Abstract: A method of fabricating panels includes providing an insert having an interior portion with a top portion and a positioning stop opposite the top portion, and an exterior portion including a fastener hem. Further, the method includes placing the insert in a mold such that only the fastener hem and the positioning stop contact the mold and centering the insert in the mold with the top portion and the positioning stop. The method also includes filling the mold with a casting material such that the interior portion is submerged in the casting material including the top portion, but some of the positioning stop is not submerged in the casting material, curing the casting material to form a panel on the insert, and removing the panel form the mold.

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: A method of fabricating panels includes providing an insert having an interior portion with a top portion and a positioning stop opposite the top portion, and an exterior portion including a fastener hem. Further, the method includes placing the insert in a mold such that only the fastener hem and the positioning stop contact the mold and centering the insert in the mold with the top portion and the positioning stop. The method also includes filling the mold with a casting material such that the interior portion is submerged in the casting material including the top portion, but some of the positioning stop is not submerged in the casting material, curing the casting material to form a panel on the insert, and removing the panel form the mold.

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 disclosure relates generally to cladding for covering a building surface. The present disclosure relates more particularly to flat siding panels that form a visible surface over a support structure. The siding panel includes a panel body having a front wall extending across the length and height of the panel body. Each of an upper wall, lower wall, first side wall, and second side wall extends rearward from the front wall along edges of the panel body. The panel body also includes a support projection disposed between the upper wall, lower wall, first side wall, and second wall and extending rearward from a rear surface of the front wall. A fastening strip is coupled to the upper wall of the panel body. An upper lock is disposed along a top edge of the panel body, and a lower lock is disposed along a bottom edge of the panel body.

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: One aspect of the disclosure is an exterior cladding panel including a first end, a second end, and a series of locking clips extending from a front face of the exterior cladding panel and positioned along the first end of the exterior cladding panel. The exterior cladding panel also includes a locking leg extending from a rear face of the exterior cladding panel and positioned along a middle portion between the first end and the second end. The exterior cladding panel also includes a series of simulated shingles positioned in a single course between the first end and the second end, including a series of gaps separating adjacent shingles. Each gap extends lengthwise from the second end to the middle portion of the exterior cladding panel, and includes a first width that differs from a second width of at least one adjacent gap in the series of gaps.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to siding, for example, suitable for covering the exterior surface of a building. The present disclosure relates more particularly to a siding repair clip including a hub configured to be secured to a replacement siding panel so as to be rotatable with respect to the replacement siding panel. The siding repair clip also includes a leg extending from the hub in a first radial direction and configured to engage with a lip of a bottom lock of an upper siding panel. A positioning member extends from the hub in a second radial direction and includes a first detent configured to impede rotation of the hub with respect to the replacement siding panel. The siding repair clip further includes a rotating member configured to rotate the siding repair clip about the hub in a first circumferential direction with respect to the replacement siding panel.

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: A method of fabricating panels includes providing an insert having an interior portion with a top portion and a positioning stop opposite the top portion, and an exterior portion including a fastener hem. Further, the method includes placing the insert in a mold such that only the fastener hem and the positioning stop contact the mold and centering the insert in the mold with the top portion and the positioning stop. The method also includes filling the mold with a casting material such that the interior portion is submerged in the casting material including the top portion, but some of the positioning stop is not submerged in the casting material, curing the casting material to form a panel on the insert, and removing the panel form the mold.

Abstract: A method of injection molding a building product includes providing an injection mold with a plurality of gates located adjacent a perimeter of the injection mold. The method further includes commingling a first material and a second material into a flow, the second material comprising a color that contrasts with a color of the first material and injecting the commingled flow into the plurality of gates to form a building product. Thereafter, the method includes removing the building product from the injection mold. The second material extends through an interior of the building product and appears as contrasting streaks on an exterior of the building product to form a variegated grain appearance. The method also includes notching a portion of the building product, such that the building product has a substantially linear grain in an exposed portion thereof.

Abstract: A method of fabricating panels includes providing an insert having an interior portion with a top portion and a positioning stop opposite the top portion, and an exterior portion including a fastener hem. Further, the method includes placing the insert in a mold such that only the fastener hem and the positioning stop contact the mold and centering the insert in the mold with the top portion and the positioning stop. The method also includes filling the mold with a casting material such that the interior portion is submerged in the casting material including the top portion, but some of the positioning stop is not submerged in the casting material, curing the casting material to form a panel on the insert, and removing the panel form the mold.

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: A method of injection molding a building product includes providing an injection mold with a plurality of gates located adjacent a perimeter of the injection mold. The method further includes commingling a first material and a second material into a flow, the second material comprising a color that contrasts with a color of the first material and injecting the commingled flow into the plurality of gates to form a building product. Thereafter, the method includes removing the building product from the injection mold. The second material extends through an interior of the building product and appears as contrasting streaks on an exterior of the building product to form a variegated grain appearance. The method also includes notching a portion of the building product, such that the building product has a substantially linear grain in an exposed portion thereof.

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: An injection molded product is disclosed and includes a shingle resembling a cedar shingle tile formed from an amorphous or semi-crystalline thermoplastic and having a wood grain direction. The injection molded product also includes streaks in the shingle that are substantially parallel to the wood grain direction and the streaks extend through an interior of the shingle and appear as contrasting streaks on an exterior of the shingle to form a variegated wood grain appearance. The injection molded product further includes an injection molded vestige in the shingle. The injection molded vestige is located adjacent to a perimeter of the shingle and the injection molded vestige comprises a location at which material entered an injection mold through a gate.

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.