If you think some areas in your property do not have enough natural light, such as a hallway, stairway, or even a bathroom, one convenient (and affordable) solution is to have a sky tunnel or light tunnel installed. Rather than opting for a traditional skylight, which is definitely more expensive (and may not even be logistically suitable to the area you have in mind), a sky or light tunnel is easy to install and fits most properties without any hassle.
But before you go ahead and have your own light tunnel installed, it is always a good idea to know as much as you can about it. This way, you are assured of making the right decision and can benefit from a well-chosen sky tunnel that fits your property in more ways than one.
First of all, what is a sky tunnel?
A sky tunnel (or light tunnel, solar tube, light tube, or sun tunnel, as it is also known) is basically a tube that is usually around 10 inches or 14 inches in diameter, and it is often made from sheet metal combined with an interior which is polished. This interior is designed to be like a mirror which channels intense, bright light through the whole length of the tube. The sky tunnel is specially-designed to capture the daylight on your roof and distribute it to the area in your property which needs more natural light.
The tube is often installed on your roof, and it is protected by a weatherproof globe. The other end of the tube then ends in a diffuser (similar in shape to a porthole) on the ceiling of the area below it. Whatever light the globe collects from the outside is spread by the diffuser inside, resulting in a white, iridescent glow that instantly transforms a space, making it look as if there is a light on inside.
Areas which benefit from a sun tunnel
There are undoubtedly some areas in your property which can benefit from the installation of a sky tunnel. This would be those that do not usually have any windows, such as a hallway, a stairway, a walk-in closet, a bathroom, a laundry room, or even a kitchen. In fact, the only place which may not benefit from a sky tunnel is the area directly above a computer screen or television, as this might cause an uncomfortable, awkward glare.
What you should know about sky tunnels
You have different tube sizes to choose from, with the smallest being 10 inches, which is equivalent to approximately 3 light bulbs, each at a hundred watts. A 10-inch tube can be enough to light up an area of around 19 square metres, whilst a tube measuring 14 inches can be enough to brighten 28 square metres of space.
The good aspect about a sky tunnel is the fact that it is, as mentioned, very easy to install. It does not require a new wall, nor does it require new paint or even modifications or adjustments to your property’s frame.
Choosing a sky tunnel
In choosing a sky tunnel, you can opt for either rigid or flexible tubes. Flexible tubes are often best for domestic use, whilst rigid tubes are usually more suitable for use in warehouses, factories, and other commercial sites. Sky tunnel specialists like www.windowstoreplastics.co.uk can even install a sky tunnel for you in less than two hours – before you know it, you have your own light tunnel which can dramatically improve your interiors and help you decrease your energy bill at the same time.
Image attributed to Serge Bertasius Photography/FreeDigitalPhotos.net
