Abstract: A method includes obtaining a roofing membrane. A first layer of the roofing membrane is applied along a length of a roofing substrate covering a first portion of the roofing substrate. At least a first edge of the first layer is fastened to the roofing substrate. A second layer of the roofing membrane is applied over the first layer along the length of the roofing substrate such that a first edge of the second layer overlies the second edge of the first layer. The first edge of the second layer and the second edge of the first layer are fastened to the roofing substrate using a second fastener in a fastening zone along the length the roofing substrate. The second layer is reoriented such that the second layer overlies the fastening zone and covers a second portion of the roofing substrate adjacent the first portion of the roofing substrate.

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: This invention provides for a method for producing polymer modified asphalt (PMA) using base asphalt (bitumen) blended with partially air blown (“puffed”) asphalt which is further modified with polymers and additives to attain desired properties for industrial applications. The partially blown or blown asphalt is oxidized to a target softening point to suit the application. In another embodiment, the base asphalt is blended with hard PEN asphalt (“Zero PEN Asphalt”) which is further modified with polymers and additives to attain desired properties for industrial applications. By using the partially oxidized asphalt or blending the base asphalt with partially oxidized asphalt or hard PEN asphalt, the amount of polymers and additives needed to achieve desired properties and performance are significantly reduced. In fact, this technique can be used to attain polymer modified asphalt having a highly desirable combination of characteristics that could not otherwise be attained using the base asphalt.

Abstract: A hail resistant roofing system and method includes a roofing substrate such as a shingle or tile or membrane having an array of exposed upwardly projecting features. The features may rise to sharp points and may have side surfaces that are angled relative to the plane of the roofing substrate. The features are spaced and arranged so that a large hail stone capable of damaging the roofing substrate will always impact one or more of the exposed features. This can break up the hail stone into smaller benign pieces or can redirect the energy and direction of the hail stone so that the impact is absorbed without damage to the roofing substrate.

Abstract: This invention provides for a method for producing polymer modified asphalt using base asphalt (bitumen) blended with partially air blown (“puffed”) asphalt which is further modified with polymers and additives to attain desired properties for industrial applications. The partially blown or blown asphalt is oxidized to a target softening point to suit the application. In another embodiment, the base asphalt is blended with hard PEN asphalt (“Zero PEN Asphalt”) which is further modified with polymers and additives to attain desired properties. By using the partially oxidized asphalt or blending the base asphalt with partially oxidized asphalt or hard PEN asphalt, the amount of polymers and additives needed to achieve desired properties and performance are significantly reduced. This technique can be used to attain polymer modified asphalt having a highly desirable combination of characteristics not otherwise attainable using the base asphalt.

Abstract: A roofing system comprises layered construction panels, each having a bottom structural layer to provide strength and support. A performance layer overlies the structural layer and provides performance or functional characteristics such as water proofing, water shedding and/or impact resistance. An upper or decorative layer overlies the performance layer and provides aesthetic features or a decorative appearance for the roofing system. The decorative layer of the construction panels can be removed without damaging or affecting the performance layer. The appearance of a roof can thereby be changed at will without requiring that the entire roofing system be removed and replaced.

Abstract: A roof integrated photovoltaic mounting system includes a plurality of aluminum rails mountable in horizontal spaced relationship on a roof for receiving courses of photovoltaic panels or photovoltaic tiles. The PV panels or tiles have an extruded attachment feature along their forward edge portions that defines a downwardly projecting forwardly facing hook. Panels or tiles are installed by placing each panel or tile on a pair of rails and sliding the panel or tile down until its forward facing hook engages beneath a rear facing tongue on a rail below. A PV panel or tile in a next lower course is installed by slipping its rear edge beneath the forward edge of a panel or tile in a next higher course. The panel is then hinged down about its rear edge until its forward edge portion engages a support rail below. The panel is then slid down until the hook of its attachment fixture engages beneath the tongue of the downslope rail.

Abstract: Water-resistant waterborne acrylic coating materials, systems and methods providing enhanced water resistance and durability are provided. Such coatings extend the service life of roofing systems that are exposed to ponding water and other extreme weather conditions. Coatings described herein exhibit superior water resistance attributes including one or more of water infiltration resistance, wet tensile strength and wet adhesion.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure provides an exemplary system that includes radio frequency (RF) tags; positioned at locations throughout a roof; a tag reader configured to: generate reader RF signals at one or more frequencies to read the plurality of RF tags, and detect return RF signals from the plurality of RF tags; where the RF signals carry tag data comprising impedance values and tag identifiers; a processor of a computing device, programmed to receive the tag data; determine corresponding locations of the plurality of RF tags; and determine a wet state or dry state of the roof at one or more corresponding locations, and output an indicator of the wet state or the dry state of the roof at the one or more corresponding locations.

Abstract: A roof integrated photovoltaic (RIPV) system has a plurality of solar tiles that are mounted to a roof. The tiles may be mounted using a metal batten and hanger system or some other attachment system. Each tile has an electrical edge junction extending rearwardly from its top edge. The edge junction is coextensive with or contains the plane of the solar tile and may be slightly thicker than the solar tile. Sockets on opposed ends of the edge junction receive plugs of electrical cables for interconnecting the array of solar tiles together electrically. The edge junctions provide for a low profile installation that mimics the appearance of a traditional roofing tile such as a slate tile. The slightly thicker edge junctions may raise solar tiles of one course above the surfaces of solar tiles of a next lower course to provide ventilation for the RIPV array and to provide accommodating space for system wiring.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure provides a system of integrated roofing accessories on a plurality of roofs, where at least one integrated roofing accessory on each roof may include: i) at least one transceiver configured to produce millimeter wave (mmWave) frequency signals using fifth generation cellular networking (5G) protocols, ii) at least one dielectric antenna in electrical communication with the at least one transceiver for emitting the mmWave frequency signals according to the at least one 5G protocol, iii) an edge computing device having at least one processor and at least one non-transitory storage with software to operate the edge computing device in communication with the at least one transceiver, and iv) at least one power supply. The software is configured to cause, when executed, the integrated roofing accessories to form a 5G network using the mmWave frequency signals which communicates with at least one computing device.

Abstract: An asphalt-based shingle is formed with a substrate saturated with asphalt, an asphalt coating on the saturated substrate, and a top film bonded to the surface of the asphalt coating covering at least a portion of the shingle to be exposed when installed. The top film may be configured to mimic the appearance of traditional clay granules on the shingle or another shingle surface. More specifically, the top film is printed or coated with an image that mimics the appearance of a clay granule bed and is embossed, pressed, or molded to mimic the texture of a clay granule bed. The top film is UV resistant to protect the asphalt below from deterioration. An anti-stick film may be bonded to the back of the shingle to prevent shingles from sticking together when stacked into a bundle.

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.