Solatube® vs. Traditional Skylights:

The Clear Winner in Natural Lighting

Solatube® Outshines the Competition

Discover the High-Tech Skylight Alternative That Brings More Natural Light Into Your Home

When it comes to tubular skylights, not all systems are created equal. While several brands offer similar-looking daylighting solutions, the technology inside can vary dramatically. Solatube® stands apart as the original innovator in tubular daylighting, offering unmatched brightness, performance, and reliability. Here’s how Solatube compares to other tubular skylight systems—and why it remains the top choice for Florida homeowners.

Superior Reflectivity = Brighter Rooms

At the heart of every Solatube® system is Spectralight® Infinity Tubing—the most reflective material in the world, offering up to 99.7% specular reflectivity. This ensures sunlight travels further, brighter, and more consistently into your home. Other brands typically use aluminum-based tubing, which can lose significant light along the way—especially in longer runs or angled configurations.

Smart, Integrated Features

Solatube’s daylighting systems don’t just deliver more light—they do it smarter. Many other tubular skylights offer basic functionality with little to no customization. Solatube offers:
  • Solar-Powered NightLight (ISn Models): A built-in solar cell charges during the day and provides a soft, moonlike glow at night.
  • Ventilation Add-On Kit: Available with the 160 DS model for bathrooms and laundry areas.
  • Remote-Controlled Daylight Dimmer: Easily adjust daylight levels with the touch of a button—ideal for media rooms or bedrooms.
  • Light Add-On Kit: Combine natural and electric lighting in one fixture for round-the-clock functionality.

Most competing tubular skylights lack these types of integrated add-ons, or require awkward third-party modifications.

Solatube® vs. Other Tubular Skylights

Not all tubular skylights are created equal. Ask for Solatube® by name!

Solatube® uses patented optical technologies that significantly outperform other brands. While many tubular skylights rely on basic dome designs and standard reflective tubing, Solatube integrates high-performance features designed for maximum light capture—even in less-than-ideal lighting conditions.

  • Raybender® 3000 Technology: This patented dome lens captures low-angle sunlight during early mornings, late afternoons, and winter months—times when most other brands fail to perform.

  • LightTracker™ Reflector: Installed inside the dome, this internal mirror boosts light capture and redirection for enhanced brightness all day long. Competing systems rarely include similar features.

Why Does Solatube® Reign Supreme?

Tubular skylights still utilize some of the earliest methods we discovered to bring natural sunlight into our homes. The first commercial tubular skylights were patented in the 1850s, and they’ve only modernized since then.

It’s no secret that one name stands tall among all skylights, Solatube®. The technology used in Solatube® products has advanced and expanded the industry more than any other. They are a well-known, trusted brand whose products are used in residential homes, commercial buildings, and even hotels. 

Solatube® focuses all its R&D on developing the best possible products, which is why they are always at the forefront of technology and quality. Everyone else is usually just a step behind, following in their cutting-edge wake. 

Solatube® Vs. Competitors

Solatube® vs. Traditional Skylight

Traditional skylights rely on a large glass pane and the sun being high overhead to deliver strong light. This means limited performance during the morning, late afternoon, and winter months when sunlight enters at a low angle. Solatube®, on the other hand, uses patented Raybender® 3000 Technology and LightTracker™ Reflectors to capture and redirect low-angle sunlight into your home—from sunrise to sunset, all year round.

Efficiency and Reflectivity

Most tubular skylights on the market use materials with around 95% reflectivity. Solatube®’s Spectralight® Infinity Tubing delivers a staggering 99.7% specular reflectivity, ensuring that the light captured from your roof reaches your room with minimal loss and maximum brightness.

 

Design Flexibility

 

Traditional skylights require framing, drywall, painting, and more. Solatube® systems are typically installed in just two hours with no structural modifications required. Plus, they offer a range of decorative fixtures, light add-ons, dimmers, and ventilation kits to meet both aesthetic and functional needs.

 

Leak-Proof & Low-Maintenance

Unlike traditional skylights that are notorious for leaking over time, Solatube® Daylighting Systems feature a sealed, weather-proof dome and seamless flashing. They’re engineered to prevent leaks and eliminate long-term maintenance concerns.

Solatube® vs. Imitations

Generic tubular skylights often use lower-grade reflective materials and basic domes that don’t optimize light intake. Solatube® is the only system on the market that integrates:

  • Raybender® 3000 to maximize low-angle light
  • LightTracker™ to enhance winter performance
  • Spectralight® Infinity Tubing for pure, bright color rendition

 

Consistent Performance

Other brands can lose effectiveness depending on the time of day, weather conditions, or the length of tubing. Solatube®’s optical technology ensures even, natural lighting throughout the day, in any season.

 

Certified for Quality & Safety

Solatube® products are certified to meet or exceed standards set by ENERGY STAR®, the Florida Building Code, and OSHA. Competing systems often lack these credentials or require additional engineering approval for Florida homes.

 

Superior Reflectivity = Brighter Rooms


At the heart of every Solatube® system is Spectralight® Infinity Tubing—the most reflective material in the world, offering up to 99.7% specular reflectivity. This ensures sunlight travels further, brighter, and more consistently into your home. Other brands typically use aluminum-based tubing, which can lose significant light along the way—especially in longer runs or angled configurations.

Solatube® vs. Velux

Another worthy competitor is Velux. Their overall lumen output is lower than Solatube® simply because of their design. They come close, but their tubes still absorb more light on the way down the tube. Unlike Solatube®, Velux offers several other products. As Solatube’s® main focus is on creating solar tubes of the highest quality, this is where all their efforts go, so their tubes consistently look and perform better.

More Style, Savings, and Function

Aesthetics matter! Solatube® doesn’t just provide more light, it’s more eye-pleasing too. You’ll get to choose from several different features and finishes, including a solar nightlight, and a variety of diffusers so you can still control the “curb appeal” of your home.

When it comes to Solatube®, there’s no room for imitations or traditional skylights. Choose only the best. Choose Solatube®. At The Solar Guys, our daylighting experts are ready to help you! Contact us today to schedule an appointment!  

Is the Product Customizable For Your Tastes and Preferences?

A Solatube® is completely customizable to your individual style!

Do you want a “one type fits all” frisbee-looking spotlight on your ceiling, or a designer decorative fixture of your choice? Would you like to enhance your skylight with the ability to use it as an electric light at night? Would you like to control the light level with only the flip of a switch?

It is your product and your investment; don’t you think that ultimately the final look, feel, and versatility should be yours as well?

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Just As Important As The Product Is: Who Will Be Doing The Installation?

The Solar Guys is 100% Focused On Customer Service!

The Solar Guys are the ONLY Premier Dealer for genuine Solatube® products throughout Central Florida. Installing tubular skylights properly requires comprehensive construction and roofing trade knowledge. The Solar Guys holds three state certified licenses that verify our expertise. Solar License (CVC57042), General Contractor (CGC1518621) and Roofing Contractor (CCC1329445).

All of our employees have been background checked and drug tested, factory trained and certified. We carry full liability and workers’ compensation coverage. We are an accredited member of the Better Business Bureau with an A+ rating and have never received a single complaint from one of our 85,000 customers.