Abstract: One aspect of the disclosure is an exterior cladding panel including one or more courses of simulated shingles, a locking clip extending from a front face of the exterior cladding panel, and a locking leg extending from a rear face of the exterior cladding panel. The exterior cladding panel also includes a first plurality of tabs extending from a top edge of the exterior cladding panel, where each tab in the first plurality of tabs includes at least one projection extending approximately perpendicular to the front face. A respective top end of each tab in the first plurality of tabs extends a common distance from the top edge of the exterior cladding panel. A second plurality of tabs extends from the top edge of the exterior cladding panel, where a respective top end of each tab in the second plurality of tabs extends the common distance from the top edge.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the photovoltaic generation of electrical energy. The present invention relates more particularly to photovoltaic arrays for use in photovoltaically generating electrical energy. Aspects of the present invention provide a variety of photovoltaic roofing elements and systems that include, for example, interlocking geometries to provide for water handling and integration with conventional roofing materials; and wire management features that can protect wiring and associated electrical components from physical and/or environmental damage.

Abstract: Roofing granules having a color coating layer are covered with a clear, transparent or translucent outer coating composition including a functional material, such nanoparticles of anatase titanium dioxide.

Abstract: One aspect of the disclosure is a shingle including a first bituminous sheet at the bottom surface of the shingle, the first bituminous sheet having a lower edge disposed at the lower end of the shingle, the first bituminous sheet having one or more slits extending from the lower edge of the first bituminous sheet toward the upper end of the shingle; and a second bituminous sheet at least partially laminated to a top surface of the first bituminous sheet, the second bituminous sheet having a lower edge disposed adjacent the lower end of the shingle, the second bituminous sheet having one or more tabs being defined by one or more notches formed in the second bituminous sheet, each notch extending away from the lower edge of the second bituminous sheet.

Abstract: A photovoltaic module includes an encapsulated photovoltaic element and an infrared-transmissive decorative overlay simulating conventional roofing.

Abstract: A building panel of the roofing or siding type is disclosed, as well as a building structure having such roofing or siding panels, in which the panels are comprised of two different types of building materials. The composite panel includes at least one layer of synthetic polymeric building material, having adhesively secured thereto at least one layer of asphalt based building material, with outer, upper surfaces of the panel, that would be weather-exposed in the installed condition on a building structure being comprised of the asphalt based building material, and with the synthetic polymeric layer(s) of polymeric building material being weather-protected in the installed condition on a building structure.

Abstract: Provided are roofing granules, such as solar-reflective roofing granules, methods for making them and their use in roofing products. In one aspect, the disclosure provides a collection of solar-reflective roofing granules having a solar reflectivity of at least 70%, wherein substantially each roofing granule comprises an inner layer, an outer layer disposed on an outer surface of the inner layer and substantially surrounding the inner layer, wherein the inner layer and the outer layer are formed from substantially the same composition but have substantially different porosities, the outer layer having a porosity substantially lower than the porosity of the outer layer. Methods for making such roofing granules can include forming layers of substantially the same first and second compositions, wherein the forming of the layer of the second composition is performed under substantially different conditions from the forming of the layer of the first composition.

Abstract: One aspect of the disclosure is a siding panel end plug including a body having a front face, a rear face, a side face connecting the front face and rear face, a top edge, a bottom edge, and a hollow space located between the front face, rear face, and side face. The siding panel end plug further includes a first locking mechanism disposed on the top edge and a second locking mechanism disposed on the bottom edge. The first locking mechanism and the second locking mechanism facilitate both locking and unlocking of the siding panel end plug from a second siding panel end plug and a third siding panel end plug.

Abstract: One aspect of the disclosure is a siding panel including a front face, a rear face, a top edge, a bottom edge, a first side, and a second side. The siding panel also includes a first locking mechanism disposed on the rear face of the siding panel adjacent the top edge, and configured to interlock with a second locking mechanism of a second siding panel, the first locking mechanism being formed as a protrusion. The siding panel further includes a second locking mechanism disposed on the rear face of the siding panel being formed as a generally C-shaped portion having a groove. The second locking mechanism is configured to interlock with a first locking mechanism of a third siding panel. The siding panel is secured to a surface by a fastener.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to siding, for example, suitable for covering a wall surface. The present disclosure relates more particularly to a frame for a wall panel. The frame includes a support strip extending in a lateral direction across the width of the wall panel and has first and second ends. The frame also includes a row of columns extending in a first direction from the support strip. Each column includes a proximal end attached to the support strip and a free distal end. The row of columns includes a first column disposed at a first end of the row of columns and laterally offset from the first end of the support strip, and a second column disposed at a second end of the row of columns and laterally offset from the second end of the support strip.

Abstract: Algae-resistant roofing granules are formed by extruding a mixture of mineral particles and a binder to form porous granule bodies, and algaecide is distributed in the pores. Release of the algaecide is controlled by the structure of the granules.

Abstract: One aspect of the disclosure is a siding system including a first panel having a first end and a second end, where the second end of the first panel includes a locking clip, and where the second end of the first panel forms a first portion of a channel. The siding system also includes a second panel having a first end and a second end, where the first end of the second panel includes a locking leg sized to engage the locking clip of the first panel, and where the first end of the second panel forms a second portion of the channel when the first panel and the second panel are engaged. The system also includes a batten sized to be removably engaged within the channel.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to wall coverings or cladding, for example, suitable for covering and protecting the external surface of walls. The present disclosure relates more particularly to a system for a wall covering including first, second, and third polymer panels. Each of the polymer panels including a visible body extending from a respective support structure, where the visible body includes a front surface that extends across a width of the panel and has a textured contour that replicates a single masonry unit. The textured contours of the first, second, and third panels are different, and the size of the first panel is different from the size of the second panel.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to roofing elements and methods for making them. In one embodiment, the disclosure provides a roofing element in the form of a roofing shingle that includes a body of a foamed cured cross-linked polymer, the body having a top surface and a bottom surface, the body extending substantially in a plane and having a thickness in the range of 0.5 mm to 35 mm; and a layer of weather-resistant roofing granules disposed on and adhered at the top surface of roofing element. The roofing element can be made by providing a body of wet foamed curable composition, and allowing the curable composition to cure to provide the body of foamed cured cross-linked polymer.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to a roofing system including flashing, for example, suitable for protecting a roof from water leakage. The present disclosure relates more particularly to a roofing system including first, second, and third courses of shingles, where the second course overlaps the first and the third course overlaps the second. A flashing plate is disposed over the first course of shingles and partially under the second course of shingles. The flashing plate and the third course of shingles are spaced apart by a gap in a direction of the slope of the roof between a top edge of the flashing plate and a lower edge of the third course of shingles.

Abstract: One aspect of the disclosure is a method of manufacturing a siding panel including providing a siding panel having a front face, a rear face, top edge, a bottom edge, a first side edge, and a second side edge, providing a support member having a top edge, a bottom edge, two side edges, a first face, and a second face, applying adhesive on a first face of the support member from one side edge of the support member to the other side edge of the support member, placing the support member on the rear face of the siding panel so the support member extends substantially from the first side edge to about ½ in. to about 2¼ in. away from the second side edge, completely securing the two side edges of a support member to the rear face of the siding panel, and laminating the support member to the siding panel.

Abstract: A photovoltaic module includes an encapsulated photovoltaic element and an infrared-transmissive decorative overlay simulating conventional roofing.

Abstract: One aspect of the disclosure is a method of installing siding to a siding accessory using an installation aid. The method includes mounting and fastening at least one siding accessory to a surface, placing a siding panel onto the surface, the siding panel having a first side, a second side, a top edge, and a bottom edge, locking the siding panel into place, placing at least one installation aid between the first side and/or the second side of the siding panel and the at least one siding accessory, the installation aid having at least one projection spaced to create a gap between the first or second side of the siding panel and the at least one siding accessory to allow for expansion and contraction of the siding panel, sliding the siding panel over to the at least one siding accessory, and fastening the siding panel to the surface. Various embodiments of installation aids are also disclosed.