Before & After: Why Auckland Skylights Relocated the Sun Tunnel and Doubled the Natural Light through skylights in a living space.

One of the most common mistakes we see with skylights and sun tunnels is installing them in the wrong locations which do not suit the requirements of the room to deliver the greatest benefit to occupants while increasing asset value

This recent project is a great example.

Before, the wrong type of natural lighting  product selected for the room characteristics, great product wrong place

The home had a sun tunnel positioned above the large open plan living area which had light coming in from the sliding doors

While the sun tunnel provided some light, it was largely ineffective as the room already benefited from:

• Large glass doors

• Light-coloured walls and ceilings

• Good daylight but not in the entire room

Looking at the house the hallway and kitchen area remained dependent on electric lighting during the day.

The Recommendation

After assessing how the home was used, we recommended relocating the sun tunnel from the large open plan space to the central hallway as it was dark and best suited the existing product and roof structure.

Why?

Sun tunnel Natural light has the greatest impact in areas that receive little or no daylight. We often see this darkening of living spaces happen when awnings are installed or roof put over external decks.

A sun tunnel installed in a hallway, bathroom or kitchen in this situation can:

• Reduce the need for lights during the day

• Improve safety and visibility

• Make narrow spaces feel larger

• Create a more welcoming connection between rooms

• Improve the overall feel of the home

After – Two Large Skylights in the Living Area

Instead of relying on a single sun tunnel, we installed two large skylights above the kitchen and living area.

The difference was immediate.

The skylights transformed the room by:

• Bringing daylight deep into the centre of the home

• Creating a brighter and more open feeling

• Improving the connection with the outdoors

• Reducing dependence on artificial lighting

• Enhancing the appearance of the kitchen and living space

The open-plan area now receives significantly more natural light than the original sun tunnel could ever provide. Once stopped and painted white it will further enhance the natural light in this photo.

Hallway Transformation

At the same time, the relocated sun tunnel now provides daylight where it is needed most.

The hallway no longer feels enclosed or disconnected from the rest of the house. Instead, it has a natural source of light throughout the day, creating a more pleasant transition between rooms.

The Key Lesson

You have to chose the right product for the requirements of the location.

The best daylighting design considers:

• How each room is used

• Existing window locations

• The path of the sun

• Areas that require artificial lighting during the day

• The overall balance of light throughout the home

• Size of the room

In many homes, moving or installing a sun tunnel from a dull room to a dark hallway, can have a greater impact.

We didn’t throw it away, we checked the condition and were able to recycle the existing sun tunnel skylight to a location where it can be best used.

Skylights provide the bridge for dark or dull rooms to bring light and life to the room. Sun Tunnels are best used in dark spaces like the hallway, smaller internal rooms.

Thinking About Natural Light?

Whether you’re considering a skylight replacement, new skylights, or a sun tunnel installation, the goal should be to design daylight where it adds the most value using the product which suits the scope, room and space. Remember opaque glass diffuses light, clear glass directs it to a specific location.

At Auckland Skylights, we use our experience to assess the entire home to ensure the product installed provides the greatest impact in that location working within the client’s budget, helping homeowners maximise natural light, comfort, energy efficiency and asset value

Need advice on skylights or sun tunnels? Or Want to know the estimated cost? reach out to Auckland Skylights for a site assessment and discover how natural light can uplift your home and life.