Incorporating Daylighting Systems into Vegetated Green Roofs

Solatube Daylighting Systems allow daylight apertures to be elevated above roof vegetation, enabling them to be incorporated into the rooftop architecture while minimising and/or eliminating daytime shadowing. The unique optical properties and light transportation capabilities of Solatube Daylighting Systems also allow multiple units to be grouped together within a custom multi-unit curb cap to reduce the number of rooftop penetrations needed to daylight interior spaces.

Objective:

Effectively and efficiently daylight interior spaces of buildings that use vegetative roof systems. Apply the daylighting system in a way that harmonises with rooftop landscape architecture and/or hardscaping while minimising the potential shading and/or shadowing of the daylight system apertures.

Potential products used:

Solatube Brighten Up Series 290 DS Daylighting Systems; SolaMaster Series 330 DS or 750 DS Daylighting Systems

Solatube Spectralight Infinity 0-90 Degree Tubing
Curb cap adapters
Optional Solatube turret extensions

Solution:

Solatube Daylighting Systems with curb cap (FCM) flashings and optional turret extensions were used to mount Solatube optical domes above rooftop vegetation. Custom, multi-unit grouped flashing curb caps may also be installed and used to group Solatube Daylighting System apertures within a single roof curb. Solatube Spectralight Infinity Tubing and Solatube angle adapters were attached to the roof assembly, and extended downward into the building interior toward the desired ceiling diffuser locations.

Considerations:

To recreate this effect, keep the following considerations in mind:

Use traditional curb construction to provide the necessary waterproofed rooftop apertures
Multi-unit curb cap or self-flashing on custom curb by others must be designed and fabricated to accept and use off-the-shelf Solatube product flashings without the need for trimming or modification in any way
Consult a roofing professional to ensure curbs are properly fastened and weatherproofed
Keep top of curb cap elevated well above vegetated medium

Solatube 330DS SolaMaster® Series — Open Ceiling

Solatube

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The Solatube Open Ceiling (330DS-O) Daylighting System brings high performance daylighting to areas without a ceiling such as warehouses, factories, and sports facilities.

Designed to add natural light to buildings without a ceiling such as warehouses, factories, and sports facilities

Solatube Daylight Systems and Roof Penetrations have been appraised as a skylight and roof penetration system on domestic and commercial buildings within the following scope:

The scope limitations of NZBC Acceptable solution E2/AS1, Paragraph 1.1 with respect to building height and maximum floor plan areas; and,
With building structures designed and constructed to meet the requirements of the NZBC; and,
Situated in NZS 3604 Wind Zones, up to and including 'Very High'; and,
With roof cladding types and profiles specified in E2/AS1; and,
For use on flat or nominally flat roofs making use of membrane roof systems

See BRANZ Appraisal No. 665 [2017] for full information

In the opinion of BRANZ (Appraisal No 665 [2017]), Solatube Daylight Systems and Roof Penetrations, if designed, used, installed, and maintained in accordance with the statements and conditions of this Appraisal, will meet or contribute to meeting the following provisions of the NZBC:

Clause B2 Durability: Performance B2.3.1 (b), 15 years
Clause E2 External Moisture: Performance E2.3.1 and E2.3.2
Clause F2 Hazardous Building Materials: Performance F2.3.1
Clause G7 Natural Light: Performance G7.3.1 and G7.3.2
Clause H1 Energy Efficiency: Performance H1.3.1.(a)

See BRANZ Appraisal No. 665 [2017] for full information

BRANZ Appraised

Solatube 290DS Brighten Up® Series

Solatube

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Solatube 290 DS Daylighting Systems feature Solatube's patented Raybender 3000 Technology and LightTracker Reflector to deliver an Effective Daylight Capture Surface ( EDCS ) significantly higher than the previous 250mm and 350mm Solatube models.

Bathrooms, hallways, corridors, utility rooms, dens, home offices, kitchens, dining rooms, and closets.

Clause B2 Durability: Performance B2.3.1 (b), 15 years
Clause E2 External Moisture: Performance E2.3.1 and E2.3.2
Clause F2 Hazardous Building Materials: Performance F2.3.1
Clause G7 Natural Light: Performance G7.3.1 and G7.3.2
Clause H1 Energy Efficiency: Performance H1.3.1.(a)

See BRANZ Appraisal No. 665 [2017] for full information

BRANZ Appraised

Solar-Powered Daylight Dimmer

Solatube

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A remote-controlled, solar-powered baffle that opens and closes at the touch of a button.

Solatube 750DS SolaMaster® Series — Closed Ceiling

Solatube

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Solatube 750DS Daylighting System Closed Ceiling is a Tubular Daylighting Device delivery natural daylight from the roof to the ceiling point diffuser.

This product is designed to be installed into residential and commercial buildings. Installed through a BRANZ appraised roof installation flashing system, the DS Solatube kit is connected from the roof penetration through to the ceiling by a highly reflective aluminium tubing, which has a reflectivity of 99.9% and a U value of 0.29 and an R value of 3.46.

The BRANZ appraised flashing system is designed to be fit for long run roofing, concrete and terracotta tiles, and pressed metal tiles. The flashings have been BRANZ appraised.

This product can be used in any building zone in New Zealand, and is impervious to wind, rain and seismic activity.

B2 Durability — 15yrs
E2 External Moisture
F2 Hazardous Building Material — will not present a health hazard to people
G7 Natural light — can contribute to natural light requirements
H1 Energy Efficiency — has an R Value of 0.41 m2K/W

BRANZ Appraised

Solatube 750DS SolaMaster® Series — Open Ceiling

Solatube

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The Solatube 750 DS (530 mm /21 in.

Suitable for wind zones up to and including Very High
For use on flat or nominally flat roofs making use of membrane roof systems
Intended for lighting spaces with open ceilings
Perfect for spaces where a uniform level of light is required during typical work hours

See BRANZ Appraisal for full scope information

See BRANZ Appraisal for full information:

Will meet or contribute to meeting the following provisions of NZBC:

Clause B2 Durability
Clause E2 External Moisture
Clause G7 Natural Light
Clause H1 Energy Efficiency

BRANZ Appraised

Solatube 330DS SolaMaster® Series — Closed Ceiling

Solatube

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Solatube 330DS Daylighting System Opening Ceiling provides extraordinary amounts of natural light for expansive spaces.

Designed to add natural light to buildings without a ceiling such as warehouses, factories, and sports facilities

Solatube Daylight Systems and Roof Penetrations have been appraised as a skylight and roof penetration system on domestic and commercial buildings within the following scope:

The scope limitations of NZBC Acceptable solution E2/AS1, Paragraph 1.1 with respect to building height and maximum floor plan areas; and,
With building structures designed and constructed to meet the requirements of the NZBC; and,
Situated in NZS 3604 Wind Zones, up to and including 'Very High'; and,
With roof cladding types and profiles specified in E2/AS1; and,
For use on flat or nominally flat roofs making use of membrane roof systems

See BRANZ Appraisal No. 665 [2017] for full information

Clause B2 Durability: Performance B2.3.1 (b), 15 years
Clause E2 External Moisture: Performance E2.3.1 and E2.3.2
Clause F2 Hazardous Building Materials: Performance F2.3.1
Clause G7 Natural Light: Performance G7.3.1 and G7.3.2
Clause H1 Energy Efficiency: Performance H1.3.1.(a)

See BRANZ Appraisal No. 665 [2017] for full information

BRANZ Appraised

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