Abstract: A system, flashing apparatus, and associated methods for protecting vertical butt joints in installed siding having locking profiles. The lower profiled edge of the siding is modified proximate the ends during manufacture or in a factory setting to create a modified section configured to mate with a unique piece of factory-produced or pre-made flashing of similar or matching profile. The flashing piece fits with the ends of the adjacent siding boards in a horizontal row and aligns with the profile of the locking edges of vertically adjacent siding boards so the system sheds water effectively and prevents water from penetrating behind the siding. In addition, the factory-modified siding and the pre-manufactured flashing pieces may be supplied as a ready-to-install system that simplifies the siding installation process and shortens the time and cost of installation.

Abstract: A manufactured wood panel or board with an integrated conveying laminate that conveys a fire resistant (FR) additive to specific locations within the panel or board during the manufacturing process, and the process and system for producing a panel or board with an FR conveying laminate. The laminate may be a natural or synthetic material with a closed (i.e., solid) or open (i.e., mesh-like) surface. In addition to providing resistance to fire spread and fire combustion, the laminate also may be selected from a group of materials that produce desired structural properties (i.e., minimize cracking, enhance structural integrity) both before and during a particular event, such as a fire event.

Abstract: A multi-layer fire-resistant (FR) panel or board, for use in exterior applications, such as siding, cladding, trim, fencing, or sheathing. The panel or board may be OSB or other form of engineered-wood, with an integrated fire-resistant laminate incorporated during a manufacturing process. The laminate may be placed on top of or under a fines layer. The laminate may be placed under an overlay layer, such as a resin-impregnated paper overlay, or other form of weather- or water-resistant barrier (WRB). The laminate itself may also serve as a WRB, and may thus be combined with or substituted for the overlay layer. A second FR laminate may be applied on the bottom of the panel or board. In addition to providing FR characteristics, the laminate also protects the structural integrity of the panel by preventing or reducing the splitting and/or cracking of the panel or board during a fire event.

Abstract: A manufactured wood based siding or cladding product made from an engineered wood composite including, but not limited to, oriented strand board (OSB), hardboard, plywood, and combinations thereof, with fire-resistant properties (e.g., resistance to flame spread, ignition and combustion) imparted during the manufacturing process. An engineered wood-based composite siding product (in various forms, including lap, panel or trim) possessing such material properties is better suited for meeting the requirements of certain communities or areas where building codes require such protection due to the risk of fires (such as those posed within the boundaries of the wildland-urban interface, WUI). Engineered or manufactured wood-based composite products are typically manufactured by assembling multiple layers, then consolidating these layers using heat and pressure. A “fines” layer comprising wood or lignocellulosic wood particles is currently applied to the face of engineered wood-based composite siding products (e.g.

Abstract: An improved engineered wood product, and related methods, with improved actual and apparent surface quality. The product includes a high basis weight fines layer overlaying a strand matrix base layer, with one or more overlay layers. The fines layer may be placed between the overlay layers, if multiple overlays are present. The configuration of fines layer and overlay layer(s) minimizes the presence of sub-surface imperfections that may result in visible telegraphing on the exposed surface. A light pattern or texture may be embossed on the outermost overlay layer during the pressing process. Additionally, a paint primer layer or coating with added aggregate may be applied to help camouflage inherent sub-surface defects.