Abstract: One aspect of the disclosure is an exterior cladding panel including a first end, a second end, and a series of locking clips extending from a front face of the exterior cladding panel and positioned along the first end of the exterior cladding panel. The exterior cladding panel also includes a locking leg extending from a rear face of the exterior cladding panel and positioned along a middle portion between the first end and the second end. The exterior cladding panel also includes a series of simulated shingles positioned in a single course between the first end and the second end, including a series of gaps separating adjacent shingles. Each gap extends lengthwise from the second end to the middle portion of the exterior cladding panel, and includes a first width that differs from a second width of at least one adjacent gap in the series of gaps.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are plaster boards having a first surface and an opposing second surface, and a first edge and an opposing second edge that bound the first surface and the second surface. The first surface includes a first section and a second section, the first section being raised compared to the second section, the second section abutting the second edge. The second surface includes a first section and a second section that are separated by a boundary between the first edge and the second edge. The first section of the second surface is substantially parallel to the first section of the first surface. The second section of the second surface slopes toward the first surface from the boundary toward the second edge. Methods for making the plaster boards involve forming wet plaster material and drying the wet plaster material such that the wet plaster material hardens into a plasterboard.

Abstract: One aspect of the disclosure is a plaster board having a first edge and an opposed second edge, and a third edge and an opposed fourth edge. The plaster board includes a first layer of hardened plaster material including a first surface and an opposed second surface, and a second layer of hardened plaster material including a first surface and an opposed second surface. The second layer of hardened plaster material is stacked against the first layer such that their first surfaces face one another. The first layer and the second layer together define the first, second, third, and fourth edges of the plaster board. The plaster board also includes a viscoelastic polymer disposed between the first surfaces of the first and second layers of hardened plaster material. The viscoelastic polymer does not extend substantially to the first, second, third, and fourth edges of the plaster board.

Abstract: One aspect of the disclosure is a method of packaging a plurality siding panels. The method includes providing a plurality of siding panels, each siding panel having a front face, a rear face, top edge, a bottom edge, and a support member secured to the rear face, placing a first siding panel vertically within a box, the box having a first side, a second side, a top side, and a bottom side, and placing a second siding panel vertically within the box next to the first siding panel.

Abstract: A system for visually enhancing a surface. For example, the system may include an assembly that may be configured to project a laser line across at least a portion of the surface. Versions of the laser line may be projected at an angle of incidence relative to a plane defined by the surface. For example, the angle of incidence may be in a range of about 5 degrees to about 60 degrees. In one version, the laser line may be substantially perpendicular to a central axis of the surface. In addition, the laser line may enable enhanced, qualitative user visualization of the surface and non-planar distortion in the surface.

Abstract: Methods and systems for real-time visualization of building structures are disclosed. A computing system may calculate physical illumination characteristics for each of a plurality of predefined virtual external building-surface elements layered in simulation at specified surface locations of a virtual three-dimensional (3D) model of a building structure, wherein the virtual 3D model is constructed based on data descriptive of the building structure. Each of the plurality of predefined virtual external building-surface elements may be associated with its calculated illumination characteristics in a database. A spatially-manipulable rendered image of the building structure may displayed on an interactive display in real-time based on the virtual 3D model. On the interactive display device, one or more of the plurality of the predefined virtual external building-surface elements may be rendered in real-time at respectively specified locations on the rendered image.

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 sound generator and one or more sound sensors configured to detect sound that is generated by the sound generator and transmitted through the insulation to the one or more sound sensors. The device also includes a control system configured to cause the sound generator to generate the sound and use the sound detected by the one or more sound sensors to generate output that represents the density of the insulation. Another aspect of the disclosure is a method for using the device to determine the density of insulation.

Abstract: A composition and process for manufacture thereof used in hybrid inventive building materials comprising Syngenite (K2Ca(SO4)2.H2O) and Struvite-K (KMgPO4.6H2O). Starting constituents include magnesium oxide (MgO), monopotassium phosphate (MKP) and stucco (calcium sulfate hemihydrate), mixed in predetermined ratios, cause reactions to proceed through multiple phases, which reactions variously are proceeding simultaneously and in parallel. Variables, e.g., water temperature, pH, mixing times and rates, have been found to affect resultant reaction products. Preferred ratios of chemical constituents and manufacturing parameters, including predetermined weight percent and specified ratios of Struvite-K and Syngenite are provided for building products used for specified purposes. Reactions are optimized in stoichiometry and additives to reduce the combined heat of formation to non-destructive levels. Various additives help control and guide reactions.

Abstract: A system for rendering a building material comprising a database including an adjustable parameter relating to a characteristic of a contemplated building material, wherein the system is adapted to provide a rendered image of the contemplated building material, wherein the system is adapted to be used in conjunction with manufacturing of the building material, and wherein the rendered image has a ?E, as measured according to a Color Test with respect to the building material, of less than 10, less than 8, less than 6, less than 5, less than 4, less than 3, less than 2, or even less than 1.

Abstract: An area separation wall (ASW) may include gypsum liner panels and structural elements located between adjacent ones of the gypsum liner panels. A sealing material may be located between the gypsum liner panels and the structural elements, and between adjacent ones of the structural elements. The sealing material may form seals therebetween, such that the ASW is substantially airtight when assembled. In addition, the ASW may include a fire rating of at least 2 hours in compliance with ANSI/UL 263.

Abstract: One aspect of the disclosure is roofing shingle including a shim layer having a top surface, a first side edge, and a second side edge positioned opposite the first side edge. The roofing shingle also includes a top shingle layer at least partially laminated to the top surface of the shim layer, where the top shingle layer includes a first side edge offset a sidelap distance from the first side edge of the shim layer such that a side portion of the top surface of the shim layer is exposed, and a second side edge extending beyond the second side edge of the shim layer so as to overlap the second side edge of the shim layer by the sidelap distance.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to vapor retarding building materials and methods for making them. The present inventors have found simple and cost-efficient materials that have low water vapor permeability at low relative humidities and that can be provided as a coating on a building material substrate. Notably, in many embodiments, the materials can have high water vapor permeability at high relative humidities. In one embodiment, the disclosure provides vapor retarding articles comprising a building material substrate; and a polymeric coating layer coated on the building material substrate, the polymeric coating layer comprising an inorganic hydrophilic particulate filler dispersed in a continuous organic phase comprising a hydrophobic polymer, wherein the content of the filler is from about 30% to about 85% by weight of the polymeric coating layer, the vapor retarding article configured to have a water vapor permeance of no more than about 1 Perm at 25% relative humidity.

Abstract: Solar reflective roofing granules include a binder and inert mineral particles, with solar reflective particles dispersed in the binder. An agglomeration process preferentially disposes the solar reflective particles at a desired depth within or beneath the surface of the granules.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are plaster boards that include first and second layers of hardened plaster material, a liner attached to the first layer of hardened plaster material, and a first material (e.g., a polymer material such as a viscoelastic polymer) adhered between the liner and the second layer of hardened plaster material. The liner includes one or more structurally weakened regions each extending substantially from a first edge to a second opposing edge of the plaster board. The structurally weakened regions of the liner may facilitate creation of a fissure that propagates substantially within a plane within the plaster board. Methods for making the plaster boards may involve drying wet plaster material while it is in contact with a liner having structurally weakened regions, processing a liner to form its structurally weakened regions while in contact with wet plaster material, or processing a liner to form its structurally weakened regions while in contact with hardened plaster material.

Abstract: A microbial growth and dust retardant roofing shingle comprising a substrate and a pore filling composition applied on the surface of the substrate is disclosed. The pore filling composition comprises a silane or acrylic composition. A method of protecting a substrate from microbial growth and soiling using the pore filling composition of the present disclosure is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to roofing products, for example, suitable for use covering and protecting the roofs of structures. The present disclosure relates more particularly to a roofing product including an upper section and an exposed section. The roofing product includes a substrate having a top surface and a bottom surface, and a plurality of zones of roofing granules disposed on the top surface of the substrate. The plurality of zones includes first, second and third zones within the exposed section. The first zone includes a first collection of algae-resistant roofing granules and has a first algae-resistance intensity. The second zone includes a second collection of algae-resistant roofing granules and has a second algae-resistance intensity. The third zone has a third algae-resistance intensity that is different from the first algae-resistance intensity.

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: One aspect of the disclosure is a siding panel having a front face, a rear face, a top edge, a bottom edge, a first side, and a second side, the top edge being folded over to create two layers of material. The siding panel further includes a first locking mechanism disposed on the front face adjacent the top edge configured to interlock with a second locking mechanism of a second siding panel, the first locking mechanism having a generally S-shaped portion. The siding panel also includes a second locking mechanism disposed on the rear face of the siding panel having a generally U-shaped portion including a curved section, and the second locking mechanism being configured to interlock with a first locking mechanism of a third siding panel. The first locking mechanism and the second locking mechanism facilitate both locking and unlocking of the siding panel from the third siding panel.

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: The present disclosure relates to devices and methods for determining the density of insulation (e.g., in a cavity). For example, one aspect of the disclosure is a device that includes a probe, an actuator, a sensor, and a control system. The control system is configured to cause the actuator to oscillate the probe. The sensor is configured to generate a signal that represents the density of insulation. Another aspect of the disclosure relates to a method for determining the density of insulation. The method includes placing a probe into contact with the insulation, causing, via an actuator, the probe to oscillate while in contact with the insulation, and generating, via a sensor, a signal that represents the density of insulation.