Skylites in 15' ceiling - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

T bone · 04-24-2007, 04:36 PM

I have a customer asking me whether 14" Velux Sun Tunnel tube lites will add much light in a foyer 9 ft wide x 15 ft long, or should she go with a "window" style skylite. I've installed the tube types in 8' ceilings with satisfactory results, but don't know whether the high ceilings would change the way it looks. Anyone have a thought?

tcleve4911 · 04-24-2007, 04:48 PM

Most of that depends on how much light is being supplies in other areas of the foyer. In my experience the tubes are best used in ares such as closets, hallways and other ares where there is little or no other source of light.
Go for the skylight...................

tcleve4911 · 04-24-2007, 04:49 PM

Geez T,............sorry about all the typo mistakes.....Tired in Vermont

tinner666 · 04-25-2007, 06:18 AM

I put 2 of them in my wood paneled 26' x 13' den. The domes are on the shady side of the house. They provide plenty of light. On dark day, they provide enough light to make it comfortable. Might want a light on to read. At night, I can see well enough not to trip over anything.

With only 2 small windows in the room, it looked like I was entering a cave before.

T bone · 04-25-2007, 03:42 PM

No problem understanding what you said Tcleve--thanks. What I didn't say clearly is that the ceiling height is 15', so it made me wonder if the height does anything to degrade the amount of light you get from the tube, as opposed to an 8' ceiling.

Tinner, that sounds pretty good, lighting a den that large. I think I will go with the tubes just to get in and out quicker unless ya'll think it's a mistake to put them in a 15' ceiling. I have some 12" tubes in my kitchen that seem to be ok too.

tcleve4911 · 05-05-2007, 12:22 PM

Hey T
Another day & I'm better rested.........I did understand the 15' ceiling question.
What I was trying to share, experience wise, was that small, dark areas gain a dramatic change in light with Solartubes where an open area (15' ceilings) will gain some light, but the difference won't be as dramatic.