DAYLIGHTBathrooms Landings Kitchens Hallways Living Rooms EnSuites

Officiallythe brightestsun tubeThe UK’s only independent testreport

Let the daylight floodin…

Solarspot, naturaldaylight solutions for

Windowlessbathrooms &

en suites

Dark halls &landings

Lifeless livingrooms

Solarspot, delivering natural light into the heart of your home - more daylight, guaranteed

I S S U E T W O

Introducing SolarspotThe world’s brightest tubular daylight system

Don’t just take our word for it. On the back of thisbrochure you’ll find a summary from anindependent test carried out by the worldrenowned BRE (Building Research Establishment)that proves a Solarspot system will give youaround 69% more light that the ‘next best’system of a similar size, and more than 20 timesmore than a flexible duct unit.

Here’s how it worksThe principle of a Solarspot is very simple; adome on the roof that harvests daylight, then asuper-reflective tube to transmit the light to adiffuser at the bottom that spreads the lightevenly around the room.

Solarspot – brighter by design

At the topAll systems need a clear cover on the top toprotect against the weather. But unlike othersystems, the Solarspot dome has some simple,but clever, patented technology that actuallycaptures light. The dome contains an RIR® lensthat performs two functions. The first is tocaptured direct sunlight and redirected into thetube, whilst on overcast days, when light hits thedome from all directions, it allows the light topass through it, refracting it down into the tube –ensuring the maximum light is harvestedregardless of weather conditions. There is also a secondary lens in the dome,the Convas®, that protects the system againstcondensation. In addition, all of our domes areimpact tested to the highest standards to resistanything that the British weather can throw out.

FlashingsWith any product fitted onto your roof, it’s vitalthat it integrates successfully to provide aweather-proof junction for the tube to fit into.That’s why Solarspot flashings are produced asleak-proof, one-piece units with options for tiles,slates, metal or flat roofs.

In the middle – the tubeAll Solarspot systems use Vegalux rigid tubeswith a reflective value of 99.7% - the mostreflective material in the world. This allows morelight to be transmitted through narrower pipesand across greater distances.

At the bottom – the diffuser.The diffuser performs four roles; protect the tubefrom dust and dirt, shield against UV rays,prevent the transfer of hot or cold air, anddistribute the light evenly around the room.

A Solarspot® is the brightest tubular daylight system youcan buy for your home - and you’ll notice that we say

daylight and not sunlight. The system is so efficient thatit will light your home on overcast days as well as sunny

days and will even perform well in the rain.

No other system uses the combination of patentedtechnologies and cutting edge materials to deliver morelight through a tube than any other manufacturer - in all

weather conditions, anywhere in the world.

iIndependently tested atthe BRE

iMore light than any othersystem - guaranteed

iMaintenance free

i10 year warranty

iPatented technologies

iVegaluxTM, 99.7% reflective

i£ for £, more light thanany other system

Solarspot, perfect foryour home

aul and Jean had been in their fourbedroom detached house for anumber of years, and whilst they wereproud of their home, the dark landingand stairwell had always been anissue.

said Paul,

For most landings we’d recommendthe smaller D-25 system but for thisgalleried landing the best option wasthe larger D-38. The larger D-38 (375mm diameter)unit is able to deliver roughly 70%more daylight and is perfect forspaces up to 22 square meters ormore. Paul and Jean also opted to fitthe integrated electric light kit withlow energy lamp unit.

said Paul,

The Solarspot D-38 is ideal for alllarger spaces and can transmitdaylight for distances of up to 11metres into the heart of your home.

Landings and stairs

Solarspot D-25,the perfect landingsolution f your landing is of more modestproportions, the smaller D-25 unit willgive you all of the daylight you need.At only 250mm in diameter, this unit iscapable of lighting spaces up to 12square meters whilst fitting throughvirtually any roof structure without theneed for any alterations. Despite it’s compact size, theD-25 is still able to deliver light overdistances of more than six meters.

Solarspot D-38,daylight solutionsfor larger landings

P

I

hen Michael and Diane decidedthat it was time for a new kitchen,units and work surfaces were not topof the agenda. The couple had lived intheir Berwick-upon-Tweed home for

some time and had previouslyinstalled another light tube system totry and combat the acute lack ofnatural light in the room. “

” said Michael, “

.” “

.” Michael and Diane instructed theirlocal installer to do the work prior tothe kitchen refurbishment so that allof the important decisions for colours,units, work surfaces etc., could bemade in natural light conditions. “

” exclaimed Michael“

”

The recipe for a brighter kitchenDaylight solutions for kitchens of all sizes

ot every customer needs a ‘total’ daylightingsolution for their kitchen. In some cases it cansimply be that there is a dark corner that needsattention or the back of a long galley kitchenthat the daylight doesn’t reach. This cottage kitchen had a very dark cornerthat was in desperate need of some daylight.The issue was that the kitchen had a roomabove rather than loft space, so the tube wasducted through a small cupboard on theupstairs landing and then up into the roof void. Despite being only 250mm in diameter, thesuper-efficient Solarspot D-25 is still capable oflighting areas of up to 12 square meters,making it perfect for bringing daylight intodark corners of otherwise adequately lit rooms.

Solarspot D-25Perfect for brightening smaller kitchens ordark corners of larger rooms

“

.”

N

W

hen Sheila and Chris brought theirretirement bungalow, the onlydownside to the property was the lackof natural light in the living livingroom. The couples’ initial thought was toinstall large Velux-style windows - asthe ceiling was vaulted this shouldhave been a relatively straight forwardjob. But after consulting a localbuilder it seems that the process wasnot quite as straight forward. Therewas an unexpected void between theroof and vaulted ceiling meaning thatthe installation of traditional roofwindows would have been a major job.

said Chris,

So Chris took to the internet andcame across the Solarspot system.

”

DaylightforlivingTwin D-38 systemsprovide impressivesolution for thispreviously darkliving room.

Main picture: Twin Solarspot D-38s located in the vaulted ceiling transform apreviously dark space into a bright living area.Below: Roof flashings and domes harvesting the light on this west-facing roof.

W

f you have a dark, windowless en suite or shower roomyou are not alone. With more of us extending the homesthat we are in, the bath or shower room is often left indarkness as other rooms take priority for daylight. And if you live in a new-build house, then your bath-room or en suite was probably never even designed witha window in mind as there is no requirement underplanning rules to include natural light in these areas ofa building. This was exactly the case for one customer in herMilton Keynes bungalow. Due to the layout of thebuilding there was no wall that could accommodate awindow, leaving the room feeling more like a cupboardthan a shower room. Fortunately, Susie had a friend who had a similarsituation and had remedied it with a Solarspot®.

The Solarspot D-25 is the perfect choice for most ensuites and bathrooms. Despite being only 250mm indiameter, the compact Solarspot D-25 is able to provide

Showering youwith daylight

e often find that when we come tofit a system, the best position for thediffuser is where the existing electriclight is already located. Rather thanbeing a problem, this is a greatopportunity to install an integratedelectric light fitting that allows thesystem to carry on delivering lighteven when it gets dark. The fitting simply fits into thetube and is covered by the diffuserfor seamless integration into yourceiling. It can then be switched onand off as required.

enough light for spaces up to 12 square meters. The D-25is small enough to fit through even the narrowest standardjoist gaps and can transmit light along a tube up to sevenmeters in length.

I

W

Electric lightkits for nighttime use

Daylight solutions fordark bungalow halls

ungalow hallways are notoriously dark. Locked withinthe heart of the building the only way to allow daylight in,for most people, is to leave the internal doors open, notgreat for energy efficiency. Stephen, from Helnsburgh in Argyll & Bute, contactedus to see if we felt the addition of a Solarspot wouldimprove the light levels in this large central lobby area ofhis home. Stephen opted for for two D-25 (250mmdiameter) units to give an even spread of light across theentire space.

Seamless flashings for aleak-proof roof

or most people, the most daunting,and possibly off-putting, aspect tofitting a tubular daylight systems is theintegration with their roof. The thoughtof cutting a hole in a perfectly goodroof can be a little scary. At Solarspot we make a range offlashings specifically designed to fitUK roof types. All of our flashings aremanufactured with a single mainseamless body that has no joints thatcan leak.

Flashings for pitched roofs aremoulded from ABS or uPVC and areavailable in angled or parallel form,ensuring that we supply you with thebest option for your roof, regardless ofpitch or aspect. All pitched roofflashings are supplied with expandedfoam seals to prevent driving water orbird ingress (except for slate roofversions). In addition, a malleable,self-adhesive weathering strip isbonded to the lower edge of theflashing that moulds into the profile ofthe roof tile to prevent water ingressand wind-lift.

For flat roofs we are able to offer astandard flat roof flashing or, ifrequired, we can supply flashings forpre-formed curbed up-stands. Theseflashings are available either as astandard size or can be ordered to fitexisting or specialist curbs.

Photos, left:

Centre:

Above:

F

B

Officially brighter.Independent BRE test results prove thatthe brightest sun tube is Solarspot®

You’ve decided that you need morenatural light in your home and a suntunnel looks like your best option. Theproblem is, which one do you choose?Cheap or expensive, rigid or flexible,the choice is mind boggling. Do yougo for something based on price, andhope for the best, or take a morescientific approach to ensure that youget the brightest system for yourhome? To help, we asked the BuildingResearch Establishment (BRE) to testthe Solarspot system against thecomparable offerings fromMonodraught® and Solatube®. Theresults from this highly respected andindependent body is clear. The BRE tested our Solarspot D-38against the equivalent product fromSolatube and Sunpipe®. The efficiency(brightness) of the Solarspot wasshown to be 57% versus 40% and 43%(respectively) for the other twocompetitor products.

So what does that mean in termsof how much extra light you willget?

Compare the Solarspot with theSolatube; in a side-by-side installation,the Solarspot D-38 would deliveraround 69% more light than theSolatube 290DS. Conclusive proof that if you wantto ensure the maximum amount of

natural light for your home, thebrightest choice is Solarspot. So why is the performance of theSolarspot significantly greater thanthat of its rivals?

It’s all in the technology:

The Solarspot® dome

The dome is completely clear, allowingthe maximum amount of light to enterthe tube without interference from ‘so-called’ light harvesting prismaticlenses which can actually block outmore light than they capture.

RIR™ Light Funnel

To maximise light capture in theSolarspot, we use our patented RIR®

light funnel technology. At the startand end of the day the RIR reflectslow-level light into the system. As thesun gets higher in the sky, or onovercast days, there are noobstructions to daylight entering thetop of the tube – maximising lightcapture in all weather conditions.

Vegalux® light transfer technology

With an unsurpassed light reflectivityof 99.7%, our VegaluxTM tubing andextension systems are able to delivermore light, for longer distances thanany other tubular daylight system.

UK Distribution for Solarspot Daylighting Systems

Syneco Limited, Suite 138/A, The i:Centre, Howard Way,Interchange Business Park, Newport Pagnell MK16 9PY

T: 01908 299117 F: 01908 299124 E: solarspot@syneco.co.uk www.solarspot.co.uk

In conclusion - taken from theBRE report, number 280962

14 August 2012

Taking the three double/singleglazed tubes, the Solarspot withConvas lens product had thehighest transmittance, 0.57,compared to 0.43 for theMonodraught Sunpipe and 0.40for the Solatube.

In relative terms, it was 33% moreefficient than the Monodraught attransmitting light, and 44% morethan the Solatube.

60%

50%

40%

30%

20%

10%

SO

LA

TU

BE

290

DS

-4

0%

SU

NP

IPE

45

0-

43%

SO

LA

RS

PO

TD

-38

-5

7%

Buying with confidence - more light for your home

No other system will deliver as much light to your home through anequivalent size or length of pipe. Solarspot is the only system that offers you such a complete packageof patented light capture and delivery technology, making it Europe’snumber one system for maximum daylight delivery.