Why DIY Influencer Kyler Ennis Chose Solatube Modern Skylights for His Own Home
When you’ve spent years managing construction projects and built a social media following of more than half a million people by testing the strength of blue-collar trades, you learn not to be impressed by hype.
That’s part of what has made Kyler Ennis one of the most recognizable DIY creators on social media. The Missouri-based construction superintendent first gained viral attention through his grip-strength testing challenges, in which he used a hand dynamometer to compare the crushing grip strength of electricians, plumbers, welders, carpenters, and other skilled trades. Today, his practical, no-nonsense approach to construction, home improvement, and DIY projects has attracted more than 600K followers across TikTok and Instagram and over 105K subscribers on YouTube.
Beyond social media, Kyler draws on more than a decade of experience as a construction superintendent. So when he decided to install two Solatube tubular skylights in his own living room, he wasn’t looking for a flashy upgrade. He simply wanted more natural light.
The result?
“We’re obsessed.”
The Problem: A Living Room That Needed More Daylight
Like many homeowners, Kyler had a space that never seemed to get quite enough natural light.
Even rooms with windows can feel dark depending on their orientation, surrounding structures, or the layout of the home. For homeowners, that often means relying on electric lighting throughout the day, even when the sun is shining outside.
Rather than pursuing a major renovation or installing traditional skylights, Kyler opted for two energy-efficient Solatube tubular skylights.
Designed to capture daylight at the roof and channel it through highly reflective tubing into the room below, the modern skylights deliver natural light to spaces where traditional skylights may not be practical.
But as any DIYer knows, the real test isn’t how a product looks in a brochure. It’s how it performs in an actual home.
Putting Solatube to the Test
As expected, Kyler documented the entire installation process for his followers across social media.
The project involved locating the ideal placement points, cutting through the ceiling and roof, installing the flashing and rooftop dome, assembling the reflective tubing, and connecting the system through the attic.
Throughout the installation, he highlighted features that stood out from a builder’s perspective, including the adjustability of the tubing, which allows installers to accommodate varying roof and ceiling configurations.
One detail he appreciated was how the reflective tubing sections fit together, helping maximize daylight transfer from the roof to the room below.
Despite making what he jokingly described as multiple trips into the attic, the project came together smoothly. When it came time to connect the tubing through the attic and roof, Kyler summed up the experience with a phrase familiar to many DIY enthusiasts:
“Easy peasy. Dunzo.”
And for someone who manages construction projects for a living, that’s a strong endorsement.
The Moment Everything Changed
Every home improvement project has a moment of truth. For Kyler, it came after both Solatube tubular skylights were installed, and he stepped back to look at the finished space.
The difference was immediate.
While sharing the results with his followers, Kyler pointed out that the room was illuminated entirely by daylight.
“It’s all natural light in here. There’s not a single light in the house on.”
The two skylights transformed the feel of the living room, filling the space with daylight and reducing the need for electric lighting during the day.
“They bring in a ton of natural light.”
It’s a simple observation, but one many homeowners can appreciate. Natural light has a way of making spaces feel larger, brighter, and more inviting, whether it’s a living room, kitchen, hallway or home office.
A Feature He Didn’t Expect to Love
While the daylighting performance impressed him, another feature quickly became a favorite. Both tubular skylights also featured integrated light kits, allowing the fixtures to provide electric lighting after sunset.
Many homeowners assume that Solatube daylighting systems serve a purpose only during the day. The integrated light kit changes that by allowing the same fixture to function as a ceiling light at night.
“What’s awesome is that there’s also light kits in there,” Kyler explained. “So at nighttime we can still turn the lights on.”
That means one fixture can serve two purposes: bringing natural daylight into the home during the day and providing electric lighting after dark. The integrated design also helps reduce ceiling clutter by eliminating the need for a separate daylighting solution and light fixture in the same space, creating a cleaner, more streamlined look.
The result is a practical solution that delivers natural daylight when the sun is shining and reliable illumination after dark.
Why Homeowners Choose Tubular Skylights
Traditional skylights can be a great option in some applications, but they aren’t always practical for every home or every room.
Tubular skylights offer a different approach by using highly reflective tubing to transport daylight from the roof into interior spaces. Because the tubing can navigate attic spaces and structural obstacles, homeowners often have more flexibility in where natural light can be added.
Living Rooms
Kitchens
Entryways
Hallways
Bathrooms
Laundry Rooms
Closets
Home Offices
For homeowners looking to brighten dark spaces without major remodeling, tubular skylights can provide a practical solution.
For homeowners looking to brighten dark spaces without major remodeling, tubular skylights can provide a practical solution.
The Ultimate DIY Review
The best product reviews don’t always come with a star rating. Sometimes, they come in the form of a simple question.
After completing the installation and experiencing the results firsthand, Kyler wasn’t wondering whether the project had been worth the effort. Instead, he was already thinking about where he could add more daylight to his home.
“The only question is, where else am I going to put these in my house? Because we’re obsessed.”
For a DIY creator, construction professional, and someone who evaluates building products every day, that’s about as authentic an endorsement as you can get.
Ready to brighten your home with natural daylight?
Whether you’re tackling your next DIY project or simply looking for a smarter way to illuminate your living spaces, visit Solatube.com to explore daylighting solutions, find inspiration from real homeowner installations, and connect with a certified installer near you.