Residential Skylights vs. Solar Tubes: Which Is Best for Your Home?

When it comes to bringing natural light into your home, many homeowners consider installing a skylight. Installing a window in the roof is a great way to let sunlight pour into a room. However, traditional skylights often have some drawbacks—such as inconsistent lighting, thermal transfer that burdens your HVAC system, limitations on installation, and an unsightly appearance when the skylight starts to weather, crack, and create condensation. An alternative solution gaining popularity is the solar tube, specifically Solatube tubular skylights. These advanced systems offer a superior way to introduce natural light without the pitfalls of traditional skylights. Learn the differences between skylights and solar tubes to determine which is best for your home.

Illumination Methods of Solar Tubes Compared to Traditional Skylights

The primary purpose of both skylights and solar tubes is to allow natural sunlight into your home. Traditional skylights achieve this by creating a direct window from your ceiling to the sky. While this is an effective way to let in light during sunny days, skylights depend on environmental factors. The amount and intensity of light coming in can vary drastically throughout the day or time of year, resulting in harsh glares during peak sun hours and dim lighting when the sun is lower.

On the other hand, Solatube tubular skylights are designed with innovative technology to provide more consistent and controlled lighting. These tubular skylights capture an incredible amount of light utilizing proprietary technology. The dome harnesses and redirects low-angle sunlight during the morning and evening while rejecting overpowering midday sun. The result is balanced, glare-free daylight throughout the day, regardless of time or weather conditions. This also ensures that even during shorter, darker winter days, your home still benefits from bright, natural light—something that traditional skylights struggle to provide consistently.

Moreover, Solatube skylights can be fitted with other features that give even more control over the light. An optional dimmer allows you to adjust the brightness, similar to how you control electric lighting. Solatube daylighting systems can also be equipped with a photovoltaic panel that collects solar energy during the day. This energy is then stored and used to provide soft, diffused lighting at night  —a feature that traditional skylights simply cannot offer.

How Solar Tubes Compare to Traditional Skylights for Energy Efficiency

Traditional skylights can lead to excessive heat gain, especially if installed on the wrong side of a roof (like south-facing in hot climates). They must be installed with proper insulation and energy-efficient coatings to provide any sort of defense against thermal transfer. Otherwise, they let in too much sunlight and heat, increasing cooling costs. The insulation and coatings may also break down over time, allowing the heat in.

Meanwhile, Solatube skylights are highly energy-efficient. They reduce the need for artificial lighting during the day, and with the photovoltaic option, they even provide light at night without consuming electricity. This can lead to significant savings on your energy bills. 

Installation Complexity and Versatility of Different Skylights

One of the biggest concerns for homeowners when choosing between skylights and solar tubes is the complexity of installation. Traditional skylights require cutting large openings into your roof, which can be invasive, expensive, and time-consuming. If not correctly installed, they can also lead to issues like leaks and energy loss.

Solatube tubular skylights offer a far simpler and quicker installation process, often taking as little as two hours to complete. Because they require much smaller openings in the roof, the impact on your home’s structure is minimal, and the risk of leaks or energy loss is significantly reduced.

Traditional skylights are also limited in how far they can spread light. If you need more light in your kitchen but own a two-story home, a traditional skylight is not an option. However, Solatube tubular skylights can transfer light up to 30 feet, meaning they can brighten areas of your home far from the roof. This makes the installation options for Solatube residential skylights much more versatile than standard skylights, which are limited by their direct line of sight.

Aesthetics of Traditional Skylights vs. Solar Tubes

Traditional skylights have a simple design: they let in light, and that’s about it. What’s more, as the skylight ages, they can cause a host of problems for a homeowner. Aging seals and flashing can deteriorate, causing leaks that damage your roof. Poor insulation can also cause condensation to form, obscuring the view out of the skylight. As a skylight becomes more cracked, discolored, and cloudy, it can become a real eyesore.  

With Solatube tubular skylights, you can choose from various decorative fixtures that diffuse light evenly throughout the room. These fixtures are available in different styles and colors, allowing you to customize the look and feel of your daylighting. Whether you prefer round or square openings, modern or traditional designs, Solatube has options to fit any aesthetic. You will never need to worry about condensation or cracks detracting from the overall look of your home.

Solatube Outshines Traditional Skylights

When comparing traditional skylights to solar tubes, specifically Solatube tubular skylights, it’s clear that Solatube offers superior performance, versatility, and energy efficiency. From advanced light-capturing technology to energy efficiency, from 24/7 illumination to versatile installation options, Solatube tubular skylights are designed to provide homeowners with the best natural lighting solution available.

If you’re considering upgrading the natural light in your home, Solatube tubular skylights are an excellent choice. Contact a local Solatube dealer today to learn more and start brightening your home with the power of sunlight.