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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
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Solar tube installation costs range from $600 to $1,000 each, making your project more affordable than traditional skylights at $1,000 to $2,800 each.
Solar tubes bring natural light into dark spaces in your home while reducing leak risks with their vacuum-sealed, rounded dome design.
You won't get outdoor views or ventilation with solar tubes since the reflective piping creates distance between your ceiling and the roof opening.
Hiring a local skylight professional keeps your roof installation safe and watertight, handling the opening and sealing work to prevent leaks and damage.
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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
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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.
Roofing services reviews from real Angi homeowners in Columbus, OH
4.3★ avg. • 121 total reviews
- Carla M.
Mitchell and the crew were top tier i am so happy with my new roof
Home Genius Exteriors - Chance R.
D1 Roofing delivers outstanding service from beginning to end, backed by a strong warranty and expert teams. I highly recommend them for their excellence in meeting and surpassing expectations with unmatched communication. Choosing D1 Roofing was flawless decision
Division 1 Roofing LLC - Jeremy P.
This place took $25,000 for a flat roof job with a five-year warranty and never returned to fix the leaks that were caused by their work. These people are not professionals and should not be doing this type of work. They incorrectly changed the pitch of the roof, and caused more damage than...
- David B.
The technician was very professional and friendly. He answered all my questions and was very thorough. He left the fireplace area very clean . He inspected from the roof and advised me as to other work that might need to be done. There was no pressure there. I was very satisfied with the...
Supreme brick & chimney - Kevin S.
I am really impressed with their timeliness and turnaround. Mitchell came out, and we decided to move forward with their pricing. Our roof was on within a week, and we could not be happier with their team! Amazing company, great prices and honest, dependable craftsmanship. I highly recommend...
Window Depot USA of Central Ohio - Rob B.
Manuel Calvillo is the best option in the area for roofing and you won't be disappointed.
- Julie K.
They damaged multiple items on my property, including a marble slab used as a table top, tried to hide it, and refused to pay or replace. Arrived day one without a ladder to access roof & delayed a day. Left a mess in back yard; didn't wear face masks; no show by owner to property to see damages
Grants Tree Service - Marcia L.
I've hired Gary/Cherokee Roofing for two different homes, work quality, responsiveness, and completion have been great both times. And the prices quoted were very competitive. I would definitely hire again.
- Paul F.
Lyle did a great job removing asbestos shingles from our front porch roof. They worked together with our roofer to make sure that the new roof was able to be installed on the same day that Lyle removed the asbestos shingles.
Lyle Environmental - Paul F.
Bradley Builders did a good job replacing the roof on our front porch. They color-matched the existing shingles on the rest of the house and installed a metal ridge roll since we live in a historical neighborhood. They did the job while we were out of town. When we got back, everything was...
Bradley Builders, Inc.
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