When most people think of tube lights, they think of long, fluorescent or LED lights often found in kitchens, garages, offices, or factories. While those are incredibly useful, another kind of tube light is making waves in modern architecture and interior design—tube skylights.
Tube skylights are an innovative, energy-efficient solution designed to bring natural sunlight into interior spaces that don’t usually benefit from windows or traditional skylights. Whether installed in a home, factory, restaurant, or office space, they offer a cost-effective, low-maintenance way to brighten up rooms using natural daylight.
What Are Tube Skylights?
Tube lights (also called sun tunnels or tubular daylighting devices) are cleverly engineered to channel natural light from the roof into interior spaces using a highly reflective tube. The system includes a dome that captures sunlight, reflective aluminium tubing that directs the light, and a diffuser inside the ceiling to distribute it evenly throughout the room.
This makes tube lights an ideal alternative to traditional skylights, especially in spaces where structural limitations make full skylights impractical.
Where Are Tube Lights (Tube Skylights) Used?
Tube lights, in the form of skylights, can be used in virtually any building where natural lighting is desired, but windows or standard skylights aren’t feasible.
Residential Homes
- Hallways
- Bathrooms
- Pantries
- Closets or dressing rooms
Commercial Buildings
- Office spaces
- Reception areas
- Boardrooms
Industrial and Factories
- Assembly lines
- Warehouses
- Corridors and utility rooms
Restaurants and Hospitality
- Dining areas
- Lobbies
- Restrooms
An Extremely Cost-Effective Solution
One of the standout benefits of tube lights is their affordability. Compared to traditional skylights or electrical lighting systems, tube skylights:
- Require less structural work during installation
- Are cheaper to purchase and install
- Require minimal maintenance once installed
This makes them ideal for budget-conscious homeowners or commercial facilities looking to reduce operational costs.
Enhance Natural Lighting Indoors
The primary function of a tube light is to enhance the natural lighting inside any room. This offers multiple benefits:
- Improved aesthetics: Natural light enhances colours and gives rooms a vibrant, welcoming feel.
- Health benefits: Exposure to sunlight supports vitamin D production, improves mood, and helps regulate sleep cycles.
- Eco-friendly: Reduces reliance on artificial lighting during the day, supporting a more energy-efficient home.
- Energy savings: By minimising artificial light use, tube skylights can lower your electricity bills over time.
Increase Productivity at Home or Work
In today’s era of remote work, productivity at home is a top priority. Studies have shown that exposure to natural light increases energy, focus, and mood — making tube lights a strategic addition to your home office or studio.
Even in traditional office spaces, tube skylights can:
- Boost employee productivity
- Reduce fatigue and stress
- Promote a healthier, happier work environment
Tube Skylight Components and Materials
To ensure performance and longevity, tube lights are built with high-quality materials:
Dome
- Made from UV-stabilised 4 mm acrylic
- Captures and filters sunlight from the roof
Aluminium Tubing
- Highly polished and anodised aluminiumy
- Imported from Europe for its mirror-like reflectivity
- Maximises the amount of light transferred from dome to diffusert
Light Fitting (Optional)
- Porcelain 220 V 100 W screw-type holder
- Provides backup lighting for night use or overcast days
Diffuser Options
Distributes light evenly into the room. Available in:
- Flat Prismatic Diffuser
- Curved Prismatic Diffuser
- Flat Satin Matte Diffuser
Roof Flashing
Secures the skylight to your roof based on your structure type:
- Galvanised metal flashing for cement and tile roofs
- Moulded fibreglass flashing for metal, thatch, or asbestos roofs
Roof Types Supported:
- Cement Tile
- Harvey Tile
- IBR
- Corrugated Iron
- Clip-Lok
- Asbestos (Slate, Big 6, Canadian Pattern)e
- Concrete Slabs
- Thatch
- Onduline
Blackout System (Optional)
Includes an attachable ring that allows users to temporarily block out sunlight, offering light control in bedrooms, media rooms, or any space that occasionally needs darkness.
Benefits of Tube Skylights at a Glance
- Low-cost lighting solution
- Improves mood and health
- Boosts productivity
- Enhances property aestheticsn
- Adds value to your home
- Easy to install and maintain
- Concrete Slabs
- Available in multiple sizes and finishes
- Eco-friendly and energy-efficient
FAQs About Tube Lights and Tube Skylights
What is a tube light used for?
In lighting, “tube light“ can refer to fluorescent or LED lights commonly used in residential and commercial spaces. However, tube skylights bring natural sunlight into rooms that lack windows or traditional skylights, making them ideal for hallways, bathrooms, and interior offices.
Are tube skylights energy efficient?
Yes. Tube skylights use no electricity during the day, significantly reducing your lighting-related energy costs and carbon footprint.
Can tube skylights be installed on any roof?
Most likely, yes. Tube skylights can be adapted to nearly all roof types, including concrete, tile, IBR, corrugated iron, thatch, and even asbestos.
Do tube skylights work on cloudy days?
Yes. While light output may be reduced on heavily overcast days, high-quality tube skylights with reflective tubing still transmit significant ambient daylight indoors.
Can I control the amount of light from a tube skylight?
Yes. An optional blackout ring allows you to manually block the light when you want the room darkened.
Is installing a tube skylight disruptive?
No. Installation is typically fast and non-invasive, especially when compared to full skylights or structural modifications for windows.
Contact Sundowner Skylights for details
Tube lights have come a long way. They offer a powerful, modern solution for those who want to harness the sun to improve their indoor spaces. If you’re looking to brighten your home naturally, reduce energy bills, or create a more comfortable and productive environment, tube skylights are a smart, sustainable investment.
Get in touch with us today for more information about our tube lights.