THERE IS LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL

Enjoy Natural Light Anywhere under Your Roof

You don’t always need electric power to bring light into a room; you can bring life into your indoor spaces by tapping the bright natural daylight using the light tunnels. Unlike virtually any other product on the market, there’s only one criterion when it comes to deciding which light tunnel to choose from, and that is the system that will deliver the most light. It’s very easy to get lost in all of the talk of reflective values and patented technologies, and still be left in the dark. So for the right system for your home, office or building project, Classic Mouldings ltd offer you the best light tubes from FAKRO, a leading skylight manufacturer in Europe. Light tunnels are suitable for all types of structures ranging from warehouses, showrooms, offices and halls among many others.

Composition

The FAKRO light tunnels come in two types; the rigid and the flexible light transmitting tube. Both consist of a dome, 3-element light transmitting tube, ceiling frame, prismatic diffuser, light kit and installation kit. The total length of elements connected in a straight line is 2.1m. The flexible tube also consists of an elbow which changes the angle of the light transmitting tube anywhere between 0-65 degrees.

The dome is made of polymethacrylate, a material resistant to mechanical damage. The dome’s shape and height is a combination of self-cleaning effect and co-efficient of overall sun light transmittance to building interior. The low electrostatic activity of the dome’s surface means that the dust adheres to dome’s surface only lightly, so the rain quickly washes the dirt away.

The light transmitting tube is made of aluminium, covered with a highly reflective silver based layer, characterized by a high efficiency light reflective factor, over 98% (compared to a new mirror reflective factor of 90-95%). The minimal light transmittance losses enable light tunnels with a tube length of up to 12m to be applied. While installing the light transmitting tube, there is no need to cut it, because its design is telescopic. In order to attain proper tube length, it is possible to push one element deeper inside the other. In case the tube is longer than 4m, the use of SRC hangers is advised.

The ceiling frame and the diffuser are the only elements visible in the ceiling after the light tunnel is installed. The sun’s rays reflected from the walls of the light transmitting tube are directed downwards to the light diffuser. The main diffuser’s role is to spread the light evenly throughout the room. The light diffuser consists of transparent and mat diffusers equipped with UV filters. Both (transparent and mat) diffusers are placed inside the seal, which unites them into one entity. Between the diffusers, there is an air chamber, which plays the role of insulation between the room interior and light transmitting tube. It minimizes the level of condensation inside the light transmitting tube.

The Flashings

Flashing is used for a correct light tunnel installation into the roof slope. Flashing ring is equipped with drips openings which can drain away the eventual condensate outside the light tunnel. In the middle of the flashing there is a reflective ring, the first element of which reflects the light entering into the light tunnel via a dome.

Light Tunnel Flashing is suitable for flat roof coverings up to 10 mm (2 layers x 5 mm) thickness e.g. tiles, shingles and slates. It is applied to roof coverings with a profile depth of up to 45 mm such as: tiles and profile metal sheeting or roof coverings with a profile depth of up to 90 mm.

Installation

The tunnel is connected to a bent duct on a void in the roof that is covered with a glass dome to bring direct sunlight into a room. A single tunnel can lit up a dark space of up to 17sqm. In the other rooms, light tunnels can be an additional source of light. To regulate the amount of light, you can put a flap or a light filter above the diffuser to restrict incoming light. The light tunnel is on the roof and no water penetrates to the light receiver because it has a special flash sink.

A light tunnel captures the sunlight and operates by bouncing captured sunlight through a highly reflective, mirror-like light pipe.

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

1. Position – place the dome on the south facing roof which is the most illuminated part of the roof and avoid shady places.
2. Length – place the light transmitting tube in such a way that light travels the shortest possible distance between roof and ceiling
3. Type – install 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 amount of light which enters the room thorough the light tunnels depends on the light intensity outside the building and the placing of the dome. The more light illuminates the dome of the light tunnel, the more light is conveyed to the building interior.

Advantages

Light tubes do not require electric installations or insulation, and hence can further be efficient for indoor wet areas such as bathrooms and pools. From a more artistic point of view, recent developments, especially those pertaining to transparent light tubes, open new and interesting possibilities for architectural design.

Light tunnels offer better heat insulation properties and more flexibility for use in inner rooms, but less visual contact with the external environment compared to conventional skylights and other windows,

It may be worth consideration that installation of light tunnels increases the amount of natural daily light exposure. It could thus possibly contribute to residents’ well-being while avoiding over-illumination effects.

Light tunnels by Classic Mouldings have been proved to capture the sunlight even when the sun’s angle is low. They further add to flexibility for buyers, complementing the company’s building solutions range by providing a product that enable natural daylight to be let into windowless areas and those that installation of roof windows is impractical. Their lighting quality also helps save energy.

Conclusion

Whether you are an architect or specifier deciding on the right daylight product for your next project, you need to be assured that Classic Mouldings can supply the light tunnels you need, that deliver the performance you demand.

With 25 years guarantee, FAKRO daylight solutions can provide you with the natural light you require, whatever your building type or business activity.

Classic Mouldings are the sole regional distributors of tubular daylight systems from FAKRO that offer maximum daylight delivery, a complete and comprehensive suite of products, and the technical support and back up that you can trust.