Abstract: The present invention relates generally to electrical systems. The present invention relates more particularly to electrical wiring systems suitable for use in roofing applications. One aspect of the invention is a wiring system on a roof comprising a roof deck having a slope and one or more roofing elements disposed on the roof deck, the wiring system including one or more wires extending along the roof on top of the roofing elements; and a wire covering disposed over the one or more wires.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to an insulation-retaining sheet, e.g., for blown-in insulation, that includes an integral vapor-retarding membrane. In one aspect, the disclosure provides an insulation-retaining sheet including a sheet of mesh having an air permeability of at least 200 cfm per square foot; and one or more strips of vapor-retarding membrane, the one or more strips of vapor-retarding membrane being laminated to the sheet of mesh, the first side edge each of the strips of vapor-retarding membrane extending to the first side edge of the sheet of mesh, the second side edge each of the strips of vapor-retarding membrane extending to the second side edge of the sheet of mesh, wherein the insulation-retaining sheet has a plurality of open zones extending laterally from the first side edge of the sheet of mesh to the second side edge of the sheet of mesh in which no vapor-retarding membrane is laminated to the mesh.

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

Abstract: A system for processing material has a power supply and a machine having a hopper for receiving and passing material to an auger. The auger has a shaft with an axis about which it rotates, a helical flighting mounted to the shaft, pins mounted to the helical flighting, and paddles mounted to the shaft. The radial outer edge of the helical flighting is crenelated with periodic notches that form rectangular blades on the helical flighting. The pins are rotationally and angularly aligned with leading edges of the rectangular blades. The system may include a vehicle, such as a trailer, having first and second compartments separated by a partition. The power supply is located in the first compartment and has a power supply member extending though the partition. The machine is located in the second compartment and coupled to the power supply member.

Abstract: Photocatalytic roofing granules include a binder and inert mineral particles, with photocatalytic particles dispersed in the binder.

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 may include a shingle body having a buttlap portion with a butt edge and a headlap portion. An exposure zone may extend from the butt edge toward the headlap portion and may be configured to be exposed to the environment when the roofing shingle is installed on a roof. The butt edge may be variegated and may include at least one tab. A first shadowline may be on at least a portion of the at least one tab. A second shadowline may be in the exposure zone. The first and second shadowlines may differ from each other in at least one aspect.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to roofing products. 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 is joined to a roofing substrate. In one embodiment, a roofing product includes a flexible roofing substrate having a top surface, the top surface having one or more receptor zones thereon, each receptor zone being adapted to receive one or more photovoltaic elements, each receptor zone having a different surfacing than the area of the top surface adjacent to it.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates particularly to photovoltaic roofing systems for use in photovoltaically generating electrical energy, specifically, the use of bottom flashings in such systems. Methods for installing such systems and replacing non-photovoltaic roofing elements in such systems are also described.

Abstract: An insulation system for hanging insulation in a truss is disclosed and includes a first rail configured to be installed on a first truss and a second rail configured to be installed on a second truss spaced apart from the first truss. A first cavity is established between the first rail and the second rail. Further, the first cavity is configured to receive and engage a first insulation batt.

Abstract: A method of forming an asphalt mixture includes mixing a polyol with a bio-source material to form a bio-asphalt. The method can further include mixing the bio-asphalt with a bitumen source different from the bio-asphalt to form an asphalt mixture. The bio-source material can include an oil, such as a vegetable oil, an animal fat, or any combination thereof. The bitumen source can include a petroleum-based asphalt. The method can further include adding a modifier, such as a fatty acid, a polycarboxylic acid, a polyacrylic acid, a polyacrylate comprising a copolymer, or any combination thereof. Moreover, a roofing grade asphalt mixture includes a bio-asphalt. The bio-asphalt includes an alkyd, wherein the alkyd is a reaction product of a polyol and a bio-source material. The roofing grade asphalt mixture further includes a bitumen source material and particles.

Abstract: A siding panel includes a hanger section adjacent to an upper edge and a lower locking section adjacent to a lower edge. When installed, the lower locking section of an upper siding panel partially overlaps, extends into, and interlocks with a hanger section of a lower siding panel in an interference fit.

Abstract: A synthetic starter tile for an angled roof interface can include a non-planar body defining a longitudinal axis. The body can include an overlap edge perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, an exposed edge opposite the overlap edge, an overlap portion extending from the overlap edge, and an exposed portion extending from the overlap portion to the exposed edge. The exposed edge can form at least one acute compound angle, ACA, with respect to the longitudinal axis.

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

Abstract: A roofing shingle has a shingle body with at least a top layer having a buttlap portion with a butt edge and a headlap portion. An exposure zone extends from the butt edge toward the headlap portion and is configured to be exposed to the environment when the roofing shingle is installed on a roof. A shadow formation may be located in the exposure zone of the top layer. The shadow formation and the exposure zone differ from each other in at least one aspect, such as color. The top layer may be substantially rectangular and have no tabs formed along the butt edge. A thickness of the exposure zone and a thickness of the shadow formation may be substantially identical. The shadow formation may be a simulated cut out, slit or slot.

Abstract: A cross member of a T bar ceiling system is designed to be part of the ceiling grid system and adapted to releasably receive a strip light beneath the cross T member. The strip light provides support flanges beneath the T member for supporting a ceiling panel edge at the conventional height. With this arrangement the grid system can be installed in the normal manner with these cross T's at positions where strip lights are to be secured. The strip lights can be installed at a later point in time. Preferably a push type releasable connection is used.

Abstract: A weather resistive barrier (WRB) for the exterior protection of building substrates can have a water vapor permeability that decreases with increasing temperature. In an embodiment, the WRB includes a coating comprising a LCST polymer, and may further include a second polymer. The WRB can be part of a building assembly, part of a sheet, or a sheet itself, the sheet having an air permeability of less than 0.02 L/(s m2) at a pressure of 75 Pa. Furthermore a liquid coating composition can include a LCST polymer and a second polymer, wherein the liquid coating composition can be adapted that a solid coating formed by the liquid coating composition has an air permeability of less than 0.02 L/(s m2) at a pressure of 75 Pa and a water vapor permeability that decreases with increasing temperature.