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Pros and Cons of Solar Tube Lighting for Your Home
Let’s shine some light on this unique natural lighting option
Photo: Lost_in_the_Midwest / Adobe Stock
Photo: Lost_in_the_Midwest / Adobe Stock
Highlights
Solar tube lights cost $600 to $1,000 each, compared to $1,000 to $2,800 for a skylight.
The vacuum-sealed dome makes solar tube lights less susceptible to leaks.
Solar tube lights don’t open or offer outside views.
Solar tubes last 10 to 20 years.
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What if you could walk into your hallway, closet, or bathroom and be drenched in natural light—all without the complexity and cost of installing a big skylight? A solar tube is an alternative to a skylight that offers many benefits, like easier installation, lower costs, and a minimized risk of leaks. But there are some downsides to this project. Before you get started, consider these pros and cons of solar tube lighting.
What Is Solar Tube Lighting?
Solar tube lighting is a roof opening covered by a clear, acrylic dome that connects to reflective piping to direct natural sunlight into dimly lit spaces around your home. Solar tube lighting directs free, natural light into dark spaces with a much less expensive and easier installation process than you’d get with a traditional skylight. The drawback is that you get the light but not the views or fresh air you’d get from a window or vented skylight.
| Pros of Solar Tube Lighting | Cons of Solar Tube Lighting |
|---|---|
| Source of natural light | No outdoor views |
| Lower installation costs | Don’t open for ventilation |
| Low risk of leaks | No shades |
Pros of Solar Tube Lighting
Looking for new ways to brighten up your home? Solar tube lighting should be on your list of potential solutions since it offers many benefits.
Natural Light
The biggest benefit of solar tube lighting is that it adds a free light source to dark spaces around your home. These lights work even in smaller areas, and the tubing can be installed around wiring or structural elements.
Lower Costs
The cost to install a solar tube is $600 to $1,000 each. By comparison, installing a skylight costs $1,000 to $2,800 each. This makes it more affordable to install one or multiple solar tubes around your home if you’re looking to add some natural light.
Low Leak Risk
Skylights are infamous for leaking over time, but solar tube lights offer better resistance to leaks. Solar tubes are vacuum-sealed and have a rounded dome, which allows water and debris to easily shed off rather than running into crevices and weakening the seal over time.
Cons of Solar Tube Lighting
Photo: markobe / Adobe Stock
Solar tube lighting offers several benefits, like lower cost, easier installation, and design flexibility for tight spaces, but this option isn’t perfect. Factor in these drawbacks before deciding what type of natural light source is best for your home.
No Outdoor Views
One major benefit that skylights have over solar tubes is the views. Solar tubes are small, and the piping can span several feet long, creating a great distance between the ceiling of the room and the dome-covered opening on the roof. If seeing bright blue skies, rain hitting the roof, or stars in the night sky is important to you, you may want to opt for a skylight instead.
No Ventilation
Windows and some skylights can open to let in fresh air, but if you opt for solar tube lighting, you’ll miss out on that benefit. These tubes are sealed, so you’re not able to open them up to let in a breeze.
No Shades or Coverings
When too much sun is pouring in a window, it’s easy to shut the blinds or close the curtains. With a solar tube, there’s no way to cover up the light coming in if it gets too intense. As such, solar tubes are best for areas like hallways or bathrooms rather than bedrooms or living rooms.
Alternatives to Solar Tube Lighting
Solar tube lighting is just one of many ways to bring more light into your home, whether naturally or artificially. If you’re looking for a lighting source that brings the outdoors in (or mimics natural light), these options may be right for you.
| Lighting Type | Description | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Solar tube lighting | Acrylic dome in roof and reflective tube that directs light inside | Smaller spaces; better insulation |
| Skylight | Window, either fixed or vented, placed on a roof | Expansive sky views |
| Artificial (LED) skylight | Windowless spaces or lower-budget projects |
Is Solar Tube Lighting Right for You?
For natural lighting that’s adaptable, works in tight spaces, and comes with lower installation costs, a solar tube is a great option. However, if you want to add more natural light that you can control with shades or outdoor views and ventilation, a vented skylight is a better option.
No matter what option you choose, it’s important to leave the installation to a skylight pro near you. Installing a solar tube or skylight involves creating an opening in the roof, and if you make a mistake, the opening could lead to leaks and expensive water damage in your home.
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