DayLite Natural Lighting Technologies

Q. How does a tubular skylight work?
A. Once installed on your roof, a crystal clear dome gathers sunlight, and then the highly reflective (about 96% reflectance!) surface coating the inside of skylight tube directs the collected sunlight down into your home or office space. Unlike a regular framed-in skylight that can loose about 40% or more light, the Daylite tubular skylight has much better efficiency due to its clear surface dome, highly reflective tube and efficient indoor diffuser unit that spreads light throughout the room rather than spilling it onto the floor.

Q. What size room can I illuminate with each Daylite unit?
A. First remember that a tubular skylight's output varies as a function of the amount of sunlight outdoors, and both the diameter and length of the transmitting tube. Sunlight varies by time of year and by time of day outside. Mornings and late afternoons will provide less light than usually will come in at noon.
An eight-inch Daylite unit (small diameter) will provide light for a 150 square foot area, while the 12-inch Daylite unit (large diameter) illuminates about a 300 square foot area. For larger rooms, we recommend a combination of multiple Daylite units for best performance. Each eight inch unit is about equal to a 100 Watt incandescent light bulb, while the larger 12-inch Daylite unit is about equivalent to a 250 Watt bulb.

Q. How does the amount of light from Daylite units compare with traditional skylight lighting output?
A. The eight inch Daylite unit produces about the same lighting intensity as a four square foot area skylight while the 12-inch unit would be equivalent to an eight-square foot skylight.
Q. How much light can I expect to obtain indoors via Daylite unit's on a cloudy day?
A. Even on a cloudy day a Daylight unit will produce significant light into the space (about 25% of full sun levels are common) due to their excellent transmission and reflectance characteristics in the light transmitting tube. Also, Daylite units can be fitted with a unique electric lighting back-up system, so if it becomes dark in the room it services accessory illumination can be selected from a wall switch.

Q. What performance will I get if the Daylite units are mounted on a north-facing roof slope?
A. A Daylite unit can provide adequate lighting when mounted on a north sloped roof, and a steep roofing install kit is available. Greater light will be available in Summer, at higher solar angles, while in Winter light output will be reduced compared to a south facing roof slope installation.

When siting a tubular skylight it is preferable to go for as much direct sun as possible on an annual basis for best performance.

Q. Is there a limit to the length of the light transmitting tube (extension)?
A. Adding more sections of tubing to the Daylite unit will reduce the light output at the indoor diffuser, and tube lengths should be planned carefully. An eight-inch diameter Daylite unit should not have a tube length exceeding 12 feet. A 12-inch diameter Daylite unit should not have a tube length exceeding 20 feet.
Q. Do I have to install extra insulation around the attic tube in colder areas?
A. Many Daylite units have been installed in colder North American locations with good results. Daylight is completely sealed during installation, so moisture condensation should not be a problem. Given its small diameter, in most cases the Daylite unit will not add much heat loss to the building. However, with longer tubes installed, or in very severe climates additional insulation around the tube may be indicated.

Daylite technical support personnel are available to analyze these special situations.

Q. Are the Daylite units very hard to install?
A. Nearly anyone with basic construction skills and a few hand tools can install a tubular skylight. There is no need to change any framing or perform costly sheetrock work like conventional skylights may require. Both the diameters of Daylite units fit easily between standard roof/ceiling rafters and truss-bay dimensions. You will need to examine the angle of the existing roof, and measure (estimate) the tube length needed to run from the collection dome assembly down to the location of the indoor diffuser. There are some simple adapters and extensions available to fit a Daylite unit to just about any roofing configuration.

Professional installation is available for all our products.

Q. What amount of time should I allow for a typical installation?
A. About three hours or less is typical for a do-it-yourself installation on an asphalt shingle roof. (other roof types or steep pitched surfaces may take longer). Typical professional installation time should be about two hours under good conditions.

Q. Should I install the Daylite unit at the same time a new roof is installed, or wait until the new roof is done?
A. Due to the integrated design of the Daylite unit roof flashing, you can wait until the new roofing is completed, then install the tubular skylight. However, you might save money on installation by just getting the roofing crew to also install the tubular skylight(s) as part of their contract, rather than doing a separate job. Many roofing firms have installed tubular skylights.

Q. My home has very little attic space and limited height, and is mostly of cathedral ceiling. Can I still install Daylite units?
A. Daylite units are designed to install even if there is poor or no access to an attic. In most cases a cathedral ceiling roof framing system can accommodate a Daylite unit.

Q. Are tubular skylights used in commercial buildings?
A. Very often, and this is a growing market, too. Many Daylite units have been installed in office buildings, and other commercial structures. Also, for larger spaces like warehouses and service shops the Skylite and Skyview systems (larger light shaft applications) for daylighting have been successful.

Q. What kind of warranty comes with a DayLite unit?
A. All parts are covered by a limited lifetime warranty. (Please see details in the warranty section)

Q. What do I need to do to maintain my new Daylite units?
A. Once installed a Daylite tubular skylight is completely sealed and there should be very little -- if any -- major maintenance required over the life of the product. The major parts of the system are all designed with an integral sealing approach and site built joints (during assembly) are also sealed to reduce infiltration and eliminate dust and insects entering the system. Since the exterior assembly is self flashing and uses a dome to gather light, very little in the way of dirt or leaves etc. may build up around it.

After installation there is very little clean up since very minor changes to the home are needed to install the unit, versus a conventional skylight with major framing and sheet-rock work that is required.
More questions? Please contact our customer service center.

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