Abstract: A steep slope roofing panel system includes an underlayment and a plurality of roofing panels installed atop the underlayment. The panels may be installed to provide both protection from the environment and watershedding. Alternatively, the panels and the underlayment may share the watershedding functions of the roof, with one as a primary watershedding component and the other as an auxiliary watershedding component. The roofing system may be custom manufactured off-site based upon predetermined measurements and characteristics of a roof and its protrusions. Alternatively, the roofing system may be custom manufactured at the job site based upon such measurements and characteristics. Each panel may be assigned to a location on the roof and may include imprinted instructions regarding cutting and/or bending the panel to form flashing, drip edges, or other features, as well as the panel's location and installation sequence on the roof.

Abstract: Systems and methods for a modular building are disclosed. A modular building system includes a multitude of rods that are configured to connect to each other to form a frame where one or more u-shaped channel pieces are attached to at least one of the multitude of rods. The modular building system includes panels that are shaped to be inserted within the u-shaped channel pieces to form a side.

Abstract: A metal shingle having a body with left, right, top and bottom parts. The body is substantially planar and rectangular and has a front, a rear, left and right sides, a top and a bottom. The left and right parts extend from the left and right side respectively. One of the left and right parts is folded over the front and the other is folded over the bottom. The top and bottom parts extend from the top and bottom respectively. One of the top and bottom parts is folded over the front and the other is folded over the bottom. In use, the shingles are positioned in each of side-to-side and top-to-bottom abutting relation so that adjacent sides are interlocked. The body defining a hollow adjacent to one of the interlocking top and bottom parts.

Abstract: A ceiling panel of which both end portions in a second direction are held on a ceiling base having a long shape extending in a first direction and being provided in parallel spaced in a second direction the ceiling panel includes a panel body, a hooked portion, and a hooking portion. The hooking portion has a folded part formed by being bent into a room side from a tip end portion in an extending direction of an extension portion extending outward in the first direction from the second end portion in the first direction, and by being further folded inward in the first direction, and the hooked portion keeps hooking and holding of the folded part with a second end portion in the first direction of an adjacent ceiling panel to be provided in the first direction being positioned upward further than the first end portion in the first direction.

Abstract: A metal shingle having a body with left, right, top and bottom parts. The body is substantially planar and rectangular and has a front, a rear, left and right sides, a top and a bottom. The left and right parts extend from the left and right side respectively. One of the left and right parts is folded over the front and the other is folded over the bottom. The top and bottom parts extend from the top and bottom respectively. One of the top and bottom parts is folded over the front and the other is folded over the bottom. In use, the shingles are positioned in each of side-to-side and top-to-bottom abutting relation so that adjacent sides are interlocked. The body defining a hollow adjacent to one of the interlocking top and bottom parts.

Abstract: An interlocking panel system for covering a base surface with interlocking panels to prevent water ingress. A first panel is secured to the base surface. A second panel interlocks with the first panel via a hook portion on the second panel entering a receptacle of the first panel. The hook portion expands after entering a retaining portion of the receptacle, thereby preventing the hook portion of the second panel from being withdrawn from the first panel.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to building surface panels, for example, polymer siding suitable for covering the exterior surface of a building. The present disclosure relates more particularly to a building surface panel including an elongate panel body having a length, a width, a front face, a rear face, a first edge, a second edge, a first end, and a second end. A lock is disposed at the second edge of the panel body and a catch disposed at the first edge of the panel body. The catch is configured to receive a corresponding lock of a neighboring building surface panel having a similar construction, where the catch includes a plurality of recesses. Each recess is configured to hold the corresponding lock in a respective position such that the catch is configured to secure the lock in any of a plurality of selectable positions.

Abstract: A roofing element for mounting on a sloped roof includes a formed panel. In one embodiment the length is at least as great as the width, the width being cross-wise relative, the length running down the slope. The formed panel has a relief pattern that has a grain direction aligned with the length. The width may be less than one arm's length. The relief element simulates a wooden shake or a slate tile. The sheet metal panel has top, bottom, and first and second side edge margins, The top edge margin has a bulge at one end, and a matingly sized double cuff at the other end. The next adjacent side has a relieved upper end flange that has a transition from a flat flange to a narrower upstanding curved wall defining the lower edge of an accommodation permitting the double cuff of one panel to seat in the mating accommodation of the next adjacent panel. When installed, the accommodation and the double cuff are overlain by the bottom edge margin flange of the next up-slope tile.

Abstract: An approximately planar roofing material body is arranged adjacent to another roofing material body. A side end part of the roofing material body is overlapped and laid to the another roofing material body. The roofing material body is provided with an inclined piece formed at a side end edge part of the roofing material body so as to be inclined downward. Further, a tip of the inclined piece (an inclined-piece tip) of the roofing material body is formed so as to abut on a front face bent downward of the another roofing material body laid to a downside of the roofing material body.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an interlocking siding panel system for securing to the side of a structure with planar surfaces. When the panel is secured to the structure through the nail strip a full contact strip opposite the nail strip lays flat against the structure causing the panel portion below an point of inflection in the panel to raise up off of the structure creating a gap to facilitate movement of moisture past a locking leg that integrates with the panel below.

Abstract: A wall or roof covering for mounting on a support surface includes a plurality of panels securable to the support surface. Each panel has a front surface including a covering section with simulated building elements, an opposed rear surface facing the support surface when secured thereto, an upper marginal edge region and an opposed lower marginal edge region overlying the upper marginal edge region of a vertically-adjacent panel. One of the upper marginal edge region and the lower marginal edge region has an inclined receiving slot defined therein, the other one of the upper marginal edge region and the lower marginal edge region has an inclined insertable flange engageable in the inclined receiving slot of the vertically-adjacent panel.

Abstract: A building product is configured for attachment to a surface of a building. In one example, the building product includes a siding product including a first side and a second side. In one example, the siding product is a pultruded product. A first engagement feature is disposed on or near the first side. A second engagement feature is disposed on or near the second side. The second engagement feature is configured to selectively frictionally engage with the first engagement feature of another similar siding product such that any curvature in the siding product increases frictional engagement between the siding product and the other similar siding product. In one example, the building product includes a spacer clip for attachment of the building product to the surface of the building.

Abstract: A roof or wall covering comprising a plurality of horizontal courses of molded plastic panels each formed with a single row of simulated shake shingles. The panels have a continuous upper interlock flange that facilitates inner-engagement of the panels of overlying courses without cumbersome handling of numerous small interlock fingers which can be missed during installation. Cooperating detents are provided between the overlying lower and upper marginal edge regions which facilitate proper positioning of the panels and which support the weight of the panel during securement to a wall surface. A bottom interlock flange is supported transversely across a rear side of the panel by vertically-spaced support plates which facilitate both liquid drainage and air circulation through the installed wall covering. In the preferred embodiment, the panels in alternate courses are identically formed with different shake patterns for enhancing the natural appearance of the wall covering.

Abstract: A roof or wall covering comprising a plurality of horizontal courses of molded plastic panels each formed with a single row of simulated shake shingles. The panels have a continuous upper interlock flange that facilitates inner-engagement of the panels of overlying courses without cumbersome handling of numerous small interlock fingers which can be missed during installation. Cooperating detents are provided between the overlying lower and upper marginal edge regions which facilitate proper positioning of the panels and which support the weight of the panel during securement to a wall surface. A bottom interlock flange is supported transversely across a rear side of the panel by vertically-spaced support plates which facilitate both liquid drainage and air circulation through the installed wall covering. In the preferred embodiment, the panels in alternate courses are identically formed with different shake patterns for enhancing the natural appearance of the wall covering.

Abstract: An insulated siding panel comprises a foam insulation layer, an attachment member, and optionally a veneer layer. The foam insulation layer comprises a front face, a rear face, a tongue along a first end edge, a groove along a second end edge, and a slot defined in the rear face. The attachment member comprises an attachment rail and a member extending transversely from the attachment rail. The member of the attachment member is inserted into the slot of the foam insulation layer. When present, the veneer layer is attached to the front face of the foam insulation layer. When joined with other insulated siding panels, the interlocking occurs along the foam insulation layers to form an unbroken layer of insulation.

Abstract: A cladding sheet that is adapted to engage one or more than one concealed clip that is connected to an underlying structure is disclosed. The cladding sheet includes at least one lengthwise extending pan (3) and a lengthwise extending rib (5) on each side of the pan. The width of each rib is between 70% and 130% of the width of the pan.

Abstract: A building product is configured for attachment to a surface of a building. In one example, the building product includes a siding product including a first side and a second side. In one example, the siding product is a pultruded product. A first engagement feature is disposed on or near the first side. A second engagement feature is disposed on or near the second side. The second engagement feature is configured to selectively frictionally engage with the first engagement feature of another similar siding product such that any curvature in the siding product increases frictional engagement between the siding product and the other similar siding product. In one example, the building product includes a spacer clip for attachment of the building product to the surface of the building.

Abstract: The present invention generally encompasses a starter block for use in the starter course of a roofing project to facilitate the subsequent positioning of shingles upon a hip roof without causing said shingles to substantially bend. The starter block has a tapered thickness, that is, the height of the front surface is greater than the height of the back surface. In one embodiment, the height of the front surface is about twice the height of the back surface. Otherwise, the starter block is generally rectangular. In one embodiment, the starter block is formed from a composite material, such as a combination of at least a polymer component (e.g. polyethylene) and a filler component (e.g., glass, stone, limestone), and includes at least one nib extending from each of its side surfaces and at least one nailing zone on its top surface.

Abstract: In polymer building products, such as polymer siding, polymer roofing, j-blocks, gable vents, etc., characterized by fastener apertures each comprising an elongate slot bounded by a peripheral wall defining the slot, the peripheral wall having a height, a fastener centering-guide comprising a layer of material extending into the elongate slot from the peripheral wall thereof, the layer of material having defined therein (a) an elongate opening that is generally parallel to, but of smaller transverse dimensions than, the elongate slot, and (b) a predetermined location, defined intermediate the length of the elongate opening, for receiving a fastener therethrough, and wherein further the layer of material is characterized by a thickness that is less than the height of the peripheral wall and sufficiently thin so as to permit relative movement between a fastener extending through the centering guide and the polymer building product.

Abstract: A panel edge joint formed on opposing edges of a first panel (12) and second panel (22) for use in refrigeration units. The panel edge joint comprises a male part (10) extending along at least one edge of the first panel (12) and a corresponding female part (20) extending along at least one edge of second panel (22) wherein male part (10) comprises a deformable sleeve (30) forming an outer covering of male part (10). Engagement of male part (10) with female part (20) forms a seal between the first panel (12) and second panel (22).

Abstract: The present invention is a siding panel and a method of making the siding panel. The siding panel comprises a planar portion extending the longitudinal length of the siding panel. The planar portion comprises a first edge and a second edge. The width from the first edge to the second edge is at least about 4.0 inches. The planar portion has a surface variance of less than about 0.05 inches relative to an imaginary straight line connecting the first edge and the second edge, and the radius curvature between the first edge and the second edge is at least about 85 inches.

Abstract: A method and device are described for protecting structures having a central longitudinal portion and radially extending arms, including plants such as palm trees from wind damage. The device may be positioned around a structure and includes a flexible material configured to wrap around a central longitudinal portion and radially extending arms, such that a lower edge of the flexible material is positioned near a lower portion of the radially extending arms and when wrapped around the structure, a portion of the radially extending arms is pushed toward the central longitudinal portion of the structure and two side edges of the flexible material are proximate one another. The device fastens around the structure and is configured to secure the radially extending arms against the central longitudinal portion of the structure and to reinforce the central longitudinal portion of the structure thereby protecting the structure against wind damage.

Abstract: The present invention is a vinyl siding panel and a method of making the vinyl siding panel. The vinyl siding panel comprises a planar portion extending the longitudinal length of the vinyl siding panel. The planar portion comprises a first edge and a second edge. The width from the first edge to the second edge is at least about 4.0 inches. The planar portion has a surface variance of less than about 0.05 inches relative to an imaginary straight line connecting the first edge and the second edge, and the radius curvature between the first edge and the second edge is at least about 85 inches.

Abstract: A batten (100) for mounting cladding sheets to a wall or frame, said batten comprising an elongate channel member having a pair of spaced apart side walls (120, 140) joined by an intermediate web (110), and a corresponding pair of mounting flanges (124, 145) spaced outwardly from the web (110) and extending laterally from the side walls (120, 140), adapted for connection to the cladding sheets (300), and the batten (100) being configured such that stress applied to the cladding sheets (300) in use results in preferential deformation of the batten.

Abstract: The present invention features a heated roofing system using standard-size roofing shingles each having a resistive heating element. Each shingle is designed to easily connect to a preassembled, flat electrical power cable having slide-on electrical connectors spaced periodically along its length. The power cable is typically supplied rolled so that as each shingle in a course is attached to a roof, the power cable can be unrolled and each subsequent shingle electrically connected to the cable. A power controller having a temperature sensor and a precipitation sensor controls the flow of electrical energy to the shingles. Because the power cable is flat, it lies well beneath layers of shingles and may be folded at the end of a course so that a single cable may supply power to multiple rows of shingles.

Abstract: A lineal for framing openings in buildings that may provide a finished appearance to the opening being framed. The lineal may be comprised of a nailing hem and an overhang. The lineal may additionally comprise a channel portion. The lineal with a channel portion may be manufactured as a one-piece or two-piece unit. The two-piece unit may have a portion that slides onto or snaps into the channel portion. The lineal may have insulation applied to its underside.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a profiled sheet comprising a web formation having first and second opposite ends; a first panel segment extending generally transversely from the web formation at or towards the first end thereof and a second panel segment, extending generally transversely from the web formation at or towards the second end thereof. The first and second panel segments extend in opposite directions from the web formation and the sheet further comprises a lip formation extending generally transversely from the first panel segment at an end defined by the said panel segment distal to the web formation and extending in a direction towards the plane wherein the second panel segment is located.

Abstract: A deck drainage system having a plurality of channeled drainage panels. The drainage panels are mounted to direct water flow transversely of the deck joists to a gutter, the panels connected to and suspended from the underside of the joists. The gutter is mounted transversely across the discharge ends of the drainage panels to collect water therefrom and direct it to a down spout. Drainage panels, which are rectangular with the individual drainage channels extending lengthwise, may be overlapped both lengthwise and widthwise to fit the perimeter of the deck.

Abstract: A J-channel is provided with a retainer which biases an inserted siding panel against a cantilevered end of an outer face of the J-channel. The retainer has an engagement tab biased from a wall member which is preferably connected to an inner face of the J-channel member. An engagement tab and an inwardly directed lip at the cantilevered end of the outer face preferably retained an inserted panel therebetween.

Abstract: A starter strip shingle of a given vertical width is provided, having a severance line, from which a severance portion of the starter strip shingle may be removed, somewhat reducing the vertical width of the starter strip shingle, such that the installer of roofing material has an option to use full width starter strip shingles, or reduced width starter strip shingles, from the same package of uniform width starter strip shingles, to thereby enable a feathering of roofing shingles applied thereover, by means of a gentle transition zone, to avoid tears and punctures of the roofing shingles. Sealant areas on the starter strip shingles may be synchronized with the spacing and sizes of tabs of roofing shingles applied thereover, such that the sealant areas will always be under tabs of roofing shingles that are applied thereover, and not fall between the tabs into slots thereof.

Abstract: A siding attachment strip and method are provided for retaining a plurality of siding panels to a building structure. The siding attachment strip includes an elongate body, one or more mounting holes, and a plurality of siding top edge clips spaced along the elongate body according to a predetermined siding panel size. A siding top edge clip of the plurality of siding top edge clips is capable of engaging a nailing slot in a siding panel. The siding top edge clip includes a plurality of prongs extending therefrom. A prong of the plurality of prongs includes a substantially right-angled bend in a middle region of the prong. The siding attachment strip further includes a plurality of prong slots formed in the elongate body and spaced from and corresponding to the plurality of siding top edge clips.

Abstract: A clip for siding panels installed on a wall of a structure includes a substantially planar nailing face and a seat extending from a bottom edge of the nailing face disposed to receive the bottom edge of an overlapping siding panel. A hook member extends from a top edge of the nailing face and is disposed to hang the clip from a top edge of a siding panel overlapped by the overlapping siding panel. The nailing face is sized to provide a partial overlap of the overlapped siding panel by the overlapping siding panel when the clip is attached to the overlapped siding panel by the hook member and the overlapping siding panel is seated in the seat.

Abstract: A plastic panel for attachment to an exterior wall of a building includes a body, an attachment hem attached to the body and defining at least one aperture for a fastener, and a side flange extending laterally outwardly of the body. The side flange defines a fastening slot for attaching the panel to a building wall. The fastening slot extends at a predetermined acute angle relative to horizontal, preferably about 10-20° relative to horizontal, and about 15° in a particularly preferred embodiment. The fastening slot is preferably elongated and narrow so that the head of a metal fastener extends over opposed upper and lower edges of the slot.

Abstract: A clip is used to fasten a wall panel to a frame rail. The clip is fitted to the rail and has paul-like tabs which locate in apertures in a side wall of the rail. Corresponding apertures are provided on the edge of the wall. When the edge of the wall is inserted into the clip, the pawl-like tabs snap-fit through the apertures and into the apertures, thereby captively retaining the wall to the rail. Alternatively, the clip may be formed integrally with a rail by pressing out a flap from a side wall of the rail. Each flap has a pawl-like indent. Corresponding apertures are provided on the edge of a wall sheet. When the edge of the wall sheet is inserted between the flaps and the rail, the pawl-like indents locate in the apertures, thereby captively retaining the wall sheets to the rail.

Abstract: Siding is provided for protective use on a structure. The siding simulates log construction and includes one or more panels which each include a top section, mounting section, flat section, female locking flange section, bowed section and male locking flange section. Each panel may be textured to simulate real logs. A film can be adhesively attached to the surface of the panels to simulate wood grain, as well.

Abstract: An aluminum wall panel comprising a plate, a top flange extending from a top of the plate, a bottom flange extending from a bottom of the plate, a first side flange extending from a first side of the plate and a second side flange extending from a second side of the plate. The panel includes a first projection and a second projection extending from the top flange and defining a channel therebetween. The panel also includes a third resilient projection extending from the bottom flange. The third resilient projection presses against a matching projection of the second wall panel to rigidly connect the wall panel to the second wall panel when the wall panel and the second wall panel are fixed to a supporting framework. The first side flange and the second side flange taper upwards to allow the plate to be parallel with the second wall panel.

Abstract: A wall panel for a storage building is provided. The wall panel includes a first arcuate ridged region bounded by a first inner clamping surface, and a second inner clamping surface. The wall panel also includes a second arcuate ridged region bounded by a first outer clamping surface and a second outer clamping surface. The second arcuate ridged region of a first wall panel is adapted to securely overlap and snap-fit interconnect with said first arcuate ridged region of a second adjacent wall panel.

Abstract: A wall panel system of the present invention includes a plurality of inter-connecting tongue-and-groove panels which are framed by top, bottom, and side channel members to form walls which may be easily erected and taken down. The bottom channel member has a back leg, a front leg, and a bottom surface extending between the back and front legs. The top channel member can either be an integral, one-piece assembly or a two-piece assembly. In the one piece assembly, the top channel member is substantially similar to the bottom channel member. The two piece top channel member includes a fixed member and a locking leg mountable to the fixed member. The fixed member includes a back leg, an upper surface, and a rearwardly facing groove in the upper surface. The locking leg includes a finger which is received in the groove. The locking leg can have either a single panel or have or a pair of spaced apart arms.

Abstract: A plastic panel for attachment to an exterior wall of a building includes a body, an attachment hem attached to the body and defining at least one aperture for a fastener, and a side flange extending laterally outwardly of the body. The side flange defines a fastening slot for attaching the panel to a building wall. The fastening slot extends at a predetermined acute angle relative to horizontal, preferably about 10-20° relative to horizontal, and about 15° in a particularly preferred embodiment. The fastening slot is preferably elongated and narrow so that the head of a metal fastener extends over opposed upper and lower edges of the slot.

Abstract: A photovoltaic cell module tile that includes a tile body, a recess, a fitting section, and a pressure member. The recess is provided in a top surface of the tile body, which stores a photovoltaic cell module. The fitting section is provided in the recess on an eaves side of the tile body. An eaves-side end portion of the photovoltaic cell module is inserted and fitted in the fitting section. The pressure member is provided on a ridge side of the tile body and presses a ridge-side end portion of the photovoltaic cell module against the tile body.

Abstract: A molded plastic panel for covering an exterior building wall includes a laterally directed lead fin, a laterally extending groove below the lead fin, and a rearwardly directed middle wall between rows of simulated shingles, all for joining laterally adjacent panels. A side flange extending outwardly of the panel may also be included. The molded plastic panel preferably also includes at least one row of simulated shingles separated by a plurality of gaps each having a randomly varying width in order to camouflage spacings between adjacent panels that change because of thermal contraction and expansion. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the panel body includes a locking tab and a folding flange. The folding flange includes a locking lip for engaging a locking tab on an adjacent panel and a flexible hinge connecting the locking lip to the panel body. The flexible hinge allows the folding flange to be disconnected from the locking tab when replacing a single panel.

Abstract: A tile for attaching a solar battery module to the roof of a house comprises a substantially rectangular plate-like tile body. The upper surface of the tile body has a plurality of projecting portions and depressed portions alternately extending over the entire length of the tile in a direction of inclination of the roof. The upper surface of the tile body also has a recess for receiving the solar battery module. The recess has a bottom portion to be brought into contact with the reverse surface of the solar battery module. The recess also has a plurality of stop portions to be brought into contact with edge portions of the solar battery module to hold them.

Abstract: A sheet of plastics material is continuously extruded onto the upper run of an endless conveyor which carries aluminum vacuum mold plates each defining a cavity with a shingle pattern. The sheet is progressively vacuum-formed into the mold plate cavities, and opposite longitudinal upper and lower portions of the sheet are progressively vacuum-formed, with traveling plug assist in one embodiment, to define shingle panels with hook-shaped lower portions and upper portions defining grooves for receiving the lower portions. The upper portion of the sheet is punched with longitudinally spaced slots to form a nailing flange, and the sheet is then cut laterally at longitudinally spaced intervals to produce elongated siding panels each having integrally connected shingle panels. The shingle panels may have different bottom configurations or profiles and are interchangeable.

Abstract: Siding is provided for protective use on a structure. The siding simulates log construction and includes one or more panels which each include a top section, mounting section, flat section, female locking flange section, bowed section and male locking flange section. Each panel may be textured to simulate real logs. A film can be adhesively attached to the surface of the panels to simulate wood grain, as well.

Abstract: A composite interlocking vinyl or other veneer siding having an elongated insulating member bonded to a vinyl panel with a permanently flexible adhesive that is compatible with both vinyl and insulation material and does not harden. The insulating member is configured such that a front face of the insulating material exactly coincides with the profile of the front face of the vinyl member. The insulating member forms a shallow shelf at an upper edge of the insulating member and an adjacent insulating member forms another shelf to overlap the adjacent shallow shelf to form a shiplap seal when assembled. Horizontal and vertical edges of the vinyl siding and insulating member are configured to overlap when mounted.

Abstract: A metal shingle including a main body having a top, bottom, left and right peripheral edges and a front and a back surface. The top edge defines a top flange bent over the front surface, and bottom edge defines a bottom flange bent over the back surface. The left edge is a straight edge, and the right edge is a lock-formed shape defining a channel. The metal shingle is attached to the underlying roof sheathing material either through a nailing flange or by a clip attached to the top flange. The metal shingle can be part of a shingle system. The metal shingle is relatively small in exposed area and easily interconnected with adjacent metal shingles.

Abstract: A soffit for a building having an exterior wall covered by siding and further having a fascia strip spaced outwardly from the wall includes an elongated soffit strip having a channel formed therein adapted to receive the siding, and a folded portion laterally spaced apart from the channel; the folded portion having a folded back portion extending toward the channel, a folded forward portion extending away from the channel, and a transition portion connecting the folded back portion and the folded forward portion so as to define an opening therebetween for receiving an adjacent member; and at least one interlocking member on the soffit strip for detachably mounting the soffit strip to the adjacent member without the use of tools.

Abstract: A composite interlocking vinyl or other veneer siding having an elongated insulating member bonded to a vinyl panel with a permanently flexible adhesive that is compatible with both vinyl and insulation material and does not harden. The insulating member is configured such that a front face of the insulating material exactly coincides with the profile of the front face of the vinyl member. The insulating member forms a shallow shelf at an upper edge of the insulating member and an adjacent insulating member forms another shelf to overlap the adjacent shallow shelf to form a shiplap seal when assembled. Horizontal and vertical edges of the vinyl siding and insulating member are configured to overlap when mounted.

Abstract: A storm window or a roof or wall section of a building is formed form a plurality of double interlocking panels, each panel having left and right side strip sections of specific cross-sectional shapes that a locking force is developed between two panels when engaged at the strip sections. The locking force developed is proportional to a load applied against the panels. This increase in locking force between panels allows for the panels to be made from lighter stock material, yet still maintain the structural integrity that would normally be found in a heavier stock material.

Abstract: Self-heating roofing construction elements containing a heating element embedded therein. Each construction element has at least one tab extending laterally, the tab enclosing one or more electrical conductors so that one construction element may be connected by snap fit to an adjacent construction element. Preferably, the elements are provided as a kit including a right side end module, one or more center modules, and a left side module. Individual construction elements may be ceramic tiles, wood shake shingles, or asphaltic shingles, preferably reinforced with recycled glass, recycled rubber, or both. Whether one or plural modules, the construction element is controlled by an electrical controller responsive to subfreezing temperatures and to presence of precipitation.