SEEING THE LIGHT--Bungalows are notorious for a lack of closet space (for modern standards) and low lighting in interior hallways, bathrooms and laundry rooms. Recently, we installed two Solatube devices in our 1915 Craftsman, one in a dark hallway and the other to supplement lighting in a windowless bathroom.
We decided on products by Solatube International because the units are unobtrusive and do not deflect from Craftsman style. We learned more by going to the Internet: www.solatube.com
On the company’s website we were able to figure out what we needed before contacting the local installer. Yes, we could have added electrical lighting, but we liked the idea of using natural sunlight to enhance our lighting needs. For night use, Solatube comes with a regular light.
Brighter Concepts, Inc. (www.brighterconceptsinc.com) is the main Solatube installer in our area. Brighter Concepts did s pre-inspection of the attic and the roof before sending out an installer to determine if the job can be done. By doing that we didn’t have any installer surprises.
We purchased two 160DS starter kits. We added a Solatube 16a-LKI light unit to the hallway. It tied in nicely with an existing light switch. The bathroom Solatube (didn’t need a night light because we already had existing lighting from a recent remodel). But during the day, the bathroom was dark. We decided on a bathroom Solatube to split the costs. The Solatube worked during the day and our electrical lights at night. Every bit of energy savings help.
One worker completed our bungalow installation in one afternoon. The neatly uniformed installer arrived promptly at 12:30 pm and was finished by 4 pm. We paid by check after the job was done. There was no advance deposit required. Also, our installer did an excellent job of not cracking our lath and plaster ceiling. By choosing a Solatube with a light unit upped our cost.
Top of the Tank is an occasional series on life in historic North Park, one of the nation's most diverse and architecturally significant neighborhoods with special emphasis on the Arts & Crafts Era (1890-1920).
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