Light tunnel

SUNSHINE HOUSE

In order to provide natural light where there are no opportunities to install roof or vertical windows, an effective solution can be a Light Tunnel.

Thanks to the light tunnel, natural light gets into the building illuminating its interior. In the other rooms light tunnel can be an additional source of light.

The amount of light which enters the room via the light tunnels depends on the light intensity outside the building. The more light that illuminates the dome of the light tunnel, the more light is conveyed to the building interior. The below diagram illustrates the full amount of the daylight (lm) depending on the month and cloudiness measured at the light tunnel dome.

SUNLIGHT

The amount of light entering the room is dependent on the placing of the dome.

When planning the installation of the light tunnel, the following elements have to be taken into account:

• place the dome on the south facing roof which is the most illuminated part of the roof and avoid shady places
• place the light transmitting tube in such a way that it travels the shortest possible distance between roof and ceiling
• instal the light tunnel to ensure the best possible tension (light tunnel with flexible tube)

When planning size and number of light tunnels, the following have to be taken into account:

• size and shape, especially the room height
• colours and textures of walls, ceiling and floor surface
• planned furniture and additional equipment placement (according to the type and purpose of the room).

The table below will provide a guide to choosing the optimum size and type of light tunnel.

The amount of light

	The simplified light distribution shown below the light tunnel installed in the middle of the room without windows.
	The same room without windows and with asymmetrical light tunnel placement which can be justified in order to secure better illumination of a determined zone ( e.g desk with computer) in the room. In other instances this type of light tunnel placement is disadvantageous.
	Depending on the user's necessities, colour of walls (possible diffusion and reflection of the light) and furniture placement - this is a basic scheme of light tunnel placement in a room with a window. The placement of a light tunnel too close to a wall opposite to a window may diminish the overall light in the middle zone.

A source of natural light should be available in any living space. Unfortunately, there are interiors in which the use of vertical or roof  windows is not feasible. Rooms devoid of daylight are dark and uncomfortable. To ensure illumination in such places, installing  a light tunnel will channel natural light to the centre. Light tunnels can constitute the main or additional light source in any room.

S – skylight, L, R, F – light transmitting tube (R-rigid, F/L-flexible), T – light tunnel with the dome, S, L, Z, H – light tunnel with integrated flashing

The Light Tunnels – SLT, SF_, SRT, SR_ allow illumination of the rooms located in the central part of the building with natural light, even those in which fitting roof or vertical windows is impossible.
Production of the Light Tunnels is carried out in accordance with FAKRO manufacturing standards, which is a guarantee of the highest quality workmanship.
The Light Tunnels are a modern and ecological solution to the problem of dark rooms. After installation, they practically do not require any cleaning and maintenance.

Flat light tunnels:

SR_ Light Tunnel	SR_ light tunnel – with rigid light transmitting tube and integrated flashing.	It is also available in SR_- L version which illuminates with natural light the space directly below the installation of light tunnel’s outer element e.g. attic or loft.
SFZ Light Tunnel	SF_ light tunnel – with flexible light transmittin tube and integrated flashing.	It is also available in SF_- L version with illumination of the space directly below the installation of light tunnel’s outer element e.g. attic or loft.

Light tunnels with dome:

SRT Light Tunnel	The SRT light tunnel with dome and rigid light transmitting tube.  An appropriate flashing must be chosen for the light tunnel. It is also possible to install the SLO light kit.
SLT Light Tunnel	The SLT light tunnel with the dome and flexible light transmitting tube. An appropriate flashing must be chosen for the light tunnel. It is also possible to install the SLO light kit.