I have some spaces that I would like to get some natural lighting into, namely the walk-in closet and master bathroom. Both will have some glass block gaining some light from other rooms with windows so I'm not worried about heat loss there as well the walls are 12' high so privacy isn't an issue either. I was thinking about a couple of light tubes but I was wondering if I will lose a lot of heat through these? Any suggestions of brands as well? Thanks, Sean

Hey Sean.  I looked at Solatubes but in the end regular windows will provide all the daylighting we'll need in our current plan.  I wasn't keen about the heat loss and additional infiltration point that that ceiling hole would cause, compared to no hole with full cellulose insulation above it.   That said, a solar tube seems a better idea than a skylight (window) if you need ceiling daylighting.

SolaTube is the original product that was invented by a contractor from 'down under'. He brought his concept to the US and called it a "solar Tube" but with his accent it was always heard as Sola Tube!

There are several other manufacturers of tubular skylights. I still prefer the SolaTube brand. I used to be a dealer for this product.

As far as heat loss associated with  a tubular skylight, you will have much less heat loss (or heat gain) than with a traditional skylight. The SolaTube is designed to have an airtight seal at the ceiling as well as the roof dome. The entire length of the tube is filled with dead air space (which helps with minimizing heat transfer).

As you know, a traditional skylight well is a heat trap; a large skylight will store lots of heated air ;heat loss thru a typical dual pane glass is quite a bit also.

There is quite a bit of natural light added to a normally dark room. and you can have sunlight in a north facing room.

Thats about all I can add!

Mark

Good points Mark.  I definitely agree that solar tube is a better idea than a standard skylight. Is it a big deal to add a Solatube to an existing tar-shingle roof through a cellulose-insulated attic?  My guess is that this isn't a very challenging retrofit.  If so, it probably makes sense to build without, see what the light in each room is like through-out the year, then add solatubes as needed.   What sort of proportion of new homes vs. retrofits did you sell the Solatube for? 

Easy install; retro-fit or new construction. We usually did the install AFTER drywall since the ceiling has to be in place for the diffuser to mount to.

In case somebody here has never seen one, a 10" diameter skylight looks similar to a recessed light. The light ouput of a 10 inch solatube is similar to a two foot traditional skuylight, sometimes more. The most light possible is with the tube sloped in the attic towards the south. The shorter the tube, the more available light. We have done several two story tubes, but always caution the owner about the lesser light oputput.

Mark