Why ‘Solatube Daylighting System’ is the most advanced ‘Skylight’?
Skylights have been around in various styles for many years now and most of us have experienced a skylight at some stage during our life, whether it was a traditional square skylight, a tubular skylight or a plain old roof window.
Whilst all of these varieties have been created with one purpose, to bring natural light into our homes, very often there are an array of issues that are associated with these products.
Solatube has proudly been a world leader in skylight manufactoring for over 20 years (In fact we won the 1994 Design Awards for developing the worlds first tubular skylight) and a few years ago we set out to create a natural lighting solution that would change the way we think about daylighting.
Now, using advanced optical technologies and a deep scientific understanding of the benefits of natural lighting, Solatube introduces the worlds first Tubular Daylighting Systems, designed specifically to overcome ALL of the issues previously connected with Skylights of all types.
Heat Gain
Traditionally because skylights filter sunlight into our homes there is an additional heat load placed on that room and generally the bigger the skylight or roof window the more heat is transferred. This not only makes your room more uncomfortable but also increases the need for air conditioning & other cooling measures. Especially during the warmer summer months when the sun is at its hottest.
WERS (The Australian Windows Energy Rating Scheme) & the NFRC (National Fenestration Rating Council) use a measurement called Solar Heat Gain Coefficient or SHGC for short, to judge a window or skylight products energy performance in terms of the amount of heat transferred into a room.
Unfortunately Skylights in Australia are not required to undergo the necessary testing to assess their SHGC performance. This means that as a consumer, it makes it difficult to compare Australian Skylight products effectiveness against heat gain.
Solatube Daylighting Systems
Our Daylighting Systems incorporate a wide variety of technological advances, including advanced optical technology in the dome, a patented protective coating on the tubing & a duel lens system in the diffuser, to name a few. We are proud of these completely unique system features and have had both of our 160DS & 290DS daylighting systems tested by the NFRC.
Our results of 0.33 where so impressive, both our 160DS & 290DS Daylighting Systems were awarded the prestigious Energy Star label in the USA.
Be aware some manufacturers will provide SHGC figures as some of the components they use have been tested individually. But these results would not be true for the system as a whole once it is installed. Be sure to check that any SHGC figures provided are for the ‘complete system’ installed, as ours is, rather than just a few of the components used.
Colour Rendition
Skylights often don’t transmit ‘natural light’ they can look a bit ‘off colour’
Often, because of the quality of the dome, the tubing or even the diffuser, elements of the colour spectrum contained in natural light get lost in the transmission of the sunlight from the roof into your room. This causes the light to look yellowish, greyish or simply ‘off colour’. This discolouration means items in your home won’t look as intended. Coloured furniture and walls will look dull and lack the impact they once made.
Solatube Daylighting Systems
The optical technology used in the dome and the reflective quality of our tubing means that our Daylighting Systems transmit100% Colour Rendition, (with a 100% UV filter) into your home. This means you’ll get exactly the same light inside, as you see outside, which can truly transform the room. You can enjoy the colours in your home as they were always intended; bold, beautiful & natural. In fact our systems provide such quality results that they are the natural lighting product of choice for Architects and designers the world over.
Light Output
You can’t always control the light output with a Skylight
Ever considered having a skylight installed but then realised you had no way to turn it off? Many people also find it frustrating that skylights can produce too much light during the mid-day sun when they need the light levels less.
Solatube Daylighting Systems
- Our Daylighting systems have been built with a variety of options available to you, the homeowner in order to provide exactly the control you need.
- Our electric daylight dimmer, allows you to dim daylight from 100% down to just 2%, providing you with exactly the amount of light you want, no matter what time of day it is.
- Our Glass Distractions, Decorative Fixtures range, allow you to choose the ceiling fixture and lighting effect you want depending on the ambiance or look you want to achieve in each room. Glass Decorative Fixtures also enhance the light output into the room, ensuring you get the purest of daylight into your room.
- Our systems provide tested & measurable lighting outcomes. Which means we can provide a professional lighting design using daylighting solutions providing a consistent light output, regardless of the time of day or the weather outside, if that is required.
