Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and associated method for the production of gypsum in manufacturing plant. More specifically, the invention relates to the production of alpha-type gypsum in a gypsum board manufacturing plant. The system yields increased efficiencies by capturing heat given off during processing steps and using that heat to reduce the energy needed for calcination. The invention finds particular application in the production alpha-type gypsum. The present invention is described in greater detail hereinafter in conjunction with the following specific embodiments.

Abstract: A trim accessory includes a soffit receiver component, a siding accessory receiver component and vent apertures. The siding accessory receiver component is integral with the soffit receiver component. The vent apertures are capable of being substantially hidden from view at least when the trim accessory is installed on a building and a soffit and siding accessory are received into the corresponding soffit receiver component and siding accessory receiver component.

Abstract: An insulation product is provided comprising a sheet of randomly oriented fibers bonded by a binder. The sheet has first and second major surfaces and a pair of side portions. A facing layer is bonded to at least one of the major surfaces. A region of the sheet proximate to the facing layer is more puncture resistant than a remainder of the sheet.

Abstract: A generally rectangular siding panel having a front and rear faces is provided. The siding panel has at least one protrusion disposed along at least one of the faces, wherein the at least one protrusion provides an air gap between the siding panel and a face of a second siding panel when the siding panels are installed in a siding panel assembly. A generally rectangular siding panel having a front and rear faces is also provider where the siding panel has at least one recess or cut spaced along at least one of the faces, wherein the at least one recess or cut provides an air flow path between the siding panel and a face of a second siding panel when the siding panels are installed in a siding panel assembly.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of producing a plank product and related components having a controllable and realistic wood-grain appearance, the planks and related components having at least one accent color, the method including the steps of: a) introducing into an extruder a powdered or pelletized base material and accent color pellets, the base material containing less than about 75% by weight wood flour, and having a vicat softening temperature, the accent color pellets (i) having a higher vicat softening temperature than said base material, and (ii) including a styrene polymer having a high vicat softening temperature and a melt flow index of greater than or equal to 1.

Abstract: An infrared-reflective material is applied directly to the bituminous surface of a roofing product to increase the solar heat reflectance of the product, even when deep-tone roofing granules are used to color the product. The infrared-reflective material can be applied as a powder or in a carrier fluid or film, and can be applied along with infrared-reflective roofing granules.

Abstract: A clip for siding panels installed on a wall of a structure includes a substantially planar nailing face and a seat extending from a bottom edge of the nailing face disposed to receive the bottom edge of an overlapping siding panel. A hook member extends from a top edge of the nailing face and is disposed to hang the clip from a top edge of a siding panel overlapped by the overlapping siding panel. The nailing face is sized to provide a partial overlap of the overlapped siding panel by the overlapping siding panel when the clip is attached to the overlapped siding panel by the hook member and the overlapping siding panel is seated in the seat.

Abstract: The retention of roofing granules on bituminous roofing products is enhanced by providing an adherent material in the interstices between the exterior surface of the roofing granules and the exposed upper surface of the base sheet.

Abstract: A starter strip has a fastener flange, a siding support element connected to the flange, a spacer element connected to the siding support element; and a flashing element connected to the spacer element.

Abstract: A method for determining the thickness of a layer of insulation comprises the steps of: contacting a top surface of a portion of the layer of insulation, compressing the portion of the layer of insulation until a predetermined compressive load is achieved, measuring a distance through which the top surface is moved during the compressing step, and determining the thickness of the layer of insulation based on the measured distance. Apparatus is provided for performing the method.

Abstract: An insulation product is provided comprising an insulation sheet containing randomly oriented fibers bonded together. The sheet has first and second major surfaces and a pair of side portions. A nonwoven facing layer is bonded to at least one of the major surfaces. The nonwoven facing layer comprises randomly oriented bicomponent fibers, each of the bicomponent fibers including first component and second component portions. The nonwoven facing layer is bonded to the at least one major surface at least in part by a meltbond between the first component portion of the bicomponent fibers and the randomly oriented fibers in the insulation sheet.

Abstract: A synthetic roofing shingle or tile is provided, in which a core material is formed, of generally less expensive material, and with a skin material provided, disposed on a plurality of surfaces of the shingle or tile, with the skin material being generally of greater expense and having desirable weather-withstanding qualities.

Abstract: A method comprises: providing a fiber cement substrate, and joining a porous, closed cell foam to a substantial portion of a major surface of the fiber cement substrate.

Abstract: Baffled attic vents and methods of their use and manufacture are provided. The baffled air vent of this invention includes an elongated member having a roof facing side and an attic space facing side, a pair of longitudinal side portions, first and second transverse ends, and at least one central panel portion. The vent defines at least one channel on the roof facing side thereof, for directing ventilated air. The channel includes a bottom portion having an integral baffled surface thereon. The vent further has an installed, convective air flow reading, under a 5 Pa air pressure differential, of at least about 95 CFM. Further embodiments contain separation means for permitting the attic vent to be separated by hand in a transverse or longitudinal direction.

Abstract: A polymeric composite is provided which has improved stain preventative properties by virtue of inclusion of at least one compound having multiple functional groups capable of reacting with tannins contained in a tannin containing cellulosic material present in the composite, and a method for its production and prevention of water stains thereon.

Abstract: The present invention provides tubes for, in an exemplary embodiment, dispensing loose fill insulation. The tube comprises an inner web formed in a tubular shape and having a plurality of spaced helical projections disposed along an inner surface thereof and extending towards a central longitudinal axis of the inner web, the inner surface of the inner web also forming an inner surface of the tube. A cap is disposed around an outer periphery of the inner web. The helical projections serve to condition the insulation as the insulation passes through the tube.

Abstract: An insulation composite for attenuating energy or sound transmission has a body layer of insulating material with a roughly textured face and a uniform thickness solid cover layer permanently embedded in the body layer to a partial depth so that material of the body layer does not protrude through the surface of the cover layer. The body layer can be rigid board or resilient batting such as fiberglass. The cover layer is formed from a curable fluid cast onto the upwardly facing surface of the body layer. The uniform thickness of the cover layer is achieved by spreading the fluid over the surface utilizing a coating bar having a downwardly facing corrugated profile defining ridges in contact with the body layer and grooves between the ridges, such as a wire wound coating bar Some of the fluid is pressed into the body layer by the ridges while other fluid passes through the grooves then settles to uniform thickness over the wet surface of the body layer.