How to choose the correct ODL Tubular Skylight kit

We make it easy to select the right Tubular Skylight kit to meet your needs, depending on lighting requirements, roof type, and weather exposure.

1. Decide how much light you'd like
2. Consider your roof type and pitch
3. Determine your length requirements
4. Consider exposure to severe weather
5. Consider roof assemblies with fire classifications

1. Decide how much light you'd like

Light output will vary by time of day, roof orientation and shaft length. Tubular Skylights are not recommended for heavily shaded roofs. Use the guidelines below to determine the size and number of skylights for a given space.

Equals up to three 100 watt light bulbs*

Equals up to five 100 watt light bulbs*

* Based on full mid-day sun and 48" tube length.

Increase your lighting options by adding the ODL Electric Light Kit to your Tubular Skylight.

2. Consider your roof type and pitch

Determine what type of flashing you need depending on what type of roof you have.

Determining roof pitch
"Roof pitch" is how far the roof drops vertically for every 12" of horizontal run.

Composite flashing

Seamless aluminum flashing

Formable flashing

3. Determine your length requirements

The standard kit length is 48". Extension tubes measuring 20" and 48" are available. The tubes have a highly reflective mirror finish but the maximum amount of light decreases as the length increases.

Tip: determine if you need extension tubes prior to starting installation.

Long shaft and cathedral ceiling/short shaft installation
Download installation instructions for more detailed information.
See sections 7 and 8 of instructions for a "cut your tube length" chart.

Tubular Skylight installation instructions (English)
(8.1 MB) Adobe PDF

Tubular Skylight installation instructions (Spanish)
(5.3 MB) Adobe PDF

Tubular Skylight installation instructions (French)
(5.5 MB) Adobe PDF

Long shaft installation

Cathedral ceiling/short shaft installation

Angled tube installation
Two adjustable tubes can be angled up to 45° to avoid interference with pipes, ducts, wires, etc. This allows you to locate the diffuser in the best spot on the ceiling. Two adjustable tubes are included with every kit.

4. Consider exposure to severe weather

The ODL Severe Weather® Tubular Skylight Kit includes a polycarbonate dome and seamless aluminum flashing and is recommended in applications with hail or hurricane exposure. Meets Florida Building Code and Miami-Dade County impact requirements. Notice of Acceptance packed with each unit.

Note: Kits with aluminum flashing have a design pressure rating of +/- 100 psf. This meets the wind load requirements for Florida and most of the Caribbean Islands.

Severe Weather® skylight

5. Consider roof assemblies with fire classifications

The ODL Dome Edge Protection Band protects the dome edge on roof assemblies with fire classifications of A, B, or C. Importantly, only the 10" or 14" diameter ODL Tubular Skylights with seamless aluminum flashing are approved for fire classification of A, B, or C.

Tubular Skylight Dome Edge
Protection Band for roof assemblies
with fire classifications