Energy Efficiency of Roofing Materials Overlooked

When reading “Staying on Top of Roofing Options” (by Marcie Geffner, Feb. 11) I was struck by a critical omission: the relative energy efficiency of the various roofing materials being written about. Given how much sun, heat and cold pass (or don’t pass) through rooftops, the efficiency of such materials plays an important role in one’s electricity and heating bill.

With a few simple changes in building codes and standards, we could be building and remodeling houses that result in saving enough energy to prevent an energy crisis such as the current one. The only thing holding us back is the extent that our policymakers . . . think about these things as real, simple solutions to the energy crisis, instead of “extras.”

DAVID ROSENFELD

Los Angeles

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“Staying on Top of Roofing Options” did not touch on any of the alternative roofing products made from composites, recycled tires, concrete and fiber-cement tiles.

BOB WILLIAMS

Pasadena

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. . . how about one on shingles with solar panels built right into them? That’s what we all need today.

GARY SIEGEL

Trabuco Canyon