King Roof Care offers skylight installation and serves Kirkland, Bothell, Everett, Issaquah and Redmond, WA. A light tube skylight, also called a sun tunnel or solar tube, is not listed as a separate service on the company's site. Ask during a free estimate whether a tube fits your roof and which product would be quoted. This guide covers how tubes work, installation steps, cost factors and DIY.
How a Light Tube Skylight Works Compared With a Traditional Skylight
A light tube skylight, often sold as a sun tunnel or solar tube, catches daylight with a small dome on the roof. A reflective tube carries that light down through the attic to a diffuser in the ceiling. From inside the room, the diffuser looks like a round light fixture, but the light it gives is daylight.
| Factor | Light tube skylight (sun tunnel) | Traditional skylight |
|---|---|---|
| What you see from inside | Usually a round diffuser that looks like a light fixture | Glass window with a view of the sky |
| Path through the attic | Reflective tube, rigid or flexible depending on the product | Typically a framed light shaft finished with drywall |
| Roof opening | Typically a smaller cut | Typically a larger framed opening |
| Interior finish work | Usually a ceiling ring and diffuser | Usually shaft framing, drywall and paint |
| Ventilation | Mainly a daylighting product; check the specifications if airflow matters | Venting models are available |
| Typical fit | Hallways, closets, bathrooms, interior rooms | Living areas, kitchens, rooms where a view matters |
Sun Tunnel Installation Step by Step
Sun tunnel installation follows a similar order whichever brand you choose, whether it is a VELUX Sun Tunnel, a Solatube or another product. The manufacturer's own instructions always come first. The order below is a general planning outline that helps you understand what typically happens on the day.
- Pick the ceiling spot. Check the attic above it for joists, wiring, ductwork and plumbing so the tube has a clear path.
- Mark the roof position. Line it up with the ceiling spot, keeping the tube run as short and straight as the attic allows.
- Cut and frame the ceiling opening, then fit the ceiling ring or mounting piece the product provides for the diffuser.
- Cut the roof opening. Remove the roofing material only where the flashing needs to sit.
- Install the flashing base and weave or seal it into the roofing according to the product instructions and the roof type.
- Fit the rooftop dome onto the flashing.
- Connect the reflective tubing between the roof and the ceiling. Seal each joint so attic dust and moisture stay out of the tube.
- Add any insulation detail the product instructions call for around the tube in the attic.
- Install the ceiling diffuser. Check the roof flashing, then clean up both the attic and the room.
Hiring a Roofer vs. Installing a Skylight Tube Yourself
Installing a skylight tube yourself is possible. Manufacturers sell kits with DIY instructions, and the indoor part of the job is fairly familiar work. The step that decides whether the tube stays dry is the roof work: cutting the opening and setting the flashing so it sheds water with the rest of the roof.
What Drives the Cost of a Tube Skylight Installation
Tube skylight installation cost has no sourced figure on this page. No national planning range for tube skylights was available for this guide, and any contractor's price depends on your roof and your attic. The reliable way to get a number is a written estimate after someone has looked at both.
- The tube product and brand, plus any add-ons such as dimmers, extra tube length or elbow fittings
- The length of the tube run and how many bends it needs to clear attic framing or ducts
- The roofing material, because shake, metal and flat membrane roofs need different flashing details
- The roof pitch and access, which affect safety setup and time
- Ceiling type and finish around the diffuser
- Whether nearby shingles, flashing or sheathing need repair before the tube goes in
- How many tubes you install during the same visit
What to Ask and Compare in a Solar Tube Installation Estimate
A solar tube installation estimate is easier to compare when every quote answers the same questions. King Roof Care provides free assessments and estimates before any work begins. Use the checklist below with any contractor you are considering.
- Do you install light tubes, and which tube product, brand and diameter is quoted? Is it a rigid or flexible tube?
- Where will the dome sit on the roof, and where will the diffuser sit in the ceiling?
- How will the flashing be tied into my specific roofing material?
- Who handles the ceiling cut, patching and any paint touch-up?
- Does the price include extra tube length, elbows or accessories, or are those extra?
- What happens if the roof around the opening shows damage once the work starts?
- Is the contractor a registered Washington construction contractor? You can check a registration at the Washington L&I verify tool.
- Who is my point of contact, and how should I reach them with questions?
Mistakes That Cause Leaks, Dim Light or Rework in Light Tunnel Installation
Light tunnel installation problems often come from a few avoidable choices made on the roof or in the attic. Knowing them ahead of time helps you judge both a quote and a DIY plan.
- Sealing the roof opening with caulk alone instead of setting the flashing the way the product and the roof type require
- Running the tube with more bends than needed, which can reduce the light that reaches the room
- Leaving gaps at the tube joints, which can let attic dust and moisture reach the reflective surface
- Cutting the ceiling before checking the attic for wiring, ducts or joists
- Choosing a heavily shaded roof spot when another workable position gets more open sky
- Ignoring worn shingles or soft spots near the opening instead of addressing them before the tube goes in
How to Prepare Your Room and Attic for a Sun Tunnel
Preparing for a sun tunnel installation takes little effort and keeps the day running smoothly. In the room, move furniture away from the spot below the diffuser and cover anything nearby, because cutting a ceiling makes dust.
King Roof Care Skylight Installation Across the Service Area
King Roof Care offers skylight installation from its base at 16007 NE 6th St in Bellevue, WA. The company is rated 4.9 out of 5 on Google (as of 2026-10-05). It is a registered Washington construction contractor, L&I registration KINGRRC782QA, which you can verify at the Washington L&I verify tool.
Light tube installation is not listed as a separate service on the company's site. One customer did mention a tube in a Google review. Dipti J. wrote: "They have done a couple of projects for us and they are absolutely professional with great attention to detail. Recently they installed a Sola tube." A single review is not a service listing, so ask directly whether a tube can be quoted for your home.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to install a tube skylight?
The cost to install a tube skylight has no sourced figure in this guide. The price depends on the tube product, the length and bends of the tube run, your roofing material, roof pitch and access, and any repairs needed around the opening. King Roof Care provides free estimates; ask whether a tube can be quoted for your roof and attic.
How do I install a skylight tube?
To install a skylight tube, follow the manufacturer's instructions. The usual order is to pick the ceiling spot and check the attic, mark and cut the roof opening, and set the flashing into the roofing. Then fit the dome, connect and seal the reflective tubing, and install the ceiling diffuser. The flashing step decides whether the tube stays dry.
Do tubular skylights work?
Yes, tubular skylights work by carrying daylight from a rooftop dome down a reflective tube to a ceiling diffuser. How much light reaches the room can depend on the tube length, the number of bends and how open the roof spot is to the sky. They tend to suit hallways, closets and bathrooms rather than rooms where you want a view.
Can I install a skylight myself?
Yes, you can install a tube skylight yourself if you are comfortable working safely on your roof and in your attic. Kits come with instructions. The roof cut and the flashing are the parts that matter most, and they differ by roofing material. Confirm permit needs with your city before work starts.