Abstract: The present disclosure relates to roofing granules, such as colored solar-reflective roofing granules, and to methods for making and their use in roofing products. One aspect of the disclosure provides a collection of colored solar-reflective roofing granules, wherein substantially each roofing granule includes an inner layer of a porous ceramic material, the pore size and material of the inner layer being selected such that the inner layer is substantially reflective of infrared radiation; and disposed about and substantially surrounding the inner layer, an outer layer of a substantially colored ceramic material, the outer layer of substantially colored ceramic material being substantially transmissive to infrared radiation, the collection of colored solar-reflective roofing granules having a L* of no more than 60 and a solar reflectivity of at least 30%.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to devices and methods for determining the density of insulation. For example, one aspect of the disclosure is a device that includes a first unit that includes a sound generator and a second unit that includes a sound sensor and a probe. The probe is configured to be inserted into insulation such that the sound sensor is outside of the insulation and is configured to detect sound that is generated by the sound generator outside of the insulation and transmitted through the insulation and the probe to the sound sensor. The device also includes a control system configured to cause the sound generator to generate the sound and to use the sound detected by the sound sensor to generate output that represents the density of the insulation.

Abstract: One aspect of the disclosure is a siding system including a first panel having a first end and a second end, where the second end of the first panel includes a locking clip, and where the second end of the first panel forms a first portion of a channel. The siding system also includes a second panel having a first end and a second end, where the first end of the second panel includes a locking leg sized to engage the locking clip of the first panel, and where the first end of the second panel forms a second portion of the channel when the first panel and the second panel are engaged. The system also includes a batten sized to be removably engaged within the channel.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to lighting elements, for example, suitable for use illuminating a ceiling. The present disclosure relates more particularly to an illuminated acoustic ceiling element including an acoustic substrate having an upper face and a lower face, an air permeable layer disposed under the lower face of the acoustic substrate and spaced from the acoustic substrate, and a light source supported by the acoustic substrate and configured to emit light through the air permeable layer.

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: The present disclosure relates generally to surface panels for covering a building surface. The disclosure relates more particularly to a surface panel kit and system including a set of panels for attaching to a support structure. Each of the panels includes opposing ends, and each end includes one of a group of end configurations. A first end configuration is mateable with a first portion of the group and is unmateable with a second portion of the group, and a second end configuration is mateable with a third portion of the group and is unmateable with a fourth portion of the group. The set of panels includes at least three panel types including a first panel type with the first and second end configurations, a second panel type with the first and without the second end configurations, and a third panel type with the second and without the first end configurations.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to building surface panels, for example, polymer siding suitable for covering the exterior surface of a building. The present disclosure relates more particularly to a building surface panel including an elongate panel body having a length, a width, a front face, a rear face, a first edge, a second edge, a first end, and a second end. A lock is disposed at the second edge of the panel body and a catch disposed at the first edge of the panel body. The catch is configured to receive a corresponding lock of a neighboring building surface panel having a similar construction, where the catch includes a plurality of recesses. Each recess is configured to hold the corresponding lock in a respective position such that the catch is configured to secure the lock in any of a plurality of selectable positions.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to cladding, for example, suitable for use covering the exterior surface of a building. The present disclosure relates more particularly to a siding panel including a light source. The siding panel includes a panel body having a length extending from a first end to a second end, a width extending from a first edge to a second edge, a front face, and a rear face. A first lock extends along the first edge of the panel body and a second lock extending along the second edge of the panel body. A fastening strip is coupled to the first lock. A light source extending along the length of the panel body is secured to the panel body so as to provide light from the front face of the panel body.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to building surface panel systems, for example, suitable for covering a building surface. The present disclosure relates more particularly to a building surface panel kit for attachment to a support structure. The building surface panel kit includes a clip configured to secure the building surface panel system to the support structure. The kit also includes a first building surface panel having first and second ends, a front face, and a rear face.

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 manufacturing a siding panel including providing a siding panel having a front face, a rear face, top edge, a bottom edge, a first side edge, and a second side edge, providing a support member having a top edge, a bottom edge, two side edges, a first face, and a second face, applying adhesive on a first face of the support member from one side edge of the support member to the other side edge of the support member, placing the support member on the rear face of the siding panel so the support member extends substantially from the first side edge to about ½ in. to about 2¼ in. away from the second side edge, completely securing the two side edges of a support member to the rear face of the siding panel, and laminating the support member to the siding panel.

Abstract: Processes for making algaecidal roofing granules are disclosed. In one aspect, the disclosure provides a method includes providing composite nanoparticles comprising algaecidal nanoparticles and a carrier material; coating granule cores with the coating material to form a coating layer having an exterior surface; and applying the composite nanoparticles to the exterior surface of the coating layer to provide the algaecidal nanoparticles at exterior surfaces of the algaecidal roofing granules. In another aspect of the disclosure, a method includes dispersing composite nanoparticles in a coating material, the composite nanoparticles including a carrier material and algaecidal nanoparticles, then coating the granule cores with the coating material to form a coating layer; and curing the coating layer, the cured coating layer providing algaecidal nanoparticles at exterior surfaces of the algaecidal roofing granules.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to roofing granules, such as solar-reflective roofing granules having one or more of low crystalline silica content, high stain resistance and algae resistance. The present disclosure provides a mineral roofing granule having at its mineral outer surface a first fired mixture comprising an aluminosilicate clay, the first fired material having no more than 2 wt % crystalline silica. The present disclosure also provides a mineral roofing granule having a mineral body and a mineral outer surface, the mineral roofing granule having at its mineral outer surface a first fired material, the first fired material being a first fired mixture comprising an aluminosilicate clay; one or more of a feldspar, a sodium silicate and a nepheline syenite; and, optionally, a zinc source.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to acoustic panels and methods for preparing them. The disclosure relates more particularly to panels having a nonwoven facing and to methods for making such panels. A method for preparing an acoustic panel comprises providing a base structure. The base structure has one or more edges, an outward major surface having total area, and an inward major surface opposing the outward major surface. The base structure has a noise reduction coefficient (NRC) of at least about 0.3. The method includes disposing directly against the outward major surface of the base structure a sprayable mixture comprising a plurality of fibers, one or more binders, and a dispersive medium. The method includes drying the disposed mixture to provide a facing layer disposed on the outward major surface of the base structure, the facing layer having an exterior major surface opposing the outward major surface of the base structure.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to acoustic panels and methods for preparing them. The disclosure relates more particularly to panels having a porous facing and to methods for making such panels. One aspect of the disclosure is an acoustic panel comprising a base structure. The base structure has one or more edges, an outward major surface having a total area, and an inward major surface opposing the outward major surface. The base structure has a noise reduction coefficient (NRC) of at least about 0.3. The panel includes a coating layer directly disposed on the outward major surface of the base structure, the coating layer being formed of an open-cell foam. The coating layer has an exterior major surface opposing the outward major surface of the base structure. The coating layer is substantially scattering for light in the wavelength range of 380 nm to 780 nm, and has an absorption coefficient of less than 0.5 for acoustic frequencies in the range of 100 Hz to 10,000 Hz.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates more particularly to kits and systems of roofing shingles that can provide a variety of shingle coverage thicknesses and patterns while simplifying design and installation. In one aspect, the disclosure provides a roofing system comprising a first array of overlapping first shingles disposed on a roof. The system includes a first number, n>=2, of overlapping horizontally-extending courses of linearly arranged first shingles, with horizontal and vertical offsets between courses. Each first shingle includes a top headlap portion extending from the first lateral edge to the second lateral edge and a bottom tab portion formed of a plurality of tabs extending from the headlap portion toward the bottom edge of the first shingle, the bottom tab portion having an open area that is at least 20% of the total area of the bottom tab portion.

Abstract: An example plasterboard includes a layer of hardened plaster material having a first surface and an opposed second surface and a layer of molded material having a surface that faces away from the layer of hardened plaster material. The surface of the layer of molded material has one or more raised features. The plasterboard also includes a liner between the first surface of the layer of hardened plaster material and the layer of molded material. Other examples include a method of forming such plasterboards and a method for installing such plasterboards.

Abstract: A suspended ceiling system for a building structure includes a plurality of parallel struts for supporting a plurality of parallel vanes suspended from the struts in perpendicular relationship thereto. The vanes can be suspended in downwardly spaced relationship to the struts or in contiguous relationship therewith and occur in different forms including illuminated vanes, adjustable vanes and the like.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to evaluating thermal properties of building surfaces. The present disclosure relates more particularly to a method of evaluating insulation in a cavity in a building surface. The method includes obtaining an infrared image of a first area of the building surface that covers the cavity, where the infrared image includes an array of digital pixel values. The infrared image is partitioned into a plurality of regions based on the digital pixel values. A shape of a first identified region is determined using a shape analysis algorithm and whether the first identified region corresponds to a first insulation void is recognized based on the determined shape of the first identified region.