I'm trying to get more light in my very small, townhouse and have been researching the tubular skylight (flexible). I'm also trying to help do my part to save energy.

My question comes from information volunteered to me by a friend who had been told that the skylights (no mention of manufacturer or kind) were not cost efficient as they cause loss of heat in the winter and cooling in the summer. Can you provide me with any information on these tubular (flexible) skylights and if it's worth it for me to research further/install?

I`ve installed plenty and different sizes or models. I can tell you that the Velux brand is the most durrable and user friendly to install. Maybe not the least expensive, but best looking and lowest prophile. As far as energy effective,...Yes they are,...the research goes into the design so you don`t need to alter insulation or research yourself. They are fixed and the long shiny tube is far from a waste of energy. Inside you have a choice of prism light, magnified to distribute light in all directions or clear finish to focus on a small area,like a bathroom or hallway. Most showrooms will have a example set up for you to observe.

Careful to locate them cuz support rafters may cross the area you wish to locate it and have a proffessional roofer do the roof tie-in. The flex tube allows for tweeking the tube around objects. If you have a straight shot inline tube, you will get less bright refraction than a curved S shape to the tube. A curve in the tube creates more refraction and brighter light inside.

Thank you for your input. I have looked at pricing on the Velux and will probably go with that one. Now, if I could just get some replies from people who have had them installed to reinforce the positive feedback. I guess my thinking from someone who gave me "negative" info was the loss of energy around the outside of the tube on the roof. I would think that would come from improper installation. I might put a post to households who have them installed and get their feedback. Thanks again.

Is there anyone who has these flexible skylights installed who can tell me how they like them??? Thank you.