Sun tube or velux

tired_dad

Upper floor extension. Need light into the hall. What would be better? Sun tube or a slightly vaulted ceiling with a velux?

Ta

Ant555

I don;t have either but a friend put in a sun tube and their gloomy winding staircase is completely transformed. I was amazed after being a little bit sceptical.

I don't know the technical difficulties associated with either option but the sun tube certainly makes a massive difference.

beaker141

With a choice I'd do a velux, I've got both in my house and the window is so much better than the sunpipe.

Le_Kirk

Sun tube every time, assuming you can easily access a suitable outside point. We installed one in our internal bathroom several years ago and it still fools people coming out of the bathroom trying to turn off the light that isn't on!!

Dannytyler

also the sun tube can catch the moon light...... can look incredible

Owain_Moneysaver

Advantages of a velux style window - can be opened for ventilation, particularly in hot weather (rope or rod control systems available if you can't reach the window). You can see the sky and so have more of a 'window' feeling. You may be able to use it for access to the roof for inspection or maintenance without using an access tower outside.

Disadvantages of a velux style window - if you go out and leave it open you may get rain coming in. In cold weather heat will rise up to the roof level so the hall might feel slightly colder. You might get some condensation on the glass. You'd have more work opening up and 'vaulting' the ceiling.

The sun-pipe allows more flexibility as the roof end doesn't have to be exactly above the ceiling end.

Furts

My somewhat limited knowledge of sun tubes is that the cheaper ones will be flexi coil silver much like the extract from a cooker hood or bathroom. This is less effective than a solid tube. Then the more kinks and bends, plus the further one gets from the roof, the more light is lost. Hence some can be very effective, whilst others are dismal.

If the sun tube has a perspex roof piece carefully consider the durability of this. Also consider kinking, damage, and durability of any flexi-coil.

For me it would be a Velux every time. I have numerous in my home - sun tubes never passed the design stage, nor the durability and practicality stages.