Frequently Asked Questions »
 How does a Midtherm Solatube® work?
How does a Midtherm Solatube® light output compare to other tubular skylights?
What does it look like in the room?
How large an area does the Midtherm Solatube® light?
How does a Midtherm Solatube® compare to a traditional skylight?
How long can the tube be?
Who can install a Midtherm Solatube®?
Does a Midtherm Solatube® leak?
Is condensation a problem?
Can the tubes be left open at the ceiling point until the false ceiling grid is installed?
Is the Midtherm Solatube® maintenance free?
What about low light levels, which is often the case in our British climate conditions?
What about product warranty?
How does a Midtherm Solatube® work?
Very simply, a clear dome on the roof collects natural light which is channeled down through super-reflective tubing directly to where it is needed in the room below.
Back to top...
How does a Midtherm Solatube® light output compare to other tubular skylights?
In brief, Solatube® patented performance-enhancing features include our special roof dome reflector system (LITD®) for redirecting direct light and our Fresnel lens (Raybender® Technology) for refracting low level ambient light down the tube. These features alone can more than double the amount of daylight entering into the tube aperture and into the room below. No other tubular skylight has these features. In addition, Solatube® uses the most advanced commercially-available reflective material (Spectralight® Infinity) in the tubing and the dome reflector, giving a 99.7% light transfer per reflection.
Back to top...
What does it look like in the room?
Solatube® offers a choice of ceiling diffusers, ranging from a gently curved prismatic diffuser to spread the light evenly in the room, a flush frosted diffuser to concentrate light below the diffuser itself, and a revolutionary diffuser that allows the occupants to see the sky!
Back to top...
How large an area does the Midtherm Solatube® light?
A 250mm diameter Solatube® provides light for up to a 13-sq metre area. The 350mm diameter Solatube® lights up to a 22-sq metre area. The 530mm diameter Solatube® lights up to a 44-sq metre area, all based on a 1.8metre tube length and 2.4metre ceiling height.
The light output will vary depending on the intensity of the sun and the aspect of the dome on the roof. For example, there will be more light at mid-day than in the morning or evening. Light output may decrease as the length of the tube increases. These measurements are based on a free unobstructed area with a ceiling to ffl of 2.4m.
Back to top...
How does a Midtherm Solatube® compare to a traditional skylight?
Traditional skylights pass light through a drywall shaft and into the home. This means that a large percentage of light is absorbed en route and never reaches the room's interior. Also, when direct light enters the drywall-boxed section, you often end up with a narrow shaft of light on the floor that can fade carpets and soft furnishings. Midtherm Solatube® minimizes any loss of light during transfer and distributes the light from ceiling level, resulting in a uniform distribution of light and no faded furnishings.
Back to top...
How long can the tube be?
As the tube length gets longer, the light output is reduced. Good lighting results should be expected for tube lengths of up to:
4.0 metres for the 250mm diameter Solatube®
6.0metres for the 350 diameter Solatube®
8.0 metres for the 530mm diameter Solatube®
Back to top...
Who can install a Midtherm Solatube®?
Midtherm Engineering Ltd offers a full design and quotation service. Call our offices today to talk to one of our sales engineers.
Back to top...
Does a Midtherm Solatube® leak?
To eliminate any possibility of leakage, all roof-flashing components are of seamless, one-piece construction and do not need to be 'flashed in' using lead strip. Over 20 different roof flashing types are available to match your particular roof type. On commercial applications roof flashing types vary.
Back to top...
Is condensation a problem?
No – the Midtherm Solatube® is completely sealed at the ceiling to prevent warm moist air in the room below from migrating up the tube. The special dome seal allows the outside air to mix with the tube air, eliminating the air temperature contrast that contributes to condensation.
Back to top...
Can the tubes be left open at the ceiling point until the false ceiling grid is installed?
Yes. Due to the advanced finishing techniques of the Midtherm Solatube® condensation is allowed to drain away from the top of the polycarbonate dome and back out onto the roofplate. The units can then be finished in the normal way once the ceiling construction is complete.
Back to top...
Is the Midtherm Solatube® maintenance free?
The Midtherm Solatube® is designed to be a sealed unit and all assemblies (dome, diffuser, flashing) have seals and all joints are taped to stop insect and dust infiltration. The design and shape of the dome and flashing eliminates build up of outside debris, making Midtherm Solatube® maintenance free.
Back to top...
What about low light levels, which is often the case in our British climate conditions?
The Midtherm Solatube® is designed to meet the needs of the British climate with an LITD® light deflector incorporated within the polycarbonate dome. As well as this there is a Frensel ® lens that actually directs low level light down the tube rather than across the circumference. This is normally the case within our competitors units, and changing the reflective material within the tubes will not direct light in the right direction!
Back to top...
What about product warranty?
Midtherm Solatube® are guaranteed for a realistic 10 years. The Solatube® Company has been manufacturing these units for over 20 years and is fully aware of the capabilities of the product.
Electrical components provided by Solatube® are guaranteed by them for 5 years. This includes light dampers, switches and fan units.
Back to top...
|
