Frequently asked questions
Below are some of the questions we are often asked about Solatube for use in the home. If you have other questions or wish to discuss your specific requirements please contact us using any of the methods at the top of this page - we shall be delighted to help.

How does a Solatube work?
Solatube captures daylight from your rooftop, pipes it down a highly reflective tube, then delivers it into the room below - simple but brilliant! There are no running costs and the system is maintenance free. Solatube is the most efficient daylight system of its kind.

Why is Solatube more efficient than any other 'similar' system?
The Solatube Brighten Up® Series has two active daylight harvesting devices in the roof dome - the Raybender® 3000 lens system and the LightTracker™ dome reflector. These two devices alone can more than double the amount of light that is directed into the tube aperture. Once the daylight has been harvested, Solatube's 99.7% Spectralight® Infinity reflective tubing ensures that the maximum light possible is transferred to the ceiling diffuser. No other system can boast these features and this is why the Solatube Brighten Up® Series comes with a Highest Performance Guarantee!

What size Solatube do I need?
The Solatube Brighten Up® Series is ideal for domestic use; the Solatube 160DS is a 250mm diameter system that will light up to 13sqm (150sqft), the Solatube 290DS is a 350mm diameter system that will light up to 22sqm (250sqft) - both are designed to fit between standard roof joists for easy installation. The Solatube 160DS is ideal for bathrooms (it can be fitted with an integral bathroom ventilation kit), hallways, small stairways or landings. The Solatube 290DS is suited to living areas or larger stairwells and landings. For more expansive areas or long narrow hallways or corridors, Solatube can be used in multiples. Our SolaMaster Series offers systems with a 530mm diameter - generally these are used for commercial and industrial applications, but are sometimes used in the home.

How much does it cost?
Solatube comes in three sizes (diameters) and the cost is determined by the size of Solatube you require and the tube length needed to connect the dome on the roof to the diffuser in the ceiling. Prices start from £239 inc VAT - our price guide gives clear advice on how to order your Solatube and what it will cost.

What is the delivery time?
We can offer next-working-day delivery if we receive your order by midday.

What are the options for installation?
In most areas of the UK, we can arrange for an experienced, independent installer to fit your Solatube 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 Solatube 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 Solatube. Any competent builder, roofer or home maintenance professional should be able to install your Solatube for you.

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Questions about tubing:

What is Solatube tubing made from?
Solatube uses tubing made with Spectralight® Infinity material. This material has the highest reflectivity of any commercially-available material in the world - 99.7% - resulting in the brightest, purest light transfer and unmatched colour rendition. The Spectralight® Infinity material is permanently fixed with thermoset adhesive to provide permanent bond to a 0.4mm thick aluminium substrate and protected by PET film for long-lasting reflectivity. The end result is a rigid, robust tube with a super-reflective mirrored inner surface. All Solatube reflective surfaces use Spectralight® Infinity - we do not offer or supply any material with a reflectivity value lower than 99.7%. The introduction of the new material to the UK did not go unnoticed and the installation of a Solatube with this new, super-reflective material was featured on a BBC Tomorrow's World programme.

Why is the reflectivity value of the tube important?
When light bounces down a reflective tube some light will inevitably be lost at each bounce - just how much light is lost will depend on the reflective properties of the tube material. At 99.7% reflectivity just 0.3% of the daylight is lost with each "bounce" down the tube! So the higher the tube reflectivity the more light is transferred from the rooftop to the room below - see our comparison chart in Product Info to compare light outputs from different tube reflectivity values.

How long can the tube be?
Ideally, the shorter - and straighter - the tube the better the level of light transfer. We recommend a maximum effective length of 6m for the Solatube 160DS and 9m for the Solatube 290DS.

How short can the tube be?
There is no minimum distance. Solatube may be installed into flat roofs, vaulted or open beamed ceilings. For install distances of less than 100mm between roof and ceiling please contact us for advice on installation.

How do I adjust the tube length?
Solatube extension tube sections are designed to telescope together for ease of installation so tube length can be adjusted by simply overlapping the tubes as required rather than cutting them.

How are tube sections fastened together?
Your Solatube system is supplied with sufficient high-quality foil tape to seal all tube seams. For very long or angled tube lengths, self-tapping screws are provided to fasten the tubes together to give additional strength and rigidity.

Can I split the tubing and light two rooms from only one dome?
No, it is not possible to connect two diffusers to one dome - there is no "Y" adapter available for Solatube, indeed the light transfer of such a design would be inconsistent and inefficient.

Why do I get two angle adapters with each Solatube?
Two adjustable 0-30 degree angle adapters are supplied with each Solatube system. They may be used straight for flat roof and straight tube applications, or may be adjusted to provide the required angle, allowing for easy installation.

How effective are the tubular skylights that use flexible tubing?
A flexible tube system will not give anywhere near as much light as a rigid tube system because, by its very design, the concertinaed tube material or ducting used in flexible systems will not transfer light efficiently; a concertinaed tube will scatter light in all directions with only a small percentage ending up travelling downwards to the ceiling diffuser. A Solatube can deliver more than 10 times the amount of light than a comparably sized flexible duct system and, for that matter, more than any rigid system too - see our comparison chart in Product Info.

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Is there a way to turn off or "block out" light from a Solatube?
Yes, we offer two options; the Solatube electric Daylight Dimmer or the Manual Blind. The Solatube electric Daylight Dimmer allows light levels to be controlled via a wall mounted switch. The dimmer is fully integrated into the Solatube and the variable butterfly baffle inside the tube opens or closes to control light output. We also offer a Manual Blind that is fixed to the ceiling around the diffuser and simply pulls across the diffuser to block out light. Please see our Accessories page for more information.

Is there a choice of ceiling diffusers?
Yes. We supply as standard the Vusion™ ceiling diffuser that fits neatly to the ceiling with no visible fasteners, and delivers outstanding natural light diffusion through a frosted prismatic lens. Alternatively, you may choose the Optiview® diffuser which uses a multiple Fresnel lens system with a stunning architectural look to deliver crystal clear daylight. Please see our page on Diffusers for images and information.

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Do I need to clean the roof dome?
No, it is not necessary to clean the roof dome. The maintenance free design and shape of the dome eliminates debris build-up - the rain will clean away any dirt or bird droppings.

Can the dome be raised higher above the roof?
All domes can be raised by the addition of a turret extension. The turret extension raises the upstand of the roof flashing so when the dome is fitted on top it will sit clear of any roof obstructions, such as multiple roofing layers, extra thick shingles, walled roof areas, etc. Turret extensions are available in various heights - please contact us for details.

What happens if the dome gets covered with snow?
Light output will of course be temporarily reduced but the dome will be fine. Tests have indicated the Solatube can resist positive and negative loads of up to 4.79kPa (100 pounds per sqft).

What is the dome made from?
The dome is made from polycarbonate which is TP(a) rated for fire safety and meets UK building regulations. The dome is virtually unbreakable and has passed stringent international missile impact tests.

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Solatube offers an optional integral Electric Light Kit for both the Solatube 160DS and 290DS, and a Bathroom Ventilation kit for the Solatube 160DS. All kits are UL Listed and CE approved, and all electrical components come with a 5-year warranty. Please see our Accessories page for more information about these accessories.

Is there a minimum tube length required to install either the light kit or bathroom ventilation Kit?
Access into the roof void is required to install the light or bathroom ventilation kit, therefore a minimum distance of at least 50cm is required.

Can a Solatube have both an electric light and bathroom ventilation kit installed together?
Yes. They can be combined with any Solatube 160DS for a neat 3-in-1 fixture (for ventilation, daylight, and night light) thus minimizing the number of ceiling penetrations. Any electrical work must be undertaken by a qualified person and comply to UK building regulations.

Does the electric light kit reduce the amount of light coming through the Solatube?
Any light loss is very minimal and the advantage in having just one neat ceiling installation yet having a two-in-one or three-in-one multi-functional system far outweighs the tiny amount of daylight that is sacrificed.

How does the bathroom ventilation kit work?
The ventilation kit has an additional intake cowl that installs around the perimeter of the ceiling portion of the Solatube 160DS. Air moves through a separate chamber (not through the reflective tube), then through an exhaust duct and outlet on your roof or soffit.

How strong is the fan in the bathroom ventilation kit?
Solatubes' proprietary twin fan is rated at 52 litres per second (110 cubic feet per minute) which is a very powerful fan that ensures quick and effective ventilation, ideally suited to bath- and shower-rooms.

Does the powerful fan mean it is noisy?
The Solatube fan has a very powerful fan, but a key feature of this product is that the fan is positioned not at the ceiling level, but in-line up in the attic. This significantly reduces the noise level in the room below. The insulated ducting provided further reduces noise to a minimum. It is also important to check that the motor does not rest against a roof joist as this can cause vibration noise. All electrical wiring must be undertaken by a qualified person.

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How easy is it to install a Solatube?
Solatube is a quality system that has been 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 160DS and 290DS, 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 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 Solatube 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 Solatube. 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 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 during or after installing the roof?
Solatube may be installed as a retrofit or during build.

What if there is no attic space?
Solatube is 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 system to pipe daylight through a wall or into a basement. Certain factors must be taken into consideration when planning to install Solatube 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. Solatubes are a great solution for the dark interiors that can result from windows shaded by awnings and patio covers. The Solatube 160DS 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. 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 Solatube 290DS.

Will a Solatube work with the dome installed on the north side of a roof?
Yes, a Solatube 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. 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, 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!

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Can Solatubes tolerate very heavy rain and strong winds?
Solatube has passed international cyclone and hurricane tests so UK weather conditions are well catered for. The round upstand of the roof flashing and dome allows water and debris to flow past unobstructed. The entire unit is sealed to lock out any moisture ingress.

What happens on a cloudy days?
Solatubes provide good performance even on cloudy days. Our patented LightTracker™ reflector inside the dome along with the Raybender® 3000 lens technology of the dome, and the superb 99.7% reflective Spectralight® Infinity tube all combine to ensure the maximum amount of daylight is transferred into the room below with the minimal light loss.

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