Light pipes, sun pipes, sun tubes and solar tubes in the south west
 Call us now on 01460 61824 or 07989 976 010

Installation

Follow the steps below to determine what length of system you require.  Pitched (tile or slate) and flat roofs pose no problem.

You can install it yourself or we provide a full fitting and installation service starting from around £295, subject to complexity and size of job. Just contact us for more details.

  • Sizes available to suit all rooms and applications
  • Can be installed in 3-4 hours
  • No structural alterations required, easily fits between joists and rafters
  • No maintenance required and will not leak

 

Where will it fit?

The dome, tube and diffuser should be fitted between existing joists and is designed to fit easily on roofs from flat to almost any pitch (the steepness of the roof angle). 

Ideally, the diffuser should be installed directly under the dome, running in a straight line for optimum light transmission.  However, this is frequently not possible due to obstructions and roof configuration.  This can be overcome by simply twisting the unique adjustable angle adaptors. 

 

 

Straight installation

Offset installation achieved using the Solatube adjustable angle adaptors

In extreme cases a 90* bend can be fitted.

 

What you need to know

A Solatube can be fitted in most situations, but you’ll need to know a few simple things first to place your order.  If you are unsure, just contact us and we’ll talk you through it.

 

1. Measure the gap between your ceiling joists or rafters


This will tell you which size Solatube you can fit - the 290DS (which is a 350mm or 14" dia. tube) or the 160DS (which is a 250mm or 10" dia tube). 

But remember that the 290DS delivers almost twice as much light as the 160DS, even thought the tube is only a little bigger, yet the cost difference is not that great.

 Joist/rafter gap

 Product selection

 375 - 550mm

Solatube 290DS

 275 - 375mm

Solatube 160DS but consider installing more than 1 unit to provide optimum brightness

Less than 275mm

You may need to ask your builder to cut and re-brace your joists and rafters to accept a Solatube - quite a simple job

More than 550mm

Solatube SolaMaster21, often used in commercial applications

In a domestic situation, always aim to fit a Solatube 290DS as it provides more light.  If you only have space for a 160DS, consider fitting 2 or more of them, particularly along a corridor.


 

2. Now measure the height between your ceiling and roof


Do this at the points where the Solatube will be fitted, as per the picture.  You can now calculate how many extension tubes you'll need. 

Extension tubes needed

 Height up to   

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7 

0.40m | 1'4"   

0.96m | 3'2"  

1.52m | 5'0"

2.08m | 6'10"  

2.64m | 8'8"

3.20m | 10'6"

3.76m | 12'4"

4.32m | 14'2"

           

  

3.  What type of roof tiles or slates do you have

This will determine the correct roof flashing to be included with your delivery. 

The range of flashings cover virtually all UK pitched and flat roof types and are fabricated to ensure leak proof performance and easy installation. Pitched roof flashings provide an optimal angle to maximise daylight capture. No environmentally unfriendly lead is required to fit Solatube flashings.

fI you need any advice regarding a suitable flashing for your roof type please do contact us. Below are some examples of our most widely-used flashings; we are also able to supply flashings for more unusual roof types such as thatch, standing seam and land homes, and can advise on flashings for homes in conservation areas.

Solatube slate/plain tile flashing - suitable for Rosemary-type flat, plain tiles, and slate or slate composite tiles.

 

 

Solatube universal tile flashing -       for a wide range of profiled and flat interlocking roof tiles such as Pantile, Marley Anglia Plus, Marley Mendip, and Redland Grovebury.

 

 

Solatube flat roof flashing -               for flat roofs, including felt, hot rolled, fibreglass, and concrete.

 


 

Thinking of installing a flexible tube system?

Some people are tempted to buy flexible tube systems because they believe they are easier to install than rigid tube systems such as Solatube, and they may be cheaper. As with most purchases you get what you pay for; flexible tube systems tend to have lower quality components and materials.

Furthermore, to achieve any chance of being able to transmit a reasonable amount of light, the flexible tube has to be pulled tight and this can be very difficult to achieve. A floppy tube is simply never going to work effectively - and even when the tube is stretched as tight as possible, it will never match the performance of a rigid tube system. So, as well as getting vastly more light for your money, Solatube Daylight Systems are easier to install with click-fit and snap-on components and no tube stretching needed!  



Advice on positioning

  • Solatube performs best in dark areas of your home that have no source of natural light or receive only minimal daylight.

  • To avoid the clutter of multiple ceiling fixtures, Solatube may be fitted with an integral electric light kit thus providing day and night-time lighting in one neat system. For bathrooms, a ventilation kit may also be combined (only with the Solatube 160DS) to provide a multi-functional 3 in 1 system.
  • For optimum performance keep the tube length and number of angles to a minimum
  • For optimal light distribution in long narrow rooms or corridors, multiple Solatubes may provide more uniform light output than one larger central unit.