Abstract: A fibrous building element such as a panel which can be used for roofs, soffits and walls. The fibrous element is coated on the side which will be positioned on the exterior of a building structure with a material which forms a crackled surface. The crackled surface permits water vapor or steam from the interior of the structure to pass through the panel. The crackled surface presents a surface-active hydrophobic agent to prevent rain, snow and moisture from penetrating the panel. The surface-active hydrophobic agent may be applied to the outer face of the crackled surface coating or may be mixed in the crackled surface coating.

Abstract: A sound damping curtain wall is disclosed having a plurality of generally parallel tubular damping elements arranged in side by side fashion. Each damping element is fabricated from thin flexible material and may include longitudinally extending corrugations. Each end of each damping element is provided with a recess having a cross-section that conforms to the cross-section of generally horizontally extending beams which are received therein. The beams are attached to generally vertical posts set in a suitable foundation. Each vertical post may be arranged inside a corresponding damping element. With the damping elements disposed between the generally horizontal beams and the vertical posts, each damping element is resiliently pressed against each adjacent damping element.