Thu, 07 May 2026 22:29:23 +0100 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/ Lussumo Vanilla 1.0.3 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=387&Focus=3981#Comment_3981 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=387&Focus=3981#Comment_3981 Mon, 18 Jun 2007 14:06:07 +0100 Mike (Up North) Can anyone recomend any sun pipes / tubes. I've lots of info and brochures, seen them at shows etc, but very short on practical experience - ie nil. This would be for a flat roof application with a drop down of about 2.5 m

Any key points to look out for?
Any recomendations
Any types/manufacturers to avoid?

Cheers for any info
Mike (up north)]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=387&Focus=3982#Comment_3982 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=387&Focus=3982#Comment_3982 Mon, 18 Jun 2007 14:12:41 +0100 Nick Parsons
Ours is a Solatube.

Have fun with yours.

Nick]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=387&Focus=3983#Comment_3983 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=387&Focus=3983#Comment_3983 Mon, 18 Jun 2007 18:20:31 +0100 tony https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=387&Focus=3984#Comment_3984 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=387&Focus=3984#Comment_3984 Mon, 18 Jun 2007 20:14:39 +0100 Nick Parsons I base my liking for them on the assumption that you are 'ducting light in' so a space which cannot be served by a window or a roof light. Our upper one serves an internal WC. It kinks up through the attic roof space and out the rear roof. It would have been well nigh impossible to 'borrow' any light from a roof-light. Of course I agree, if you can fit a window, fit a window, but where you can't, they're good.]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=387&Focus=3987#Comment_3987 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=387&Focus=3987#Comment_3987 Mon, 18 Jun 2007 22:34:37 +0100 tony https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=387&Focus=3988#Comment_3988 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=387&Focus=3988#Comment_3988 Mon, 18 Jun 2007 22:58:15 +0100 Mike George https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=387&Focus=3990#Comment_3990 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=387&Focus=3990#Comment_3990 Tue, 19 Jun 2007 08:19:32 +0100 Solar bore
If the sums work out for a producer of electricity then it must be worth it for consumers.

I presume I saw it in Green Futures]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=387&Focus=3991#Comment_3991 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=387&Focus=3991#Comment_3991 Tue, 19 Jun 2007 09:02:11 +0100 nigel Sunpipe quote values between 1.6 and 2 as compared to 0.2 for a good roof.

Also they are a potential source of air leakage as they will penetrate the air leakage membrane.]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=387&Focus=3992#Comment_3992 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=387&Focus=3992#Comment_3992 Tue, 19 Jun 2007 09:22:39 +0100 Nick Parsons
Yeeeaaarrrs, I'm sure, but it's a bit of a 'lifestyle choice' too. I like natural light whenever I can get it. I'd be prepared to pay for that.

Nigel's right about the u value, but it's no worse than a bldg regs-compliant window and, as above, you've got natural light. Not sure re the air leakage issue. Any 'sun pipe' manuf's reading this?]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=387&Focus=3995#Comment_3995 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=387&Focus=3995#Comment_3995 Tue, 19 Jun 2007 10:43:38 +0100 Mike (Up North)
Yes its to duct light down through an upper story (approx 2.5m drop) to illuminate a dark room area and of course natural light is best. If its just a case of the money i'd have left the light on.
So far only SolaTube gets anyones vote. Any others??

Cheers

Mike (up north)]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=387&Focus=4001#Comment_4001 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=387&Focus=4001#Comment_4001 Tue, 19 Jun 2007 17:02:46 +0100 Nick Parsons
Nick]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=387&Focus=4002#Comment_4002 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=387&Focus=4002#Comment_4002 Tue, 19 Jun 2007 17:14:29 +0100 Mike George
Personally. I would use one if the daylighting issue was that immportant. I hear velux make a good one]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=387&Focus=4004#Comment_4004 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=387&Focus=4004#Comment_4004 Tue, 19 Jun 2007 19:56:52 +0100 Terry We are opting for the solatube as well. Seems to perform the best and the company comes across as very helpful.
Presumably goes without saying to avoid the concertina type tubes?
The tubes are expensive and even more so when you are extending down to a lower floor, but as Nick says, a bit of daylight is worth paying for - especially as in our case we have no other means of geting natural light into the room.
HTH]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=387&Focus=4027#Comment_4027 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=387&Focus=4027#Comment_4027 Wed, 20 Jun 2007 16:35:26 +0100 Rachel https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=387&Focus=4030#Comment_4030 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=387&Focus=4030#Comment_4030 Wed, 20 Jun 2007 19:57:53 +0100 Terry I have heard from people who have installed various types and one consistent comment is that they provide less light than expected. Whether that was due to unrealistic expectations of the buyers or over enthusiastic marketing I dont know. Either way we will probably fit a bigger size than recommended by the suppliers.
I know a few people who have fitted the concertina types and they perform very poorly compared to the rigid systems, but that stands to reason.]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=387&Focus=4048#Comment_4048 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=387&Focus=4048#Comment_4048 Thu, 21 Jun 2007 16:15:53 +0100 arthur Good for offices perhaps though.]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=387&Focus=4092#Comment_4092 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=387&Focus=4092#Comment_4092 Fri, 22 Jun 2007 14:59:26 +0100 Mike (Up North)
I have about 3m drop, perhaps a bit less, so based on that I'll have to increase to the 350mm unit. I have to get light down to an internal room about 8 by 8 foot that is off of another room. The existing window will become internal when some bulding work is complete so I really do need some light otherwise folk will switch the light on always. I doubt there will be enought light to read by, but i'm trying to avoid a dark hole.

Sloartube seem to be veryone recomended one.

Cheers]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=387&Focus=4093#Comment_4093 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=387&Focus=4093#Comment_4093 Fri, 22 Jun 2007 15:06:33 +0100 tony https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=387&Focus=4098#Comment_4098 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=387&Focus=4098#Comment_4098 Fri, 22 Jun 2007 20:36:40 +0100 Rachel https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=387&Focus=4120#Comment_4120 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=387&Focus=4120#Comment_4120 Sun, 24 Jun 2007 17:56:09 +0100 Mike (Up North) A proper window would be nice except that it would only illuminate the room below not the room on the floor below ie the ground floor, I'd need to put a window in the floor as well. Looks like 3m is going to be much too long for a tube. It would have run vertically down from a flat roof (even worse I think) in an enclosed cupboard to the room below. I’d hoped 350mm diameter would do it.

Any other suggestions?

Cheers]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=387&Focus=4133#Comment_4133 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=387&Focus=4133#Comment_4133 Sun, 24 Jun 2007 21:36:02 +0100 Terry We have two rooms on the ground floor with no access to an outside window. In one we have managed to get in an angled light well, but the second room has no such option. We are therefore going to go ahead with the 350 solatube on the basis that it is the best of a bad lot. It will only go in in a few months so will be a while before we can report back on it.
Only other idea is to have internal windows, but our room is the main bath/toilet so that has been vetoed.]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=387&Focus=4191#Comment_4191 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=387&Focus=4191#Comment_4191 Tue, 26 Jun 2007 20:39:01 +0100 Peter A Recently been thinking about using them for light at night! Was thinking along the lines of a halo of solar garden lights around one that would provide light until midnightish, do you reckon it would work?
The best ideas always come after a glass or two of vino! That of a load of gibberish.]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=387&Focus=4225#Comment_4225 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=387&Focus=4225#Comment_4225 Thu, 28 Jun 2007 11:44:29 +0100 paul johannsen I have seen the light transmitting concrete (works very well), the top reflecting brise solaire light shelf (works very well), the north light, the skylight and the sunpipes all very good liked the old fresnel lens too but we still don't see the true value of light holistically other than liking south.
Highly reflective cheap foils (like the ones sunpipe line their light tubes with and can easily be made or adpated and light transmitting fibres are now available.
At least we paint the walls light or white.

oh yes you have got to keep the tops clean which warrants another sustainable product related entry for the CDM risk assessment.
regards]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=387&Focus=7951#Comment_7951 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=387&Focus=7951#Comment_7951 Mon, 15 Oct 2007 10:33:09 +0100 Leslie4
Any helpful comments?]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=387&Focus=7965#Comment_7965 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=387&Focus=7965#Comment_7965 Mon, 15 Oct 2007 17:26:23 +0100 tony https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=387&Focus=7986#Comment_7986 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=387&Focus=7986#Comment_7986 Mon, 15 Oct 2007 22:03:54 +0100 James Norton
IMHO Natural light is worth paying for, houses are not necessarily just 'machines for living',

....but..... (that was a big 'but' by the way, not to be confused with a 'big butt', which is entirely different)... does the light from Sun-tubes actually feel like natural light...?

J]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=387&Focus=7987#Comment_7987 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=387&Focus=7987#Comment_7987 Mon, 15 Oct 2007 22:07:06 +0100 Nick Parsons

Nick]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=387&Focus=7992#Comment_7992 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=387&Focus=7992#Comment_7992 Mon, 15 Oct 2007 22:54:47 +0100 tony https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=387&Focus=8022#Comment_8022 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=387&Focus=8022#Comment_8022 Tue, 16 Oct 2007 17:35:26 +0100 Olly
It is above the "double" landing which is about 4x4m and has only one small window which is set back in an alcove. Therefore it was the easiest and cheapest way of getting more natural light in and it does produce a decent amount of light.

One added bonus which we hadn't really thought about was that it's also very good at night if the moon is out as it allows you to find your way to the bathroom, as originally the options were either blinding yourself with the main 100w bulb or walking in the pitch black and risking falling down the stairs.

The only downside is that it has replaced the main light and the Sunpipe has a built in 50w halogen lamp which is mounted within the tube and shines through the diffuser, this provides significantly less light than the 100w bog standard incandescent bulb that was there originally and also seems to refract the light unevenly and gives some slightly odd rainbow effects. I chatted to a guy from Monodraught the other week and it sounds like they're working on some low energy CFL/LED alternatives.]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=387&Focus=11281#Comment_11281 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=387&Focus=11281#Comment_11281 Thu, 20 Dec 2007 12:55:30 +0000 RMU There are several manufacturers of sun pipe systems: Monodraught is probably the key player in this country, then you have Sola Skylights, Sola Tube, and Velux. Monodraught and Sola Tube produce rigid systems, Sola Skylights produce Rigid and Flexible systems, Velux used to produce just Flexible but have just bought out Monodraught so there is likely to be a merging of products in the not too distant future.

The first point to make is that these things do work. The key to a bright room is making sure you get the right size unit. Install one that's too small and all you have is a glowing circle of light.

There are differences in the systems, no two ways about it. The rigid systems do carry more light due to the level of reflectivity achieved inside the tube. However, they do cost more. A fair comment might be that more light = more expensive, true. But you'll really only see such a benefit in quite a large room. A standard room, let's say 15ft x 15ft, would benefit from a 500mm rigid system or a 550mm Flexible system with a 3mtr. distance from roof to ceiling. The difference in cost is worth looking at: the Rigid system (based on Monodraught's web site) is going to cost around £700.00 as the standard kit requires the purchase of additional sections of pipe to cover 3 metres. The Flexible system (based on Sola Skylight's web site) is £345.00 and comes with 3 metres of flexible tube as standard. Not only that, the Flexible system is much easier to fit. A good installer will do it in less than 2 hours, a DIYer could do it in 4. The rigid system is a lot more fiddly, requiring rivets, more measuring etc. Not really a DIY job.

Now, if you go to http://www.solaskylights.com/light_calculation.html, you can see the results of a study carried out by Durham University on the light emission from both Rigid and Flexible systems. A point to bear in mind is that once you compare the out put from either system to a 100watt bulb, you get the idea of how much light gets into the room. By the time you get to 1000+ lux the human eye is struggling to tell the difference between that and 1500 Lux - it's just uncomfortable.

Next you may want to consider ventillation. Most buildings require passive ventilation to keep them in good condition. Only the Sola Skylights system comes with passive ventilation as standard (although you can choose not to use it if you prefer) the others require a different unit. And you may want to consider a double-glazed diffuser for when it gets to winter because heat can travel up these things. The u value is about the same as a window in most of them.

Another thing, obviously, is what to do at night. Most of them allow the fitting of a light inside the tube just above the diffuser so that you can light the room artificially (energy efficient bulb recommended) but you need a fairly high wattage bulb as the diffuser does impare it a bit.

The last point is overall whole life cost. These units tend to come with a fairly decent guarantee from 10 to 20 years depending on the system and they're pretty much maintenance free as the rain keeps the roof dome clean, so after the initial investment they have a zero running cost. If you start comparing the cost of running a bulb against the cost of installing a sun pipe, the sun pipe will lose. One bulb will run for a long time for £300.00 (even longer for £700.00). The benefits are that you get daylight in a room that doesn't normally have it and you aren't using any carbon once it's installed (unless you fit a light and even then you're cutting down). And, let's face it, natural light is far nicer than artificial.

Hope this helps. ]]>