A sun tunnel is the answer for a small dark space that cannot fit a full skylight. It is a reflective tube that runs from a small dome on your roof down through the attic to a diffuser in your ceiling, and it pours daylight into a room through a hole the size of a recessed light. We install both Solatube and VELUX Sun Tunnels.
How a sun tunnel works
Light hits a clear dome on the roof, travels down a highly reflective tube, and spreads into the room through a diffuser that looks a bit like a flush ceiling light. There is no big opening, no light shaft to frame, and on most homes the install is quick because the tube threads through the existing attic.
Where they shine
- Interior bathrooms with no exterior wall and no room for a skylight.
- Closets and pantries that are pitch black with the door closed.
- Hallways that need light but not a full architectural skylight.
- Laundry rooms and small kitchens.
Solatube and VELUX Sun Tunnels
We install both major brands. Solatube is the best-known tubular daylighting brand and makes a range of dome and diffuser options, including models that add a little electric light or a vent fan. VELUX Sun Tunnels are the tubular line from VELUX, available in rigid and flexible tube versions. We will tell you which fits your roof and attic run best.
A typical job: A windowless interior bathroom that needed the light on every time someone walked in. We ran a sun tunnel from a clear dome on the roof down through the attic to a diffuser in the ceiling. Now it is bright enough during the day that the switch usually stays off.
Sun tunnel or skylight?
If the room is small and you mainly want daylight, a sun tunnel is cheaper, faster, and less invasive. If you want a view of the sky, ventilation, or real architectural impact, you want a glass skylight instead. We help you choose.
What it typically costs
Most sun tunnel installs run around $1,500 installed. The exact number depends on attic access, the tube run length, the ceiling and roof type, and the roofing material we are working around.
How it goes
Call, we come look at the room, the roof, and the attic run, and we recommend a brand and model. Most sun tunnel installs are quick once the unit is on hand.