A key benefit to consider when looking at tubular skylights/sun tunnels is the quality of life improvements that they can provide. Even 'daylight' light bulbs have an off color. The Solatube Daylighting Systems I have (and I have 4 in my home) provide absolutely crystal clear daylight. The other brands that are found in big box stores have different, less reflective surfaces that absorb certain parts of the spectrum as the light travels down the tube. The results with those are that the light that is brought into your home will have either a yellow/orange tint or a blue/gray tint, depending on which off-brand you purchase. I chose the Solatube brand because of the quality of light that they bring into my home. Also, the invented the tubular skylight over 20 years ago and hold patents on pretty much ever part of their system - prisms in the roof dome, the 99.7% reflective surface inside the tube, and the 7 different ceiling fixtures offered. I have NEVER regretted my choice.
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