Solar Tube vs. Skylight: Which One Should You Choose?

It’s fair to say that just about every homeowner wants a light-filled home. However, some homes lack enough windows to get that coveted bath of natural light, and not all rooms have an exterior wall available for installing a new window. 

In those cases, a skylight or a solar tube is the perfect solution. Whether it’s a bedroom, walk-in closet, bathroom, or kitchen, a skylight or solar tube installed on your roof can bring in that much-needed sunlight. But which is better for your home? Here’s what you need to know before choosing between a skylight or a solar tube.

Solar Tube Vs. Skylight: Key Differences

Solar tubes and skylights both increase your home's natural light through the roof or the highest point in your home. However, their design, cost, and functionality often differ in several ways.

Solar tubes are just what you’d imagine. Topped off with a polycarbonate or acrylic dome, a thin tube runs from an opening in your roof, through the rafters of your ceiling, and into the ceiling of a room. While you won't be able to directly see the sky through a solar tube, sunlight will brighten the room, similar to a standard window.

On the other hand, skylights offer a direct view of the sky without the tube in between. Skylight designs depend on various factors, both in size and function. For example, some skylights are quite small and remain closed, only letting in natural light. Others open similar to awning windows or with a motorized sliding feature. Unlike solar tubes, skylights cost much more and elevate a space with more light and ventilation.

What Are Skylights?

What is a skylight, and how does it differ from a solar tube? A skylight is a window set into the roof of your home rather than in the wall. The glazing is made from either glass or plastic. Fixed skylights do not open, while ventilating skylights open slightly to circulate air or release moisture. Skylights are often square or rectangular and come in a wide range of sizes.

Best For: Dramatic changes for major living spaces

Pros

• They provide a view outside.

• They’re available in a wide range of standard and custom sizes.

• They can be opened to vent out air or moisture.

• Certain treated glass skylights can block out harmful UV rays.

Cons

• Installation requires extensive roof and flashing work as well as interior finishing.

• The large opening and glass barrier are less energy-efficient and allow more heat gain, often requiring skylight shades.

• Their cost can be expensive due to the amount of roofing work required.

• There’s potential for leaks or condensation issues if not properly flashed and maintained.

What Are Solar Tubes?

Solar tubes, also known as sun tunnels, are rigid or flexible metal tubes installed through the roof of your home. A polycarbonate or acrylic dome set on the top catches sunlight and reflects it down the tube to a diffusing lens attached to your ceiling. Solar tubes are available starting at 10 inches in diameter and increasing from there.

Best For: Small spaces that require additional light

Pros

• Installation requires minimal roof, flashing, and interior finishing work.

• It’s the less expensive option when compared to skylights, both for solar tube repairs and replacement costs.

• The dome on top blocks out harmful UV rays.

• They’re relatively energy-efficient, but heat gain is limited because the opening is small.

Cons

• A solar tube does not provide a view outside.

• They can’t be opened to provide ventilation.

• They have the potential for leaks or condensation issues if not properly flashed and maintained.

• Fewer size options are available when compared to skylights.

Solar Tubes vs. Skylights

Skylights or solar tubes are the way to go to add more light to your space, but which one is better for your unique situation? Consider the direct comparison of each option below.

Appearance​: Skylights

Skylights can bring more than just light into your home—the windows add to your home’s style, both from the interior and exterior. You can purchase skylights in a variety of sizes, shapes, and materials to complement the other elements in your home. Some homeowners place two or more skylights side-by-side as an intentional design feature.

Solar tubes are smaller and do not have the same design impact as skylights. From the interior, a solar tube mimics the look of a recessed light fixture in your ceiling, almost disguising its existence.

Price​: Solar Tubes

The cost of solar tubes and skylights will depend on the style and size of the products you choose, but in most cases, skylights will cost more. This is due to the extensive roof, flashing, and interior trim work required to properly install a skylight.

Expect the cost of solar tubes to be anywhere from $600 to $1,000 per tube—an average of $800 per tube with installation included. Skylights will cost between $500 and $3,000 to install, depending on the type of skylight you choose.

Ease of Installation: Solar Tubes

Solar tubes are easier to install than skylights due to their smaller size and the less invasive roof work required. The diffusing lens attached to your ceiling requires a simple opening in your drywall and uses less material overall.

When it comes to creating openings in your roof, it is a job best left to the professionals. Installing either a solar tube or skylight requires proper flashing and waterproofing to avoid water leaks. Hiring a professional skylight installer will ensure your project is installed correctly.

Maintenance​: Solar Tubes

The curved dome on top of a solar tube causes moisture and debris to slide off. Some solar tubes are vacuum-sealed when installed, preventing the infiltration of dust. For these reasons, solar tubes require minimal maintenance.

Skylights require much more maintenance. The trim around the edges of the window allows the accumulation of dirt and debris. Collected dust can impede your view out of the skylight. You will need to get up on your roof and clean your skylight regularly or hire a local roof cleaning company to do so. You're also far more likely to encounter leaks in your skylight than your solar tube due to the extended surface area of the window and frame.

View: Skylights

Installing a skylight is a no-brainer if you want a better view of the environment outside your window. Opt for a large skylight or multiple skylights, and choose a location on your roof that overlooks the best scenery. 

Solar tubes are not intended to provide a view of the outside. If you look up into a solar tube, you will just see diffused sunlight.

Energy Efficiency: Tie

The better choice for energy efficiency between a skylight and a solar tube will ultimately depend on your climate. Skylights are the best option in a cold climate because the large opening allows sunlight to passively heat your home. Solar tubes are a better choice in a warm climate because less sun heat is likely to enter your home, limiting your cooling needs.

Return-on-Investment: Skylights

When installing a new feature in your home, ideally, it will have a return on investment (ROI) or increase the value of your home upon sale. A new skylight can significantly change the look and feel of a room and provide more function—it often yields some ROI for a homebuyer. 

Since solar tubes have a similar impact to a new light fixture, installing one will not make a huge difference to a buyer. There is no significant ROI for a solar tube.

Brionna Farney contributed to this piece.