Sun Tunnels/Light tubes

Bexm

Hi all!

Has any one used these light tubes you see on some peoples roof that you can get natural light into a room without windows?

We have a basement room which we really would like to put one of these sun tubes in, but don't really know where to start.
The dome bit would have to sit in our front garden as the room is below ground level but I have no idea if this is possible.

Does anyone know where to start? Or some reputable companies I can get advice from?

Thanx
Bex

Innys

All I can say is I have one in my house - I had it fitted as part of some building work done last summer.

It lets a lot of light in and if you are in need of light in your basement room, one would seem like a good choice. The reservations I would have are:

1) If it is sited at ground level, it is likely to be in shade at some time during the day;

2) Depending on where you live, if the dome is in your front garden, it would be an easy target for vandals;

3) Again, because it is at ground level, it will probably get covered with grime/earth more often than normal so will need to be cleaned regularly.

4) Is a light tunnel actually needed? Couldn't you install some kind of ground window at the base of your house - much like a cold frame? A glaxing company would be able to advise.

Good luck

Bexm

thanks Innys

It's the fact it could get broken is what I am worried about as no where I have read mentions having them on the floor. I don't think in our area it would be vandalised, but it may accidentally be stepped on and I don't know how solid these things are.

The roof of our room is completely below ground level so I don't think there would be any way of getting a window.

We have a kind cupboard who's roof is below or front garden that used to be a coal shoot so I'm thinking it could come down where that was and then the "light" sit on the wall outside the cupboard?

Innys

If you had a coal chute before, you can have a below ground window installed - my point number 4) was not that clear.

It is a window which continues on from the front of the house downwards into the ground. The earth/cncrete slopes upward from the lower cill by about 45 degrees until it reaches ground level. It is not as vulnerable to damage as a light tube and, I suspect, would let a lot more light in .

Or you could go for basement windows which are only half the height of your basement room - I suggest you google some images of basement windows.

olias

A better bet would be to google the words 'basement light well' and look at the images.

Olias

Bexm

Thank's for the suggestions, but I think it has to be one of these sun tube things due to the positioning and where this coal shoot is.

The coal shoot was only a round grate in the floor going straight down into a cupboardy thing so not angled and would not allow light into the room.

Digging down is not an option to put a window slightly lower.

Relentless01

I had one these systems installed in a bungalow. It had a really dark hall way with no natural lighting. They had to have the lights on all the time which cost a fortune as well as using a ton of bulbs.

I did a lot of research into which of these systems to invest in as some are lighter/darker than others. Well worth doing your research.

fluffymuffy

Relentless01 wrote: »

One of my friends had one of these systems installed in a bungalow. It had a really dark hall way with no natural lighting. They had to have the lights on all the time which cost a fortune as well as using a ton of bulbs.

LED bulbs cost about £8.50 and use 7W of electric. I have one in my dark hallway. It's a 60W equivalent and has a life expectancy of 20 years. I leave it on all the time.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Bayonet-Samsung-Lumens-60-70W-replacement/dp/B007SYYBEC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1356014014&sr=8-1

Relentless01

I used these guys http://www.syneco.co.uk/solarspot/home-residential in a dark hallway in a bungalow and the results were amazing. I can not believe the difference it has made. It has however showed up how poor my decoration was of the hallway. Best get decorating :-)