Abstract: A method and system for adhering roofing products to a supporting roof substrate, wherein ballast rock from a pre-existing roof insulation system is removed thereby exposing one or more layers of pre-existing insulation products supported by the roof substrate. In the case of new construction, the method contemplates installation of one or more layers of insulation products supported by the roof substrate. Core holes are formed through the one or more layers of insulation products thereby exposing the roof substrate. An anchor is attached to the roof substrate in each core hole void, and a binding agent is applied to each core hole void until the binding agent fills the core hole void, whereby the one or more layers of insulation products and roof substrate are locked together, preventing shifting of the insulation products without the need for adding ballast rocks thereon.

Abstract: Building panels including a first and a second panel and including a locking device. The locking device includes a tongue and an edge groove provided in the second panel and the first panel, respectively, wherein the tongue and the edge groove are configured to cooperate with each other for locking a first edge portion of the first panel to a second edge portion of the second panel in a first direction. The locking device further includes a separate tongue provided in an insertion groove and a tongue groove configured to cooperate with each other for locking the first edge portion to the second edge portion in a second direction. A length of the tongue groove along an edge portion may be smaller than a length of the edge portion. A length of the insertion groove along an edge portion may be smaller than the length of the edge portion.

Abstract: Disclosed is a section of wall cladding comprises of a panel comprising a front side and a back side, a front hem at a top of the panel formed from a portion of material turned toward the front side of the panel and downward, and a rear hem at a bottom of the panel formed from a portion of material turned toward the back side of the panel and upward. The section of wall cladding can be t-shaped or any other shape to depending on the desired aesthetics.

Abstract: A prefabricated wall panel has a precast body including at least one decorative design element. In addition, the wall panel includes a mounting element having a first end embedded in the precast body and a second end projecting from the precast body. A groove is formed between the precast body and the second end of the mounting element along a first edge of the precast body. A tongue is formed along a second edge of the precast body opposite the first edge. The tongue and groove cooperate to allow prefabricated wall panels to be more easily installed on a support substrate.

Abstract: A shingle includes a body having a top surface, a bottom surface, an upper end, a lower end, a first side, and a second side. The body has a width defined as the distance between the first and second sides and a length defined by the distance between the upper and lower ends. In a preferred embodiment, the shingle also includes a water diverter tab attached to the first side for channeling water onto the top surface of a lower adjacent shingle, and a recess adjacent to the second side for receiving the water diverter tab of a laterally adjacent shingle in an interlocking manner. An anchor tab attached to the second side secures the lower ends of adjacent, interlocked shingles.

Abstract: A weather resistant shingle system is provided, wherein a starter strip course of shingles is applied to a roof, and with successive courses of field shingles applied thereover, with adjacent underlying and overlying shingles adhesively secured together to provide wind resistance to tabs of next overlying shingles from being upwardly lifted under wind conditions, and to prevent moisture, such as rain, from entering beneath tabs of shingles.

Abstract: An insulated siding member and a method of fabricating an insulating siding member is described. The siding member may include a siding panel, an insulation member and a backing layer. The siding panel may have a cavity that may serve as a molding receptacle to allow the insulating material to be molded directly into the cavity of the remainder of the siding panel. The cavity may also allow for the insulation layer to be applied directly to the panel, whereby there may be no need for an additional adhesive layer to attach the insulation member with the siding panel. Thus, the backing layer may be attached directly to the insulation member. The siding member may have a configuration that may also allow the siding member to be easily engaged with or be interlocked with another siding member to provide for better and more uniform insulation.

Abstract: An interlockable tile (100) includes a plurality of sets of upper surface arrangements (110A-110C, 110A?-110C?) and a corresponding plurality of sets of underside arrangements (109?). First sets of the upper surface arrangements (110A-110C) and the underside arrangements are located at or adjacent a first side edge (104C) of the tile (100). Second sets of the upper surface (110A-110C?) and the underside arrangements are located at or adjacent an opposite side edge (104D) of the tile, in use, the upper surface arrangement of the tile interlocking with a corresponding underside arrangement on an overlapping tile. The tile also includes a first formation (114) at or adjacent one side edge (104C), and a second formation (112) at or adjacent an opposite side edge (104D) that, in use, interlocks with a corresponding said first formation of an adjacent roof tile.

Abstract: A fire resistant PV shingle assembly includes a PV assembly, including PV body, a fire shield and a connection member connecting the fire shield below the PV body, and a support and inter-engagement assembly. The support and inter-engagement assembly is mounted to the PV assembly and comprises a vertical support element, supporting the PV assembly above a support surface, an upper interlock element, positioned towards the upper PV edge, and a lower interlock element, positioned towards the lower PV edge. The upper interlock element of one PV shingle assembly is inter-engageable with the lower interlock element of an adjacent PV shingle assembly. In some embodiments the PV shingle assembly may comprise a ventilation path below the PV body. The PV body may be slidably mounted to the connection member to facilitate removal of the PV body.

Abstract: A system of fastening elements that attach to the building surface, including a backband with cambered support surfaces and catches, to support vinyl log siding slats with interlocking edges, and provide a log appearance to the building.

Abstract: A composite shingle having unitary construction is presented that includes a body shell, a plurality of longitudinal ribs, and a plurality of rib stiffeners. The present composite shingle may also include transverse ribs, a depressed nailing zone, nailing zone ribs, and/or at least one alignment aid. The plurality of rib stiffeners may include a material saving profile. Further, the dimensions of the composite shingle more closely resemble true slate and shake shingles and at least a portion of the outside face of composite shingle may be textured to resemble slate or wood shake shingles. A plurality of assembled composite shingles of the present invention is also claimed as part of this invention. Finally, a method of applying multiple courses of shingles on a roof including the composite shingle of the present invention is presented.

Abstract: A starter block and a shingle are utilized to form courses that may be positioned in overlapping fashion on a roof to form a roofing covering system. The particular design of the starter block and shingle result in a roofing product that provides increased durability over previous designs. The starter block may be formed with top and bottom surfaces, opposite side surfaces with tapering heights, and a front surface having a greater height than a back surface of the starter block. When the starter block is coupled to a roof deck, a semi-rigid shingle having a generally planar bottom surface may be placed upon the starter block so that a portion of the shingle extends off of the starter block over the back surface thereof and onto the roof deck to facilitate contact between the shingle and the roof deck at a location more proximal to the starter block back surface than if the same back surface had the same height as the front surface.

Abstract: In polymer building products, such as polymer siding, polymer roofing, j-blocks, gable vents, etc., characterized by fastener apertures each comprising an elongate slot bounded by a peripheral wall defining the slot, the peripheral wall having a height, a fastener centering-guide comprising a layer of material extending into the elongate slot from the peripheral wall thereof, the layer of material having defined therein (a) an elongate opening that is generally parallel to, but of smaller transverse dimensions than, the elongate slot, and (b) a predetermined location, defined intermediate the length of the elongate opening, for receiving a fastener therethrough, and wherein further the layer of material is characterized by a thickness that is less than the height of the peripheral wall and sufficiently thin so as to permit relative movement between a fastener extending through the centering guide and the polymer building product.

Abstract: A laminated shingle simulates a slate roof when placed with other similar shingles on a roof deck. The laminated shingle includes an overlay member and an underlay member fixedly attached to each other such that the lower edges of the overlay and underlay members are generally co-linear with each other. The overlay member includes an upper or headlap portion and a lower or exposed butt portion with one or more generally rectangular-shaped tabs separated by relatively narrow cutouts. In one embodiment, the width of each tab is randomly selected. Preferably, the entire front surface of the underlay member is coated with a layer of relatively dark granules to enhance the slate simulating aspect of the shingle. In. another embodiment, the overlay member also includes a layer of relatively dark granules randomly applied to the upper and lower edges of the tabs.

Abstract: A backed panel comprising a facing panel and a backing panel. The backing panel has a groove, recessed portion, or any other suitable type of relief channel adapted to receive a side edge portion of a facing panel of an adjacent backed panel. By providing a space to receive a side edge portion of an adjacent facing panel, the relief channel may enable an improved lap joint to be established between adjacent backed panels.

Abstract: A shingle includes a body having a top surface, a bottom surface, an upper end, a lower end, a first side, and a second side. The body has a width defined as the distance between the first and second sides and a length defined by the distance between the upper and lower ends. In a preferred embodiment, the shingle also includes a water diverter tab attached to the first side for channeling water onto the top surface of a lower adjacent shingle, and a recess adjacent to the second side for receiving the water diverter tab of a laterally adjacent shingle in an interlocking manner. An anchor tab attached to the second side secures the lower ends of adjacent, interlocked shingles.

Abstract: A shingle includes a body having a top surface, a bottom surface, an upper end, a lower end, a first side, and a second side. The body has a width defined as the distance between the first and second sides and a length defined by the distance between the upper and lower ends. In a preferred embodiment, the shingle also includes a water diverter tab attached to the first side for channeling water onto the top surface of a lower adjacent shingle, and a recess adjacent to the second side for receiving the water diverter tab of a laterally adjacent shingle in an interlocking manner. An anchor tab attached to the second side secures the lower ends of adjacent, interlocked shingles.

Abstract: A roofing system comprising a plurality of roofing panels each having a bottom surface and a top surface, opposite upper and lower edges and opposite lateral edges. The top surface of each roofing panel has the appearance of a plurality of individual shingles. The roofing panels are adapted for sliding engagement with each other along their opposite upper and lower edges and opposite lateral edges when positioned vertically and horizontally adjacent.

Abstract: In a precast cladding panel system requiring no cast-in mounting hardware, each panel has a continuous notch along its upper edge, forming a ledge adjacent the panel's front face, and an upstand adjacent the panel's rear face. Each panel is mounted to a supporting structure using fasteners installed through openings formed in the upstand. The panels are configured such that their lower edges fit into the notches of underlying panels, with the front faces of all panels being substantially co-planar, aided by spacer means fastened to the supporting structure adjacent to the lowermost panel course. Air circulation behind the installed panel assembly is facilitated by spaced bumpers fastened to the supporting structure so as to space the panel upstands away therefrom. Alternatively, the panels may be mounted with the upstands directly against the supporting structure, with the panels having vertical air channels formed into the upstands and rear panels faces as appropriate.

Abstract: Synthetic polymer based roofing elements of the shingle or tile type are provided whereby adjacent roofing elements have projecting tabs or nibs that are adapted to engage against side edges of adjacent shingles or tiles when laid up in courses on a roof, and wherein there are relatively flexible stress relief zones in the shingle or tile adjacent the tab or nib projections, adapted to be deformed within their elastic limit when the shingles or tiles are subjected to stresses due to thermal expansion and contraction, with the stress relief zones also being adapted to return to their original non-deformed condition when such thermal expansion and contraction forces are relieved.

Abstract: A roofing element such as a concrete tile is provided that includes a body portion extending between a head end and a nose end. The body portion includes a lower surface, an upper surface, and a protrusion that is disposed substantially adjacent the nose end and extends downwardly from the lower surface. The protrusion is disposed on the lower surface such that when a nose end of a second roofing element is installed vertically above a head end of a first roofing element and overlapping by at least 3 inches, the protrusion of the second roofing element is positioned substantially above an aperture defined in the head end of the first roofing element. The protrusion reduces a distance between the aperture of the first roofing element and the nose end of the second roofing element, which increases the likelihood that the adhesive will securely join the first roofing element with the second roofing element.

Abstract: A shingle includes a body having a top surface, a bottom surface, an upper end, a lower end, a first side, and a second side. The body has a width defined as the distance between the first and second sides and a length defined by the distance between the upper and lower ends: In a preferred embodiment, the shingle also includes a water diverter tab attached to the first side for channeling water onto the top surface of a lower adjacent shingle, and a recess adjacent to the second side for receiving the water diverter tab of a laterally adjacent shingle in an interlocking manner. An anchor tab attached to the second side secures the lower ends of adjacent, interlocked shingles.

Abstract: A siding attachment strip and method are provided for retaining a plurality of siding panels to a building structure. The siding attachment strip includes an elongate body, one or more mounting holes, and a plurality of siding top edge clips spaced along the elongate body according to a predetermined siding panel size. A siding top edge clip of the plurality of siding top edge clips is capable of engaging a nailing slot in a siding panel. The siding top edge clip includes a plurality of prongs extending therefrom. A prong of the plurality of prongs includes a substantially right-angled bend in a middle region of the prong. The siding attachment strip further includes a plurality of prong slots formed in the elongate body and spaced from and corresponding to the plurality of siding top edge clips.

Abstract: A roofing system includes first and second pluralities of shingles, which include central planar portions. Shingles of each plurality are arranged such that their respective central planar portions are substantially co-planar. Each shingle of the first plurality is adjacent at least one shingle of the second plurality. The central planar portions of shingles of the first plurality are displaced with respect to central planar portions of shingles of the second plurality by a separation distance. Adjacent shingles may be installed such that opposite surfaces of their central planar portions are exposed to view. A surfacing shingle may include a central planar portion and several edge portions. The shingles may be used in a ventilated roofing system, which includes a surfacing structure coupled to a roofing substrate. The surfacing structure is elevated with respect to the substrate such that an airspace is disposed between the substrate and the underside of the surfacing structure.

Abstract: An injection molded rigid roof panel system for constructing pitched roof structures of the type affixed directly to roof trusses or rafters and needing no structural or supporting sheathing surface or moisture barrier. Comprised of no less than (23) standard roof panel components of varying shapes, sizes, colors and exposed surfaces replicating conventional roofing surfaces. Panels overlap, underlap and interlock by means of an array of shoulders, locating ribs and clearance channels creating a unitized roof system utilizing integral seals at the seams, subsurface water channels and self sealing, threaded fasteners whose molded-in, counter-bored holes are further sealed by composite plugs.

Abstract: A surface expansion device that enables an area subject to vertical and/or horizontal expansion and contraction to continue to be passable with minimum disturbance to the adjacent surface areas. The device causes the entire surface subject to expansion to be elevated or elongated at a uniform rate. A series of break-off or collapsible tabs in each of several segments causes uniform movement of each of the several segments.

Abstract: When installing vinyl siding on homes or other type buildings, a drawback to the trim pieces around windows, doors, etc., is the method of connecting two (2) retainer strips (J-Channels) together. The original method is to miter the horizontally and vertically placed retainer strips together. This method has proven to be too time consuming and is not neat in appearance. Since then, another way was invented. The new method being a corner piece that must be affixed to the structure having the siding installed. This, too, proved to be time consuming. Our invention is a corner siding piece having an L-shaped base plate with a first leg integral with a second leg, both of which have a first flange and a second flange extending inwardly at the bottom and a curved channel along the top of said first leg and second leg.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved vinyl siding panel for building exteriors that covers an increased surface area and is configured such that the time, effort and complexity of its installation is greatly reduced in comparison to that of conventional vinyl siding products. The siding panel consists of large rectangular panels that are used in conjunction with a variety of trim and corner moldings to cover the building surface.

Abstract: A surface expansion device that enables an area subject to vertical and/or horizontal expansion and contraction to continue to be passable with minimum disturbance to the adjacent surface areas. The device causes the entire surface subject to expansion to be elevated or elongated at a uniform rate. A series of break-off or collapsible tabs in each of several segments causes uniform movement of each of the several segments.

Abstract: Shingles (10) have a plurality of apertures (30) in the upper portion (32) between the rain weeps (24 and 26) and the top edge (18). An adhesive container (12) is mounted in each of the apertures (30). The adhesive container (12) is struck by a hammer to increase the pressure of liquid adhesive in the container, rupture the container and force adhesive between the back surface (28) and a roof surface.

Abstract: A roofing system and shingle for a roof having sides and an apex is provided. A stripping is attached to the roof near the apex of the roof. A first shingle is attached to the stripping. A panel has a top edge, a bottom edge, a first side edge and a second side edge, wherein the top edge is positioned along the stripping. A bottom flange is attached to and extends along at least a portion of the bottom edge. A plate is attached to the bottom flange distal to the panel. An upper side flange is attached to and extends along at least a portion of the first side edge. A lower side flange is attached to and extends along at least a portion of the second side edge.In accord with another aspect of the invention, a shingle for a roof is provided. A panel has a having a bottom edge, a first side edge and a second side edge. An upper side flange is integrally formed with and extends along at least a portion of the first side edge.

Abstract: The present invention provides a shingle for covering a roof or other surface. The shingle has an integral heat shield for shielding the roof from direct solar radiation. The shingle is substantially L-shaped when viewed from above and comprises two main parts, a shingle portion that is fastened to the outer surface of the roof in the usual overlapping courses, and a heat shield portion projecting upwards from the plane of the shingle portion. The heat shield portion extends over a part of an adjacent shingle, shading the shingle. The heat shield portion also provides an air passage with open top and bottom ends allowing air flow under the heat shield thereby preventing a heat build-up beneath the heat shield.

Abstract: A rectangular roof element is provided in the form of a sheet-like material which is bent back towards an upper surface thereof at an upper edge to provide a first hook and which is bent back towards an opposite lower surface at an opposite lower edge to provide a second hook. One side edge includes a gutter and an opposite side edge includes a stepped portion. The hooks, gutter and stepped portion are configured such that a plurality of similar roof elements may be joined together by mating first and second hooks of respective adjacent roof elements, and also mating gutters and stepped portions of respective adjacent roof elements.

Abstract: A vapor permeable roof covering comprised of an asphaltic-type shingle and a coated underlayment sheeting, the shingle and sheeting having an array of pierced openings therethrough spaced along the length and width thereof constructed and arranged to permit only the passage therethrough of water vapor under vapor pressure and concurrently prevent passage of liquid water therethrough.

Abstract: A shingle system for covering sloping roofs and also capable of being used as wall sidings. The shingles are made of heat-insulating material and each main shingle has at its underface a network of intersecting channels communicating with the channels of adjacent shingles for ventilation of the space between the support surface and the shingles, to prevent water condensation. The shingles are laid in cross-rows and longitudinal rows and have keys to interlock adjacent shingles along both rows. The shingles have water barriers at their top face to prevent wind-swept rainwater from entering the joints between adjacent shingles and from overflowing onto the support surface. Concealed passageways are provided to allow this water to run off the shingles. Ridge shingles and side edge shingles are also provided to prevent rain from reaching the support surface, while permitting air circulation between the shingles and the support surface. A fascia board is also provided for the same purpose.

Abstract: A building panel useful as vinyl soffit in residential construction. The building panel comprises a principal portion, a locking flange, and a locking receptacle interlocking with the locking flange of an adjacent panel. The building panel is easy to assemble and combines high strength with a pleasant appearance.

Abstract: In wall siding panels having vertical edge portions adapted to overlap, fasteners prevent the vertical joint so formed from bending or bulging outwardly. The panels have declinations and flat lengthwise, horizontal shoulders joining the declinations to resemble clapboard finishing. A female aperture is formed in each shoulder of one panel adjacent its vertical edge portion, and a male projection is formed in each shoulder of the other panel adjacent its vertical edge portion. When a pair of two longitudinally-spaced, oppositely-directed projections are provided, which are selectively used so as to permit panel overlapping in any order edge portions are overlapped, each projection elements have identical profiles.

Abstract: A roof shingle is provided with upper and lower edges adapted for resilient interlocking with the corresponding lower and upper edges of further such shingles arranged in adjacent rows in a roof construction. The end edges are also provided with lip and slot arrangements to facilitate end-to-end interlocking. One end of each shingle has a projecting tab for nailing to the building, such tab being hidden beneath an adjacent shingle in the finished construction.

Abstract: A roof edge fascia system having a dam-cant for supporting the edges of a waterproof membrane and a plurality of snap-on fascia cap members for covering the dam-cant and for clamping the membrane against the dam-cant is provided with means for expansibly interlocking a plurality of longitudinally extending snap-on fascia cap members.

Abstract: An exterior, deep embossed, shingle lap siding system for building well and roof structures comprising rectangular building panels having a decorative outer weather resistant surface embossed to resemble, when assembled, a plurality of rows of shingle elements laid side-by-side, said weather resistant outer surface including a lower edge portion projecting downwardly below the upper edge portion of the next subjacent row and having an irregular lower edge embossed to resemble the lower edges of a row of variable length shingles placed side-by-side.

Abstract: A roofing shingle having apertures formed therein in upwardly spaced relation from the lower or free edges of the tab or tabs thereof adapted to receive the lower corners of the tabs of the shingles in the next higher course of shingles, when said shingles are applied in courses, in order to anchor said tabs to reduce any likelihood of damage commonly resulting when free, unanchored shingle tabs are peeled away from the roof by high winds. The apertures may permit the passage of some rain or other moisture therethrough, but any such moisture is trapped and safely disposed of by a special backing applied to the shingle, the backing also serving as a "dry-ply" between the shingles and the sheathing boards of the roof.