The large brand name solar tube brands offer important accessories not available from the off brand. I am not sure which brand the builder uses.
Velux, offered by the Markets of Marion dealer and the Brand from the Solar guys both offer a means to darken the tubes. Both offer different types of light defusers and LED options
Velux offers triple glazing at the lens for energy efficiency. It is an option. Velux also offers a sun filter which filters out some of the sun as it approaches solar noon.
With the triple glazing the Velux is roughly as efficient as the worst window sold, as measured by U value. Any brand tube is horrible in the efficiency department as they are installed. Triple glazing is the only way to go.
The high noon screen is an effective way to lessen the solar gain.
I installed both of these options. They were not even mentioned by the dealer. I passed on the darkening devices. There are two of those, manual and automated.
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