Abstract: A solar module for a roof covering system that generates electrical power from sunlight includes a frame having a bottom surface supported on a deck of a roof, a top surface, and a thickness between the bottom surface and the top surface. The solar module also includes a solar element mounted to the top surface of the frame which has an upper surface. a micro-inverter mounted to the top surface of the frame and to the side of the solar element, and a raised access panel that is removably coupled to the frame to surround the micro-inverter. The raised access panel has an access panel top surface that is elevated above the upper surface of the solar element. The top surface of the frame forms a water shedding surface below the micro-inverter for directing water away from the roof.

Abstract: Aspects hereof provide apparatuses, systems, and/or methods directed to a top-load vertical railing structure. Specifically, a top-load vertical railing is comprised of a top rail, a bottom rail, a spacer, and a plurality of balusters extending between the top rail and the bottom rail. The balusters are loaded into the structure by sliding each baluster through a corresponding aperture in the spacer towards the bottom rail. The bottom end of the baluster engages a securing structure on the bottom rail.

Abstract: A side load vertical railing is comprised of a top rail, a bottom rail, a spacer, and a plurality of balusters extending between the top rail and the bottom rail. The balusters are loaded into the structure by first positioning each baluster to a securing structure on the bottom rail and then pivoting the baluster into engagement with the spacer extending between adjacent vertical posts.

Abstract: Roofing panels with water shedding features may be installed on the roof of a house or other structure in lieu of or as an underlayment for traditional roofing materials. The water shedding features can be built into a base of the roofing panels, as part of a frame for the roofing panels, or formed as part of a waterproofing layer applied to the base of the roofing panels, or which can be configured as a roofing panel. The roofing panels also can be installed in overlapping courses along a roof with water shedding features applied thereto or incorporated along one or more peripheral edges. The water shedding features of adjacent roofing panels will collect and divert water away from the upper surfaces and/or away from headlap and/or sidelap joints defined between the roofing panels.

Abstract: A roof-mounted solar power system for generating electrical power that includes a plurality of solar modules adapted for generating electrical power from sunlight, and with each of the plurality of solar modules having substantially the same size, aspect ratio and surface coloring. The plurality of solar modules are mounted on the deck of a roof to form a bank of solar modules having at least one irregular edge. The solar power system further includes one or more non-power generating edge treatments having substantially the same size, aspect ratio and surface coloring as the solar modules and that are adapted for installation along the irregular edge. Each edge treatment is adapted for a cutting away of at least one corner thereof to smooth the irregular edge of the bank of solar modules to a regular edge.

Abstract: Roofing shingles are disclosed that are capable of self-adhering to a roof deck or underlayment and/or other roofing shingles and that require few or no mechanical fasteners to remain attached to the roof. By appropriate positioning of sealant lines on the shingle, direct adhesion between the shingle and the roof deck or underlayment and/or other roofing shingles can be achieved. If the shingle is laminated, the layers may be mechanically attached with indentations in the common bond area. The nail zone of the shingle may be visually indicated with fines and/or one or more paint lines. A roofing system comprising a plurality of courses of the shingles is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of forming a sloped roof can comprise obtaining a base layer comprising at least one of a permeable mesh, woven fabric, non-woven fabric, plastic, foam material or combinations thereof; applying the base layer over a roofing substrate of the sloped roof; and applying a liquid roofing material to the base layer to form a liquid applied roof.

Abstract: This invention, in embodiments, relates to a roofing material comprising (a) a coated substrate having a top surface and a back surface, and (b) a plurality of roofing granules applied to the top surface of the coated substrate. The plurality of roofing granules comprises from 50% to 100% of unitary, uncoated, non-mineral based particles. This invention, in embodiments, further relates to a method of preparing such roofing material.

Abstract: Roofing shingles are disclosed that are capable of self-adhering to a roof deck or underlayment and/or other roofing shingles and that require few or no mechanical fasteners to remain attached to the roof. By appropriate positioning of sealant lines on the shingle, direct adhesion between the shingle and the roof deck or underlayment and/or other roofing shingles can be achieved. If the shingle is laminated, the layers may be mechanically attached with indentations in the common bond area. The nail zone of the shingle may be visually indicated with fines and/or one or more paint lines. A roofing system comprising a plurality of courses of the shingles is also disclosed.

Abstract: Non-asphaltic coatings for roofing materials, roofing materials made therefrom and methods of preparing such coatings and roofing materials utilize a combination of a crude tall oil-based continuous phase material, a resinous hardening agent, and a polymer.

Abstract: A two component roof coating system and method includes a sufficiently porous fabric attachable to a roof deck. A first component of the two component roof coating may be applied to the fabric after it is attached to the roof. Alternatively, fabric may be pre-soaked with the first component prior to attachment. A second component of the two component roof coating may then be applied to the fabric. The first and second components react with each other to form a waterproof roof coating. The fabric can hold the components in place and prevent sagging.

Abstract: This invention, in embodiments, relates to a roofing material comprising (a) a coated substrate having a top surface and a back surface, and (b) a plurality of roofing granules applied to the top surface of the coated substrate. The plurality of roofing granules comprises from 50% to 100% of unitary, uncoated, non-mineral based particles. This invention, in embodiments, further relates to a method of preparing such roofing material.

Abstract: Aspects described herein are directed to embossing systems that facilitate deposition of three-dimensional patterns (e.g., wood gain), colorants (e.g., variegations, highlights, or shadows), or a combination thereof. Embossing systems may include a heating device positioned to expose a first surface of a substrate to thermal energy generated by a heat source. The embossing system may include one or more embossers positioned to apply an embossing pattern to the first surface of the substrate after exposure to the thermal energy generated by the heat source. The one or more embossers include a turning roller rotationally engageable with a first portion of an inner surface of an embossing belt, a pressure roller rotationally engageable with a second portion of the inner surface of the embossing belt. The outer surface of the embossing belt includes a negative relief of the embossing pattern.

Abstract: Roofing shingles are disclosed that are capable of self-adhering to a roof deck or underlayment and/or other roofing shingles and that require few or no mechanical fasteners to remain attached to the roof. By appropriate positioning of sealant lines on the shingle, direct adhesion between the shingle and the roof deck or underlayment and/or other roofing shingles can be achieved. If the shingle is laminated, the layers may be mechanically attached with indentations in the common bond area. The nail zone of the shingle may be visually indicated with fines and/or one or more paint lines. A roofing system comprising a plurality of courses of the shingles is also disclosed.

Abstract: Some embodiments relate to a roofing structure. The roofing structure comprises a plurality of roofing membranes positioned on a roofing substrate. Each of the plurality of roofing membranes comprises an edge portion that abuts or overlaps with, or is adjacent to, an edge portion of another roofing membrane, so as to define a plurality of seams between adjacent roofing membranes. The roofing structure further comprises a plurality of standing seam structures positioned over the plurality of seams so as to conceal the plurality of seams.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a roofing system. In some embodiments, the roofing system includes a first roofing material, wherein the first roofing material comprises a top surface and a bottom surface. In some embodiments, the top surface of the first roofing material comprises a nail zone with a plurality of fines. In some embodiments, the roofing system includes a second roofing material, wherein the second roofing material comprises a top surface and a bottom surface. In some embodiments, the bottom surface of the second roofing material comprises a plurality of fines. In some embodiments, the roofing system comprises and a patterned adhesive, which directly contacts at least a portion of the plurality of fines in the nail zone and at least a portion of the plurality of fines on the bottom surface of the second roofing material.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described herein for manufacturing and using roofing membranes that are faster and easier to install than conventional adhesive-only membrane materials. In some embodiments, membrane materials are surface treated using a plasma flow, e.g., a blown-arc plasma flow, atmospheric plasma, corona plasma, or from portable plasma units, generated by passing a compressed plasma-generating gas through an electrical current to form the plasma-treated roofing membrane. The plasma treatments described herein may be applied as part of the manufacturing process, or in-situ at the site of roof installation. In some embodiments, membrane materials have surface chemistries, roughnesses and other surface characteristics that yield desired adhesion properties.

Abstract: Roofing panels with water shedding features may be installed on the roof of a house or other structure in lieu of or as an underlayment for traditional roofing materials. The water shedding features can be built into a base of the roofing panels, as part of a frame for the roofing panels, or formed as part of a waterproofing layer applied to the base of the roofing panels, or which can be configured as a roofing panel. The roofing panels also can be installed in overlapping courses along a roof with water shedding features applied thereto or incorporated along one or more peripheral edges. The water shedding features of adjacent roofing panels will collect and divert water away from the upper surfaces and/or away from headlap and/or sidelap joints defined between the roofing panels.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a roofing system. In some embodiments, the roofing system includes a first roofing material, wherein the first roofing material comprises a top surface and a bottom surface. In some embodiments, the top surface of the first roofing material comprises a nail zone with a plurality of fines. In some embodiments, the roofing system includes a second roofing material, wherein the second roofing material comprises a top surface and a bottom surface. In some embodiments, the bottom surface of the second roofing material comprises a plurality of fines. In some embodiments, the roofing system comprises and a patterned adhesive, which directly contacts at least a portion of the plurality of fines in the nail zone and at least a portion of the plurality of fines on the bottom surface of the second roofing material.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described herein for manufacturing and using roofing membranes that are faster and easier to install than conventional adhesive-only membrane materials. In some embodiments, membrane materials are surface treated using a plasma flow, e.g., a blown-arc plasma flow, atmospheric plasma, corona plasma, or from portable plasma units, generated by passing a compressed plasma-generating gas through an electrical current to form the plasma-treated roofing membrane. The plasma treatments described herein may be applied as part of the manufacturing process, or in-situ at the site of roof installation. In some embodiments, membrane materials have surface chemistries, roughnesses and other surface characteristics that yield desired adhesion properties.