Abstract: Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to roofing systems. In some embodiments, the roofing system includes a deck, a roofing material, and an underlayment configured to be positioned between the roofing material and the deck. In some embodiments, the underlayment comprises a foil layer and an adhesive layer that is attached to the foil layer and attachable to the deck. Methods of manufacturing roofing systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a blade. In some embodiments, the blade is configured to produce 50% to 99.9% less residual dust than a comparative blade when the blade is used to cut at least one foam board, where the comparative blade is identical to the blade, except that the comparative blade does not comprise any notches. Methods of using and making the blade and systems that include the blade are also described.

Abstract: In some embodiments, systems and methods are configured to determine that a signal strength of a fifth generation cellular networking (5G) protocol communication is below a threshold strength value. The 5G protocol communication includes a millimeter wave (mmWave) frequency transmission between a computing device and a first integrated roofing accessory of a first roof. It is determined that a second integrated roofing accessory of a second roof would have an improved signal strength is indicative of a better line of sight to the computing device, and the first integrated roofing accessory and the second integrated roofing accessory are part of a 5G network. At least one of transferring the 5G protocol communication to the second integrated roofing accessory from the first integrated roofing accessory of the first roof, or including the second integrated roofing accessory into the 5G protocol communication with the computing device is performed.

Abstract: Fastener systems for roofing systems are disclosed for fastening a fabric, mesh, or base sheet to a roof deck prior to application of a liquid applied roof coating. The fastening assemblies may be attached to an uncleaned or unprimed roof deck and a fabric is laid atop the fasteners. The fasteners secure the fabric using mechanical binding or chemical bonding without penetrating or dimpling the fabric.

Abstract: An ember and flame resistant resettable automatic soffit vent includes a tray with ventilation openings formed in its floor. A mesh screen resides on the floor of the tray spanning the ventilation openings. A flat slide resides atop the screen and also has ventilation openings that match those of the tray. The slide has an open position wherein its ventilation openings align with those of the tray to allow airflow through the vent and a closed position wherein its ventilation openings are misaligned with the ventilation openings of the tray to close off airflow through the vent. The vent can be manually moved between its open and closed positions and one or more tension springs and a thermal link assembly cooperate to move the slide to its closed position if the vent is exposed to a high temperature cause by a fire very near a home.

Abstract: A process for in-line extrusion of polymeric coatings onto roofing shingles during manufacturing includes moving a web of shingle substrate material in a downstream direction and extruding a liquefied coating of polymeric material onto at least one surface of the moving web to form a thin film. The liquefied coating may be a molten polymeric material that forms a thin film on a back surface of the shingle material to prevent sticking and eliminate the need for a traditional back dusting with material such as powdered stone. The polymeric film further may be applied to the substrate material in lieu of a saturation coating of asphalt, thus reducing cost and weight while providing a comparable moisture barrier and a lighter more flexible shingle.

Abstract: A self-sealing fastener for installation of roofing materials for creating a substantially watertight seal around fastener penetrations where roofing materials or panels are affixed to an underlying roof deck by the fasteners. Also disclosed is a method for installing the self-sealing fastener for attachment of roofing materials to an underlying roof deck with the penetrations areas or holes created by the fasteners being substantially sealed against water penetration.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for die coating a moving substrate with a high viscosity material such as a polymer. The method includes heating and mixing ingredients to form a homogenous mixture, pumping the mixture around a circulation loop with a first pump, maintaining a predetermined pressure of the mixture within the circulation loop, drawing mixture from the circulation loop with a second pump, delivering the mixture using the second pump to an extrusion die adjacent the moving substrate to coat the substrate, and controlling the second pump as a function of at least the speed of the moving substrate to maintain predetermined characteristics of the coating mixture applied to the moving substrate. An apparatus for carrying out the method also is disclosed.

Abstract: A vent is disclosed that is particularly suited to use in ventilating attic spaces beneath a hip roof. The vent is configured to be installed along a hip of the roof overlying and covering a ventilation slot formed through the roof deck along the hip. The vent includes an elongated laterally flexible top panel from which baffle arrays depend. The baffle arrays are formed of a plurality of depending arcuately curved vanes that arc away from the vent. The vanes are aerodynamically shaped to redirect wind-blown rain and snow away from the vent and are configured to block the migration of rain and snow through the vent. A pair of spongy conformable filler strips is attached beneath the edge portions of the vent. The filler strips conform to the shapes of underlying shingles when the vent is installed to fill any gaps that otherwise might be formed between the vent and the shingles.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a roofing system. In some embodiments, the roofing system includes a roofing membrane, which may include a cap, a scrim, and a core. In some embodiments, the roofing system may also include an adhesive film, which may include a first adhesive layer adhered to the roofing membrane, a second adhesive layer configured to adhere the roofing membrane to a roofing substrate, and a barrier layer positioned between the first and second adhesive layers. Methods of manufacturing roofing systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of a thermoplastic polyolefin membrane are provided. The colored TPO membrane can have a cap layer having a top color layer and a white sub-layer having a solar reflectance underneath the top color layer, and a core layer underneath the cap layer. The colored TPO roofing membrane can have a reinforcing polyester scrim between the cap layer and the core layer. The white sub-layer can be made up of one or more layers.

Abstract: This invention, in embodiments, relates to a device and a method of attaching a roofing membrane to a building surface that prevents and/or reduces overspray of adhesive onto a welding seam area. The device includes an insertion mechanism configured to hold a roofing membrane as the roofing membrane is being attached to a building surface via an adhesive, and an extension frame attached to the insertion mechanism, the extension frame including a channel that is configured to support and to hold at least one board, to thereby reduce the adhesive from spraying onto a welding seam area as the roofing membrane is being applied to the building surface.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described herein for manufacturing and using roofing membranes that are faster and easier to install than conventional adhesive-only membrane materials. In some embodiments, membrane materials are surface treated using a plasma flow, e.g., a blown-arc plasma flow, atmospheric plasma, corona plasma, or from portable plasma units, generated by passing a compressed plasma-generating gas through an electrical current to form the plasma-treated roofing membrane. The plasma treatments described herein may be applied as part of the manufacturing process, or in-situ at the site of roof installation. In some embodiments, membrane materials have surface chemistries, roughnesses and other surface characteristics that yield desired adhesion properties.

Abstract: Building materials such as structural panels, beams, roof decking, and flooring panels, are packaged within a protective layer including a sublayer of a polymeric material that can be applied at the factory. The protective layer protects the underlying building materials from exposure to weather and potential damage due to handling during shipping, at a job site, and which can be left in place during construction, thus eliminating the need for temporary protective measures covering the building materials. The protective layer may have additional properties such as breathability, fire resistance, and sound absorption. The protective layer also may provide an underlayment such as for flooring and roofing.

Abstract: Non-limiting embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a method comprising: obtaining asphalt shingle waste (ASW) and performing grinding, screening, and separating steps on the ASW. In some embodiments, granules are removed from the ASW. In some embodiments, the method transforms ASW into ASW powder. In some embodiments, the ASW powder is formed into a plurality of briquettes. In some embodiments, at least one of: the ASW powder, the plurality of briquettes, or any combination thereof is fed into a mixing process that results in an ASW powder filled coating. In some embodiments, the ASW powder is formed into an adhesive composition.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to roofing systems including a substrate and adhesive formulations that are free of asphalt or substantially free of asphalt. Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to methods of making one or more adhesive formulations that are free of asphalt or substantially free of asphalt. Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to systems utilizing one or more adhesive formulations that are free of asphalt or substantially free of asphalt.

Abstract: A photovoltaic module incorporates a lamination including a back-sheet, an array of solar cells supported on the back-sheet, and a transparent protective covering over the array of solar cells. The solar cells are arranged in offset or staggered patterns on the back-sheet to present a more random and less rigid industrial appearance to an observer. In some cases, cleaved solar cell segments are arranged into groups that are staggered on the back-sheet. This allows for finer control of the net voltage produced by a module. In other embodiments, full single wafer solar cells are arranged into larger groups, which themselves are staggered on the back-sheet. In either case, the result is a photovoltaic module with an appearance that is more organic and acceptable to homeowners and architects than traditional modules having cells arranged in rigid aligned rows and columns.

Abstract: Roofing shingles are disclosed that are capable of self-adhering to a roof deck or underlayment and/or other roofing shingles and that require few or no mechanical fasteners to remain attached to the roof. By appropriate positioning of sealant lines on the shingle, direct adhesion between the shingle and the roof deck or underlayment and/or other roofing shingles can be achieved. If the shingle is laminated, the layers may be mechanically attached with indentations in the common bond area. The nail zone of the shingle may be visually indicated with fines and/or one or more paint lines. A roofing system comprising a plurality of courses of the shingles is also disclosed.

Abstract: Shingles have self-seal strips with features that include sealant dashes or dots separated by drainage gaps. The self-seal strips are registered with each shingle so that the features are positioned at the same locations on each shingle. A method of making such shingles includes synchronizing the rotation of sealant applicator wheels with the shingle chop cutter so that cuts are made at repeated designated locations along the applied self-seal strips.