We had a skylight in our master bedroom in our house in North Carolina. It really brightened up the room. So much so that it was hard to nap during the day. The skylight also sounded like a loud snare drum whenever it rained. We really got tired of it. After a few years here in The Villages, we had The Solar Guys add a SolaTube to the kitchen and it brought in a ton of light but didn't bring in the noise of rain. We liked it enough to add a second one to the laundry room. Several months later, we decided to move to a bigger house and one of the first things we did was call The Solar Guys to add SolaTubes to the master bathroom and the laundry room (there was already one in the dining room). We've never had any leaks or issues with the SolaTubes they've installed and are very glad we had them.

We purchased a resale in 2003 that had a skylight and 5 Solar Tubes. Had to replace the skylight 2 years ago as it started to look questionable for future leaking. Replaced it and added a solar screen that will open and close when needed. In all reality the Solar Tubes provide more light at a much more affordable price. We have both, but if I was building new I would not have a skylight but certainly would install numerous Solar Tubes

Skylights Vs Solar Lights
 

We have Solar Lights with solar Night lights. We had Skylights in our California house. I highly recommend the Solar Tubes, with the Solar Night Lights. We get up at night and don't have to turn lights on in the Bathrooms or Living Room. They are solar so there is no electricity used. We had the Solar Guys install ours 10 year ago and have never had a problem.
Dwight & Kum
Village of St. James

One suggestion and one observation regarding solar tubes. First of all, I have them and have had them in past houses. They are great and trouble free! I love them (but in the right place).

Now my suggestion, unless you are putting the unit in a small closet, do not buy the small 10" model. It gives some light but not a lot in any larger room. The 14" model produces twice the light (simply a matter of physics). Even in a bathroom, if you want great light go with the 14" model you won't be disappointed.

Second, my observation. I considered getting a couple of units in the dark kitchen of my Amarillo. I convinced one of the salesmen to let me see the two units he had placed in his home of the same model. However, I was not impressed. What I realized was because of the cathedral ceilings in these units, even with two 14"ers the light was so defused that there was a negligible amount of increased light on the work surfaces. Again it's a matter of physics. For every doubling of the distance from a light source the intensity drops by a factor of 4. With a 14' ceiling, the amount of light at eye level (6' from the floor or about 8' from the ceiling) is only 1/4 of the light available 4' from the ceiling. The drop off in intensity is dramatic. So, if you are considering putting them anywhere in your house where there is a high ceiling, be careful. Make sure the salesman can refer you to a previous customer who has the same or similar type home and go see that home. SEE WHAT IT IS LIKE AND MAKE YOUR DECISION BASED ON YOUR OWN OBSERVATION, NOT WHAT THE SALESMAN TELLS YOU.

Solar lights
 

I love mine. Big difference. No issues. My house inspector found no problems

Seriously the Solar Tubes. They are fantastic and NO leaks.

Solar tubes or additional lighting are better than skylights
 

We had three solar tubes installed by the Solar Guys. Love them in our once dark and gloomy Iris model. We put one in the kitchen aimed at the island with a nite light so a soft glow lights the island at night. A second is in the dark entry dining area (dimmer in case kids sleep here) , and a third is in the guest bathroom w nite light. The guest wing is where we go for storms. When the power is out, the bathroom will now have day time tube light or nighttime nite light.
I decided to nix the solar tube in the laundry. Ours is small and an entry from the garage. Motion triggered leds light up the laundry adequately for the few times it is used.

Led lights
 

Search the net for LED integrated flush mount light with a daylight 5000k rating. I installed one in a dark hallway with no natural lighting when the doors are closed.Now I have daylight 24/7 if I want it. The spec’s say the electric coast is $2 a month if on for 12 hours a day. It looks like a solar tube!

Have 3 solar tubes by Solar boys and no leaks. Also have a sky light with no leaks. If u are going to add a sky light make sure it is glass. The plastic ones breakdown, turn yellow and will eventually leak

i have 2 skylights in my home that was existing home. there was also a sun tube much better light from the sun tube. i had another added and it did help. The Solarguys installed it and guaranteed from leaks for life and they have been around for a long time. call them at 8667676527.. Although i am very happy with the job and the outcome this house is still dark so i am having recessed lights added

Nolands Roofing is the only roofing company certified to install Velux skylights. They did a beautiful job at my brothers house including finishing and trimming skylight well.