Use light tubes to make interiors brighter
Where windows won't help, light tubes will
A light tube (also called a light pipe or tubular skylightRound skylight that transmits sunlight down through a tube with internally reflective walls, even through an attic space; it delivers daylighting through a ceiling light diffuser. Most tubular skylights are 12 to 16 inches in diameter and deliver daytime lighting comparable to several 100-watt incandescent light bulbs.
) is an inexpensive way of getting natural light into rooms that don't have windows. It consists of a roof-mounted skylight that routes light down a 12-inch to 16-inch duct with a highly reflective interior. The duct is connected to a diffuserIn a forced-air heating/cooling system, the diffuser is a register or grille attached to ducting through which heated or air conditioned air is delivered to the living space. In a tubular skylight or an electric light fixture, the diffuser is a cover plate through which scattered light is delivered. mounted on the ceiling. An active tracking skylight, which has a moving mirror that follows the sun during the day, is even more effective at bringing sunlight inside. However, a light tube creates another penetration in the roof, so proper flashing and air sealing are critical.
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