Abstract: Polymeric-based building materials are disclosed. The polymeric-based building materials can include opposing inner and outer surfaces, with a recessed portion on the inner surface that is positioned between a first contacting portion and a second contacting portion. The surface of the second contacting portion can be angled with respect to the surface of the first contacting portion.

Abstract: A prefabricated tile strip includes a backing board, a tile region having plural tiles and grout. The grout can be composed of a resin/polymer-based grout that allows for superior water resistance, stain resistance, crack resistance and is transportable without breaking. The strip includes an edge region or flange on either side of the tiles to allow for simple screw in and glue on assembly, not even a wall is necessary, the strip can be attached directly to the studs. A step over/under water resistant edges can go directly onto a bathtub or shower ledge or onto the wet area of a tile floor (not separate ledge), allowing it to go straight down to the bottom of a shower floor, or It can step right over a thin plastic flange on a tub or shower base.

Abstract: An integrated joint sealing system that is incorporated into the edges of a sheathing panel, which also may have a factory bonded weather resistive barrier. The edges of each panel are configured as a shiplap joint, or similarly functioning joint, that is present as either an overlap or underlap on each of the four panel edges. The arrangement of the joints are such that one edge will have an overlap and the opposite edge will have an underlap. A flexible gasket material (or materials) is factory applied to one or both sides (underlap and/or overlap) of the shiplap joint. This flexible gasket material, when overlapped with adjacent shiplap panels, provides a weather resistive seal to limit both water and air penetration.

Abstract: A substantially parallelepipedal construction block includes an upper face configured to be associated with the lower face(s) of one or two other similar construction block(s), a lower face configured to be associated with the upper face(s) of one or two similar construction block(s) and at least two vertical openings. The construction block also includes a front face, a rear face and two lateral faces with a recess which allows two beads to appear at the sides of the two lateral faces. The construction block is constituted by expanding foam and sand, and an insulation portion situated between the rear face and the front face. The insulation portion extends over the width of the construction block and is substantially parallelepipedal. The height and the length of the insulation portion is identical to the construction block.

Abstract: A method for reinforcing a part of a building comprises the step of adhesively bonding a textile to the surface of the part of a building by means of an adhesive. The invention relates further to such a reinforced part of a building and to the use of a textile in combination with an adhesive for reinforcing a part of a building, wherein the textile is adhesively bonded to the surface of the part of a building by means of an adhesive.

Abstract: Exterior building siding for aesthetic and protection of the building against wind, rain and solar energy by attaching each horizontal plank from the top of the wall downwardly that includes a starting strip where each plank is interlocked to the plank above it. Each of the horizontal planks includes a top wall portion that fits snuggly into an “L-shaped” groove above it so that the panels can be firmly locked together vertically in a downwardly fashion to prevent any wind uplift against the siding or moisture intrusion. In the preferred embodiment, an adaptor strip is bonded to a conventional siding plank for trap lock engagement. Each adaptor strip has a longitudinal recess to reduce mass and volume and a mid panel support for strength.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an extruder for producing a thermoplastic material having a first and second portion comprising an axially extending barrel and a screw conveyer axially disposed within said barrel so as to define a passage for conveying thermoplastic material from an input through a melt zone to an output. Furthermore the present invention discloses an insulation member comprising an elongated insulation member formed of a thermoplastic insulating material, said insulating member having a top edge, a bottom edge, and first and second side edges; the top edge comprising a protrusion, said top edge extending beyond a corresponding top edge of a corresponding panel of siding; and the bottom edge comprising a ledge, said ledge operable to overlap the protrusion.

Abstract: A tool for straightening flooring material laid over floor joists having a thickness includes a square “U” shaped wedge having a pair of spaced apart legs running in parallel. The legs are spaced apart a distance slightly greater than the thickness of the floor joist. A wedge body has a planar bottom side and an upper side tapering with respect to the bottom planar side from a head end downwardly to the distal ends of the legs. A planar chisel plate shaped to conform with the shape of the bottom planar side of the wedge body includes a pair of legs spaced apart a distance slightly smaller than the thickness of the floor joist. The chisel plate includes a chisel edge on each of the distal ends of the legs and further includes a chisel edge along the inside spaced apart edges of the legs of the chisel plate.

Abstract: There is provided a roof cladding consisting of elements (10) of recycled plastics, material comprising a body portion (11), a batten engagement portion (12) located at the leading edge (14) of the body portion (11) and a batten back stop (13) being a transverse rib located on the underside of the body portion (11) at a spacing from the batten engagement means (12) determined by the pitch or spacing of the roofing battens (15). The batten engagement portion (12) comprises a downward depending web (16) adapted to bear on the up-slope face of the roofing batten (15), and a lower web (17) extending therefrom to lay adjacent the under surface of the batten (15) in use. The edge of the lower web (17) toward the leading edge (14) is provided with a locking lug (20) in the form of a ridge adapted to pass the batten (15) against the resilient bias of the downward depending web (16) and the lower web (17), to engage the leading face of the roof batten (15).

Abstract: The retainer for cut wallboard is a device for repairing a piece of wallboard from which a smaller piece has been removed. The retainer includes a closed band having opposed inner and outer faces and opposed first and second edges. A plurality of outer retaining members are attached to the first edge of the closed band, with the plurality of outer retaining members extending outwardly therefrom. Further, a plurality of inner retaining members are attached to the second edge of the closed band, with the plurality of inner retaining members extending inwardly therefrom. A plurality of resilient members are further attached to the first edge of the closed band and also extend inwardly therefrom.

Abstract: Exterior building siding for aesthetic and protection of the building against wind, rain and solar energy that includes attaching each horizontal plank from the top of the wall downwardly that includes a starting strip where each plank is interlocked to the plank above it. Each of the horizontal planks includes a top wall portion that fits snuggly into an “L-shaped” groove above it so that the panels can be firmly locked together vertically in a downwardly fashion to prevent any wind uplift against the siding or moisture intrusion.

Abstract: There is provided cladding apparatus comprising a body portion (108) having an inner surface (110) and an outer surface (112) extending longitudinally between a leading edge (114) and a trailing edge (116) and transversely between opposed side edges (118). The leading edge (114) is provided with a formation (124) which inter-engages with complementary formation (126) provided on an adjacent body portion thereby permitting the body portions to inter-engage when laid in a longitudinal sequence. The body portion (108) is provided with a pair of longitudinally extending elongate mounting portions (128) on the inner surface (110) thereof. A longitudinal mounting batten (144) is attached to the fascia panel (106) adjacent to the exposed edge of the tiles (104), and into which the elongate mounting portions (128) may slide.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the invention are directed to an elevated batten system that includes a horizontal batten strip to which cylindrical-shaped pads are coupled. The pads elevate the horizontal batten strip above the roof deck surface, preventing water and debris from gathering on the roof deck surface and eliminating the need to install the vertical and horizontal battens in separate steps. Other various embodiments of the invention are directed to an elevated batten system that includes a horizontal batten strip to which pads are coupled that define a depressed portion. The depressed portion receives a fastener for coupling each pad to the horizontal batten strip, and in some embodiments, prevents irregularities in the height of the horizontal batten strip relative to the roof deck surface when installed on the roof deck surface.

Abstract: A metal shingle system which is resistant to leakage, even under severe weather conditions. The key attribute of the new system to the design of the side edge of the shingle such that water that seeps between adjacent shingles cannot be blown upward. Briefly, the top edge is overturned and the bottom edge is underturned such that they can be interconnected as is well known in the art. One side edge is folded to form a gutter area into which water that seeps between laterally adjacent shingles is collected and drained onto the lower row of shingles. The top of the gutter area is blocked by the overturned top edge, which extends into the gutter region. Also disclosed is an improved tool for cutting the shingles, such as is needed around obstructions and at the end of the roofline.

Abstract: Panels which are joined at their opposing end faces are used to create a panel assembly. The opposing end faces may be a tongue and groove arrangement or they may consist of matching beveled recesses. In either case, the interrelationship between the opposing end faces is such that, upon assembly, an intervening space is created between adjoining panels. This intervening space eliminates the cantilever force effect associated with known panel assemblies and it results, instead, in a shear force which is evenly distributed over the full extent of the abutting panel faces.

Abstract: A tile for a pitched roof. The tile includes a body that overlies the pitched roof and a plurality of protrusions that stick outwardly from the body and function as heat sinks that sluff-off heat and impede thermal energy from being transmitted to the pitched roof. The body includes a lower portion that is made of a thermal insulating material and an upper portion that is a metallic plate. The metallic plate extends past the lower portion of the body so as to form an overhang that defines an undercut. The undercut of one tile receives a portion of a next lowest tile, and in so doing, interlocks the one tile and the next lowest tile, and in so doing, allows the metallic plate of the one tile to directly contact, and be continuous with, the metallic plate of the next lowest tile for improved heat transfer.

Abstract: A building board which is provided on the surface thereof with a concave and convex pattern, and opposite sides thereof with overlying rabbeted portions (2-1, 6-1, 6-2) and underlying rabbeted portions (3-1, 3-2, 5-1), respectively, wherein each overlying rabbeted portion (2-1, 6-1, 6-2) is constituted by one end portion of the convex portion (2, 6) of said pattern; each underlying rabbeted portion (3-1, 3-2, 5-1) is constructed to have an area bigger than the area of corresponding overlying rabbeted portion (2-1, 6-1, 6-2) bearing said convex portion and formed on the opposite side; and each of said opposite sides is provided on the rear side thereof with a linear contact surface (7-1, 7-2).

Abstract: In one embodiment, a siding plank assembly comprising an interlocking feature that allows the siding plank to be stacked with other siding planks in a manner such that a uniform and deep shadow line is created. The interlocking feature sets the gauge of the exposed plank face and allows for leveling of the plank during installation. The siding plank may be formed from an extrusion process or from the Hatschek process.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a siding plank assembly comprising an interlocking feature that allows the siding plank to be stacked with other siding planks in a manner such that a uniform and deep shadow line is created. The interlocking feature sets the gauge of the exposed plank face and allows for leveling of the plank during installation. The siding plank assembly comprises a main plank section securely bonded to a second piece that produces a deep shadow line. In preferred embodiments, the second piece may be a fiber cement butt piece or a plastic spline that is bonded to the main plank section. A lock structure may also be included on the fiber cement butt piece or plastic spline.

Abstract: A decorative wood surface system having permanent decorative marking wherein the marking is made with a decorative strip inserted between pieces of interlocking wood surface such that the decorative strip conforms to the interlocking pieces and engages with them. Typically, the interlocking wood surface system is tongue and groove hardwood, and the decorative strip is a brass, steel, aluminum, plastic or resin strip adapted such that is conforms to the tongue and groove, and engages with it to provide a permanent decorative wood surface.

Abstract: A shingle is formed with a first, or trailing, side edge folded over toward the top surface of the shingle to catch moisture and direct it down to the top surface of the next lower shingle. A second, or leading, side edge of the shingle is not folded. An "S" shaped fold, spaced apart from the trailing edge fold, receives the unfolded leading edge of an adjacent shingle. The trailing edge and S fold form a gutter under the leading edge of the adjacent shingle. The top edge of the shingle is folded-over toward the top surface of the shingle for engagement with the folded-under lower edge of the next higher shingle. The folded-over top edge extends to the right or leading edge of the shingle and slides under the left edge of the folded-over top edge of the next adjacent shingle to the fight side. The folded-under lower edge extends along the lower edge of the shingle but leaves a gap relative to the folded-under lower edge of the lateral adjacent shingle.

Abstract: A floor covering member with a bottom and a top cover surface for covering sub-flooring a first end portion extending between the top cover surface and the bottom surface, and having a blind attachment surface extending outwardly from the bottom surface and through which at least one fastening member is driven; the blind attachment surface having an end face; a step portion having an upper surface parallel to the top cover surface and extending upwardly from the blind attachment surface at a distance inwardly from the end face; a first edge portion extending from the top cover surface and forming a vertical wall extending downwardly from the top cover surface; a groove formed between the vertical wall and the upper surface of the step portion; a second end portion spaced between the top cover surface and the bottom surface and including a cove having an upper surface formed in the second end portion opposite the blind attachment surface; a tongue having a vertically stepped lower surface joining the upper sur

Abstract: A roof tile 10 is provided which, when used on a tiled roof, has improved resistance to lifting and damage due to wind. The roof tile includes a wind-uplift-preventing step 5 that, when a plurality of the tiles are overlapped on a roof deck, shields a forward end surface 94 of an adjoining tile to prevent the adjoining tile from being lifted in high winds. The roof tile also has a tapered top surface 93 which offers a low wind resistance profile, and includes interlocking formations 28, 40 on its top and bottom surfaces which are arranged and dimensioned to allow each tile to be interlocked with adjoining tiles above and below it on the roof deck.

Abstract: A simulated log siding for a cabin, house or other building is disclosed which can be constructed of tree heartwood, such as oak, or vinyl plastic. In the heartwood species, elongated planks are provided which have an outwardly bowed outer facing surface and a fiat inwardly facing surface. Each plank contains a notched inwardly facing lower edge and a rail extending along an upper edge of the outwardly bowed surface. The rail of a lower row of such planks inserts into the rabbet joint of an immediately adjacent upper row of such planks to provide a moisture barrier between adjoining rows. In the vinyl plastic species elongated planks are provided which also have an outwardly bowed outer facing surface. A flat panel is attached along an upper edge of the bowed surface which contains an outwardly projecting, downwardly opening catch channel or member.

Abstract: A system of fireproofing panels. The panels are light weight and easy to install. Lap joints are formed between the panels and simply secured with screws. No fireproofing material need be applied over the joints or the screws. In one embodiment, the panels are screwed to a corrugated underlayment. In an alternative embodiment, brackets are used to hold several panels in place around structural members. Also, the panels can be fabricated with a metal foil backing which acts as a radiation shield during a fire.

Abstract: A lightweight roofing shingle or tile having an elongated body with top and bottom surfaces that taper lengthwise of the body, the body having laterally spaced, elongated edges; the body having a mid-region and a recess sunk upwardly into the mid-region, from the bottom surface; the recess extending widthwise of the body to intersect the body laterally spaced edges whereby the recess is adapted to receive a batten to support the body mid-region when installed on a roof. A secondary taper on the tile bottom surface engages the roof to provide leverage resisting wind up-lift forces exerted on the lightweight tile acting to rotate the tile about a nailing point fulcrum.

Abstract: A shingle or shake panel having a plywood backing and a facing composed of two single-layer courses of shingles or shakes bonded to the backing sheet, the upper edge of the panel being formed as a standing bevel facing away from the front face of the panel and forming an acute angle withthe panel's front face and the lower edge of the panel has an acute-angled groove complemental to the tongue of the upper panel edge, which groove is formed by an under bevel making an acute angle with the back of the panel substantially equal to the acute angle between the standing bevel and the front face of the panel, and the under bevel is recessed to provide an overhang for extending a substantial distance below the standing bevel of a next lower panel with which such panel lower edge portion is assembled to cover a line of nails securing the upper edge portion of such next lower panel to wall structure.

Abstract: A siding panel formed from a body of hardboard material is formed with a locking tongue at or adjacent its upper edge and a locking seat at its lower edge. The locking tongue of one panel is arranged to be seated in the locking seat of another panel when adjacent panels are arranged with their marginal edge portions overlapping one another in use. The locking seat is in the form of a notch which is formed in the back face of the body of the panel. The notch extends upwardly from the lower edge and underlies the lower marginal edge portion of the panel.

Abstract: A low cost insulating panel for covering walls of existing structures has an expanded cellular core having complementary stepped side edges of differing width to define depressions in a combination of two panels. The panel has thin flat reinforcing strips along side edges extending upon a front face of the panel and therefrom into the stepped configurations at most to come in contact in the depression formed by two mating panels without extending to a back face of any panel.

Abstract: An improved roofing tile with side flanges, one overlying and one underlying, providing an interlock between adjacent tiles. The flanges have two ridges and two grooves each. The inner ridge of the underlying flange is higher than the outer ridge thereof, and the outer groove of the overlying flange is deeper than the inner groove thereof. Optionally a cutout is provided on the overlying flange permitting a tile to be held with a hurricane clip on the underlying flange. Optionally a cavity is provided on the bottom face toward the lower edge to prevent a tile coming in contact with nails driven through tiles in a lower course.

Abstract: An improved roofing material of the type which utilizes elongated planks nailed directly to the rafters. Each plank has a tongue along the upper edge and a groove along the lower edge. The improvement relates to the form of the gasket which has several beads along its length together with a thin layer or strip of wax approximately two inches wide is applied to the upper side of the tongue adjacent to where the gasket material will sit.

Abstract: Tiles 60 inches long fit on a wall along the length of a standard bathtub, and when cut in half, fit on walls at ends of a standard bathtub. Each tile has a lip and flange that overlap adjacent tiles in a way that makes grouting unnecessay between adjacent tiles. A mastic bead between adjacent tiles is hidden from view and seals out moisture. An edge of a tile front surface slopes down from the flange of one tile to drain moisture away from the lip and flange. The lip and flange also abut in a way that aligns one tile with another.

Abstract: A roofing structure including tiles preferably molded of a lightweight fire resistant cement product and having grooves at their underside adapted to receive upwardly projecting flanges of coacting elements attached to a roof support structure, to locate the tiles, and with those elements desirably being shaped to extend between two adjacent tiles at a location to intercept rain falling between the tiles and direct that rain downwardly toward lower ends of the tiles. The molded bodies of the tiles contain short tubes embedded in those bodies and defining passages within the tube through which nails can be driven to secure the tiles in place.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making swimming pools wherein all the pool walls are formed from sheet metal panels joined together at welded junctions. The method and apparatus is characterized by constructing the bottom wall of the pool from a plurality of bottom wall panels provided with edge flange configurations that mate with edge flanges on adjacent panels and thereby facilitate alignment of the panels during assembly. The mating edge flanges of the panels are further adapted to locate the top surfaces of the panels in co-planar relationship to provide a flush pool bottom. In addition, the edge flanges of the panels are adapted to form weld receiving grooves that result in non protruding welded junctions between the panels.

Abstract: Wood shingle sidewall panels include a face layer of high-grade tapered wood shingles with their longitudinal edges in abutment, an intermediate layer of veneer and a backing layer of wood shingles tapered opposite to the taper of the face wood shingles. The shingle layers are bonded to the opposite sides of the veneer, respectively. Each sidewall panel shingle has a rabbeted longitudinal edge which when abutted to the adjacent shingle in the panel simulates the appearance of shingles individually applied to a wall.

Abstract: A building panel having inner and outer faces outlined by opposite ends and an upper and lower edges has opposite ends adapted to closely face the end of an adjacent panel in the same course. The outer face of the panel includes a lower segment of substantially greater surface area adapted for exposure and an upper portion of relatively smaller surface area adapted to underlie a lower portion of one or more panels in a next higher course laid in overlapping relation therewith. One of the ends of said panel includes an overlap end segment adapted to overlie an underlying end segment at the other end of an adjacent panel laid up end to end in the same course to form a ship lap end joint between the panels. The overlap end segment includes a marginal end portion of the outer face with an underside therebelow formed to slope from a minimum panel thickness adjacent the upper edge toward a maximum panel thickness adjacent the lower edge.

Abstract: A wood shingle panel includes an elongated backing sheet and a face layer adhesively bonded together, the face layer being composed of a double course of half-length shingle sections formed by severing standard full-length tapered wood shingles midway between their tip and butt ends. The butt end portions of the tip shingle sections are located adjacent to the lower longitudinal edge of the backing sheet and the tip end portions of the butt shingle sections are located adjacent to the upper longitudinal edge of the backing sheet. The butt end portions of the butt shingle sections are arranged along the central portion of the backing sheet and overlie the tip end portions of the tip shingle sections. The butt end portions of the butt shingle sections are rabbeted for receiving the tip end portions of the tip shingle sections in the rabbet. The lower margin of the backing sheet may be rabbeted beneath the butt portions of the tip shingle sections to overlap the upper margin of the next lower panel.

Abstract: A method of making wood shingle sidewall panels by assembling a lay-up having one layer of high-grade tapered wood shingles with a staggered butt edge, an intermediate layer of veneer and an opposite layer of low-grade wood shingles with an even butt edge and tapered opposite to the taper of the high-grade wood shingles; bonding the layers of the veneer; severing the panel blank so formed along a line located generally centrally between its opposite edges, thereby forming two sidewall panel blanks of a width approximately one-half the length of the shingles, one panel blank having staggered shingle butts and the other panel blank having even shingle butts; and thereafter cutting the panel blanks to length.

Abstract: A multi-lap siding formed from a hardboard material is disclosed. The multi-lap siding is rectangular and has generally flat, opposed front and rear surfaces, and an upper leading edge and the lower trailing edge being configured such that the upper leading edge of one siding can cooperate and interfit with the lower trailing edge of another siding to form a continuous siding installation. The lower edge of the front surface of the siding is provided with a lower bead portion. The upper edge of the lower bead portion is defined by a first, V-shaped groove having an angled upper edge, a rounded lower edge and a rounded apex portion. The lower edge of the lower bead portion is defined by the lower edge of the siding and is also rounded. The siding is further provided with at least one central bead portion disposed intermediate the front surface of the siding. The upper edge of the central bead portion is defined by a second V-shaped groove having a configuration similar to the first V-shaped groove.

Abstract: A roof having an insulating blanket of plastic foam covered by a protective sheath made up of a shell of reinforced concrete covered by a weather-impervious rubbery textured membrane. The membrane and the shell are married together in the sheath, the shell providing load bearing strength and the membrane protecting the shell and preserving its properties. The shell adheres tenaciously to the insulating blanket and the membrane to the shell. In a preferred construction, the sheath forms a protective bonnet having a girdle surrounding the eaves and verge further anchoring the roof covering to the superstructure of the building. Shingles of special construction preferably make up the insulating blanket. Special cement and latex binder compositions are disclosed for the shell and membrane respectively.

Abstract: An inclined retaining wall for retaining and securing the slope of an inclined piece of terrain comprises a plurality of horizontal rows of prism-shaped elements, which rows of elements are superimposed one upon the other in a relationship staggered rearwardly in upward direction. The elements of each row are spaced relative to one another leaving gaps therebetween, and a base at the foot of said inclined piece of terrain supports a lowermost row of the elements. Each element of a superimposed one of the said rows bridges a corresponding gap in the next adjacent row therebeneath and is aligned in an inclined series with an element in any second row therebeneath or thereabove. Some or all elements have a hollow soil-fillable interior open at the top end and at the bottom end of such element, whereby plants planted in the soil at the open top end of one of these elements can extend their roots through the open bottom end of that element into the soil therebeneath.

Abstract: A triple lap siding product is machined from a strip of wide lap hardboard siding to give the appearance of three narrow laps of natural wood siding or actual drop siding cut from 3/4" lumber. The configuration for simulating narrow lap siding is machined with beveled profiles having opposed first and second surfaces. Each strip of siding includes a plurality of inclined cuts and vertical cuts subdividing the single strip into three lap portions. The configuration for simulating actual drop siding includes a plurality of arcuate cuts and vertical cuts that subdivide each strip of siding into three lap portions. For both types of siding, the leading edge of one strip is adapted to cooperate with the trailing edge of another strip to form a continuous lap siding installation on the building or the like.

Abstract: A metal roofing shingle having a main body portion of a generally trapezoidal configuration. A holding strip is utilized for supporting and backing the shingle, when applied to a roof. The entire structure is waterproof, easy to install and extremely durable. The trapezoidal shape of the shingle body provides a unique arrangement whereby moisture which may be driven thereunder by rain storms is readily drained.

Abstract: The roof section comprises a quadrilateral substrate and a roof covering on the top thereof. The covering comprises shingle-like roof plates, the bodies of which have a tapering cross section in one cross sectional plane thereof. The plates are arranged in at least two elongated parallel, relatively transversely offset but overlapping relatively top and bottom series. Each series has a plurality of the plates, and the plates are arranged in each series so that the bodies of the plates are staggered in overlapping relationship to one another lengthwise of the series. Also, the tapering cross sections of the plates are disposed lengthwise of the series.

Abstract: A tile, generally used for roofing purposes, made of metal or synthetic material, has two portions, one portion has a convex upper surface and another portion has a concave upper surface. These portions are integral with each other and do not overlap one another. The underfaces of these portions exhibit cavities thereat. The length of one of the portions is greater than the length of the other portion. When laid upon a roof area the ends of the tiles will be made to overlap a predetermined length of the tile to give the appearance of a roof formed with conventional spanish mission tiles. Adjacent or contiguous tiles are interlocked by means of a curled corner of the other portion of the tile.

Abstract: An integral siding/roofing building wall panel system comprising panels having an elongated rectangular base of structural sheet material having opposite inner and outer faces and longitudinal upper and lower edges dimensioned to span across at least one pair of spaced apart upwardly extending parallel structural supports of a building frame such as studs, rafters and the like, opposite ends of the base are adapted to lie along the structural supports, and an outer weather member of sheet material is integrally attached to the outer face of the base, said outer member having a decorative outer weather resistant surface embossed to resemble a plurality of shingle elements laid side by side and having an upper edge spaced downwardly and parallel of the upper edge of the base and sloping upwardly of the outwardly facing surface of the base at an acute angle for interlocking engagement with the lower edge of the base of a building wall panel in an adjacent upper level or row, said outer weather member including a

Abstract: A shingle is formed with a first, or trailing, side edge folded over toward the top surface of the shingle to catch moisture and direct it down to the top surface of the next lower shingle. A second, or leading, side edge of the shingle is not folded. An “S” shaped fold, spaced apart from the trailing edge fold, receives the unfolded leading edge of an adjacent shingle. The tailing edge and S fold form a gutter under the leading edge of the adjacent shingle. The top edge of the shingle is folded-over toward the top surface of the shingle for engagement with the folded-under lower edge of the next higher shingle. The folded-over top edge extends to the right or leading edge of the shingle and slides under the left edge of the folded-over top edge of the next adjacent shingle to the fight side. The folded-under lower edge extends along the lower edge of the shingle but leaves a gap relative to the folded-under lower edge of the lateral adjacent shingle.