6 Myths About Skylights Debunked

There are plenty of horror stories out there. You may have heard one or two, if not from friends and family members, then perhaps from a stranger you met at the hardware store. Although owners have been adding skylights to their homes for nearly 50 years now, many are still wary of their performance and potential benefits. It’s undoubtedly true that the earliest skylights suffered from design flaws and poor installation. But over the course of decades, like so many other technologies, skylights have advanced by leaps and bounds.

Today, we break down the top six myths about skylights…

 

Myth #1: It is only a matter of time before a skylight begins to leak.

Cutting corners rarely leads to a lasting result. Whether due to inferior materials or shoddy installation, there’s no doubt that some conventional skylights have caused extensive, expensive water damage over the years.

Luckily, with innovative daylighting systems like Solatube Tubular Skylights, there is no need to worry. Solatube tubular skylight flashings are ingenious little devils–engineered to work with all roof types, their seamless, one-piece steel construction eliminates the possibility of leaks. Plus, their circular design allows rain and debris to bypass the rooftop dome, making them virtually maintenance-free.

Your Solatube Tubular Skylight = No Rainy Day Worries.

 

Myth #2: Skylights admit an overwhelming amount of sunlight.

In the past, homeowners often complained that skylights were perhaps too much of a good thing. That was largely because furniture-fading UV rays would piggy-back alongside the desired natural light. To combat UV rays, Solatube Tubular Skylights employ patented technology safeguards to ensure brilliant natural light deep into the home without heat or the damaging effects of UV radiation.

 

Myth #3: Installing a skylight is a major undertaking.

As with many home renovations, the skylight installation process might stretch over multiple days for certain daylighting brands. With Solatube, installation takes only a couple of hours. That is because Solatube Tubular Skylights require no changes on framing, and there are no major ceiling or wall repairs required inside. Rather than contend with rafters and joists, Solatube devices cleverly fit between such components, with their patented fastening system, adjustable-length tubes and angle adapters. Doing this makes for a fast and painless remodeling project, and Solatube Premier Dealers are factory-trained in installation.

 

Myth #4: Skylights compromise energy efficiency.

While some traditional skylights were plagued by flaws that allowed heat gain in summer and heat loss in winter, Solatube sidesteps those issues with products engineered for optimal thermal performance.

Select Solatube systems are even rated by Energy Star for their ability to deliver daylight without upsetting the temperature of the home. With Solatube, homeowners can actually achieve lower bills by cutting the cost of daytime lighting altogether. And those savings add up!

 

 

Myth #6: You can’t turn off a skylight.

Floods of natural light are generally welcome in the home, but what if someone wants to take a nap or watch television during the day? Thanks to the Solatube Solar-Powered Daylight Dimmer system, homeowners can now adjust the natural lighting throughout their living spaces with just the touch of a button. Utilizing a patented butterfly baffle design and a convenient wall-mounted switch, the Solatube Daylight Dimmer allows the user to adjust light levels simply and easily anywhere between 100% and 2% daylight. Owners are left with an energy-efficient daylighting systems that allows for natural illumination where and when they want it.

 

Myth #7: Skylights only provide illumination during the day.

Unlike other skylights, Solatube tubular skylights do not go dark when the sun goes down. The Solatube ISn with Integrated Solar Electric NightLight system lets you bring the beauty of natural light into your home during the day while the system collects and stores the sun’s energy to power a nightlight that automatically turns on when it gets dark. The soft glow, which mimics moonlight, means you won’t have to turn on the lights for late night trips to the bathroom or to navigate hallways and stairs. Additionally, homeowners can equip their systems with light add-on kits. The optional light kit provides supplementary electric lighting at night and prevents unnecessary clutter on your ceiling because it goes inside your Solatube tubular skylight.

 

Ready to join the daylighting revolution? Take the first step towards a brighter home by visiting Solatube.com or by calling 888.SOLATUBE to schedule a free virtual or in-home consultation with your local Solatube Premier Dealer.

 

This article is sponsored on behalf of Solatube International, Inc. Its facts and opinions are those of BobVila.com