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: An insulation system and method comprising an insulation layer, an atmospheric regulation layer, a structural support, and an external surface; wherein the atmospheric regulation layer is supported by the structural support, wherein the insulation layer is located between the atmospheric regulation layer and the external surface, wherein the atmospheric regulation layer has a water vapor permeability of not greater than 3 perms at a relative humidity of 25% as measured by ASTM E96 Procedure A Dry Cup, and a water vapor permeability of at least 6 perms at a relative humidity of 75% as measured by ASTM E96 Procedure B Wet Cup, wherein the atmospheric regulation layer has a fire class A rating as measured by ASTM E84, and wherein the continuous atmospheric regulation layer has a ACH50 value of not greater than 10, wherein ACH50 represents an air exchange at 50 Pascals.

Abstract: A solar thermoelectric power generation system includes roofing products such as shingles with solar heat reflective areas and roofing products with solar heat absorptive areas. Thermoelectric power generating elements are provided in thermal contact with the solar heat reflective areas and the solar heat absorptive areas.

Abstract: A photovoltaic module includes an encapsulated photovoltaic element and an infrared-transmissive decorative overlay simulating conventional roofing.

Abstract: Photocatalytic roofing granules include a binder and inert mineral particles, with photocatalytic particles dispersed in the binder.

Abstract: One aspect of the disclosure is a shingle including a first bituminous sheet at the bottom surface of the shingle, the first bituminous sheet having a lower edge disposed at the lower end of the shingle, the first bituminous sheet having one or more slits extending from the lower edge of the first bituminous sheet toward the upper end of the shingle; and a second bituminous sheet at least partially laminated to a top surface of the first bituminous sheet, the second bituminous sheet having a lower edge disposed adjacent the lower end of the shingle, the second bituminous sheet having one or more tabs being defined by one or more notches formed in the second bituminous sheet, each notch extending away from the lower edge of the second bituminous sheet.

Abstract: One aspect of the disclosure is a shingle including a first bituminous sheet at the bottom surface of the shingle, the first bituminous sheet having a lower edge disposed at the lower end of the shingle, the first bituminous sheet having one or more slits extending from the lower edge of the first bituminous sheet toward the upper end of the shingle; and a second bituminous sheet at least partially laminated to a top surface of the first bituminous sheet, the second bituminous sheet having a lower edge disposed adjacent the lower end of the shingle, the second bituminous sheet having one or more tabs being defined by one or more notches formed in the second bituminous sheet, each notch extending away from the lower edge of the second bituminous sheet.

Abstract: A method of visualizing a building material is disclosed and includes visualizing of a building material on a color calibrated photograph of a building and providing a rendered image of the building material on the color calibrated photograph of the building. The rendered image has a color accuracy, ?E, as measured according to a Color Test, of less than 10. Further, the rendered image has a shadow accuracy as measured according to a Shadowing Test, of at least 75%. The Shadowing Test compares a shadow fidelity of the rendered image to the color calibrated photograph at least partially based on luminance angle and intensity and one or more rendered shadows are measured for accuracy of size and luminance.

Abstract: A method of forming an asphalt mixture includes mixing a polyol with a bio-source material to form a bio-asphalt. The method can further include mixing the bio-asphalt with a bitumen source different from the bio-asphalt to form an asphalt mixture. The bio-source material can include an oil, such as a vegetable oil, an animal fat, or any combination thereof. The bitumen source can include a petroleum-based asphalt. The method can further include adding a modifier, such as a fatty acid, a polycarboxylic acid, a polyacrylic acid, a polyacrylate comprising a copolymer, or any combination thereof. Moreover, a roofing grade asphalt mixture includes a bio-asphalt. The bio-asphalt includes an alkyd, wherein the alkyd is a reaction product of a polyol and a bio-source material. The roofing grade asphalt mixture further includes a bitumen source material and particles.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to electrical systems. The present invention relates more particularly to electrical wiring systems suitable for use in roofing applications. One aspect of the invention is a wiring system on a roof comprising a roof deck having a slope and one or more roofing elements disposed on the roof deck, the wiring system including one or more wires extending along the roof on top of the roofing elements; and a wire covering disposed over the one or more wires.

Abstract: Photocatalytic roofing granules include a binder and inert mineral particles, with photocatalytic particles dispersed in the binder.

Abstract: A roofing shingle may include a shingle body having a buttlap portion with a butt edge and a headlap portion. An exposure zone may extend from the butt edge toward the headlap portion and may be configured to be exposed to the environment when the roofing shingle is installed on a roof. The butt edge may be variegated and may include at least one tab. A first shadowline may be on at least a portion of the at least one tab. A second shadowline may be in the exposure zone. The first and second shadowlines may differ from each other in at least one aspect.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the photovoltaic generation of electrical energy. The present invention relates more particularly to photovoltaic arrays for use in photovoltaically generating electrical energy. Aspects of the present invention provide a variety of photovoltaic roofing elements and systems that include, for example, interlocking geometries to provide for water handling and integration with conventional roofing materials; and wire management features that can protect wiring and associated electrical components from physical and/or environmental damage.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to roofing products. The present invention relates more particularly to roofing products for use with photovoltaic elements, and to photovoltaic systems that include one or more photovoltaic elements is joined to a roofing substrate. In one embodiment, a roofing product includes a flexible roofing substrate having a top surface, the top surface having one or more receptor zones thereon, each receptor zone being adapted to receive one or more photovoltaic elements, each receptor zone having a different surfacing than the area of the top surface adjacent to it.

Abstract: A method of forming an asphalt mixture includes mixing a polyol with a bio-source material to form a bio-asphalt. The method can further include mixing the bio-asphalt with a bitumen source different from the bio-asphalt to form an asphalt mixture. The bio-source material can include an oil, such as a vegetable oil, an animal fat, or any combination thereof. The bitumen source can include a petroleum-based asphalt. The method can further include adding a modifier, such as a fatty acid, a polycarboxylic acid, a polyacrylic acid, a polyacrylate comprising a copolymer, or any combination thereof. Moreover, a roofing grade asphalt mixture includes a bio-asphalt. The bio-asphalt includes an alkyd, wherein the alkyd is a reaction product of a polyol and a bio-source material. The roofing grade asphalt mixture further includes a bitumen source material and particles.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the photovoltaic generation of electrical energy. The present invention relates more particularly to photovoltaic arrays for use in photovoltaically generating electrical energy. Aspects of the present invention provide a variety of photovoltaic roofing elements and systems that include, for example, interlocking geometries to provide for water handling and integration with conventional roofing materials; and wire management features that can protect wiring and associated electrical components from physical and/or environmental damage.

Abstract: Solar-reflective roofing granules having improved solar heat-resistance are formed by coating colored mineral particles with a coating composition including titanium dioxide nanoparticles.

Abstract: A roofing material includes a fire-retardant particulate material on its upper surface. A solar-reflective surface coating encapsules the fire-retardant particulate.

Abstract: An insulation system and method comprising an insulation layer, an atmospheric regulation layer, a structural support, and an external surface; wherein the atmospheric regulation layer is supported by the structural support, wherein the insulation layer is located between the atmospheric regulation layer and the external surface, wherein the atmospheric regulation layer has a water vapor permeability of not greater than 3 perms at a relative humidity of 25% as measured by ASTM E96 Procedure A Dry Cup, and a water vapor permeability of at least 6 perms at a relative humidity of 75% as measured by ASTM E96 Procedure B Wet Cup, wherein the atmospheric regulation layer has a fire class A rating as measured by ASTM E84, and wherein the continuous atmospheric regulation layer has a ACH50 value of not greater than 10, wherein ACH50 represents an air exchange at 50 Pascals.

Abstract: Roofing granules having a color coating layer are covered with a clear, transparent or translucent outer coating composition including a functional material, such nanoparticles of anatase titanium dioxide.