Remote controls. Computerized sensors that react to a raindrop. Electric opening. These sound like extras you would find on a new car, but they are actually becoming standard equipment in the strangest place, your roof.

Today's double pane flat glass skylights are among the most advanced technologies you can add to your home. Today skylights are highly engineered and more advanced than yesterday's models. Skylights can now be opened by remote control for ventilation and have rain sensors to automatically close should a single rain drop hit, adding peace of mind when you are out of the house.

Other features include remote controlled blinds, solar operated blinds, patented flashing systems and insect screens. In comparison to bubble design, today's flat glass skylights are energy efficient, resist condensation, protect against fading and will not discolour, leak or allow drafts.

With flat glass skylights there is less noise, no drafts and better durability which provides tremendous endurance to withstand extreme weather.

If fully automated, rain sensing skylights seem a bit too daunting, there are other options such as fixed skylights to bring natural light into your home. These can bring light into smaller places where skylights are not an option and those that use reflective tubing to bounce light down into your home are a handyman's or handywoman's dream project.

VELUX is the world's largest manufacturer of Skylights and Sun Tunnels Skylights. For additional information please visit www.velux.ca or call 1 800-888-3589.