Skylight Alternatives

By
©1993-2012 Tim Carter

        
Summary: When skylights are too costly, or a small area needs natural illumination, a tubular skylight, or sun tube, will fill the bill. This version of the traditional skylight comes with leak free pre-engineered flashings, just like their larger brethren.

Related Articles:  Skylight Repair, Skylight Installation, Skylight Flashings, Skylight Leaks, Piping Sunlight

Skylight Alternatives

Let's say that you can't afford the cost to have a skylight installed. Or, a closet or narrow hallway needs to have some natural light. You can effectively light these areas by using products that pipe sunlight into your home.

There are many of these products on the market. All try to channel sunlight through highly-reflective pipes or square conduits. Some of the products are made from steel or aluminum pipe, while others are made from cardboard covered with shiny metal.

Sun tubes are metallic pipe systems which can supply natural light in lieu of using a traditional skylight. These tubes can be installed, in most cases, in 4 to 6 hours. The manner in which they work is somewhat unusual. Highly reflective sheet metal piping is used to direct sunlight down to a translucent ceiling diffuser. The sunlight enters the pipe through a clear acrylic dome up on the roof.

These alternative skylights all come with pre-engineered flashings just like their big brothers. When installed correctly, you should not experience any leakage.

If you have limited time and money, these devices should be given serious consideration. Good luck on your upcoming skylight project. Call me if you need help.



Still Need Help? Type Your Keywords Here:
(examples: drywall repair, pilot light goes out, poor lot drainage, crown molding guide, etc.)

Comment on Facebook

Your Facebook friends would love to know how this column helped you solve your problem. Type a quick comment of what you discovered here at AsktheBuilder.com. Thanks!

Comments:

Welcome! I, Tim Carter, don't answer questions here. If you post a question here in the Comments Area, perhaps another visitor will help you. You need to go to the Ask Tim page if you want a question answered. Once there, look closely at how many weeks behind we are. Please be patient as you use this free service. If you have an emergency and need to talk to me, there is an option there for you.
T. Curtis
08 Aug 2008, 19:06
Is there any brand of tubular skylight that is more durable than the others (for water tightness as well as illumination), or that you would NOT recommend?

Thanks,
T. Curtis

     View all comments
*Name:
Email:
Notify me about new comments on this page
Hide my email
*Text:
Security Image:

Visual CAPTCHA
 
Remember, Tim Carter doesn't answer questions here in the comments. You need to go to the Ask Tim page.
 
Have a Suggestion?
©1993-2012 Tim Carter
Do it right, not over!
close

Ask the Builder Comment Help

Thanks for stopping by! The Comments Section of my AsktheBuilder.com website is a place for you to share stories about how you've solved a similar problem at your home or carry on a conversation with other visitors. I tried, at the beginning, to be part of the conversation, but there were too many questions being asked and it was impossible for me to keep up and get my regular work finished each day.

If you want to ask me a direct question, you should go to the Ask Tim page of this website.

Helpful Comment Tips: If you need help with a problem, please try these things now before you type in a comment. You could discover your answer in just minutes.
Don't show this alert again.