Skylight vs. Sun Tunnel: What’s the Difference?

Letting natural light into your home does more than brighten a room. It lifts your mood, makes spaces feel larger, and can even help reduce your energy costs. If you're considering ways to bring sunlight into darker parts of your home, you've probably come across two popular options: skylights and sun tunnels.

Although both options add natural light through the roof, they work very differently. Choosing between them comes down to your goals, your space, and your budget.

At Forsyth Exteriors, we have helped homeowners find the right home solutions for over 30 years. This article will walk you through the differences between skylights and sun tunnels, compare their pros and cons, and help you decide which one is right for your home.

What's the Difference Between a Skylight and a Sun Tunnel?

Both skylights and sun tunnels are installed on your roof to allow more natural light inside. The way they operate and look, however, is quite different.

What Is a Skylight?

A skylight is essentially a window on your roof. It can be fixed, meaning it does not open, or vented, allowing fresh air in. Some vented skylights open manually, while others use electric or solar-powered motors. Skylights come in various shapes and sizes and can be customized to fit unique architectural spaces.

Skylights are perfect for areas where you want more than just light. In a kitchen, bedroom, or living room, a skylight offers an open view to the sky and creates a brighter, more inviting atmosphere.

What Is a Sun Tunnel?

A sun tunnel, also known as a light tube skylight or tunnel skylight, works differently. It captures sunlight through a small dome on the roof and redirects it down a reflective tube into your home. At the ceiling, the tube ends in a diffuser that spreads light throughout the space.

Sun tunnels are often installed in hallways, closets, bathrooms, laundry rooms, or other interior spaces where a full skylight is not practical or necessary.

Sun Tunnel vs Skylight: A Side-by-Side Comparison

When comparing sun tunnels and skylights, it's helpful to look at key differences in light quality, installation, and aesthetics.

1. How Much Light Do They Provide?

Skylight:
Because it is a window directly exposed to the outdoors, a skylight allows more natural light into your home. The light is unfiltered and strong, which makes skylights ideal for larger spaces where abundant light is needed.

Sun Tunnel:
A sun tunnel provides a softer, diffused light. It may not flood a room with sunlight like a skylight, but it is very effective in smaller spaces or areas where you want light without heat gain or glare.

2. Installation Process

Skylight:
Installing a skylight is a more involved construction project. It typically requires cutting through both the roof and ceiling, framing the opening, installing the skylight itself, adding flashing, drywall, and often repainting. Depending on complexity, the job can take several days and may involve multiple trades.

Sun Tunnel:
A sun tunnel is far quicker to install. The contractor cuts small holes in the roof and ceiling, installs the tube between them, and then places the dome and diffuser. Most sun tunnel installations are completed within half a day.

3. Appearance Inside the Home

Skylight:
A skylight becomes a visible architectural feature in the room. It can add a sense of openness and connection to the outdoors. In spaces with high ceilings or scenic views, skylights are often the preferred choice.

Sun Tunnel:
A sun tunnel looks more like a recessed ceiling light. The design is simple and blends in with the ceiling, making it a great choice for subtle improvements to lighting without altering the overall look of a room.

When to Choose a Skylight

Skylights are ideal for homeowners who want to make a visual impact while improving the lighting and airflow in key areas of the home.

Best uses include:

• Living rooms with vaulted ceilings

• Master bathrooms that need both light and ventilation

• Kitchens where natural light enhances function and atmosphere

• Bedrooms that benefit from morning sunlight and fresh air

In these spaces, a skylight can elevate the entire feel of the room and even increase the resale value of your home.

When to Choose a Sun Tunnel

Sun tunnels are ideal for areas of your home that lack windows and could benefit from natural light, without the expense or structural changes required for a skylight.

Best uses include:

• Interior hallways

• Closets and pantries

• Guest bathrooms

• Laundry or utility rooms

A homeowner in Cumming recently installed a light tube skylight in their windowless laundry room. The room now feels open and cheerful without adding a traditional window or artificial lighting.

Common Questions About Skylights and Sun Tunnels

What is a sun tunnel in a house?
A sun tunnel is a reflective tube that channels sunlight from the roof into a room, ending in a ceiling-mounted diffuser that spreads the light.

What is a sunroof in a house called?
The term "sunroof" is commonly used in cars. In homes, it is typically called a skylight or roof window.

What is a roof window vs skylight?
A roof window usually opens and may provide a view to the outside, while a skylight may be fixed or vented and is often mounted higher on the roof without a view.

What are roof light tubes?
These are another name for sun tunnels or solar tubes, which bring light into a space using a reflective tunnel.

Choosing Between a Skylight and a Sun Tunnel

If your priority is abundant natural light, ventilation, and a striking feature, a skylight is likely the better choice. It makes a strong statement and transforms living spaces with bright, open views.

If your goal is to improve lighting in a subtle, cost-effective way, a sun tunnel is the right option. It provides practical daylighting where a full skylight may not be possible.

Here is a quick summary:

Let Forsyth Exteriors Help You Choose the Right Option

Whether you are interested in a skylight or a sun tunnel, Forsyth Exteriors can help. We proudly serve homeowners in Cumming, Alpharetta, and Sandy Springs with expert installation, quality materials, and over 30 years of experience.

Not sure which option fits your space? We offer consultations to walk through your needs, budget, and goals.