Sun Tunnel

WYSPECIAL

Looking at reconfiguring a kitchen which is in a single storey pitched roof extension.

In order to create more wall space for cupboards I am considering bricking up a 1.25m x 1.45m frosted glass window on the side elevation.

There will still be a 1.8m x 1.45m window on the rear elevation which catches the sun most of the day.

Will a sun tunnel replace much of the light which currently comes through the window to be bricked up?

Has anyone had one fitted and what are there opinions on them?

jonnydeppiwish!

We had one fitted for a bathroom that had no windows, definitely helped but no the most light in the world

Section62

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6675395/sun-tunnel

single storey pitched roof extension

How is the roof constructed and pitched?

Rather than a sun tunnel you might want to consider Velux-type windows in the roof, but how the roof is constructed and pitched will determine whether it would work. A cut-timber roof structure would probably be more feasible than pre-fab trusses.

Ms_Chocaholic

Maybe post a floor plan here, roughly drawn or from your property purchase if it's a recent purchase and we can explore what other options there are (please ensure you don't include any identifying images)

Slinky

Our friends have one in a bungalow which has been extended at the back, to try and get more light into an area that has no window. Can't say that I'm particularly impressed with it. I think a lot depends on what the length of the tunnel is. Their's is quite long. They've also got a velux in another part of the property which would have been more effective if it were quite a bit bigger.

FreeBear

Just to throw in another option - Do away with wall cupboards and go for a mix of large drawer units and drawer line base cabinets. I have a long(ish) and narrow kitchen (3.4m by 2.4m) with a central door at one end. Just using base units makes the space appear much larger. With the use of light coloured wall finishes, and a few well placed downlights, the kitchen is much improved. The lack of cupboard space also concentrates the mind and reduces hoarding of useless tat'n'crap and out-of-date food.

WYSPECIAL

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82061578#Comment_82061578

Not sure of the angle of pitch but it slopes down away from the main house and is tiled and felted. The ceiling inside is flat and a uniform 2.6m high. The void between ceiling and roof is insulated. Presumably this would rule out Velux-type windows?

HHarry

Veluxs and Lanterns are better, but I’ve installed 2 sunpipes and am happy with the results. You get a kind of dusk light most of the day.

They come with flexible or rigid tubes - I’ve had both and the rigid are much brighter.

So not as good as a window, but much better than nothing.

Eldi_Dos

One benefit of a Velux that you could open would be better ventilation when we get these increasingly long hot spells.

They can be installed in the type of roof / ceiling you describe.

Sapindus

We had two sunpipes in a living room sized room that had no windows. We'd be going round the house with guests and they'd say "oh you've left the light on" when we walked out of the room. Or as an older relative said "enough light to iron by" but I don't have much experience of that so can't say.

Section62

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82062640#Comment_82062640

You'd need to confirm, but if the extension is 'lean-to' then the main roof structure is more likely to be constructed using simple rafters (sloping), with additional horizontal timber put in to support the ceiling. If so, it is quite likely you'd be able to retrofit roof windows.

It would be a bigger project than fitting a sun tunnel, but you'd get a better result, and as Eldi_Dos points out you'd also have added ventilation.