Abstract: The present invention relates to shingles which are designed to simulate the look of wood shingles while providing for a comparative ease of installation. Each shingle has a plurality of alignment features located on its inner and outer surfaces, which are a combination of corresponding male and female features. The alignment features are positioned on each shingle to allow for the shingles to be easily installed with a predetermined gap between adjacent shingles, while providing for multiple possible exposures for each course of shingles and multiple possible alignments between shingles in successive courses. Also disclosed are various preferred embodiments for shingles having alternate arrangements for the alignment features and various additional desirable configurations. The present invention also relates to a cladding system comprised of separate molded shingles that are installed in successive courses.