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Sam
 
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Default Sun tunnel question/opinion

In the day time my kitchen is kind of dark and I have to turn the lights on.
I was thinking about having a sun tunnel installed. They say there are 2
types of tunnels from the roof. One is a shinny chrome like pipe, and
another is a flexible shinny tube. My ceiling in the kitchen is about 4
feet from the roof/rafters. I have heard that these tunnels provide a lot of
reflective light down with a diffuser mounted on the ceiling to disperse the
light. I would appreciate your recommendations as to where I can buy one and
your opinions on how you all feel about them. How long do they last and are
they prone to leaking. Thank you all for your help.




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DanG
 
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You may want to go experience one that someone else has installed.
My parents installed one in the kitchen for similar reasons to
yours. Every cloud and every wave of a tree limb makes the
"skylight" flicker. I did not care for the effect at all and
would have zero interest. It was almost as though someone was
flicking the light switch off and on. It must be something to
which you become accustomed, they still have it (maybe just
because they paid so much for it). YMMV.

(top posted for your convenience)
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Keep the whole world singing . . . .
DanG (remove the sevens)




"Sam" wrote in message
newsih1e.104915$r55.23691@attbi_s52...
In the day time my kitchen is kind of dark and I have to turn
the lights on.
I was thinking about having a sun tunnel installed. They say
there are 2
types of tunnels from the roof. One is a shinny chrome like
pipe, and
another is a flexible shinny tube. My ceiling in the kitchen is
about 4
feet from the roof/rafters. I have heard that these tunnels
provide a lot of
reflective light down with a diffuser mounted on the ceiling to
disperse the
light. I would appreciate your recommendations as to where I can
buy one and
your opinions on how you all feel about them. How long do they
last and are
they prone to leaking. Thank you all for your help.






  #3   Report Post  
Fred
 
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Default

We had it installed in a windowless second floor bathroom. Huge difference
and so bright when the sun is out. No tree limb above it though so there is
very little flickering if at all - it does go bright and dark dependent on
the sun but there is a top end model with its own internal light (perhaps it
was solar too, don't remembered).


"DanG" wrote in message
news:UIh1e.49543$3z.8953@okepread03...
You may want to go experience one that someone else has installed. My
parents installed one in the kitchen for similar reasons to yours. Every
cloud and every wave of a tree limb makes the "skylight" flicker. I did
not care for the effect at all and would have zero interest. It was
almost as though someone was flicking the light switch off and on. It
must be something to which you become accustomed, they still have it
(maybe just because they paid so much for it). YMMV.

(top posted for your convenience)
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Keep the whole world singing . . . .
DanG (remove the sevens)




"Sam" wrote in message
newsih1e.104915$r55.23691@attbi_s52...
In the day time my kitchen is kind of dark and I have to turn the lights
on.
I was thinking about having a sun tunnel installed. They say there are 2
types of tunnels from the roof. One is a shinny chrome like pipe, and
another is a flexible shinny tube. My ceiling in the kitchen is about 4
feet from the roof/rafters. I have heard that these tunnels provide a lot
of
reflective light down with a diffuser mounted on the ceiling to disperse
the
light. I would appreciate your recommendations as to where I can buy one
and
your opinions on how you all feel about them. How long do they last and
are
they prone to leaking. Thank you all for your help.








  #4   Report Post  
Rondy Zeller
 
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Default


"DanG" wrote
You may want to go experience one that someone else has installed.
My parents installed one in the kitchen for similar reasons to
yours. Every cloud and every wave of a tree limb makes the
"skylight" flicker. I did not care for the effect at all and
would have zero interest. It was almost as though someone was
flicking the light switch off and on. It must be something to
which you become accustomed, they still have it (maybe just
because they paid so much for it). YMMV.


This happens to my windows where the trees are, and every time the sky gets
cloudy. Do you recommend removing the windows from the rooms, or cutting
down all the trees. I suppose if I had all the trees cut down, a cloudy day
still presents a problem. Guess there's no other solution than to block off
all the windows.

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Rondy Zeller
 
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Default


"DanG" wrote
Instead of your comment that would appear to be directed at me,
perhaps you should experience the situation of having the
"skylight" directly over the kitchen table. I did not care for it
while eating or playing cards. As I said, your mileage might
vary. I do not see your comments about room windows being very
related.


Indeed natural lighting is a poor choice for directly over a table. The
sarcasm remarks were in regards to, whatelse could you possibly expect from
natural lighting? Of course you will notice clouds and shadows, well duh!


  #7   Report Post  
bill a
 
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I am a fan of skylights, but I have only installed them during remodels,
when the ceiling structure was open anyway.
I don't know that it is worth it to cut into a finish ceiling. Some $50?
light fixtures can pretty well replicate the light qualities
and they don't cause roof leaks.

fwiw
bill


"Sam" wrote in message
newsih1e.104915$r55.23691@attbi_s52...
In the day time my kitchen is kind of dark and I have to turn the lights
on.
I was thinking about having a sun tunnel installed. They say there are 2
types of tunnels from the roof. One is a shinny chrome like pipe, and
another is a flexible shinny tube. My ceiling in the kitchen is about 4
feet from the roof/rafters. I have heard that these tunnels provide a lot
of
reflective light down with a diffuser mounted on the ceiling to disperse
the
light. I would appreciate your recommendations as to where I can buy one
and
your opinions on how you all feel about them. How long do they last and
are
they prone to leaking. Thank you all for your help.






  #8   Report Post  
 
Posts: n/a
Default

On Sat, 02 Apr 2005 21:15:14 GMT, "bill a"
graced this newsgroup with:

I am a fan of skylights, but I have only installed them during remodels,
when the ceiling structure was open anyway.
I don't know that it is worth it to cut into a finish ceiling. Some $50?
light fixtures can pretty well replicate the light qualities
and they don't cause roof leaks.

fwiw
bill


"Sam" wrote in message
newsih1e.104915$r55.23691@attbi_s52...
In the day time my kitchen is kind of dark and I have to turn the lights
on.
I was thinking about having a sun tunnel installed. They say there are 2
types of tunnels from the roof. One is a shinny chrome like pipe, and
another is a flexible shinny tube. My ceiling in the kitchen is about 4
feet from the roof/rafters. I have heard that these tunnels provide a lot
of
reflective light down with a diffuser mounted on the ceiling to disperse
the
light. I would appreciate your recommendations as to where I can buy one
and
your opinions on how you all feel about them. How long do they last and
are
they prone to leaking. Thank you all for your help.




....we've had ours since '97 and have had zero problems with it. It
significantly increased the light in our upstairs hallway and gives
quite a lightshow during thunderstorms. ;-)

btw..ours is the flexible reflective tubing. Looks like a big silver
dryer hose in the attic.


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