Difference Between Skylights And Solar Tubes

Skylights are more common than solar tubes.

Difference between skylights and solar tubes.

Both skylights and solar tubes can help you make your home more energy efficient than before. One benefit of a skylight is a direct view of the sky which allows an ample amount of natural light into your home and helps you reduce your reliance on artificial lighting. Solar tubes do not need one and will not lose light through absorption as skylights do what is more standard skylights do not diffuse reflection or use light diffusion. Disadvantages of solar tubes.

Diffusion of light helps spread the light over the entire room opposite only shining down on areas where the sun directly shines through. Traditional skylights cannot produce as much light as tubular skylights because they use a skylight well. Solar tubes only let light in. They let the light in allow you to circulate air and create bright spots in an otherwise dark home.

Solar tubes capture and diffuse the heat whereas skylights will let in direct sunlight. Here are some drawbacks of solar tubes to keep in mind. A solar tube on the other hand takes that natural light and amplifies it. A solar tube kit is less expensive than a skylight install.

Skylights can also be opened and closed for better ventilation reducing your reliance on your hvac unit. The difference is that vast amount of direct sunlight will ultimately result in energy loss. As you can see when deciding between solar tubes vs skylights it comes down to a matter of personal preference. At a fraction of the cost of a skylight a solar tube provides plenty of warm indirect light.

However between the two solar tubes have more energy efficiency as light is captured and diffused into your home as opposed to the direct sunlight offered by skylights. Solar tubes don t use a skylight well and won t lose as much light through absorption like skylights do furthermore traditional skylights don t use light diffusion or diffuse reflection like solar tubes do. No view of the sky. They re a great option if you want to be able to see outside too.

Solar tubes aren t perfect for every situation. Tubes also meet the requirements for energy tax credits. Skylights have always been popular and with good reason. Skylights often require beams or trusses to be negotiated the tube goes around them.

Skylights can be filtered to cut down uv rays but the solar tubes will be more effective since the uv rays are blocked at the solar dome before entering the tube. As you can see skylights and solar tubes bring their fair share of pros and cons for each. The most visible advantage of skylights over solar tubes is the view they can offer. Susceptible to damage in extreme temperatures.

Skylights can only be installed at roof level but solar tubes can go through hidden areas like closets to reach lower levels.