Homedit is supported by our readers. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn a commission. Learn more.

Best Tube Skylights – Bring The Natural Light Indoor

Tube skylights are also known as light tubes and mainly use a roof dome to capture the sun’s rays and transfer the light indoors through a reflective tube. It comes in a modular length that allows them to be customized to whatever length is required. The tube itself is also compact and available in adjustable and flexible designs. Individuals purchase tube skylights to carry natural light into interior spaces, without increasing their electricity bill.

Tubular Skylight kit

If you’re looking for a way to have more direct sunlight in your home – even more than regular windows, tube skylights are a great choice. They can capture and diffuse light, and it’s inexpensive since you won’t have to do any re-framing or drywalling. They can also be used as backup or added illumination during power outages.

When it comes to purchasing tube skylights, you could be overwhelmed by the sheer number of available options. To help, we’ve curated a list of 6 of the best tube skylights. We’ve also put together a comprehensive guide that’ll help you with selecting your tube skylight.

Benefits of Tube Skylights 

There are plenty of benefits to installing a tube skylight. First, it doesn’t require days to be installed; tube skylights can usually be installed in around two hours. It’s also possible for you to do it on your own without hiring an external contractor. It can also be installed in any home and provide light in even the darkest area.

Tube skylights are also energy efficient. They’re able to reduce your home’s energy consumption significantly as you’re reducing your dependency on artificial lighting. Even though they’re energy-efficient, tube skylights also produce more light than traditional skylights. They’re able to maximize the amount of light dispersed indoors with its unique transparent dome.

With traditional skylights, there isn’t thermal insulation, so it lets external heat into the building. By contrast, tube skylights prevent heat loss during the winter and heat gain during the summer as they’re small and have an insulated shaft. Tube skylights also carry light to lower floors as they’re flexible and can bend around obstructions in the building. They can also be up to 100 feet in length, and this helps them pass through entire floors and provide natural light from the upper floors.

These lights are also affordable as they’re compact and have a modular design. Installation is simple, and no significant structural changes are required. They’re also designed to be damage, leak, and impact-proof – making them both durable and long-lasting.

Pros and Cons

Pros: 

  • Cost-friendly. They’re energy-efficient and will help in reducing the overall cost of your electricity bill.
  • Easy installation. It doesn’t require days for installation, and no structural changes are necessary.
  • Produce more light than traditional lights. Efficiently disperses the light indoors with its transparent dome.
  • Great thermal insulation. Thanks to its small size and insulated shaft, it’ll minimize heat loss during the winter and heat gain during the summer.
  • Carries light to lower floors. Since it’s long and flexible, it can pass through entire floors and provide natural light.

Cons: 

  • No view of the sky. Since you’re installing tube skylights in your ceiling, you won’t have direct views of the sky because of the sealed design solar tubes.
  • Could potentially cause damage. If it’s not fitted well, your tube skylight can damage your roof or ceiling, especially if it starts to leak.

What to Look for in Tube Skylights 

There are a few things to consider when purchasing your tube skylight. The first thing to think about is – where do you plan on putting it? The location can help with determining the best tube skylight to buy. You’ll also want to measure the room and think about where you’d like to place the light.

The next thing to consider is the illumination level. For example, some tube skylights may be better suited to bathrooms and hallways, while others are better for larger spaces. You should also take a look at the tubing length as this can influence the light’s brightness.

When purchasing a tube skylight, you also need to think about the light collection dome location. You’ll have to think about the brightness of the light source in the room and figure out where you’d like to place it to maximize sunlight. Usually, tube skylights are placed in the center of the room, but that can differ from room to room.

The warranty is also something you should consider. Usually, the longer the warranty, the better in case something goes wrong with your tube lighting. You should also determine how much you’re willing to spend, so you won’t be looking at anything that’s out of your price range. Quality is also vital when it comes to a tube skylight; you shouldn’t just purchase something inexpensive as it could be made of poor quality. To be sure, you’d want to look at reviews and narrow down your choices.

Finally, you’ll want to consider the design of your tube skylight. This is dependent on your roof type and roofing material, as some tube skylights are great for flat roofs, while others may be more suited to pitched roofs. Either way, do the necessary research, read reviews, and you’ll be all set to finding the perfect tube skylight for your home.

Top 6 Best Tube Skylights

Natural Light Energy Systems 10-Inch Tubular Skylight

Tubular Skylight kit

This tubular skylight can be easily installed, and it’s both water-resistant and maintenance-free. It even comes with built-in UV protection to help prevent fading on clothing and furniture. Other great features of this product include a unique condensation release system that prevents a buildup of moisture, being energy star qualified, and coming with a 25-year product warranty.

Those that have purchased this tube skylight mentioned that it came with detailed instructions and was a breeze to install. Efficiency is high, and the fan is quiet. Lighting is fantastic during the day, and it has helped with minimizing the cost of their electricity bills. Others are also surprised at how it’s even brighter than some of the traditional lighting that they have in their home, and there’s a surprising amount of light – even on an overcast day.

Natural Light Energy Systems – 3″ Solar Sky Light Kit

Tubular Skylight kit

Another excellent tube skylight, this 13-inch model can illuminate up to 300 square feet and produces brightness equivalent to about 500 watts. It can fit pitched fiberglass asphalt shingle roofs and comes with 4 feet of tubing for your convenience. This product is also energy star qualified and comes with a 25-year product warranty.

Customers have mentioned that the materials are made of high quality, and the instructions provided are excellent. While some have had to order an additional extension so the tube could extend all the way from the ceiling through the roof, there’s generally no hassle with installation. Individuals love the amount of brightness that’s produced and how it illuminates the overall space.

Flexible tube skylight – 14 inch

Tubular Skylight kit

Easily install this tube skylight in as little as two hours on pitched fiberglass-asphalt type roofs. Your purchase comes with 8 feet of flexible tubing along with a ceiling ring and diffuser. It’s a great product that gives a decent amount of light in a dark corner. When installing it on an already shingled roof, just be careful when removing the shingles so that they can be put back in the same spot.

Those who have purchased this tube skylight mentioned that it’s sturdy, well-made, and exceptional. They’re pleased with the quality and love the added light in their spaces. Perhaps the only downfall of this light is that it doesn’t give a whole lot of illumination.

Flat Tubular Skylight Kit –  13 inch

Tubular Skylight kit

If you’re looking for a tube skylight that can illuminate large spaces, this is a perfect choice. It can illuminate up to 300 square feet and can have a brightness that’s equivalent to about 500 watts – depending on installation. It’s also energy star qualified and made with high-impact acrylic that’s hurricane tested and approved.

Upon your purchase, you’ll get a 25-year product warranty, and while it’s designed for asphalt type roofer installs, you can also purchase a pitched angle shingle roof model that’s sold separately. Those that have purchased it mentioned that it’s easy to install as the instructions are easy to understand. They also mentioned that the product is of great quality, and even comes with caulking for the roof.

VELUX 10″ Double Strength Acrylic Rigid Low-Profile Sun Tunnel Tubular Skylight

Tubular Skylight kit

This fantastic tube skylight comes with low profile flashing that’ll integrate seamlessly with the roofline. It has a great reflective layer and a 20-year tunnel warranty and is labeled as energy star due to its high efficiency. For installation, you can usually get it done under two hours, and it can be installed on shingle or shake roofs with a 15 to 60-degree pitch.

Customers love how this tube skylight can bring a lot of light into the room, especially dark ones. One customer mentioned that the dispersion of light for the 10″ unit isn’t as broad, so if you want more natural light, you may want to opt for a bigger model.

ODL Tubular Skylight – 14 inch

Tubular Skylight kit

This tube skylight is great for asphalt roofs and comes with a durable acrylic dome that’s also UV protected. The 48 inches of reflective tubing will also help to disperse light from the dome into your room. It can illuminate a room that’s up to 300 square feet in size and is also energy star qualified.

Those that have purchased this tube skylight mentioned that it illuminates dark corners and is easy to install. They love how the lights are made of great quality, and it comes with instructions that are easy to understand. Price-wise it also comes at an affordable price compared to some of the other tube skylights and is an excellent addition to any home.

The Bottom Line 

If you’re trying to illuminate your attic or parts of your home, you don’t have to purchase a lamp or a traditional electricity source; instead, tube skylights are a great way to add a touch of brightness to your space. They’re also inexpensive, easy to install, and offer great thermal insulation. We hope you could find a tube skylight that you liked from the options above to add some natural light into your home.