Abstract: A plurality of ventilation elements, vents, slots, or gap elements or similar features that are applied to, or machined into, one or more sides or faces of exterior siding products, such as lap siding, panel siding, vertical siding, horizontal siding, flat (or non-overlapping) siding, flap siding, decorative trim, trim system components or other forms of panels or cladding materials. When the exterior siding product is installed, the ventilation elements, vents, slots, or gap elements or similar features provide a built-in air and water gap to facilitate and increase water drainage and air circulation behind the siding or panel, thereby minimizing water storage in the space behind the product and lowering the equilibrium moisture content of the siding itself. The ventilation features are incorporated into the corresponding product in-line or during the manufacturing process, and do not require any further work during assembly or construction on-site (e.g.

Abstract: A plurality of rainscreen elements or features that are applied to the front or outer face of a structural panel or the weather resistant barrier layer on the structural panel. When an exterior cladding or sheathing product is installed over the structural panel, the rainscreen elements or features provide built-in water flow gaps or channels to facilitate and increase water drainage off the face of the structural panel, thereby minimizing water storage in the space between the structural panel and the outer cladding/sheathing. The rainscreen features are incorporated into the structural panel in-line or during the manufacturing process, and do not require any further work during assembly or construction on-site.

Abstract: A system for introducing a noise-dampening polymer in-line in the manufacturing process of a manufactured wood product to achieve higher acoustic performance in siding, sheathing, roofing, flooring, and similar applications using the manufactured wood product. Several lines or bands of the noise-dampening polymer are deposited transversely across one side or face of the product. The polymer is deposited where the product is expected to contact joists or studs. The polymer may be a viscoelastic polymer.

Abstract: A plurality of rainscreen elements or features that are applied to the front or outer face of a structural panel or the weather resistant barrier layer on the structural panel. When an exterior cladding or sheathing product is installed over the structural panel, the rainscreen elements or features provide built-in water flow gaps or channels to facilitate and increase water drainage off the face of the structural panel, thereby minimizing water storage in the space between the structural panel and the outer cladding/sheathing. The rainscreen features are incorporated into the structural panel in-line or during the manufacturing process, and do not require any further work during assembly or construction on-site.

Abstract: A system and methods for manufacturing and constructing a fence panel or pickets using engineered wood products, including, but not limited to, oriented-strand board (OSB), fiber strand, or laminated strand lumber. An entire piece of durable, treated engineered wood panel is divided into multiple “fence blanks” of equal size. Each fence blank is then subjected to edge profiling on top and bottom edges, and top feature milling to create fence top features, with finishing, texture, printing, paper overlay, or combinations thereof, added to one or both faces of the blank. Blanks may be milled in a stack. Blanks may then have grooves or other finishing features added to create a finished fence panel. Alternatively, a fence blank can be slit or cut into multiple raw pickets, also with finishing treatments to one or both faces, to create a series of raw pickets. The resulting finished fence panel or pickets provide the authentic look and appeal of real wood, but with the advantages of treated engineered wood.

Abstract: A wood or manufactured wood-composite based siding used on concrete wall or concrete masonry unit (CMU, or block) construction (including, but not limited to, insulated concrete form construction) with an integrated rainscreen feature. The rainscreen feature or component is applied to, or integrated into or with, the back of the siding (i.e., the inner surface) during the manufacturing process, or in a secondary process thereafter. The features may include raised elements, strips or ridges from approximately 1/16 to approximately ¾ inches tall, with one or more channels or spaces. No job-site assembly is required, thereby reducing time and cost.

Abstract: A lap siding product with a unique shiplap joint that spaces abutting pieces of siding correctly from each other without installer measurements. The shiplap joint comprises a bottom element and a top element. A lap siding panel or board has a bottom element shiplap joint at one end, and a top elements shiplap joint at the other end. The corresponding ends of two lap siding panels or boards (i.e., one bottom element and one top element) together form the unique shiplap joint of the present invention. An engineered “stop” on the underside of the top element spaces the pieces of siding correctly, without requiring measurement during installation. This also eliminates the need for caulk, pan flashing or joint covers in the joint between the pieces of siding or cladding. The shape of the joint also reduces the intrusion of water, and re-directs water down and out from behind the siding.

Abstract: A manufacturing process for manufacturing wood products with acoustic dampening properties. A noise-dampening polymer is introduced in-line in the manufacturing process to achieve higher acoustic performance. The polymer can be a viscoelastic polymer which is added during blending of the lignocellulosic strands prior to mat formation, or sprayed or otherwise coated on the lignocellulosic strands during mat formation, prior to formation of any boards or panels.

Abstract: A lap siding product with a unique shiplap joint that spaces abutting pieces of siding correctly from each other without installer measurements. The shiplap joint comprises a bottom element and a top element. A lap siding panel or board has a bottom element shiplap joint at one end, and a top elements shiplap joint at the other end. The corresponding ends of two lap siding panels or boards (i.e., one bottom element and one top element) together form the unique shiplap joint of the present invention. One or more drainage channels or grooves help re-direct water from the joint, and at least one of the channels or grooves also provides a visual element for proper spacing. An engineered “stop” on the underside of the top element also helps space the pieces of siding correctly, without requiring measurement during installation.

Abstract: An improved flashing system and apparatus. A drip cap is attached to the back side of a panel or board, and extends across the top of the panel or board with a short angled drip section and edge extending downwards on the front side of the panel or board. The drip cap may comprise a single piece of metal, or other suitable materials, including but not limited to plastic, formed by folding or by stamping or molding. The back of the drip cap has an upper section extending upward, and also may have a lower section extending downward. The drip cap may be attached by glue or other adhesive means. The lower section, if present, may attached to the back of the panel or board by fastening means known in the art, such as, but not limited to, staples or nails that penetrate only the lower section and the back of the panel or board. The drip cap prevents water and moisture from penetrating behind the panel or board after installation.

Abstract: Methods and processes for depositing a fire resistant barrier on a construction material involve coating exposed webbing of, for instance, an I-joist with a fire-resistant material using a wetting layer and a thickening layer. A time period between depositing the wetting layer and thickening layer is controlled to facilitate complete wetting of the exposed webbing. Filler such as fiberglass may be included in the thickening layer. The wetting and thickening layers may be deposited on the webbing in the same application. The construction material, such as the I-joist, may then be subjected to a curing treatment and additional curing period followed by coating the second side using a similar methodology.

Abstract: A plurality of ventilation elements, vents, slots, or gap elements or similar features that are applied to, or machined into, one or more sides of exterior siding products, such as lap siding, panel siding, decorative trim, or other cladding materials. When the exterior siding product is installed, the ventilation elements, vents, slots, or gap elements or similar features provide a built-in air and water gap to facilitate and increase water drainage and air circulation behind the siding or panel, thereby minimizing water storage in the space behind the siding and lowering the equilibrium moisture content of the siding itself. The ventilation features are incorporated into the corresponding product in-line or during the manufacturing process, and do not require any further work during assembly or construction on-site (e.g., furring strips or other similar drainage mechanisms are not needed).

Abstract: A lap siding product with a central face cut or medial groove, allowing an installer or user to break the lap siding product in half manually, without tools, resulting in two pieces of lap siding. The central face cut or groove extends for the length of the product, and its depth is a substantial portion of the thickness of the lap siding product. A central back cut or medial groove opposite to the central face cut or groove may be provided, as well as a pair of back spacing cuts or rabbets along the edges of the back face of the product. A pair of machined nail lines on the face of the product assist in determining locations for nailing the post-break pieces of lap siding during installation.

Abstract: A lap siding product with a unique shiplap joint that spaces abutting pieces of siding correctly from each other without installer measurements. The shiplap joint comprises a bottom element and a top element. A lap siding panel or board has a bottom element shiplap joint at one end, and a top elements shiplap joint at the other end. The corresponding ends of two lap siding panels or boards (i.e., one bottom element and one top element) together form the unique shiplap joint of the present invention. An engineered “stop” on the underside of the top element spaces the pieces of siding correctly, without requiring measurement during installation. This also eliminates the need for caulk, pan flashing or joint covers in the joint between the pieces of siding or cladding. The shape of the joint also reduces the intrusion of water, and re-directs water down and out from behind the siding.

Abstract: Methods and processes for depositing a fire resistant barrier on a construction material involve coating exposed webbing of, for instance, an I-joist with a fire-resistant material using a wetting layer and a thickening layer. A time period between depositing the wetting layer and thickening layer is controlled to facilitate complete wetting of the exposed webbing. Filler such as fiberglass may be included in the thickening layer. The wetting and thickening layers may be deposited on the webbing in the same application. The construction material, such as the I-joist, may then be subjected to a curing treatment and additional curing period followed by coating the second side using a similar methodology.

Abstract: A method of delivering and retaining zinc borate within a wet process hardboard is disclosed wherein process parameters are controlled and the borate is included in the overlay slush process of wet board processing.

Abstract: An adhesive bonding material can be provided. This adhesive bonding material comprises (a) an isocyanate polymer and/or (b) an amino resin, and (c) a plant oil modifier. The adhesive bonding system can be used in a method for producing a composite lignocellulosic product.

Abstract: The method of this invention adheres a low emissivity radiant barrier material to an underlying lignocellulosic substrate within the primary manufacturing operation of the underlying lignocellulosic substrate. Thus, a radiant barrier covered substrate is formed by integrally joining the radiant barrier covering to a mat of lignocellulosic material during consolidation thereof with a first adhesive bonding material to form an underlying substrate. The integral joining operation can, for example, be accomplished by bonding the radiant barrier covering to a lignocellulosic mat in a product formation press. This is typically accomplished using a second adhesive bonding material for adhesion of the radiant barrier material to the lignocellulosic mat, and a first adhesive bonding material for consolidating the lignocellulosic mat to form a lignocellulosic substrate.

Abstract: A method for producing a processed substantially continuous veneer ribbon is provided. The method comprises providing a plurality of debarked wood logs. A substantially continuous veneer ribbon is separated from each of said plurality of debarked wood logs. The substantially continuous veneer ribbons is conveyed to a plurality of storage locations. A system is provided for processing the substantially continuous veneer ribbons introducing a plurality of the substantially continuous veneer ribbons from the storage location to the continuous veneer ribbon process system. A processed continuous veneer ribbon is formed from the plurality of the substantially continuous veneer ribbons in the continuous veneer ribbon process system.

Abstract: A system for drying wood particles and a method of operation wherein the wood particles are introduced into a dryer and contacted directly with a combustion system exhaust stream. VOC's emitted from the wood particles during drying are recycled to the combustion system for destruction. In one method according to the invention, a portion of the VOC-laden dryer exhaust stream is recycled to the dryer.