Abstract: Structural furring systems having enhanced drainage functionality are described. Furring strips can include a substantially planar face, substantially planar webs extending from edges of the face, and substantially planar legs extending from opposite edges of the legs. The face and/or legs include a row or array of protrusions configured to accommodate drainage and ventilation between the furring strip and an attached exterior cladding and/or building substrate. Furring strips can be manufactured by rolling a sheet metal such as steel. Additional embodiments include a furring tape configured to be affixed to a substantially flat face of a commercially available furring strip to provide similar drainage features.

Abstract: A textured cladding element can be manufactured to approximate the aesthetic and functional properties or natural wood siding and/or shingles. The cladding element can comprise non-wood material, such as fiber cement. The cladding element can include a step and a recessed portion or cove which enables the element to have a relatively low thickness while also achieving a desirable drip edge and/or shadow line when multiple cladding elements are overlapping when installed in a finished product.

Abstract: Devices and methods for improved installation of trim, such as trim boards, to a building substrate. An alignment device configured for use with a nail gun is sized and shaped to facilitate repeatable and accurate angled nailing of trim boards at a desired nailing angle and height relative to a building substrate. The alignment device is sized and shaped to stably seat within an angle between a trim board and a building substrate such that a nail gun user can repeatedly drive nails at a regular angle and height through the side of the trim board and into the building substrate to nail the trim board to the building substrate without requiring the user to measure and/or visually determine the height and angle at which the nail will be driven.

Abstract: A fiber cement soffit comprising a first major face, a second major face, an intermediate portion positioned between the first and second faces and an edge portion surrounding the intermediate portion such that the first and second faces, intermediate portion and edge portion together form a panel of predetermined thickness; and a plurality of apertures extending between the first and second major faces of the soffit through the predetermined thickness forming a vented portion wherein the apertures comprise between approximately 8% and 28% of the total surface area per linear foot of each of the first major face and second major face of the vented portion such that the net free ventilation provided per linear foot of the fiber cement soffit is between 10 and 16 square inches.

Abstract: A cladding element, for use in a building envelope, comprising a first face, a second face and a plurality of edges. One or more of the plurality of edges includes a mating feature configured to resist moisture passage between cladding elements when the cladding elements are installed on a wall or other structure. The cladding element can include one or more joint features to improve mating between the cladding elements, reduce labor costs, and facilitate moisture drainage from the cladding elements.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a fiber cement cladding system such as fiber cement shingles or shakes which can have the appearance of authentic wood. Each individual fiber cement shingle or shake comprises a textured surface having a depth of relief and a coating system disposed on the textured surface. The coating system may include a sealing agent, a basecoat, and a topcoat. In some embodiments, the basecoat is disposed on at least a portion of the sealing agent and the topcoat is disposed on at least a portion of the basecoat. In some embodiments, the basecoat comprises a DFT of 1 to 3 mils and the topcoat comprises a DFT of 0.05 to 2 mils. In some embodiments, the depth of relief of the textured surface of the fiber cement shingle is about 0.045? to 0.085?.

Abstract: A compact dust removal system that can be mounted on a substantially rigid receptacle, such as a pail, found at construction sites. The compact dust removal system includes an array of cyclonic separators of different sizes disposed within a mesh filter. The system can be mountable to a pail such that an initial dust removal stage occurs by inertial separation along the interior surface of the pail. The system further includes a cyclone inlet manifold configured to distribute dust-laden air among the cyclonic separators at least partially based on the size of dust particles within the dust-laden air.

Abstract: Coating compositions suitable for machined cementitious substrates are provided. The coating compositions provide adhesion to the machined cementitious substrate while maintaining high mechanical film strength. The coating compositions are also compatible with industrial implementation, and exhibit good pot life.

Abstract: Described herein are cementitious articles having an integrally formed exterior surface with ultra-smooth finish and reduced porosity and/or thickness relative to the core of the cementitious article. Described herein are also techniques and methods for producing fiber cement articles having a thin exterior shell characterized by improved smoothness and reduced porosity.

Abstract: A customizable roof drip edge system includes an inner footing, an outer section, and a tail integrally formed with the inner footing and the outer section. The tail is nailable to a roof substrate. The outer section includes a bridging member connecting the tail to an outer footing. The bridging member and the outer footing are configured for directing the flow of water off of a roof. The inner footing is spaced from the outer footing by a suitable distance and configured to be placed against an eave as a positioning aid such that the drip edge can easily and reliably be installed with sufficient spacing for the installation of a fascia board after installation of the drip edge. The drip edge may be bendable to user-selectable angles between the tail and the inner footing and outer section to accommodate a range of roof pitches.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are fiber reinforced cement composite materials incorporating a fiber blend that includes cellulose pulp and synthetic fibers in a ratio selected to provide the composite material with improved water absorption characteristics and the same or improved mechanical properties as compared to equivalent composite materials reinforced with predominantly or all cellulose fibers. Also disclosed herein are fiber blends comprised of a combination of cellulose fibers and polypropylene fibers adapted to reinforce cementitious composite articles manufactured by the Hatschek process and autoclave cured.

Abstract: A wall cladding panel comprising a substantially planar front face, a rear face comprising a plurality of drainage channels and a plurality of spacer sections disposed between the drainage channels, and an edge member disposed contiguously between the front face and the rear face. The wall cladding panel is locally thinner at the drainage channels than at the spacer sections. Each drainage channel is configured to form a liquid flow path and/or an air gap when a substantially planar building surface is placed adjacent to the rear face. A plurality of wall cladding panels with drainage channels may be arranged in series to cover at least a portion of a building.

Abstract: Improved coating formulations for cementitious composite building materials are disclosed herein. The coating formulations provide both sealer and primer functions, particularly for substrates in a high alkaline environment, such as fiber cement composite materials.

Abstract: Coating formulations for improving hide and holdout without sacrificing adhesion on cementitious substrates are provided. The coating formulations can achieve high hide and holdout with a low pigment volume concentration by utilizing particles with pre-selected oil absorption and particle size range. The coating formulations can be used as a functional for fiber cement substrates. When applied in combination with a top coat, the functional provides provide high hide and hold and enhanced adhesion while reducing pigment loading.