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| We are remodling and wanted to find ways to brighten up a dark room. We came across this 10" tubular SolarSkyLite brand (website: http://solarskylite.com/) at a warehouse store for about $130. It looks pretty good but wanted to know if anyone else has any info on this brand or has one in their home? Or if not this brand what kind do you have and are you pleased with it? Thanks!
Flores |
Follow-Up Postings:
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| I've seen these in lots of homes. They are absolutely awesome. Definitely worth it. |
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- Posted by azlighting (My Page) on Thu, Sep 10, 09 at 19:24
| Just make sure whoever installs them does it properly. The only thing you will need to consider is the amount of light it obviously produces. Do you want that amount of light shone in the area you want it? You will not be able to dim it without some physical object covering the hole which you will need to do manually. |
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| azlighting...Yes, I am a bit concern about the do-it-yourself. I was checking out the solatube daylighting system which has a dual lens array technology which sounds cool but not sure how well the lighting effects look. I did notice they also sell a daylight dimmer function that would allow to control how much light passes through. But the prices i've seen on this brand of diy is around $350-$450 and if I want a professional to install it runs between $650 and up. |
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- Posted by mike_kaiser (My Page) on Sat, Sep 12, 09 at 8:15
| I've installed both Solatube and Velux brands and I used to have a preference (from the installation POV) but I can't remember which one any more (it's been a few years). In either case, both are nice for the homeowner and neither is horrible to install. You might want to download the instruction manual before you make a purchase. Look carefully around you attic and make sure there aren't any obstructions where you want to install the tube. Ideally you want as short a straight line distance as possible between the ceiling a roof (for light transmission efficiency and extension tubes get expensive). Any time you penetrate the roof you need to be careful. Just make sure you read the instructions carefully and follow them. Be careful when you pry up the shingles and do it on a warmish day (shingles break if bent in the cold). If you're not comfortable working on a roof or don't know much about roofing, you might want to pay a professional. They do add considerable light to a room and my clients usually spent the first week reaching for the light switch when they left the room. :-) |
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| In addition to Mike's comments, I started installing the solarskylite kit. Just wanted to say that before you start cutting holes, you have enough of the tube to fill the attic space between the roof and the ceiling. I started the install and thought I should measure - good thing too - the length of supplied tube isn't enough for my attic space. I had to buy more. Mike's comment about people reaching for the lite switch is funny. My visting brother in law was doing the same thing. Kept trying to shut off the lite. Also, I noticed on the solarskylite site they sell a dimmer option. don't know how much, but it's an option. I'm installing a lite kit as well so I can use the same space where the existing lite is and still have lite when the sun is down. |
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| Take a look on youtube for video's showing example of installations. It's worth the time. I saw, if you have 2 stories, an installation where Lighting from the top story which was piped in very close It really worked. It was from one of the BBC 'Grand Designs' series but I'm a scientist and work a lot with lighting. It's seemed However I firmly believe that the cap which is the important optical part of the system has the potential Ones I've seen, and I'm no experienced with them, had No one can afford to be found to be faking a 'good design' so I would trust that if you find new products do a search Do your homework and you'll enjoy your investment |
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