Solar tunnels help, by means of simple solar energy, to illuminate dark areas of our home. They can also be found under the name of tubular skylights, as they connect the roof to the room below via tubes. They can be installed on flat roofs but also on sloping ones, so as to allow the sun’s rays during the day to fill the rooms with light.
The name solar tunnelPerhaps it doesn’t tell us anything but the use of this natural lighting system is increasingly popular. This is a simple and economical way to illuminate dark rooms in your home. And the result is achieved thanks to the installation of tubes that connect the roof with the rooms below, which will be flooded with daylight.
In fact, they are also known by the name of tubular skylights, with reference to these pipes which facilitate the access of the sun into areas that would otherwise remain dark. These are special reflective tubes, which have two glasses at their respective ends, capable of channeling the sun’s rays in a functional way.
There is no installation limit regarding the type of roof, as the solar tunnels can be adapted to flat and pitched ones. The system does not vary, but the costs for materials and installation may change. We can also find them on the market in rigid or flexible versions, to optimally adapt to various conditions.
There are some variables for choosing these systems, as there are simpler or more high-performance models, such as those that also have ventilation. If we opt for solar tunnels, we will have to know their structure and functions, to understand if they are right for us and which ones to choose for our home.
What is the sun tunnel
The solar tunnel is, in fact, a coated tube of reflective material, with glass on both sides that allow the light to be channeled. One end goes through the roof and the other goes into the ceiling of the chosen part of the house. The sun’s rays pass through this tube, bouncing off the mirror surface and illuminating the environments with natural light.
Unlike windows, which have some accommodation limitations, tubular skylights can be installed anywhere. A popular option is to run the pipe through the loft space and into the ceiling above the stairs. In this way it is possible to illuminate blind spots where it is not possible to install windows.
If the pipe is passed along the wall of the room above, it is possible to create a skylight even on the ground floor. And this allows you to choose the solar tunnel solution even if the lighting must be designed for a space distant from the roof. As mentioned, some models are also equipped with ventilation like a normal window.
But what do solar tunnels look like from the inside and outside of the house? In the first case they look like real round skylights, housed in the attic. From the outside, however, we will notice a simple glass dome that emerges from the roof and which is often not visible even with flat paving.
Where should a solar tunnel be placed
The solar tunnel, as mentioned, can be installed in any condition and on any type of roof, but exposure certainly makes the difference. If we have a flat roof, there are no strategic points to consider. But if it is sloping instead, the choice of installation location determines the amount of light that can enter the house.
It doesn’t matter whether the pipes are flexible or rigid, what matters is that preference is given to the parts of the roof with southern exposure. And in fact it is from here that the greatest amount of sunlight comes during the day, which is why they are the best spot to install a solar skylight.
It should also be remembered that it is preferable to choose a type of installation as close as possible to the apex of the roof, again for the same reason. As regards how many solar tunnels to use to illuminate a room and their size, everything depends on the size of the rooms.
On average, a tunnel diameter of 23 to 25 cm is considered for a room no larger than 10 square metres, while one of 52 or 55 cm will be needed for a room up to 22 square metres. Alternatively, you can choose smaller solar tunnels but in greater quantities to illuminate different points.
Sources
Source: www.greenstyle.it
