Solatube® Daylighting Systems sizing and applications
The Solatube® Brighten Up® Series
The Solatube® Brighten Up® Series is designed for specification into smaller working areas and residential applications. There are two diameter sizes in the Brighten Up® Series; the Solatube® 160 DS (250mm diameter) and the Solatube® 290 DS (350mm diameter).
The Brighten Up® Series offers the highest standards of performance and features patented
Raybender® 3000 Technology and LightTracker™ Reflector that deliver unprecedented and consistent levels of light throughout the day and year, even when the sun is low in the sky. All reflective surfaces use 99.7% Spectralight Infinity for optimum efficiency.
Quick and simple to install, the Solatube® Brighten Up® Series is ideal for residential applications such as kitchens, bathrooms, hallways, stairwells, utility rooms, living areas, or in larger, open workspaces such as corridors, offices, consultancy rooms, store rooms and washrooms. For more expansive spaces, multiple units may be installed.
A Solatube® 160 DS (250mm diameter) will light an area up to 13 sqm and has a maximum recommended tube length of 6 metres. A Solatube® 290 DS (350 diameter) will light an area up to 22 sqm with a maximum recommended tube length of 9 metres.
The Solatube® Solamaster® Series
The Solatube® Solamaster® Series delivers daylight to larger, more expansive areas. Often specified in the educational, healthcare and commercial sectors, these 530mm diameter daylighting systems feature 99.7% reflective Spectralight® Infinity tubing, 
the most reflective material used in any tubular daylighting device and exclusive to Solatube® Daylighting Systems, and patented LightTracker™ Reflector for excellent daylight harvesting. These technologies make it possible to bring daylight deeper into buildings where natural light has previously not been an option.
Solamaster® Solatube® 330 DS C – for drywall and suspended ceilings features a patented transition box that ingeniously converts the 530mm diameter tubing to a 600mm square diffuser that fits neatly into a commercial suspended ceiling grid or up into a drywall ceiling. 
A range of square diffusers is available.
Solamaster® Solatube® 330 DS O – for open ceilings brings high performance daylighting to areas without a ceiling such as warehouses, factories, and sports facilities. The 99.7% reflective tube brings the diffuser through any light-absorbing roof-support structures to deliver the highest levels of natural light.
One Solatube® 330 DS (530mm diameter) will light an area up to 30sqm, subject to application.
Solatube Spacing Criteria
To determine the appropriate spacing of the Solatube products, use the recommended spacing criteria. Spacing is based on the mounting height (MH) of the diffuser above the work plane (ie: desk top for offices or floor for corridors) to be illuminated. These guidelines help to achieve optimum uniformity of illumination.
Space Type and Spacing Criteria |
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| Spacing | Enclosed Spaces 1 | Open Plan Spaces 2 | Open Ceiling Spaces 3 | ||
| From Walls |
Spacing  0.5 x MH(1.0 x MH = Maximum) |
Spacing0.5 x MH (1.0 x MH = Maximum) |
Spacing0.5 x MH (0.8 x MH = Maximum) |
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| Between Units |
1.0 x MH < Spacing < 1.3 x MH (Maximum Spacing = 1.5 x MH) |
1.0 x MH < Spacing < 1.3 x MH (Maximum Spacing = 1.5 x MH) |
0.8 x MH < Spacing < 1.0 x MH (Maximum Spacing = 1.5 x MH) |
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| Tips | Using a single unit to light more than a 5m x 5m space may cause shadowing of wall surfaces and unacceptable uniformity of work surface illumination. | Using a single unit to light more than a 48 m2. partitioned space may cause unacceptable shadowing of desk surfaces. | Racking and shelving systems may cause unacceptable shadowing when units are not placed over circulation aisles. | ||
Notes: 1. Enclosed spaces should generally be no larger than 5 m square and should not have any interior partitions that subdivide the space into smaller work areas. Examples of enclosed spaces include offices, kitchens, bathrooms, and small to moderate sized meeting and conference rooms. 2. Examples of open plan spaces are open plan offices, hallways, large reception areas, classrooms, showrooms, and restaurant dining rooms. 3. Open ceiling spaces are spaces without finished ceilings, where the underside of the roof decking and the roof structure is exposed. Examples of open ceiling spaces include warehouse racking aisles, warehouse shipping/receiving areas, and manufacturing areas. |
