Bring daylight into the middle of your home
A gloomy landing or windowless bathroom does not always need a major alteration. A sun tunnel collects daylight at the roof and carries it down a reflective tube to a ceiling diffuser. In a bungalow or a room beneath a usable roof void, it may offer a practical way to make everyday spaces lighter.
Sun-Tunnel.co.uk is a homeowner matching service. Send one online enquiry and you may receive up to four quotations from independent local sun tunnel specialists. The number depends on your postcode, the work requested and installer availability. There is no charge to request quotes and no obligation to accept one.
Which sun tunnel job do you have in mind?
- Sun Tunnel Installation: Supply and fitting of new sun tunnels, sun pipes and tubular skylights to bring natural daylight into dark rooms, landings and corridors.
- Sun Tunnel Replacement: Removal of old, yellowed or underperforming sun tunnels and light pipes and fitting of a modern, better-insulated replacement through the same roof opening.
- Sun Tunnel Repairs: Repairs to leaking, dripping or misted sun tunnels, including flashing reseals, cracked dome replacement, tube joint taping and new diffusers.
- Rigid Sun Tunnel Installation: High-output rigid sun tunnels with mirror-finish aluminium tubes, extensions and angled elbows for long loft runs and larger rooms.
- Flexible Sun Tunnel Installation: Budget-friendly flexible sun tunnels with a foil-lined concertina tube for short runs and awkward routes around purlins, pipes and ceiling joists.
- Sun Tunnels for Bathrooms and Hallways: Sun tunnels for windowless bathrooms, en-suites, WCs, hallways and landings, with insulated tubes, condensation-resistant diffusers and optional ventilation.
Start with the route, not just the room
Tell an installer which room needs light, roughly how large it is and what sits above it. A water tank, purlin or long offset can change the choice of tube. Nearby trees and buildings can shade the collector. Photos taken safely from ground level and from an accessible loft hatch can help, but there is no need to climb onto a roof for an enquiry.
Rigid tubes use smooth reflective sections and approved elbows. Flexible tubes can accommodate a short offset but need gentle curves and a suitable length. The VELUX sun tunnel range illustrates these product choices; other manufacturers have their own fittings and installation limits.
What happens during fitting?
- Survey the roof slope or flat roof and check the covering, daylight exposure and safe access.
- Measure the roof-to-ceiling route, checking rafters, joists, pipes and cables before marking openings.
- Specify a collector, compatible flashing, tube diameter and diffuser that suit the room and route.
- Protect the room, form the openings without unapproved timber alterations, fit the flashing and secure the tube.
- Seal joints and the ceiling connection, reinstate insulation and agree plastering, decorating and waste removal.
Many straightforward installations take part of a day, but roof access, weather, longer routes and ceiling repairs can extend the job. Confirm the expected disruption and who will repair or decorate the ceiling. A daylight tube is not normally ventilation and it will not replace lighting at night.
Choosing your installer
Companies joining the network are asked to provide relevant insurance details and references. Before appointing a firm, check its current cover, ask to see similar installations and agree the specification in writing. The installer surveys the property, gives its own price and carries out the work; your contract is with that business.
- The manufacturer, tube type and diameter, with the proposed route and any elbows or extensions.
- The correct roof collector and flashing for tiles, slates or the flat roof covering.
- How insulation, tube seals and the ceiling air seal will be handled.
- Safe roof access, waste removal, ceiling repairs and decorating, with exclusions stated.
- Whether VAT is included, payment stages, a realistic start date and written warranty terms.
Check the property requirements
A roof opening needs careful attention to structure, weatherproofing and insulation. Planning permission and building control requirements depend on the building, proposed changes and the rules in your part of the UK. Listed buildings and protected areas need particular care. Ask your installer what approvals apply before work starts; do not assume a small opening is automatically exempt. The Planning Portal is a starting point for guidance in England, with local authorities able to advise on your property.
Request quotes for your postcode
Use the free quotation enquiry to describe a new installation, upgrade or fault. Include your roof type if you know it and mention any planned roof replacement so the installer can consider doing the work together.