FAQs for Installation

Solatube® Daylighting Systems feature unique telescoping tubes that can be easily installed even when access to the attic or plenum is limited or there is no space between the ceiling and roof at all. We can also install most products in an open ceiling application where no ceiling exists and the underside of the roof deck is exposed.

One exception to this is the Solatube Smart LED™ System, which requires a minimum height of 16 in. (406 mm) between the base of the ceiling and the roof line. With the Solatube SolaMaster® Series 330 DS-C and 750 DS-C units, the transition box requires approximately a 12 in. (305 mm) depth between the ceiling and the roof.

We recommend you consult your local Solatube daylighting expert for specific details.

The better question is where can’t they be installed? Solatube^® Daylighting Systems have been installed in virtually every type of residential and commercial application. See our residential and commercial showcases for examples.

The Solatube^® International, Inc. roof components have been designed for installation at the roof level, not on a vertical wall. By installing the roof components on a vertical wall, the product warranty would be voided. However, installations of this type have been done successfully. We recommend a warranty from the installer to cover this type of application.

An application where the roof components are mounted on the roof and the tubing makes a 90 degree turn to allow the diffuser or Decorative Fixture to be mounted on an interior wall are within the bounds of the warranty.

For more information, please contact your local Solatube daylighting expert.

Yes. We offer three different options, depending on the type of roof and Solatube^® product you’re using.

Option one is a Metal Roof Kit that can be used in conjunction with our self-flashing systems on most standing seam metal roofs with seams that are less than 4 1/2 in. (114 mm) high. This is the most commonly used application for our Solatube Daylighting System 290 DS as well as our Solatube SolaMaster^® Series 330 DS and 750 DS. This is the only option for our Solatube SkyVault^® product for metal roofs of all types.

Option two is the curb cap used on a curb (made by others) where the curb is custom-fabricated to fit the metal roof profile. This is the most commonly used application for our 290 DS, 330 DS, 750 DS models, and the only option for our Solatube SkyVault^® Series product for metal roofs of all types.

Option three is the Solatube Metal Roof Flashing, which is available exclusively for our Solatube SolaMaster Series. Featuring an innovative triple-seal Dry-Lock technique, it can be adapted to fit virtually any standing seam roof profile.

See our Production Selection Guide and Technical Resources pages for more details.

It’s always recommended that you contact your local Solatube daylighting expert for specific application details.

Yes, dim interiors are common with mobile homes because carports and patio covers often shade the windows. Solatube^® Daylighting Systems overcome this issue by delivering light directly into the interior through the roof. Plus, installation is quick and easy because no structural modifications are required.

For residential applications

For Solatube^® Daylighting Systems, the bottom tube comes pre-assembled from the factory with integrated fastening clamps in the ceiling ring. For Solatube Smart LED™ Systems, the fastening clamps are attached to the High-Performance Amplifier rather than the bottom tube. Once inserted into the ceiling opening, the bottom tubing telescopes into the top tubing. The integrated fastening clamps secure the ceiling ring into the ceiling.

If using AuroraGlo™ or QuadraFrost™ Decorative Fixtures, please see Solatube Decorative Fixtures installation instructions appendix for additional details.

For commercial applications

If using the Solatube Brighten Up® Series or Smart LED System, refer to the above information for either suspended or hard ceiling applications.

For the Solatube SolaMaster^® Series, we offer a transition box in our Solatube SolaMaster Series 750 DS-C and 330 DS-C models. This allows for integration into a suspended, acoustical ceiling grid, replacing a typical 2 ft by 2 ft ceiling tile. The transition box also offers a trim lip so that it can be used in a hard ceiling.

For Solatube SolaMaster Series 750 DS-O and 330 DS-O models, our round open ceiling diffuser can be used in a hard or suspended ceiling. You may want to add an additional trim ring for cosmetics.

The Solatube SkyVault^® Series is not recommended for drop ceiling applications.

All Solatube^® products were designed with retrofit applications in mind. However, when dealing with a new roof installation or a re-roofing project, it’s recommended to coordinate with the roofer.

For residential applications

For typical shingle roofs, it is best to install after the new roof is in place. However, the Solatube Daylighting System can easily be installed at the same time the roof is going on in most cases.

When installing a Solatube Daylighting System on a tile roof, installation is usually done after the roof is completed. On hot mop applications, installation can be done during or after.

For commercial applications

For new construction or re-roofing projects, our Solatube daylighting experts often coordinate the installation of a Solatube Daylighting System with a professional roofer to ensure flashings or curbs are properly installed. This helps to maintain the roof warranty, if applicable. Since they are factory-trained on all Solatube products and experienced with installing on a wide variety of roof types, Solatube daylighting experts can provide valuable information on how to ensure a successful outcome.

For residential applications

Solatube^® Daylighting Systems feature factory-assembled parts for faster, easier, more professional-looking installations. With this in mind, installing a Solatube Daylighting System on a shingle asphalt roof usually takes two hours or less. Other roof types (e.g., slate, tile, metal, concrete) may take slightly longer due to the roof material.

For commercial applications

Installation times can vary greatly depending on job site conditions, roof type, roof mount options, model and product configuration, and so on. Contact your Solatube daylighting expert for more information.

A Solatube^® Daylighting System works well on the north side of a roof. However, it performs even better when exposed to direct sunlight. For the best results, position the system where it will receive the most direct south-facing sunlight possible. To catch more direct rays, a turret extension can also be added to raise the dome height above the roof peak if on the north side of the roof.

The reverse is true in the southern hemisphere. There, a north-facing position is ideal.

Understanding the cause (e.g., poor ventilation) is the first step toward preventing condensation. Listed below are a number of steps that can be taken to reduce the potential for moisture buildup.

1. Always make sure round holes are cut in the roof deck, whether using the self-flashing or the curb-mounted cap. Square holes cut in the roof deck will let too much warm, moist air into the flashing or curb cavity.

2. Install a flashing insulator or curb insulator. These reduce the amount of warm air from the building’s interior that contacts the cold, metal interior of the flashing. On a curb-mounted unit, attach the curb insulator to the interior base of the curb, centering it over the round hole in the roof deck.

3. For self-flashing units, pack insulation material into the space between the flashing and the tubing to reduce the volume of warm, interior air that contacts the cold metal of the flashing. With curb-mounted units, push insulation into the curb cavity. Filling the curb cavity’s air space will equalize the temperature and reduce the occurrence of condensation. The Solatube® Curb Cap Insulation Kit is also recommended and provides R-6 rigid insulation at the underside of the curb cap. For the Solatube SkyVault® Series, rigid insulation is pre-installed in the roof assembly.

4. If a curb or flashing insulator is not used, another option is to seal the penetration where the tubing comes through the roof deck with an expanding foam sealant, insulation, or other similar product. This will reduce the chances of warm, moist air making contact with the interior of the flashing or curb cavity.

5. Ensure the dome is correctly attached to the flashing or curb cap, including dome seals in certain models. Solatube Daylighting Systems are designed to allow some air transfer from the interior of the system to the exterior. This allows moist air to vent, while enabling any droplets of water that may form on the dome to escape

6. In extreme cold climates, wrap the tubing in insulation. For best results, use foil-faced insulation. Be sure to insulate the entire tube run from the roof deck to the ceiling plane, leaving no gaps in the insulation. You can also use this method in extremely moist environments in an open ceiling application.

7. If a vapor barrier is present when penetrating the roof deck, ensure that it is maintained and sealed off once the Solatube Daylighting System has been installed.

For more details on how to address condensation, please contact your Solatube daylighting expert.

The tubing of a Solatube^® Daylighting System is not designed for exposed exterior applications. As long as the exterior tube runs are encased for added protection, however, this type of application is possible. To accommodate multiple 90-degree turns, angle adapters are available that provide maximum flexibility while resulting in minimal light loss. Also, keep in mind that the roof components must be supported if they reside on the side of the structure rather than the roof.

Note: this type of application may void the warranty. Consult your Solatube daylighting expert for more information.

Solatube^® Daylighting Systems can be installed on practically any roof type. We offer numerous roof mount options for both self-mounted and curb-mounted applications. For details, see our Product Selection Guides for residential and commercial applications.

For residential applications

While Solatube^® Daylighting Systems and Solar Star® Attic Fans are engineered for easy installation, you’ll get the best results when you hire a professional who has been factory-trained and certified to install our products. When arranging installation, we recommend you hire a Solatube Premier Dealer who is licensed, bonded and factory-trained on Solatube products to ensure a proper install and protection from unforeseen circumstances.

A general contractor, roofer or local building material supplier may also be able to assist you.

As a homeowner, we recommend installing it yourself only if you have the proper tools and training, and are comfortable making a roof penetration.

For commercial applications

For commercial applications, we recommend a Solatube International Commercial Distributor who has been factory-trained on all Solatube products. They can offer design assistance and/or installation services / training. Coordination with a general contractor or roofer may be required depending on the scope of the project.

Yes, but there are potential issues with this type of application. Due to the excess moisture present in the shower environment, condensation may occur. Since the accumulation of moisture is a natural occurrence, it is not covered under the manufacturer’s warranty. To minimize condensation, proper ventilation is crucial. In addition, using the Solatube^® Natural Effect Lens is recommended to reduce the air exchange between the shower and the inside of the tubing.

For more information about our warranty, visit the Product Registration page in the Support section of our website.

Yes. Optional Spectralight^® Infinity 0-90 Degree Tubing creates up to 90-degree angles and allows the light to run horizontally. You can even achieve multiple 90-degree turns in the same tube run.

CAD drawings are available on the Technical Resources page of our manufacturer’s website.

Yes, tubular skylights are specifically designed to be easy to install in retrofit projects while maintaining a watertight roof connection.

A retrofit installation involves adding a skylight to an existing roof instead of during the construction. Tubular skylights are ideal for this because they require only a small roof opening and minimal structural modification. The flexible tubing helps avoid attic obstacles, so installation doesn’t require a framed curb or significant alterations to rafters.

For watertight performance, the key factor is the integrated flashing system. Solatube Daylighting Systems use roof-specific flashings that are engineered to match roof type and pitch. During retrofit installation on an asphalt shingle roof, the flashing slides under the upper shingle courses and over the lower ones. This preserves the roof’s natural water-shedding design instead of interrupting it.

Because the flashing, dome, and seals are designed as a complete system, installers are not fabricating waterproofing details on site. That reduces installation complexity and lowers the risk of leaks.

In short, tubular skylights are one of the most retrofit-friendly daylighting options available. When the correct flashing kit is selected for the existing roof and installed according to manufacturer specifications, they provide a secure, watertight connection without major roof reconstruction.