Abstract: A method comprises: providing a fiber cement substrate, and joining a porous, closed cell foam to a substantial portion of a major surface of the fiber cement substrate.

Abstract: Imitation stone (102) and a section of siding (100) are formed in a mold cavity (202) with a surface that follows a topography (206) of each of one or more natural stones (204), applying pigments (300a), (302a), (304a) and (306a) at different locations on the mold cavity (202) to replicate different colors of each natural stone (204) and to replicate a distribution of the different colors at different locations on the topography (206); and forming an imitation stone material in the mold cavity (202) to replicate the topography (206) of each natural stone on the imitation stone material, and to transfer the pigments (300a), (302a), (304a) and (306a) to the imitation stone material.

Abstract: A method comprises: providing a fiber cement substrate, and joining a porous, closed cell foam to a substantial portion of a major surface of the fiber cement substrate.

Abstract: A clip for siding panels installed on a wall of a structure includes a substantially planar nailing face and a seat extending from a bottom edge of the nailing face disposed to receive the bottom edge of an overlapping siding panel. A hook member extends from a top edge of the nailing face and is disposed to hang the clip from a top edge of a siding panel overlapped by the overlapping siding panel. The nailing face is sized to provide a partial overlap of the overlapped siding panel by the overlapping siding panel when the clip is attached to the overlapped siding panel by the hook member and the overlapping siding panel is seated in the seat.

Abstract: A starter strip has a fastener flange, a siding support element connected to the flange, a spacer element connected to the siding support element; and a flashing element connected to the spacer element.

Abstract: Imitation stone (102) and a section of siding (100) are formed in a mold cavity (202) with a surface that follows a topography (206) of each of one or more natural stones (204), applying pigments (300a), (302a), (304a) and (306a) at different locations on the mold cavity (202) to replicate different colors of each natural stone (204) and to replicate a distribution of the different colors at different locations on the topography (206); and forming an imitation stone material in the mold cavity (202) to replicate the topography (206) of each natural stone on the imitation stone material, and to transfer the pigments (300a), (302a), (304a) and (306a) to the imitation stone material.

Abstract: A siding installation tool is provided comprising a main body portion including a spacing flange. The spacing flange includes a hook member disposed to hang the tool from a top edge of a first siding panel and a seat member disposed to receive the bottom edge of a second siding panel, wherein the flange portion is sized to provide a partial overlap of the first siding panel by the second siding panel when the tool is attached to the first siding panel by the hook member and the second siding panel is seated in the seat. The tool also includes measuring means located on the tool.

Abstract: A clip for siding panels installed on a wall of a structure includes a substantially planar nailing face and a seat extending from a bottom edge of the nailing face disposed to receive the bottom edge of an overlapping siding panel. A hook member extends from a top edge of the nailing face and is disposed to hang the clip from a top edge of a siding panel overlapped by the overlapping siding panel. The nailing face is sized to provide a partial overlap of the overlapped siding panel by the overlapping siding panel when the clip is attached to the overlapped siding panel by the hook member and the overlapping siding panel is seated in the seat.