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Sunpipe FAQ's

 
  • Q1. How long can a SunPipe be? 
  • A. A SunPipe can be almost any length that you wish, but loses 10% of light for every metre of SunPipe. For very long SunPipes, a larger diameter can be used. There is a 16% light reduction for every bend. On smaller sizes a total effective maximum length is 8m, and up to 20m on larger sizes. 
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  • Q2. What size SunPipe do I need? 
  • A. Taking into account the losses set out above, for an average size room of 3m by 3m (10 feet by 10 feet), you would need a 300mm (12 inch) SunPipe. A 203mm (9 inch) SunPipe would light a room roughly half that size and is therefore suitable for shower rooms and similar.
  • What Size?
    Area to be lit SunPipe Size
    (to a normal daylight condition)  
    Approx 80 sq. ft. (7.5m2) 9” (230mm dia)
    Approx 80 sq. ft. (7.5m2) 12” (300mm dia)
    Approx 80 sq. ft. (7.5m2) 18” (450mm dia)
    Approx 80 sq. ft. (7.5m2) 21” (530mm dia)
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  • Q3. What about corridors and larger rooms? 
  • A. In general terms for corridors, we recommend 300mm diameter SunPipes at 3 metre intervals. For wider corridors (more than 2 metres wide) 450mm diameter SunPipes at 4m intervals. For larger rooms, in general terms use 450mm diameter SunPipes at 4 metre spacing, 530mm diameter SunPipes at 5 metre spacings and 600mm SunPipes at 6 metre spacings. 
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  • Q4. What if I want light during night-time?  
  • A. A small 50 watt low voltage halogen light can be installed just inside the lower part of the SunPipe, providing light during night-time.
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  • Q5. Does light come through during night? 
  • A. Yes! During the night, moonlight and star light can give a room more light than being outside. Click here to download Light kit instructions.
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  • Q6. Are SunPipes suitable for use in a bedroom? 
  • A. Yes, but do bear in mind that in summer months, due to the efficiency of the SunPipe, your bedroom will be flooded with natural daylight first thing in the morning.  For this reason, installations in bedrooms or hospital wards can have either a black-out diffuser applied or a motorised light shut off damper.
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  • Q7. How long does a SunPipe last? 
  • A. The SunPipe is guaranteed for 25 years.  
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  • Q8. Does the SunPipe require maintenance? 
  •  A. Due to the shape of the dome, the SunPipe is self-cleaning. The ceiling diffuser fits snugly into the base of the ceiling diffuser to prevent dust or dirt entering the system and as a result the interior mirror finish surface never requires any maintenance. Furthermore there are no mechanical or moving parts, there is nothing to break down or go wrong - as opposed to an openable window or skylight. 
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  • Q9. I have a roof made from ---, does this prevent me from having a SunPipe? 
  • A. A SunPipe can be put through any roof, including thatch, concrete, steel, corrugated iron, stone, slate, tile, aluminium, and any angle of roof - from flat all the way to vertical installation. Installation can be done through any industrial surface such as Kalzip profile steel sheet roofing, bold asbestos corrugations, British Steel colour coated pressed steel type - a flashing plate can be provided in GRP or aluminium. For more help, refer to the order form for each type of roof covering. 
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  • Q10. When do I need a lead flashing? 
  • A. For a plain tile you need a lead skirt with your ABS flashing, but a bold roll tile you need a full Code 4 lead flashing. 
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  • Q11. Who carries out the installation? 
  • A. Installation is relatively simple since all the SunPipe components simply clip together with self locking joints to all components. The only tricky bit is the hole through your roof! 
  • Full installation guides can be found on our download page. Installation can be carried out by any competent builder and installation of a standard SunPipe would normally take 3 to 5 hours to install complete with forming the roof opening. 
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  • Q12. How much does installation cost? 
  • A. Monodraught has a minimum charge of £325.00 for the installation of one SunPipe system on a pitched/flat roof.  For two or more SunPipes on a pitched roof the cost falls to £275 per SunPipe system. For two or more SunPipe systems on a flat roof the cost falls to £220 per system. These prices are subject to location in country relative to the head office in High Wycombe, for an exact price phone Monodraught (01494) 897700.  
  • All our SunPipe Advice Centres and Show Rooms either offer an installation service or advice as to local recommended installers. 
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  • Q13. Can I install it myself? 
  • A. Any competent DIY person can complete an installation of a SunPipe. You will need the right tools, and if working on a roof, safety scaffolding. There are separate instructions for Flat Roof installation and Pitched Roof installation, click here to visit our downloads section  
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  • Q14. Who else can install my SunPipe? 
  • A. Monodraught can provide a full installation service for either commercial or domestic applications. 
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  • Q15. How long does my SunPipe take to install? 
  • A. An average SunPipe takes between 3 to 5 hours to install. Installation instructions are provided with the kit. 
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  • Q16. How do I avoid obstacles in my roof space? 
  • A. Monodraught can provide either 30° or 45° elbows to offset the SunPipe route around any obstacles found within your roof space. Please refer to the light loss statistics above. 
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  • Q17. How quickly can my SunPipe system be delivered? 
  • A. SunPipes are normally delivered within 2 to 5 working days (an overnight delivery is available at an additional minimal charge) 
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  • Q18. Will the top dome discolour over time? 
  •  A. The top domes are UV protected and carry a twenty five year guarantee. However, after 10 years, it is predicted that there will be a slight clouding of the external surface. 

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