Solar Tubes

[MrFlorida]

Thinking of having another solar tube installed, any recommendations ?

[charlieo1126@gmail.com]

Solar guys they have done all 6 Homes in villages

[Kenswing]

We just had a 14" tube installed by the Solar Guys. It made a world of difference in our kitchen area. It's only been in for two weeks so we haven't been able to leak test it yet.

[Toymeister]

I recommend the Velux dealer found at the Markets of Marion (Sky tech) Here is why:

Velux offers more optional upgrades that are not available from the Solar guys, most notably the high efficiency option. With this you get an additional two panes at the interior seal. Both manufacturers have double panes but with the high efficiency option you will have four.

Having said this all four give you the U rating (this is an 'R' rating for windows) of the cheapest windows. Without the high efficiency option the solar tubes have a horrid U rating.

Think about this you could have a virtual hole in your ceiling without getting the most effective solar tube available.

[dewilson58]

Thinking of having another solar tube installed, any recommendations ?

My recom...........Don't do it. Why put a hole is a perfectly good roof. :ohdear:

[splashes]

solar guys by far you will love them

[retiredguy123]

My recom...........Don't do it. Why put a hole is a perfectly good roof. :ohdear:
I agree. Buy a light fixture and install a "daylight" LED bulb.

[charlieo1126@gmail.com]

I had an tornado hit my 2 Nd home in villages when they replaced roof the just pulled up the solar tube and put back in , do not pay attention to people who don’t have them they either have agenda or don’t know what there talking about I’m still friends with people who bought my home in Punta Gorda they still have original tubes 22 years later

[PJ_Smiley]

I would never have a solar tube installed! That is until we bought our villa with a solar tube in the center of the kitchen above the island. Wow! Now I can not image not having a solar tube. And, it has a night light, so sneaking a late-night snack is easy.

[TheSolarGuys]

Thinking of having another solar tube installed, any recommendations ?

Give us a call (1-866-669-5259) and we would be happy to take care of you. We also a local showroom open Monday to Friday located at 120 SE Hwy. 484, Ocala, 34480.

I recommend the Velux dealer found at the Markets of Marion (Sky tech)

Sky Tec has been out of business for over a year now. They were a smaller company operating out of the flea market installing the Velux brand. Unfortunately that also means any installation warranty offered is also gone.

Velux offers more optional upgrades that are not available from the Solar guys, most notably the high efficiency option. With this you get an additional two panes at the interior seal. Both manufacturers have double panes but with the high efficiency option you will have four.

It looks like the "high efficency" option from Velux is to make the product qualify for energy star. Unlike the Solatube which comes energy star rated without the need for optional add-ons. I also don't know of optional upgrades not available by Solatube. We have fixtures, night lights, dimmers, ventilation fans. We have these all installed in our showroom to demo.

[thevillages2013]

My recom...........Don't do it. Why put a hole is a perfectly good roof. :ohdear:
Also makes the room it is in warmer and 93 degree days are right around the corner

[Jsan143]

Solar Guys installed an additional four solar tubes with solar night lights, what a difference especially in the laundry room and bathroom that had no windows. The solar night lights are just bright enough so that you don’t bump into things and you never have to turn a light on when using the bathroom day or night!

[Bay Kid]

My home has had one since '04. Never leaked. Love the extra light.

[justjim]

Another vote for Solar Guys. Had them installed in all three houses in TV and one in Royal highlands. Solar Guys always courteous, competent and no leaks. Solar tubes located in the right places, make a difference in your home IMHO.

[JMintzer]

We have three of them in the "great room" area. They came with the house. I am still amazed at how much extra light they provide.

We rarely turn on any additional lights, except in the kitchen (an Aspen, with no windows)...

[JMEZARIC3]

I agree. Buy a light fixture and install a "daylight" LED bulb.

Take a look at the integrated LED light fixtures in the commercial lighting section at Home Depot . I installed a 5000k(daylight) model at an existing light location in the kitchen.It looks like a tube and I can have daylight 24/7 . It is on a dimmer so at night when watching TV
I turn the light down and the living area of my Patio Villa has just the right amount of light for late night TV watching . Of course I turn the light off at bed time.

[MandoMan]

My recom...........Don't do it. Why put a hole is a perfectly good roof. :ohdear:

I had two installed in my living room this year. The couch is forty feet from the patio doors and daylight, and I could never sit there in the lay without electric lights. Now a diffuse daylight fills the room, and it is so much nicer. I can read in the living room without turning on a light, and I use the room more. Perhaps it is heating the room, but I don’t notice it the way I would with a regular skylight, and it doesn’t leak out heat or cool air the way ordinary skylights do.

Solar Guys are terrific. The installer I had has installed thousands, and he can install one in about an hour with no mess at all.

[GaryKoca]

The light they provide in a previously dark house is amazing. Another vote for The Solar Guys.

[sixfootrabbit]

We had a very dark premier home, we began adding solar tubes from Solar Guys in 2014 and have kept adding to them almost every year since. We now have tubes in both bathrooms, closets, pantry, and every room in the house except the bedrooms. We have 18 tubes and my wife wants to add two more next fall. Absolutely love them. They install them quickly and do not leave a mess.

[jimkerr]

The solar guys are the best way to go. I don’t know how I’d do without the amazing light in my kitchen now. Having the night light is nice too.

[Red Rose]

Another vote for the Solar Guys. We have 2 solar tubes installed by the Solar Guys 14 years ago. Love them and no leaks.

[Langrell]

Thinking of having another solar tube installed, any recommendations ?

Solar Guys
Great company and outstanding workmanship :bigbow:

[westernrider75]

We put 3 in, one in the kitchen, one in guest bathroom and one in master closet. Made a world of difference.....I’m constantly thinking I left a light on. Solar Guys did ours!

[cbmerl]

Solar Guys, Solar Guys, SOLAR GUYS!! Don't even think of using anyone else.

[JudyLife]

Solar Guys did 3 for me. Excellent services.

[jjombrello]

Have had solar tubes for nearly 23 years from The Solar Guys and not one problem. Highly recommend them.

[Catalina36]

Ok, so how much does a typical solar tube installed in a ranch home cost????

Anyone have a solar tubes installed recently??

[Carlsondm]

Solar Guys did ours a year ago. Love them.

We have three tubes: two in main room and one in the guest bathroom in our dark Iris.
The home is much more cheerful. We will have light in the bathroom during storms too. No regrets at all. We were concerned about a hole in the roof at first too.

[Garywt]

If we had a room or kitchen without a window we would think about one but our kitchen is very bright so we are good. The Solar Guys did there work for us and they were great.

[Laker14]

My recom...........Don't do it. Why put a hole is a perfectly good roof. :ohdear:

Take a look at the integrated LED light fixtures in the commercial lighting section at Home Depot . I installed a 5000k(daylight) model at an existing light location in the kitchen.It looks like a tube and I can have daylight 24/7 . It is on a dimmer so at night when watching TV
I turn the light down and the living area of my Patio Villa has just the right amount of light for late night TV watching . Of course I turn the light off at bed time.

My pre-owned Gardenia came with a solar tube in the laundry room, and one in the guest bath. Also, it has a dedicated ceiling light fixture above the kitchen counter, almost but not quite straight above the sink, with a daylight LED bulb with a dimmer. Our friends have a Camilla (same floor plan) and they have a solar tube where we have the light fixture.

We love the two solar tubes, and the Daylight LED light fixture is an OK substitute, but comparing it to the effect that my friends get with their solartube in the same location leaves it wanting something. The solartube gives off a nicer effect IMO.
I'm not sure it's so much nicer that I'll spring for a solartube, but it would be sweet if my previous owner had put one in for me.

Although I prefer the solartube, I'll probably stick with the LED light until DW convinces me otherwise.
I'm also curious as to approximate cost to have one installed.

[kp11364]

I've read in other threads that installing a solar tube voids the warranty for the roof shingles - is that true?

[retiredguy123]

I've read in other threads that installing a solar tube voids the warranty for the roof shingles - is that true?
Not true.

[dewilson58]

I've read in other threads that installing a solar tube voids the warranty for the roof shingles - is that true?

Yes.
No.
Maybe.
Sometimes.

Do Solar Panels Void Your Roof Warranty? (https://www.barthroofing.com/blog/roofing/do-solar-panels-void-your-roof-warranty/)

:welcome:

[retiredguy123]

Yes.
No.
Maybe.
Sometimes.

Do Solar Panels Void Your Roof Warranty? (https://www.barthroofing.com/blog/roofing/do-solar-panels-void-your-roof-warranty/)

:welcome:
That article is about solar panels, not solar tubes. I don't think installing a solar tube would void your entire roof warranty.

[dewilson58]

That article is about solar panels, not solar tubes. I don't think installing a solar tube would void your entire roof warranty.

I agree.................but the purpose of the link was the advice of checking with the company issuing the warranty, or roof installer rather than taking advice from ToTV. :clap2:

[retiredguy123]

I agree.................but the purpose of the link was the advice of checking with the company issuing the warranty, or roof installer rather than taking advice from ToTV. :clap2:
Good idea. But, the real answer is to read the warranty. If the written warranty document doesn't say that a solar tube or other penetration will void it, then it really doesn't matter what the roof installer or manufacturer tells you.

[dewilson58]

Good idea. But, the real answer is to read the warranty. If the written warranty document doesn't say that a solar tube or other penetration will void it, then it really doesn't matter what the roof installer or manufacturer tells you.

:bigbow:
That will be for the 11 anal Villagers who have their warranty documents.
:1rotfl:

[SusanKD]

We have a 14 “ in kitchen and a 8 “ in our laundry area both have solar night lights. I love them. The solars guys did the work. It was fast efficient and reasonably price. I was thinking I wanted one more in the garage.