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: 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 corner siding product may include a plurality of panels. Each panel may include a front face with a simulated pattern and an inner wall formed along a perimeter of the panel. The corner siding product may further include a clip that is configured engage each panel to hold the panels together and form a corner.

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: 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: 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: A corner siding product may include a plurality of panels. Each panel may include a front face with a simulated pattern and an inner wall formed along a perimeter of the panel. The corner siding product may further include a clip that is configured engage each panel to hold the panels together and form a corner.

Abstract: A method of making a siding product is disclosed and includes molding a panel, wherein the panel comprises a substantially rectangular structure having a simulated pattern on a front face thereof and a hollow back, and the panel comprises a single shake configuration that does not simulate more than one shake or more than one course of siding, wherein the panel comprises a plurality of recesses and fastener locations on the front face thereof, and the hollow back comprises a pad opposite each recess and fastener location, each recess and pad having a thickness in a depth direction, wherein the hollow back comprises a plurality of short ribs extending in the longitudinal direction, each short rib having a longitudinal length that is less than a length of the hollow back.

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 corner siding product may include a plurality of panels. Each panel may include a front face with a simulated pattern and an inner wall formed along a perimeter of the panel. The corner siding product may further include a clip that is configured engage each panel to hold the panels together and form a corner.

Abstract: A siding product is disclosed and includes a panel comprising a front with a simulated wood grain, a hollow back opposite the front, a longitudinal length extending in an x-direction, a lateral width extending in a y-direction, and a transverse depth extending in a z-direction. The panel includes a hanger clip on the front that has a hanger clip length that extends longitudinally in the x-direction, the hanger clip length is at least about 50% of the longitudinal length of the panel, and a butt leg on the hollow back. Moreover, the butt leg of the panel is configured to engage the hanger clip of a lower panel without interlocking, such that they do not engage each other with positive snap action engagement.

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 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: 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 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: 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: A siding product is disclosed and includes a panel comprising a front with a simulated wood grain, a hollow back opposite the front, a longitudinal length extending in an x-direction, a lateral width extending in a y-direction, and a transverse depth extending in a z-direction. The panel includes a hanger clip on the front that has a hanger clip length that extends longitudinally in the x-direction, the hanger clip length is at least about 50% of the longitudinal length of the panel, and a butt leg on the hollow back. Moreover, the butt leg of the panel is configured to engage the hanger clip of a lower panel without interlocking, such that they do not engage each other with positive snap action engagement.

Abstract: A method of making a siding product is disclosed and includes molding a panel, wherein the panel comprises a substantially rectangular structure having a simulated pattern on a front face thereof and a hollow back, and the panel comprises a single shake configuration that does not simulate more than one shake or more than one course of siding, wherein the panel comprises a plurality of recesses and fastener locations on the front face thereof, and the hollow back comprises a pad opposite each recess and fastener location, each recess and pad having a thickness in a depth direction, wherein the hollow back comprises a plurality of short ribs extending in the longitudinal direction, each short rib having a longitudinal length that is less than a length of the hollow back.