Compact Daylight Solution
Tubular skylights capture sunlight through a small roof dome and channel it down a reflective tube, brightening hallways, wardrobes and bathrooms without requiring large roof openings, to a high standard.
Wellington Tubular Skylights
Bringing Daylight Down Through the Roof Space Tubular Skylights
Tubular Skylights in Wellington
A tubular skylight, often called a solar tube, captures daylight in a small dome on the roof and sends it down a highly reflective tube to a diffuser in the ceiling. The diffuser looks a little like a round light fitting, but it glows with natural light during the day. Solar tubes are made for spaces that need light rather than a view, which is why tubular skylights in Wellington often go into hallways, internal bathrooms, walk-in wardrobes and laundries.
They are a good match for many Wellington homes, particularly 1960s to 80s houses with long central hallways and bungalows with internal bathrooms. The roof opening is small, so it usually fits between rafters without any framing changes, and the tube can be angled around obstacles in the roof space. If you want a view of the sky or a larger pool of light, a conventional unit from our skylight range may suit better.
Tubular Skylights
Tubular Skylight Services in Wellington
Easy, Low-Disruption Installation
Installation is quicker and less invasive than a traditional skylight, with minimal structural alteration. We install them neatly through ceilings and roof spaces, usually within a day, backed by experience.
Energy-Saving Lighting
Solar tubes provide free natural light during the day, cutting your electricity use and creating a brighter, more comfortable living environment without adding significant heat to the room, every time.
Tubular Skylights
How a Tubular Skylight Is Put Together
A solar tube has four main parts, and each one affects how much light reaches the room and how weathertight the system is.
Roof Dome
A clear dome collects light from across the sky, including low-angle light in winter. It sits on the flashing base and is sealed to keep out rain, insects and debris.
Flashing Base
The base is matched to your roof, with versions for corrugated metal, trapezoidal profiles and tile. On metal roofs the base sits under the sheet above so water flows over and around it.
Reflective Tube
The tube is lined with a highly reflective surface that bounces light down to the room. Short, straight runs deliver the most light, and angle adapters let the tube work around framing or ducts.
Ceiling Diffuser
The diffuser spreads light evenly across the room and seals the ceiling against draughts. Different lens styles give a softer or brighter effect depending on the space.
Optional Dimmer
Some systems offer a dimmer, a set of baffles inside the tube that close to cut the light when you want the room dark. It is a useful extra in bedrooms, nurseries and media rooms.
Optional Light Kit
Some systems accept an electric light kit inside the tube, so the diffuser also lights the room at night. A licensed electrician wires it in as part of how we organise the job.
Tubular Skylights
Where Solar Tubes Work Best
Solar tubes shine in small and medium spaces that would otherwise need a light switched on during the day. A single tube can make a dark hallway usable without lights, and an internal bathroom feel fresh rather than enclosed. They are also useful in wardrobes and pantries, where daylight helps you see colours properly.
They are less suited to large living areas, where several tubes may be needed to match one conventional skylight, or to rooms where people want to see the sky. The light level also changes with the weather and time of day, so a tube is bright on a clear afternoon and softer under heavy cloud.
Tubular Skylights
Rigid and Flexible Tubes
Rigid tubes have the most reflective lining and lose the least light over distance, so they are our choice whenever the run allows. They come in straight sections that join together, with angled pieces where the tube needs to change direction.
Flexible tubes are easier to fit around obstructions but lose light at every bend and wrinkle. They can work for very short runs where a rigid tube will not fit, but they are not a good choice for long or winding routes. We look at the roof space before quoting so we know which type the job needs.
Tubular Skylights
Sealing at the Roof and Ceiling
At the roof, the flashing base is fitted to the profile and lapped with the roofing so water runs around it. In the roof space, the tube passes through insulation, so we make sure the insulation is fitted snugly around it without gaps that let heat escape. Where the tube runs through a cold roof space, wrapping it helps reduce condensation inside the tube. If your ceiling insulation is thin or patchy, it is a good time to look at roof insulation as well.
At the ceiling, the diffuser is sealed to limit air leakage, which matters in bathrooms where warm, moist air would otherwise rise into the roof space.
Tubular Skylights
Why Choose Our Tubular Skylight Installers in Wellington
Tubular skylights bring natural light into places a conventional skylight cannot reach, such as hallways, walk-in wardrobes, laundries and small bathrooms. Our installers plan the tube route carefully, avoiding framing, wiring and ductwork, and fit a weathertight roof dome with proper flashing for your roofing type. Installation is quick and tidy, usually completed in a day with minimal disruption to your home. The reflective tubing carries sunlight efficiently, cutting your electricity use during daylight hours without adding much heat. We also fit diffusers and optional light kits for evening use. It is a clever, affordable way to brighten dark spaces across Wellington homes. Call us for a clear, honest quote.
- Tube routes planned around framing and wiring
- Weathertight domes flashed for your roof type
- Usually completed in a single day
- Lower daytime electricity use
- Optional light kits for evening use
Tubular Skylights
Related Services
If a solar tube is not quite right for the space, or you are planning work around it, these pages may help.
Helpful answers
Tubular Skylights FAQs
Call our team if you need advice for your property or roofing project.
04 888 0115How much light does a tubular skylight give?
In a small room or hallway, a well-placed tube on a sunny day can give enough light that you do not need the lights on. On overcast days it is softer, and it delivers no light at night. Larger tube diameters and shorter, straighter runs give more light. We can suggest the right size and number of tubes for the space.
Do tubular skylights work on cloudy days?
Yes, though with less output. The roof dome collects diffuse light from the whole sky, not just direct sun, so even on a grey Wellington day a tube brings in noticeable natural light. It will not be as bright as a clear afternoon, but most people find the difference from a dark hallway is still significant.
Can a solar tube be fitted where the roof is far above the ceiling?
Yes, tubes can be extended to suit deep roof spaces. Every extra length and bend reduces the light reaching the room, so we keep the run as short and straight as possible. For very deep or awkward spaces, a rigid tube of a larger diameter helps make up the difference.
Do solar tubes cause heat loss?
A properly sealed tube with insulation fitted closely around it has a small ceiling opening and loses much less heat than a conventional skylight. Heat loss mostly happens when the insulation is pulled away from the tube or the diffuser is not sealed, which is why we finish both carefully.
Can a tubular skylight be installed on a flat or low-pitch roof?
Many tube systems include a base designed for low-pitch roofs, which sits on a raised kerb so water can drain around it. On membrane roofs the base must be integrated with the membrane. Our flat roof skylights page covers how kerbs and membranes are detailed.
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