Abstract: A photovoltaic module includes an encapsulated photovoltaic element and an infrared-transmissive decorative overlay simulating conventional roofing.

Abstract: One aspect of the disclosure is a method of installing siding to a siding accessory using an installation aid. The method includes mounting and fastening at least one siding accessory to a surface, placing a siding panel onto the surface, the siding panel having a first side, a second side, a top edge, and a bottom edge, locking the siding panel into place, placing at least one installation aid between the first side and/or the second side of the siding panel and the at least one siding accessory, the installation aid having at least one projection spaced to create a gap between the first or second side of the siding panel and the at least one siding accessory to allow for expansion and contraction of the siding panel, sliding the siding panel over to the at least one siding accessory, and fastening the siding panel to the surface. Various embodiments of installation aids are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to a ceiling tile, for example, suitable for use in a ceiling grid. The present disclosure relates more particularly to a ceiling tile including a light housing extending across a first portion of a width of the ceiling tile, and a panel extending across a remaining portion of the width of the ceiling tile.

Abstract: Disclosed are composite building boards and associated manufacturing methods. The composite boards may include, for example, one or more slurry layers with embedded fibrous mats. An exterior plastic coating is mechanically adhered to the underlying slurry layer. The plastic layer chemically bonds and cross-links with polymer additives within the slurry layer. The result is an integrated polymer matrix with greatly improved durability and surface strength.

Abstract: A thermal bridge-free insulation assembly may include hangers to support insulation in an attic. The hanger may include an axis, a proximal end coupled to a rafter, and a distal end coupled to a barrier. The hanger also may include at least two components that are axially movable relative to each other to selectively adjust a depth of an insulation space.

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 method of making a plurality of composite granules can include: forming green body granules comprising an aluminosilicate; heating the green body granules to form sintered granules; cooling the sintered granules according to a cooling regime, wherein the cooling regime comprises a temperature hold between 700° C. and 900° C. for at least one hour. In a particular embodiment, the aluminosilicate for making the composite granules can have a particle size less than 150 ?m. The composite granules are particularly suitable as roofing granules and can have a desired combination of high solar reflectance SR and low lightness L*, a low bulk density, good weather resistance and strength.

Abstract: Disclosed is a building board construction that provides enhanced acoustical properties. In one possible embodiment, the board is a gypsum board with opposing facing sheets and an intermediate set gypsum core. An opened celled polymeric sheet is formed within the gypsum core and gives the resulting board enhanced sound absorption. In an alternative embodiment, individual pieces of polymeric foam are used in stead of the polymeric sheet. Also disclosed are various manufacturing methods whereby boards with enhanced acoustical properties can be formed in an continuous process. The various components of the present disclosure, and the manner in which they interrelate, are described in greater detail hereinafter.

Abstract: A method of fabricating panels includes providing an insert having an interior portion with a top portion and a positioning stop opposite the top portion, and an exterior portion including a fastener hem. Further, the method includes placing the insert in a mold such that only the fastener hem and the positioning stop contact the mold and centering the insert in the mold with the top portion and the positioning stop. The method also includes filling the mold with a casting material such that the interior portion is submerged in the casting material including the top portion, but some of the positioning stop is not submerged in the casting material, curing the casting material to form a panel on the insert, and removing the panel form the mold.

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: An injection molded product is disclosed and includes a shingle resembling a cedar shingle tile formed from an amorphous or semi-crystalline thermoplastic and having a wood grain direction. The injection molded product also includes streaks in the shingle that are substantially parallel to the wood grain direction and the streaks extend through an interior of the shingle and appear as contrasting streaks on an exterior of the shingle to form a variegated wood grain appearance. The injection molded product further includes an injection molded vestige in the shingle. The injection molded vestige is located adjacent to a perimeter of the shingle and the injection molded vestige comprises a location at which material entered an injection mold through a gate.

Abstract: A method of visualizing a building material is disclosed and includes visualizing of a building material on a color calibrated photograph of a building and providing a rendered image of the building material on the color calibrated photograph of the building. The rendered image has a color accuracy, ?E, as measured according to a Color Test, of less than 10. Further, the rendered image has a shadow accuracy as measured according to a Shadowing Test, of at least 75%. The Shadowing Test compares a shadow fidelity of the rendered image to the color calibrated photograph at least partially based on luminance angle and intensity and one or more rendered shadows are measured for accuracy of size and luminance.

Abstract: A roofing shingle has side edges, an upper unexposed area, and a lower exposed area. The lower exposed area has a lower edge. The lower edge can include an uneven profile. The uneven profile can include a symmetry element. The symmetry element can only pertain to the course of the uneven profile.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to support members for ceiling systems, such as those that can be formed into an interconnected grid to be suspended from a ceiling and support ceiling tiles. One aspect of the disclosure is a linearly-extending support member for a ceiling tile.

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: 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: 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 corner trim material that is made of a material that will bond with current industry mastics such as all purpose joint compounds, resists impact, resists abrasion, and readily accepts common coatings such as drywall mud, texture and paints. The surface of this material generally does not need to be covered by any secondary fiber based material such as paper to improve bonding or coating on the inside or outside. The material generally consists of a polymer mixed with a fibrous material like pulp or glass fiber. A corner trim piece can be directly extruded from the mix. The corner trim piece can have a center hinge, can be bullnose, and the flanges can optionally have holes or optionally be coated with adhesive.

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.