Natural light is essential for all living things. Yet, since the beginning of time, the fundamental construction of dwellings whether caves, huts, teepees, castles or modern homes limits it.

Many of us live in homes with one or more halls in their central part that prohibit the installation of windows. This condition can also be true of a bathroom not located at an exterior wall. As a result, these spaces are dark, difficult to navigate, and require artificial lighting that uses precious energy. And, in the case of a bathroom, the dark and damp environment serves as a breeding ground for mildew, fungus and other unpleasant elements. Aside from safety, energy conservation and sanitary conditions, a benefit of natural light in the home is the positive effect that it has on its occupants. Clinical studies have demonstrated that abundant natural light can lift spirits and even serve to combat depression.

So, what is one to do with a space where no window can be installed. Easy install a skylight. It's a means of bringing natural light into a space that would otherwise have none. Major industry trade associations rank the installation of a skylight as one of the most cost-effective improvements a homeowner can undertake.

Even though skylights have been around for decades, they are considered a novelty by many. And, many consumers are wary of them. Among the concerns are leaks, condensation, heat gain, disruption and cost. Although a high-quality skylight properly installed is not likely to leak, the other issues expressed are legitimate concerns. A careful shopper can avoid many of these potential problems.

Cost and disruption prevent many homeowners from enjoying the natural light that a skylight would offer. There are several factors that determine the installed cost of a skylight: roof and ceiling configuration, size of the unit, interior finish material and roofing material, to name a few. Typically the installed cost of an average skylight will range between $1,500 and $3,000. Depending on the factors mentioned, the job can take one to two weeks to complete.

There is new, state-of-the-art technology that addresses most consumer concerns and makes a skylight something that virtually anyone can have called a tubular skylight. Its construction is simple. It consists of a clear acrylic dome that sends natural light through a highly-polished mirror-like tube, either 10 or 14 inches in diameter. The dome may have special optics that captures the maximum amount of light. The tube terminates at the ceiling where a prismatic diffuser is installed. The diffuser resembles the lens and trim of a recess light fixture. The best diffusers soften and spread light through out the room without any hot spots. A 10” tube is rated to cover 150 square feet and a 14” tube is rated to cover 300 square feet. You want to be sure the diffuser is well sealed so there is no condensation to be concerned about. ODL has a tubular skylight with a dual lens glass diffuser that eliminates condensation and reduces heat transfer. You want to be sure to look for a tubular skylight that has an Energy Star® rating. This way you can be assured that solar heat gain and heat transfer will be minimized for optimum energy efficiency.

There are several advantages to tubular skylights. The two most distinct are its ease of installation and cost savings. In contrast to conventional skylights, tubular skylights can be installed between existing roof rafters and ceiling joist thereby eliminating the need for framing alterations which account for a major portion of the cost of a skylight installation. Tubular skylights also eliminate the need to perform drywall work, insulation, roofing, flashing and painting. The dome comes with its own integral flashing system which is slipped into the existing roofing after a hole has been cut through the roofing material and sheathing. There are several flashing styles to correspond to various types of roofing material. Due to the ease of installation, the product can be installed, on average, in a few hours by a by a do-it-yourselfer. Professional installation is also available for those who do not feel they can install it themselves. Consequently, the cost of the installed product is significantly less than that of a conventional skylight. Tubular skylights are available at home centers and retail in the range of $170 to $250 depending on the size. A professionally installed tubular skylight can range between $475 and $650.

An optional light kit is also available so you can use your tubular skylight as a standard light fixture at night.

Some tubular skylights also have a vent accessory. The skylight isn't vented, but comes with a stand-alone ventilation kit that is designed for installation in damp areas such as bathrooms and laundry areas. With the vented model, the ventilation grille is integrated into the decorative diffuser for a neat, clean-looking installation. The 200-cubic-foot-per-minute (cfm) exhaust fan removes damp, stale air via an independent duct and roof jack.

You can see video clips of the installation process at odl.com. ODL will also send you a full installation video free of charge so that you can understand what involved before you tackle this as a do-it- yourself project.