Abstract: A wall or ceiling panel, which, on one side edge, comprises a male coupling part and, on an opposite side edge, comprises a female coupling part. The male coupling part comprises a tongue and the female coupling part comprises a groove. The groove is bordered by a front lip and a rear lip, with the characteristic that the panel forms a ceiling-high wall panel and/or has a length of at least 2400 mm.

Abstract: Methods and systems for imparting visual features to a liquid applied roof, such as for forming a residential roof, include using overlapping strips of underlayment, underlayment with varying densities, underlayment with raised features, and underlayment with a gridded surface among others. Visual features also can be imparted by mixing different colors of a liquid applied roofing material, embedding floating particles in a liquid applied roofing material, embedding colored flakes in a liquid applied roofing material or spraying colored flakes onto a liquid applied roof before skinning, creating texture as the liquid applied roofing material is applied, and using stencils or printing techniques to impart visual features.

Abstract: A roofing material may include a substrate and a coating on the substrate. The coating may include a polymer blend and at least one filler. The polymer blend may include at least one hydrocarbon oil, at least one resin, at least one polymer, or any combination thereof. The at least one hydrocarbon oil, the at least one resin, the at least one polymer, or any combination thereof may be present in an amount or in amounts sufficient to result in the polymer blend or the coating having a select softening point, a select viscosity, or any combination thereof.

Abstract: A vented and water control paneling has improved drainage and integrated ventilation air space. The water control paneling may be fabricated with an omnidirectional relief pattern formed on its back surface. The relief pattern spaces the vented and water control paneling away from a structure to which it is secured, thereby providing an omnidirectional drainage plane between the back surface of the paneling and the structure. The omnidirectional drainage plane provides an unimpeded ventilation and drainage path of water and/or water vapor.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to cladding, for example, suitable for use covering the exterior surface of a building. The present disclosure relates more particularly to a siding panel including a light source. The siding panel includes a panel body having a length extending from a first end to a second end, a width extending from a first edge to a second edge, a front face, and a rear face. A first lock extends along the first edge of the panel body and a second lock extending along the second edge of the panel body. A fastening strip is coupled to the first lock. A light source extending along the length of the panel body is secured to the panel body so as to provide light from the front face of the panel body.

Abstract: Roof shingles are provided, as well as methods of fabricating and using the shingles and roofs comprising the shingles. A shingle can include a plurality of perforations in the protruding part thereof to significantly reduce the pressure in the leading edge, the remainder of the protruding part, and/or in the area behind the sealing strip of the shingle. The perforations can be disposed in the protruding part of the shingle down from the sealing strip. Any water entering the perforations can therefore be blocked by the sealing strips and will flow down the roof slope.

Abstract: An aluminum interconnecting panel support has an insertion end with an inserting member for insertion into another support of a panel assembly. The interconnecting panel support includes a visible portion that is visible to human perception upon interconnecting the support within the panel assembly. The panel support also has a hidden portion that is hidden from perception upon interconnecting the support within the panel assembly. The panel support has a rectilinear body portion connected to the insertion end that spans a length of the support. The panel support has a curved support member that is disposed at a normal to the body portion. The visible portion of the panel support as assembled in the panel assembly includes the body portion. The hidden portion includes the curved support member, fasteners, or both. The curved support member adjoins additional panel members to previously assembled panel members, and it supports the body portion.

Abstract: A method of making the asphalt shingles includes applying a substrate to a layer of shingle-forming material, the substrate having indicators at predetermined spaced-apart distances, with the indicators being sensed as the shingle-forming layer is moved along a predetermined path, with adhesive zones being applied to the shingle such that the application of the adhesive zones is synchronized in response to sensing the locations of the indicators, and with the shingle-forming layer then being cut into individual shingles.

Abstract: A roofing shingle including a lower layer including a headlap and a plurality of tabs extending from the headlap, and an upper layer including one or more fingers, wherein the one or more fingers are disconnected from one another, and wherein each of the one or more fingers is disposed on one tab of the plurality of tabs, wherein a number of the plurality of tabs is different than a number of the one or more fingers. In an embodiment, the lower layer is a lowermost layer of the roofing shingle. In another embodiment, the roofing shingle further includes an alignment feature disposed in an exposure zone of the roofing shingle, wherein the alignment feature is adapted to permit alignment of adjacent roofing shingles during installation on a roof.

Abstract: During installation of a single-ply roofing membrane, the surface of the membrane can be protected from dirt, scratches and scrapes by a protective sheet which also provides other beneficial attributes that aid an installer. A roof laminate includes a roof membrane and a protective sheet is removably affixed thereto. The sheet includes at least a first layer directly secured to a second layer. The first layer provides at least one of UV protection, anti-slip, and anti-glare to the roof laminate and so aids the installer in at least one of those respects. The second layer is removably affixed to the roof membrane.

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 element comprising: (a) a photovoltaic assembly; (b) a shingle portion connected to the photovoltaic assembly, the shingle portion including: (i) one or more flexible regions and (ii) one or more attachment regions; wherein the one or more attachment regions connect the photovoltaic element to a structure and the one or more flexible regions are flexed so that all or a portion of the attachment regions are located below the shingle portion; and wherein the one or more flexible regions, the one or more attachment regions, or both include one more drainage elements.

Abstract: During installation of a single-ply roofing membrane, the surface of the membrane can be protected from dirt, scratches and scrapes by a protective sheet which also provides other beneficial attributes that aid an installer. A roof laminate includes a roof membrane and a protective sheet is removably affixed thereto. The sheet includes at least a first layer directly secured to a second layer. The first layer provides at least one of UV protection, anti-slip, and anti-glare to the roof laminate and so aids the installer in at least one of those respects. The second layer is removably affixed to the roof membrane.

Abstract: Method and apparatus useful for the construction of exterior wall systems of buildings. The apparatus has an outer U-channel having a front formed lip thereon along with an inner wall together forming a base portion of the U-channel within which the bottom of the outer piece of siding is placed. The apparatus also includes a rear wall for supporting the inner piece of siding in an upright position along with a ledge upon which the bottom of the inner piece of siding rests. The rear wall of the apparatus may have apertures herein for receiving fasteners along with weep holes in the base of the U-channel.

Abstract: An isolator system for preventing the conduction of thermal energy between the metal components of a wall assembly comprising isolator plates adapted to be placed between the metal components of a wall assembly and made of an insulating material. The isolator plates include at least one opening for receiving a fastener, said opening has an annular shoulder adapted to extend into an opening for receiving said fastener in a metal component of a wall assembly. Also disclosed herein is a thermal isolation washer and a girt for use with polymer panel construction.

Abstract: An isolator system for preventing the conduction of thermal energy between the metal components of a wall assembly comprising isolator plates adapted to be placed between the metal components of a wall assembly and made of an insulating material. The isolator plates include at least one opening for receiving a fastener, said opening has an annular shoulder adapted to extend into an opening for receiving said fastener in a metal component of a wall assembly. Also disclosed herein is a thermal isolation washer and a girt for use with polymer panel construction.

Abstract: A building construction assembly for installation on a roof deck including a base layer and a channel structure coupled to the base layer and defining a plurality of channels. In an embodiment, the plurality of channels include a first airflow channel and second airflow channel extending in parallel through the channel structure. The plurality of channels further includes a venting channel between the first and second airflow channels and the base layer. The channel structure defines one or more apertures between the venting channel and each of the first and second airflow channels configured to allow airflow from the first and second airflow channels into the venting channel. The base layer defines one or more exit orifices in airflow communication with the venting channel and configured such that air in the venting channel exits the building construction assembly through the one or more exit orifices.

Abstract: A shingle, a method of making it, and a roof embodying the shingle is provided, in which an exterior surface of the shingle is provided with an attached reinforcement layer through which fasteners may be applied when the shingle is applied to a roof.

Abstract: The present invention relates more particularly to roofing products for use with photovoltaic elements, and to photovoltaic systems that include one or more photovoltaic elements joined to a roofing substrate. In one aspect, the invention provides a roofing product including: a bituminous roofing substrate having a top surface; and roofing granules embedded in the top surface of the roofing substrate, wherein in at least one over-pressed zone of the roofing product, the roofing granules are embedded so that (a) the over-pressed zone exhibits a 0.20 gram loss or less in a rub test as described in ASTM D-4977; or (b) in the over-pressed zone the average granule embed volume fraction is at least 0.5; or (c) in the over-pressed zone, the average distance between the top of the roofing granules and the top surface of the bituminous roofing substrate is 1.0 mm or less.

Abstract: At least one embodiment of the invention describes roofing batten snap spacers that elevate a roofing batten from a roof. In one or more embodiments, the roofing batten snap spacer includes a base element having a first vertical height and having a first side, an opposing side, a first end and an opposing end. According to at least one embodiment, the base element couples with a roofing batten and elevates the roofing batten. The roofing batten may comprise an elongated portion of material having a top surface, a bottom surface and a portion therebetween of a second vertical height, such that the material couples with a roofing material. In at least one embodiment, the base element elevates the roofing batten from a roof by the first vertical height. This enables the roofing material to be offset from the roof by a sum of the first and second vertical heights.

Abstract: An asphalt shingle is provided, in which a base mat is impregnated with an asphalt material and has headlap and tab portions, with the tab portion being a plurality of tabs separated by slots, with adhesive applied to the top surface of the shingle in the headlap portion and above the upper ends of the slots, but wherein the headlap portion of the shingle has adhesive-free zones above the centers of the tabs. A roof covering is provided with the shingles being in overlying and underlying courses, with shingles in each course being laterally offset and with the adhesive-free zones being such that no adhesive on a shingle in an underlying course is visible through slots of shingles in a next-overlying course.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of foam backing panels for use with lap siding and configured for mounting on a building. Also disclosed are lap siding assemblies and products of lap sidings. One such embodiment of the foam backing panel comprises a rear face configured to contact the building, a front face configured for attachment to the lap siding, alignment means for aligning the lap siding relative to the building, means for providing a shadow line, opposing vertical side edges, a top face extending between a top edge of the front face and rear face and a bottom face extending between a bottom edge of the front face and rear face.

Abstract: A roof framing structure (20) is disclosed, and includes a plurality of primary supports (30) (e.g., rafters) that may be disposed in parallel relation and extend along the roof pitch (14). One or more secondary supports (40) extend between each adjacent pair of primary supports (30). Each secondary support (40) is of a triangular cross-sectional configuration, and may extend orthogonally to the various primary supports (30).

Abstract: A building product for attachment to a surface of a building includes a plurality of siding members, and a plurality of spacers, wherein the siding members and spacers are assembled to resemble a plurality of individual siding shingles.

Abstract: A mounting rail for mounting a cladding panel in a lapped formation on a wall includes an elongate body shaped in cross section having a vertical upstanding rear flange mountable to a wall, a downwardly extending front flange and a sloping web portion extending from the rear to the front flange. The web portion also includes a downwardly extending channel portion receiving at least an upper portion of a lower panel. The front flange portion forms an upward facing channel portion slidably receiving a lower portion of an upper panel. The mounting rail includes sealing and drainage elements so the cladding panels can be lapped and supported at the position of the mounting rail and the panels are mounted without direct fastenings to a wall. Also disclosed is a mounting rail assembly for a flush mounted cladding panel for a building wall, for forming a drained and ventilated cladding system.

Abstract: At least one embodiment of the invention describes roofing batten snap spacers that elevate a roofing batten from a roof. In one or more embodiments, the roofing batten snap spacer includes a base element having a first vertical height and having a first side, an opposing side, a first end and an opposing end. According to at least one embodiment, the base element couples with a roofing batten and elevates the roofing batten. The roofing batten may comprise an elongated portion of material having a top surface, a bottom surface and a portion therebetween of a second vertical height, such that the material couples with a roofing material. In at least one embodiment, the base element elevates the roofing batten from a roof by the first vertical height. This enables the roofing material to be offset from the roof by a sum of the first and second vertical heights.

Abstract: Exterior building siding for aesthetic and protection of the building against wind, rain and solar energy by attaching each horizontal plank from the top of the wall downwardly that includes a starting strip where each plank is interlocked to the plank above it. Each of the horizontal planks includes a top wall portion that fits snuggly into an “L-shaped” groove above it so that the panels can be firmly locked together vertically in a downwardly fashion to prevent any wind uplift against the siding or moisture intrusion. In the preferred embodiment, an adaptor strip is bonded to a conventional siding plank for trap lock engagement. Each adaptor strip has a longitudinal recess to reduce mass and volume and a mid panel support for strength.

Abstract: A plurality of pan tiles are disposed in confronting, supported relation on an underlying roof support and in underlying, at least partially supporting relation to plurality of overlapping, exteriorly exposed roof tile. Each pan tile includes a planar base and two oppositely disposed planar side segments extending outwardly from opposite peripheries of said base at a common, preferred obtuse angle. Leading and trailing ends of pan tiles have a greater and lesser transverse dimension respectively, wherein the side segments or oriented in a converging configuration extending from the leading end to the trailing end of the pan tile. Solar energy systems may also be incorporated in the pan tiles and a heat dissipating assembly and/or a stabilizing assembly may also be included.

Abstract: A device for spacing, bracing and leveling tiles during installation on a ceiling substrate, comprises a, spacer and a bracer having a threaded substrate penetrating screw to releasably engage with the substrate for bracing and leveling tiles. The spacer and bracer are made of rigid material to support the weight of tile. The spacer carries at least one spacer ridge that when placed between tiles will create an equal distance between adjacent tiles. When the screw is inserted through a hole defined in the spacer and screwed until a first surface of the spacer frictionally contacts an exposed surface of the tile, the spacer will secure the tile and prevent a ceiling tile from falling until an adhesive dries.

Abstract: A roof shingle assembly includes a panel that has a front edge, a rear edge, a first side edge and a second side edge. The panel has a first bend and a second bend therein each extending between the first and second side edges. The first and second bends defining a first section positioned between the first bend and the rear edge, a second section positioned between the second bend and the front edge and an intermediate section positioned between the first and second bends. The first and second sections extends away from the intermediate section in opposite directions with respect to each other. The first and second sections lie in planes orientated parallel to each other and vertically spaced from each other. The plane of the first section is positioned below a plane of the second section.

Abstract: A building structural component, such as a wall, roof, ceiling, floor, or the like, is resistant to weather and moisture while facilitating the drying and elimination of water vapor and liquid water. The component includes a vapor-permeable membrane that resists penetration of liquids including water, but that permits gases including water vapor to pass through the membrane to resist buildup of moisture in the building component. A batten, such as an insulated batten, forms a cavity in the building component to facilitate air circulation, and reduces heat flow through structural studs of the building component to increase the overall insulation value of the finished component.

Abstract: A multi-layered shingle includes an underlay sheet having a longitudinally extending axis and a leading edge. The underlay sheet further defines a first layer and a second layer. The second layer is connected to the first layer along a first longitudinally extending fold line and folded against the first layer. An overlay sheet is bonded to the underlay sheet, and the first and second layers of the underlay sheet define multiple layers of a multi-layered shingle.

Abstract: A building panel has a unitary foamed core, and a unitary cover layer of resinous polymeric material covering the core and covering a bottom edge or drip edge and an upper edge of the panel. A system for installation of adjacent panels includes the adjacent panels having vertical clip-receiving grooves slidably receiving narrow edges of a clip. The clip holds adjacent panels in coplanar abutting relationship to minimize movement while installed on a wall of a building.

Abstract: A molded synthetic polymer based shingle is provided as is a roof made up of underlying and overlying of courses of such shingles. The shingles are generally rigid and are provided with upwardly protruding moisture guards on the upper surfaces of their headlap portions, for guarding against wind-blown moisture entering fastener locations at which fasteners are used to attach shingles to a roof. The moisture guards may be of various configurations and by either completely or incompletely surround the fastener locations. Shields having recesses for receiving moisture guards therein, or other downward projections, may be provided at under surface locations of the shingles in cooperative engagement for further protection against moisture penetration and for facilitating alignment of shingles relative to other shingles.

Abstract: A solar insert for shingled roofs includes an insert with a generally wedge-shaped body designed to be installed beneath a shingle and a face that is exposed and extends along a lower edge of the shingle. The face preferably is angled with respect to the shingle and a solar collector in the form of a thin-film solar strip is mounted to and extends along the face. The inserts of multiple shingles are electrically coupled together to form an electrical grid for aggregating the electrical energy of the individual solar collectors and delivering it to a remote location for storage or use. In a second embodiment, a shingle has a solar collector strip mounted to its surface extending along a forward edge of the shingle, and in another, the solar collector surrounds the tabs of their shingles. The solar collectors not only generate electrical energy from the sun; they also enhance the appearance of a shingled roof by providing a look of increased thickness and texture.

Abstract: A roof batten integrally-formed of plastic with spaced, generally parallel upper and lower surfaces and a series of struts connecting the upper and lower surfaces, to form chambers permitting the fluid passage from the back edge to the front edge of the batten when it is affixed generally horizontally along a roof surface.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are various embodiments of a batten system comprising thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO) membranes. In an embodiment, a batten may comprise a plurality of TPO membranes heat sealed together. The heat sealed TPO membranes may include a plurality of unsealed areas between the membranes for engaging one or more coupling devices. Slate shingles may be hung from the one or more coupling devices.

Abstract: A fixing system (20) for securing cladding boards (28) to the framing (26) of a building in a partially overlapping relationship, each board (28) having front and rear faces with a recess (42) being provided in and along the rear face. The fixing system (20) comprises a plurality of fixing devices (30), supported by the framing (26), that are spaced apart relative to one another and arranged in rows, each row of fixing devices (30) being arranged to support a board or row of boards (28) and each fixing device (30) having an engagement portion (40) that is arranged to engage with a section of the recess (42) of a board (28) to, in co-operation with a number of other fixing devices (30) of that row also engaging with a section of the recess (42), support the board (28) in place on the framing (26).

Abstract: An assembly, and method for constructing the assembly, to aid in the proper installation of shingles by providing panels of shingles and assembly guides that when followed, result in the installation of shingles that meet keyway width requirements, keyway alignment requirements, provide an aesthetically pleasing distribution of the shingles, and provides adequate ventilation.

Abstract: A method of the production of a composite roof batten includes forming a substantially rigid low-density lower reinforcing element with cup-shaped depressions defining moisture-passing channels therebetween and providing an upper reinforcing element. The cup-shaped depressions of the lower reinforcing element have introduced therein a low density closed cell foam material and the upper reinforcing element is positioned in overlying relationship to the lower reinforcing element. The foam material is allowed to fill the space defined between the lower reinforcing element and the upper reinforcing element and bond the elements together to form a composite roof batten.

Abstract: An assembly, and method for constructing the assembly, to aid in the proper installation of shingles by providing panels of shingles and assembly guides that when followed, result in the installation of shingles that meet keyway width requirements, keyway alignment requirements, provide an aesthetically pleasing distribution of the shingles, and provides adequate ventilation.

Abstract: A molded synthetic polymer based shingle is provided as is a roof made up of underlying and overlying of courses of such shingles. The shingles are generally rigid and are provided with upwardly protruding moisture guards on the upper surfaces of their headlap portions, for guarding against wind-blown moisture entering fastener locations at which fasteners are used to attach shingles to a roof. The moisture guards may be of various configurations and by either completely or incompletely surround the fastener locations. Shields having recesses for receiving moisture guards therein, or other downward projections, may be provided at under surface locations of the shingles in cooperative engagement for further protection against moisture penetration and for facilitating alignment of shingles relative to other shingles.

Abstract: An assembly, and method for constructing the assembly, to aid in the proper installation of shingles by providing panels of shingles and assembly guides that when followed, result in the installation of shingles that meet keyway width requirements, keyway alignment requirements, provide an aesthetically pleasing distribution of the shingles, and provides adequate ventilation.

Abstract: A trim assembly for use in concealing open spaces created by siding materials, wherein the assembly comprises a trim member configured to cover and conceal the terminal edges of the siding while simultaneously creating an expansion channel which allows the siding to expand or contract without causing premature bulging, bowing, splintering, cracking, and the like. The assembly may further comprise an insert wherein the insert is configured to readily engage with the trim member, and where the insert in combination with the trim member creates the look of butted cedar siding. The insert is configured to allow the siding to expand and contract in both a horizontal and a vertical direction.

Abstract: An asphalt shingle is provided, in which a base mat is impregnated with an asphalt material and has headlap and tab portions, with the tab portion being a plurality of tabs separated by slots, with adhesive applied to the top surface of the shingle in the headlap portion and above the upper ends of the slots, but wherein the headlap portion of the shingle has adhesive-free zones above the centers of the tabs. A roof covering is provided with the shingles being in overlying and underlying courses, with shingles in each course being laterally offset and with the adhesive-free zones being such that no adhesive on a shingle in an underlying course is visible through slots of shingles in a next-overlying course.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a siding system for covering a support surface comprising a panel including a body presenting a plane and having a top edge and a bottom edge. The body has a first locking element presenting a nailing hem and a second locking element for spacing the bottom edge of the body from the support surface. The panel has a spacer interconnecting the first locking element and the body of the panel for spacing the top edge of the body from the support surface such that the plane is substantially parallel to the support surface. Additionally, the siding system includes a second panel substantially similar to the first panel such that the second panel interlocks with the first panel. The cooperation of the spacer and the second locking element results in the alignment of the plane of the first panel with the plane of the second panel such that both planes are substantially parallel to the support surface.

Abstract: A composite shingle having unitary construction is presented that includes a body shell, a plurality of longitudinal ribs, and a plurality of rib stiffeners. The present composite shingle may also include transverse ribs, a depressed nailing zone, nailing zone ribs, and/or at least one alignment aid. The plurality of rib stiffeners may include a material saving profile. Further, the dimensions of the composite shingle more closely resemble true slate and shake shingles and at least a portion of the outside face of composite shingle may be textured to resemble slate or wood shake shingles. A plurality of assembled composite shingles of the present invention is also claimed as part of this invention. Finally, a method of applying multiple courses of shingles on a roof including the composite shingle of the present invention is presented.

Abstract: A roofing shingle with a laying line that facilitates the alignment of an overlying course of shingles with respect an underlying course of shingles is provided. The laying line is located on a front surface of the shingle and has a width such that the laying line is exposed when an edge of another shingle is placed in contacting proximity with the laying line. The shingle may also have a scale and one or more nibs that protrude from the sides of the shingle that assist in aligning the shingles in the second course with the shingles in the underlying course. The shingle may also include nailing zones located on the front surface of the shingles provide a location for fastening the shingles to the roof. A method of laying the shingles of the present invention on a roof is also provided.

Abstract: The tile roof batten spacer has a rectangular base with rounded ends for preventing water from pooling. The rounded ends extend upwardly above the base, and on an inner part of rounded ends there are gripping members that receive wooden battens for mounting concrete tiles thereon. The tile roof batten spacer is made from polypropylene plastic and saves energy on new residential houses by elevating the batten and the concrete tile by about one additional centimeter, or ? of an inch, from the sheathing. This provides ample room for the air to flow for better ventilation on the roof, as well as providing a greater area for drainage when water seeps through on to the sheathing. Thus, less energy is used to cool the home, and the roof lasts longer, since water will drain off the sheathing.

Abstract: A starter block and a shingle are utilized to form courses that may be positioned in overlapping fashion on a roof to form a roofing covering system. The particular design of the starter block and shingle result in a roofing product that provides increased durability over previous designs. The starter block may be formed with top and bottom surfaces, opposite side surfaces with tapering heights, and a front surface having a greater height than a back surface of the starter block. When the starter block is coupled to a roof deck, a semi-rigid shingle having a generally planar bottom surface may be placed upon the starter block so that a portion of the shingle extends off of the starter block over the back surface thereof and onto the roof deck to facilitate contact between the shingle and the roof deck at a location more proximal to the starter block back surface than if the same back surface had the same height as the front surface.