Lighting is one of the most important features of any room. How a room is lit determines what the overall mood of that room will be. Cozy and warm, clean and bright or dark and intimate, light is often the determining factor. One of the best ways to create an inviting space is to maximize the natural lighting that is used illuminate it. One great way of accomplishing this is through the use of solar tube skylights. Solar tubes are a type of skylight that encourages natural light to flow into a space, illuminating the space without the need to use light bulbs during daylight hours.
The basic premise of a skylight is fairly simple - replace a portion of regular, opaque roof with a clear section, which will allow natural light to flow into the room. The problem with traditional skylights is that they can leak, and the light shines down directly through the clear panel into only the room immediately below it, in that one spot. A solar tube skylight is a much smaller, dome shaped skylight, which connects to a tube that is constructed of a reflective material. The light is reflected all of the way down through the tube, and then diffused into the room where the tube ends. This may be a room on the first floor of the structure or could, potentially even extend through to a lower level.
Traditional skylights can cause fading of carpets and furniture that are directly below them, as the sun's rays slowly leach the color out of them. A solar tube skylight will not cause fading, as the harmful UVB and UVC radiation of the sun is effectively blocked. Also, because the light is refracted and reflected, it serves as an indirect light source, rather than a single ray of light. Incorporating solar tubes into a home can help to significantly reduce energy usage and costs in any space, as the need to use traditional, electric light bulbs is reduced during daytime hours.
If you are looking for a smart, cost effective means of providing natural light to your space, whether it is commercial or residential, then a solar tube skylight may be just the answer to your problems. Affordable, attractive and effective, solar tubes are remarkably easy to install and very aesthetically appealing. Providing soft, natural lighting to any space is a great way to provide healthful illumination while saving energy costs.
