Abstract: A high performance wall assembly receives an exterior covering of a building. The high performance wall assembly includes a frame assembly having a top member, a bottom member opposite the top member, and a plurality of vertical members. The vertical members are coupled to and extend between the top and bottom members. The high performance wall assembly also includes a rigid foam insulating panel coupled to the frame assembly. A structural foam layer is disposed on the plurality of vertical members and on the rigid foam insulating panel. The structural foam layer couples the rigid foam insulating panel to the frame assembly and couples the plurality of vertical members to the top and bottom members such that the high performance wall is free of fasteners.

Abstract: A high performance wall assembly receives an exterior covering of a building. The high performance wall assembly includes a frame assembly having a top member, a bottom member opposite the top member, and a plurality of vertical members. The vertical members are coupled to and extend between the top and bottom members. The high performance wall assembly also includes a rigid foam insulating panel coupled to the frame assembly. A structural foam layer is disposed on the plurality of vertical members and on the rigid foam insulating panel. The structural foam layer couples the rigid foam insulating panel to the frame assembly and couples the plurality of vertical members to the top and bottom members such that the high performance wall is free of fasteners.

Abstract: A module for realizing modular building structures comprises a bearing block having pairs of flat faces with complementary shaped joints for coupling with further similar modules arranged in side by side position, means for anchoring the bearing block to bearing blocks of side-by-side modules for realizing the building structure. The anchoring means comprise one pair of passages mutually perpendicular and staggered along a first transverse direction, the passages extending in the block from respective flat faces. The anchoring means also comprise reinforcing bars adapted to be inserted in a pair of consecutive passages belonging to two mutually side-by-side modules to define a reinforcement meshed armor. Each bar has ends associated with male and female connecting elements for coupling with facing ends of contiguous bars belonging to a side-by-side module.

Abstract: A gutter cover of color-coated expanded metal is disclosed. Openings in a center section of the gutter cover are defined by front strands and an opposing rear strands spaced rearward from respective front strands. Forward facing surfaces of the front and rear strands have a first color coating thereon, and rearward facing surfaces of the front and rear strands are free of the first color coating. A method of making the color-coated expanded metal gutter cover is disclosed.

Abstract: A support for the heating elements of radiant coverings and floors is disclosed. One example of a support disclosed herein includes bosses having a concave portion. In some examples, defined on the surface of the concave portion is at least one adhering low relief, for example four adhering low reliefs may be provided per concave portion.

Abstract: An underlayment system is provided that includes a plurality of bosses that emanate form a common base member. The bosses and bases preferably include an opening therethrough that will allow for subsequent layers of adhesive to interact and bond to each other. The bosses are also spaced in such a way to help secure a wire snugly therebetween.

Abstract: A system and method for cladding a building. The system comprises a rigid base layer supported by an exterior exposed surface of the building and a metal mesh secured and retained in direct contact with an exterior surface of the rigid base layer with fasteners. The system further comprises a layer of a base coat applied over the metal mesh so as to form a matrix therearound and a finishing barrier layer applied over the matrix of the metal mesh and the base coat layer. The method comprises securing the rigid base layer to an exterior exposed surface of the building, securing and retaining a metal mesh in direct contact to the exterior surface of the rigid base layer with fasteners, applying a cement base coat over the metal mesh so as to form a matrix therearound and applying a finishing barrier layer over the base coat.

Abstract: An underlayment system is provided that includes a plurality of bosses that emanate from a common base member. The bosses and bases preferably include an opening therethrough that will allow for subsequent layers of adhesive to interact and bond to each other. The bosses are also spaced in such a way to help secure a wire snugly therebetween.

Abstract: Method for creating a liquid barrier on building sheathing, provides a polymer mixture with beads of uniform diameter, affixes mesh across joints in the sheathing and trowels the mixture onto the sheathing using a straight edge. The straight edge rolls over the beads and leaves the mixture between the beads for creating a layer have a uniform thickness. Before the layer sets, peaks of an inner corrugated surface of an insulation board are pressed into the layer for adhering the board to the sheathing, the inner surface having valleys between the peaks at a distance greater then twice the diameter of the beads. The layer sets to create the liquid barrier and for fixing the board to the sheathing with spaces left between the barrier and the valleys for water runoff across the sheathing.

Abstract: Protected prefinished fiber cement products are manufactured by applying a protective layer on the finished surface of a fiber cement product. The protective layer protects the finish layer of the prefinished fiber cement product during handling, storage, and transport. Removing the protective layer leaves no adhesive residue on the finish layer, does not damage the finish layer, and does not substantially tear the protective layer. Protected prefinished fiber cement products are typically stacked on pallets for storage and transport. Optionally, spacers may be placed between the stacked protected prefinished fiber cement products.

Abstract: Protected prefinished fiber cement articles are manufactured by applying a protective layer on the finished surface of a fiber cement article. The protective layer protects the finish layer of the prefinished fiber cement article during handling, storage, and transport. Removing the protective layer leaves no residue on the finish layer, does not damage the finish layer, and does not substantially tear the protective layer. Protected prefinished fiber cement article are typically stacked on pallets for storage and transport. Optionally, spacers may be placed between the stacked protected prefinished fiber cement article.

Abstract: A wall structure is provided, which, despite having a surface that is covered with elastic coating material and that is jointless, has an uneven pattern in the surface, and which does not require any great effort in the coating process and exhibit little variation in the finished design. The wall structure has a wall material, an elastic joint material, a mesh-shaped material and an elastic coating material. The surface of the wall material bears an uneven pattern in which the height difference between deepest portions and highest portions is 2.0 to 4.0 mm and a pattern loss ratio is 15% or less, and furthermore, the wall material is fixed in a state where a side end portion of the wall material is abutted against a side end portion of another wall material. The elastic joint material covers the surface of the abutting portion of the side end portions of the wall materials, and the elastic coating material covers the entire surfaces of the wall materials and of the elastic joint material.

Abstract: A cast veneer wall panel includes a facing panel having at least one design element. The facing panel is made from a cast material. In addition the wall panel includes a backing panel including a series of spaced apertures. The series of spaced apertures receive a portion of the cast material in order to key the facing panel and the backing panel together.

Abstract: A plaster panel and a method of using it is disclosed, wherein the plaster panel includes a slab of cementitious composition including a mixture of sizes of cut expanded polystyrene, a quantity of monofilament fiber, and at least one binding agent. At least one layer of a mesh is provided, wherein the resulting panel is light in weight, flexible and strong. Similar panels may be affixed to a building frame by suitable fasteners such as nails or screws, while causing little or no fracturing of the panel.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for easy prefabrication of a self aligning three dimensional roof support and roof structure, such as a dormer or porch roof, which is fully constructed of sheet goods with tab and slot interconnecting components. The roof support structure is constructed of a parallel aligned space series of substantially rigid sheet truss members and a parallel aligned space series of substantially rigid purlin members running perpendicular to the truss members and interlocked with the truss members with opposing interlocking slots to form a self- aligning three dimensional support structure whereby the flush upper sheet ends provide support for roof sheathing. The roof sheathing and additional side fascia members are fit to the substructure with inter-engaging tabs and slots.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a stucco wall structure for a building. The wall substrate is arranged for receipt of subsequent layers of surface material. The margin or periphery of said wall to be treated has a screed attached thereto. A sprayed-on coating of urethane is applied onto the wall substrate between the screeds to insure continuous bonding and adherency to the substrate. A first layer of polymer-based base coat and mesh covering is applied to the sprayed-on coating of urethane to provide anchoring and adhesion of a subsequent layer of stucco. An outer layer of stucco applied over the first layer of polymer-based base coat as a final coat thereon.

Abstract: Building element having two parallel welded wire grid mats (1, 2), of straight web wires (7) which hold the wire grid mats at a predetermined distance apart and are joined at each end to the two wire grid mats. An insulating body (8) is arranged between the wire grid mats, through which the web wires pass. At least one of the wire grid mats is in the form of a grid reinforcement mat which possesses a minimum strength of the weld nodes which complies with the static requirements applicable to the building element, corresponding mechanical strength of the grid mat wires (3, 4) and also corresponding diameters and mutual spacings of the grid mat wires. The web wires are arranged in predetermined directions relative to the wire grid mats, and the insulating body is held at a predetermined distance from each of the wire grid mats.

Abstract: A laminated wall structure, suitable for use in an exterior insulation finish system, comprises the following layers in the order provided: i) a layer of building sheathing; ii) a layer of water-resistant adhesive which substantially completely covers and adheres to said building sheathing; and iii) a layer of thermal insulation adhered to said building sheathing by said water-resistant adhesive. The laminated wall structure, which can be used with all conventional building sheathings, can require less time to construct than known structures.

Abstract: A load bearing composite building wall structure comprising a plurality of spaced-apart stud members, each stud member comprising an exterior bar member, an interior bar member, and a plurality of wall ties connected there between. Interstitial blocks comprising a generally self-supporting material are disposed between adjacent pairs of stud members. A surface coating material is disposed along the exterior and interior faces of the wall structure and in contact with the interstitial blocks. The surface coating material has an increased thickness in an area adjacent to one or more stud members. The increased thickness of the surface coating material provides an increase in the load bearing capacity of the wall structure.

Abstract: Building element having two parallel welded wire grid mats (1, 2), of straight web wires (7) which hold the wire grid mats at a predetermined distance apart and are joined at each end to the two wire grid mats. An insulating body (8) is arranged between the wire grid mats, through which the web wires pass. At least one of the wire grid mats is in the form of a grid reinforcement mat which possesses a minimum strength of the weld nodes which complies with the static requirements applicable to the building element, corresponding mechanical strength of the grid mat wires (3, 4) and also corresponding diameters and mutual spacings of the grid mat wires. The web wires are arranged in predetermined directions relative to the wire grid mats, and the insulating body is held at a predetermined distance from each of the wire grid mats.

Abstract: An improved method is described for making 9-deoxy-PGF1-type compounds. In contrast to the prior art, the method is stereoselective and requires fewer steps than the known methods for making these compounds.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a roofing shingle, which can surely prevent water such as rainwater from leaking through a roof. A roofing shingle has a rectangular plate (11) provided with first through fourth seam portions (11a-11d). The first and second seam portions (11a, 11b) are positioned in a pair along opposite side edges of said plate and folded in opposite directions with respect to a plane of said plate. The third and fourth seam portions (11c, 11d) are positioned in a pair along opposite end edges of said plate and folded in opposite directions with respect to the plane of said plate. The roofing shingle comprises a waterproofing sheet member (20) having a sheet (21) with its configuration greater than that of said plate and adhesive layers (22a, 22b) provided on both sides of the sheet.

Abstract: A roofing membrane material is disclosed. The material is characterized in that it includes a woven or non-woven fibrous mat encapsulated within a non-adhesive asphalt coating, the resulting encapsulated mat having an adhesive asphalt layer applied to one surface thereof. An acrylic coating is applied to the surface of the encapsulated mat that is not in contact with the adhesive asphalt layer. The resulting membrane, when applied to a roofing deck, provides a high traction surface that will not adhere to shingles and provides an effective waterproofing seal on the roofing deck.

Abstract: A stucco wall structure for a building. The wall substrate is arranged for receipt of subsequent layers of surface material. The margin or periphery of the wall to be treated has a screed attached thereto. A sprayed-on coating of urethane is applied onto the wall substrate between the screeds to insure continuous bonding and adherency to the substrate. A first layer of polymer-based base coat and mesh covering is applied to the sprayed-on coating of urethane to provide anchoring and adhesion of a subsequent layer of stucco. An outer layer of stucco applied over the first layer of polymer-based base coat as a final coat thereon.

Abstract: Building element including of two parallel welded wire grid mats (1, 2), of straight web wires (7) which hold the wire grid mats at a predetermined distance apart and are joined at each end to the two wire grid mats, and of an insulating body (8) which is arranged between the wire grid mats and through which the web wires pass, wherein at least one of the wire grid mats is in the form of a grid reinforcement mat which possesses a minimum strength of the weld nodes which complies with the static requirements applicable to the building element, corresponding mechanical strength of the grid mat wires (3, 4) and also corresponding diameters and mutual spacings of the grid mat wires, and wherein the web wires are arranged in predetermined directions relative to the wire grid mats, and the insulating body is held at a predetermined distance from each of the wire grid mats.

Abstract: A reinforced stucco panel and straw insulator wall assembly includes a plurality of straw bales, a vertical column of rigid material, a layer of fabric, a plurality of screens, a footing section, a bond-beam form and a layer of reinforced mortar. The straw bales are stacked. The column includes concrete and a reinforcement rod. The concrete fills aligned vertical channels of the straw bales. The reinforcement rod is disposed in the channels and embedded by the concrete. The fabric of a substantially air-permeable material is attached to the stacked straw bales and disposed on vertical sides of the straw bales forming exterior and interior surfaces of the building employing the wall assembly. Each screen overlies and caps a top end of one of the straw bales and intersects the channels and defines an opening aligned with the channels and allows passage of the reinforcement rod.

Abstract: An exterior insulation and finish system is produced for exterior construction having a primary weather proofing layer formed by a finish coat and a secondary seal is provided intermediate of the various layers of exterior insulation between a sheathing substrate and insulation board. The secondary seal layer also serves to adhesively secure the insulation board to the sheathing substrate.

Abstract: A construction accessory for use with a construction panel includes a flange having an inner surface adapted to face the construction panel and an outer surface opposite the inner surface. The flange further includes at least one perforation extending through the flange between the inner surface and the outer surface and a depression in the inner surface. The depression is in communication with said at least one perforation.

Abstract: An improved base sheet for a roofing assembly wherein the base sheet is perforated with a plurality of apertures characterized by non-cylindrical cutouts in the shape of a closed figure or a polygon having at least two sides or boundaries of unequal length which aperture configuration permits strong attachment of the sheet to a substrate without the aid of auxiliary attachment means and without weakening of the base sheet structure.

Abstract: A security barrier system which includes a security lath assembly having a layer of mesh material and a backing material attached thereto. The mesh material is of a gauge and configuration to provide a security barrier. The security barrier system includes application of plaster or stucco directly to the security lath assembly. A surface coating is applied to the plaster layer to prevent the formation and propagation of cracks through the surface. Also included in the barrier system is an uplift control mechanism and expansion and contraction elements which prevent a ceiling structure from being displaced and accommodates structural expansion and contraction.

Abstract: An exterior wall system for a side of a building includes a plurality of prefabricated composite panels which are positioned in courses above an elongated support bracket attached to a support structure of the building, the composite panels being connected to the building support structure by fasteners which extend through washers that each extend in part into grooved channels in the sides of abutting panels from adjacent courses. The courses of panels are covered by a seamless layer of a hardened mixture of binder and aggregate material such as marble.

Abstract: A rigid, durable construction material is described along with a method for making the material. The material is particularly characterized by having a specific, textured surface which can resemble stucco and which can be reproduced exactly any desired number of times. The unique surface characteristics of the invention are obtained by preparing a reusable mold which is obtained by a reverse casting of a polymeric gel onto a cellular foam surface. The construction material of the invention is essentially a laminated, rigid backing having a polymeric surface coating with the desired texture obtained by casting a polymeric gel onto the reusable mold.

Abstract: A coating for a wallboard comprises of silica sand, cement and a particulate, non-fibrous filler, where the ratio of the average sand diameter to the average filler diameter is within the range of from about 40:1 to about 20:1.

Abstract: A building exterior wall having an exterior surface of a concrete-stucco formed in place over panels which have a polystyrene bead board core and thin concrete facings reinforced with a fiberglass open-weave mesh.

Abstract: A wall structure for enclosing a building frame comprises a wire mesh, panels of insulation, and reinforcing nailer-stringers. The mesh is secured to the outside of the frame and an insulating layer comprising, alternately, insulating panels and nailer-stringers is secured to the frame outside the wire mesh. Some of the insulating panels are vertically sectioned to accommodate electrical wires between the sections. The sections are pressed together to secure and conceal the wires. The inside surface of the wall structure is finished by applying a layer of plaster which adheres to and is reinforced by the wire mesh.