space in your home, check out our comprehensive product guide. It offers more design and product inspiration to help you with your daylighting project.