Abstract: A wet fiber based composition that includes wet glass fibers, a water dispersible polymeric resin, and gypsum is provided. Components including melamine formaldehyde, a filler material, coupling agents, acetic acid, an accelerator, and/or a hardener may also be added to the composition. The gypsum may be a-gypsum, B-gypsum, or combinations thereof. The wet glass fibers are wet chopped glass fibers or a wet continuous roving. The combination of the wet glass fibers, the water dispersible polymeric resin, and the gypsum have a synergistic effect that creates a composite product that is water resistant, fire resistant, and has improved mechanical properties. In one exemplary embodiment, the wet fiber based composition is used to form a gypsum board that can be molded into various composite products. In other exemplary embodiments, thin multi-ply gypsum boards may be formed by alternately layering glass mats with layers of a gypsum/polymer slurry.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing roofing shingles comprises the steps of: coating a continuously supplied shingle mat with roofing asphalt to make an asphalt-coated sheet, the asphalt-coated sheet having at least one prime portion and at least one headlap portion, varying the thickness of the asphalt-coated sheet such that the at least one prime portion of the asphalt-coated sheet has a first thickness and the headlap portion has a second thickness, the thickness of the asphalt-coated sheet being varied by passing the asphalt-coated sheet through a secondary coater to form a granule-covered sheet, and cutting the granule-covered sheet into shingles.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing roofing shingles comprises the steps of: coating a continuously supplied shingle mat with roofing asphalt to make an asphalt-coated sheet, the asphalt-coated sheet having at least one prime portion and at least one headlap portion, varying the thickness of the asphalt-coated sheet such that the at least one prime portion of the asphalt-coated sheet has a first thickness and the headlap portion has a second thickness, the thickness of the asphalt-coated sheet being varied by passing the asphalt-coated sheet through compression rollers, applying granules onto the asphalt-coated sheet to form a granule-covered sheet, and cutting the granule-covered sheet into shingles.

Abstract: This invention relates to an underlayment for use under a plurality of courses of roofing shingles. The underlayment includes a water impermeable membrane layer containing at least one flap extending horizontally across the membrane layer. The flap is movable between a flat position and a raised position. In the raised position, an upper edge of a roofing shingle can be positioned under the flap. The upper edge of the roofing shingle can then be subsequently overlapped by the flap when the flap is moved into the flat position. The flap can then subsequently be overlapped by another course of roofing shingles.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing roofing shingles including the steps of coating a continuously supplied shingle mat with roofing asphalt to make an asphalt-coated sheet, the asphalt-coated sheet having at least one prime region, applying alternate granules onto the at least one prime region, applying prime granules over the alternate granules to form a granule-covered sheet, and cutting the granule-covered sheet into shingles.

Abstract: This invention relates to an underlayment for use under a plurality of courses of roofing shingles. The underlayment includes a water impermeable membrane layer containing at least one flap extending horizontally across the membrane layer. The flap is movable between a flat position and a raised position. In the raised position, an upper edge of a roofing shingle can be positioned under the flap. The upper edge of the roofing shingle can then be subsequently overlapped by the flap when the flap is moved into the flat position. The flap can then subsequently be overlapped by another course of roofing shingles.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing roofing shingles comprises the steps of: coating a continuously supplied shingle mat with roofing asphalt to make an asphalt-coated sheet, the asphalt-coated sheet having at least one prime portion and at least one headlap portion, varying the thickness of the asphalt-coated sheet such that the at least one prime portion of the asphalt-coated sheet has a first thickness and the headlap portion has a second thickness, the thickness of the asphalt-coated sheet being varied by passing the asphalt-coated sheet through compression rollers, applying granules onto the asphalt-coated sheet to form a granule-covered sheet, and cutting the granule-covered sheet into shingles.

Abstract: An agglomerated microorganism resistant granule includes a base material having microorganism resistant characteristics and a filler material mixed with the base material. The filler material is configured to erode over time. The erosion of the filler material leaves voids and irregular surfaces in the agglomerated base material.