Urban heat islands are known to drive up ambient temperatures, but could light-coloured roofs be the silver bullet in reducing Australia’s suburban swelter?

Many roofing materials are more affordable and easier to install than a cedar roof, but none can compare to the natural beauty and distinctive texture of western red cedar.

Up to half of the nation’s roofing area is suited to solar panels but is currently unused, with industrial suburbs accounting for most of this spare capacity. According to new University of NSW ...