Do you have a dark hallway, bathroom, kitchen, pantry, garage, walk-in closet, or other confined area that lacks windows and could benefit from natural light? VELUX’s® tubular skylight, the Sun Tunnel®, might be the easiest, most affordable way to add the necessary light while providing style and even value to your home. It is relatively easy to install (two hours) with only basic carpentry skills and tools. The fixture’s lightweight allows it to be mounted on the existing roof and interior ceiling with no additional support.

Some homeowners prefer tubular skylights because they resemble conventional lighting fixtures. In general a tubular skylight is a roof-mounted light collector with a lens set in a metal frame. The reflective sun scoop in the rooftop assembly directs sunlight directly into a tube with a highly reflective interior. The reflective tube guides the sunlight to a diffuser lens mounted on the interior ceiling surface that spreads the light. Tubular skylights are typically mounted on pitched roofs above attic space, but are also suitable for low-slope roofs.

The Sun Tunnel® comes in either flexible or rigid models (both offer 14” and 22” types, a 10” tube is offered only with the rigid model). The flexible model simplifies installation around obstructions from the roof to the ceiling. The flexible model has mirror finish stainless steel rings at the top and the bottom of the tunnel to help transfer sunlight. There is also an optional light kit that comes pre-assembled so that you can have a light source at night (available in the 14” tunnel only).

Although tubular skylights do not offer a view like traditional skylights, they transmit indirect, diffused sunlight that reduces potential UV ray damage to carpets and furniture. They distribute light evenly throughout the room and their small size also minimizes heat loss or heat gain. Tubular skylights create less architectural distress than a skylight or roof window installation.

For more information on Sun Tunnels visit www.veluxusa.com