Abstract: This invention relates to improved high temperature resistant calcium sulphate-based products e.g. gypsum wallboard products and, in particular, to products having reduced shrinkage at high temperatures. The invention provides calcium sulphate-based product comprising gypsum and a shrinkage resistance additive. The shrinkage resistance additive is melamine polyphosphate or melamine pyrophosphate.

Abstract: A building panel of the roofing or siding type is disclosed, as well as a building structure having such roofing or siding panels, in which the panels are comprised of two different types of building materials. The composite panel includes at least one layer of synthetic polymeric building material, having adhesively secured thereto at least one layer of asphalt based building material, with outer, upper surfaces of the panel, that would be weather-exposed in the installed condition on a building structure being comprised of the asphalt based building material, and with the synthetic polymeric layer(s) of polymeric building material being weather-protected in the installed condition on a building structure.

Abstract: Provided are roofing granules, such as solar-reflective roofing granules, methods for making them and their use in roofing products. In one aspect, the disclosure provides a collection of solar-reflective roofing granules having a solar reflectivity of at least 70%, wherein substantially each roofing granule comprises an inner layer, an outer layer disposed on an outer surface of the inner layer and substantially surrounding the inner layer, wherein the inner layer and the outer layer are formed from substantially the same composition but have substantially different porosities, the outer layer having a porosity substantially lower than the porosity of the outer layer. Methods for making such roofing granules can include forming layers of substantially the same first and second compositions, wherein the forming of the layer of the second composition is performed under substantially different conditions from the forming of the layer of the first composition.

Abstract: The invention relates to a plaster-based composition comprising nanometric boehmite and/or nanometric aluminium trihydroxide, this composition making it possible to obtain products having better dimensional stability at high and in particular at very high temperature. The invention also relates to the method of obtaining the products, and the products produced.

Abstract: One aspect of the disclosure is a siding panel end plug including a body having a front face, a rear face, a side face connecting the front face and rear face, a top edge, a bottom edge, and a hollow space located between the front face, rear face, and side face. The siding panel end plug further includes a first locking mechanism disposed on the top edge and a second locking mechanism disposed on the bottom edge. The first locking mechanism and the second locking mechanism facilitate both locking and unlocking of the siding panel end plug from a second siding panel end plug and a third siding panel end plug.

Abstract: One aspect of the disclosure is a siding panel including a front face, a rear face, a top edge, a bottom edge, a first side, and a second side. The siding panel also includes a first locking mechanism disposed on the rear face of the siding panel adjacent the top edge, and configured to interlock with a second locking mechanism of a second siding panel, the first locking mechanism being formed as a protrusion. The siding panel further includes a second locking mechanism disposed on the rear face of the siding panel being formed as a generally C-shaped portion having a groove. The second locking mechanism is configured to interlock with a first locking mechanism of a third siding panel. The siding panel is secured to a surface by a fastener.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to cladding that forms an architectural surface, for example, suitable for forming a ceiling. The present disclosure relates more particularly to a cladding system including a plurality of flexible grid members arranged so as to form a grid that extends in at least two dimensions and includes grid cells that are delimited by the flexible grid members and a plurality of panels supported by the grid. At least a first portion of the panels are arranged so as to form an architectural surface.

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 siding, for example, suitable for covering a wall surface. The present disclosure relates more particularly to a frame for a wall panel. The frame includes a support strip extending in a lateral direction across the width of the wall panel and has first and second ends. The frame also includes a row of columns extending in a first direction from the support strip. Each column includes a proximal end attached to the support strip and a free distal end. The row of columns includes a first column disposed at a first end of the row of columns and laterally offset from the first end of the support strip, and a second column disposed at a second end of the row of columns and laterally offset from the second end of the support strip.

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: Algae-resistant roofing granules are formed by extruding a mixture of mineral particles and a binder to form porous granule bodies, and algaecide is distributed in the pores. Release of the algaecide is controlled by the structure of the granules.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to wall coverings or cladding, for example, suitable for covering and protecting the external surface of walls. The present disclosure relates more particularly to a system for a wall covering including first, second, and third polymer panels. Each of the polymer panels including a visible body extending from a respective support structure, where the visible body includes a front surface that extends across a width of the panel and has a textured contour that replicates a single masonry unit. The textured contours of the first, second, and third panels are different, and the size of the first panel is different from the size of the second panel.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to suspension ceiling grids, for example, suitable for holding a suspension ceiling composed of ceiling tiles. The present disclosure relates more particularly to a vented suspension ceiling support beam including an elongate body extending in a longitudinal direction. The body includes a vertical web, and opposing first and second flanges protruding laterally from the vertical web. A vent is formed through the first flange.

Abstract: A ceiling panel according to the present invention has opposed translucent membranes secured in a tensioned state across a perimeter frame. The frame includes frame members that are designed to oppose inward bowing of the perimeter frame caused by the tensioned membranes. The frame members have a side profile shaped to conceal a grid support network with the lower translucent member extending across and about a lower edge of the perimeter frame. The invention also includes a modified structure for supporting of translucent panels below a grid network.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to roofing elements and methods for making them. In one embodiment, the disclosure provides a roofing element in the form of a roofing shingle that includes a body of a foamed cured cross-linked polymer, the body having a top surface and a bottom surface, the body extending substantially in a plane and having a thickness in the range of 0.5 mm to 35 mm; and a layer of weather-resistant roofing granules disposed on and adhered at the top surface of roofing element. The roofing element can be made by providing a body of wet foamed curable composition, and allowing the curable composition to cure to provide the body of foamed cured cross-linked polymer.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to a connection clip for securing a panel to a support grid, for example, suitable for securing a wood grille panel to a ceiling grid. The present disclosure relates more particularly to a connection clip including a body having a base with a width extending between opposing first and second lateral edges and first and second arms extending upward respectively from the first and second lateral edges of the base so as to form a cavity configured to receive a structural cross member of the panel. Engagement lips extend laterally inward from an upper end of each arm and are configured to grip respective first and second flanges of a grid member of the support grid so as to secure the panel to the grid member. Each of the first and second engagement lips span a substantial majority of the depth of the connection clip.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to a roofing system including flashing, for example, suitable for protecting a roof from water leakage. The present disclosure relates more particularly to a roofing system including first, second, and third courses of shingles, where the second course overlaps the first and the third course overlaps the second. A flashing plate is disposed over the first course of shingles and partially under the second course of shingles. The flashing plate and the third course of shingles are spaced apart by a gap in a direction of the slope of the roof between a top edge of the flashing plate and a lower edge of the third course of shingles.

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.