A decorative material having first and second gloss-adjusting layers, one with lower gloss contains a matting agent having an average particle diameter of 6.0 m or more and 15.0 m or less. That is, the average particle diameter of the matting agent in the gloss-adjusting layer with lower gloss, i.e., the gloss-adjusting layer whose scratch resistance is likely to be low, is set within an optimal range in which the gloss-adjusting layer has improved or even excellent scratch resistance and designability.

A baseboard element including a nose portion, a riser portion, and a wall groove portion coupled to the riser portion. The nose portion includes a nose bottom section and a nose face section. The riser portion includes a riser section extending approximately perpendicular to the nose bottom section and a riser bend coupled to the nose portion. The riser section is substantially planar and defines a plane. The nose portion is positioned only on a first side of the plane defined by the riser section, and the wall groove portion is positioned only on a second side of the plane, the second side opposite the first side. The nose bottom section comprises a nose bottom edge at a terminal end of the nose bottom section. No structure of the baseboard element extends beyond the terminal end of the nose bottom section from the terminal end. The nose bottom edge of the nose bottom section is either approximately at the plane or closer to the plane than the nose face section is to the plane. Other embodiments are also provided.

A baseboard element including a nose portion that includes a nose bottom section, a nose top section extending approximately parallel to the nose bottom section, and a nose face section extending between the nose bottom section and the nose top section. The baseboard element also can include a riser portion comprising a riser section extending approximately perpendicular to the nose top section, and a riser bend extending between the riser section and the nose top section of the nose portion. The baseboard section additionally can include a wall groove portion comprising a groove front section extending approximately parallel to the riser section of the riser portion, a groove back section extending approximately parallel to the groove front section, a groove bottom bend extending between the groove front section and the groove back section, and a groove top bend extending between the groove front section and the riser section of the rise portion. Other embodiments are provided.

A baseboard element including a nose portion that includes a nose bottom section, a nose top section extending approximately parallel to the nose bottom section, and a nose face section extending between the nose bottom section and the nose top section. The baseboard element also can include a riser portion comprising a riser section extending approximately perpendicular to the nose top section, and a riser bend extending between the riser section and the nose top section of the nose portion. The baseboard section additionally can include a wall groove portion comprising a groove front section extending approximately parallel to the riser section of the riser portion, a groove back section extending approximately parallel to the groove front section, a groove bottom bend extending between the groove front section and the groove back section, and a groove top bend extending between the groove front section and the riser section of the rise portion. Other embodiments are provided.

A load distributing and absorbing system that lies below a superstructure material which is exposed to percussive forces. The load distributing and absorbing system is interposed between the superstructure material and a foundation. The system has a barrier layer that lies below the superstructure material and an underlayment infrastructure positioned below the barrier layer. Included in the underlayment infrastructure are hat-shaped absorbing members.

A load distributing and absorbing system that lies below a superstructure material which is exposed to percussive forces. The load distributing and absorbing system is interposed between the superstructure material and a foundation. The system has a barrier layer that lies below the superstructure material and an underlayment infrastructure positioned below the barrier layer. Included in the underlayment infrastructure are hat-shaped absorbing members.

A progressive stage load distributing and absorbing system that lies below a superstructure material which is exposed to percussive forces. The progressive stage load distributing and absorbing system is interposed between the superstructure material and a foundation. The system has a barrier layer that lies below the superstructure material and an underlayment infrastructure positioned below the barrier layer. Included in the underlayment infrastructure are hat-shaped absorbing members that have a relatively compliant stage subsystem and one or more relatively stiff stage subsystems.

A progressive stage load distributing and absorbing system that lies below a superstructure material which is exposed to percussive forces. The progressive stage load distributing and absorbing system is interposed between the superstructure material and a foundation. The system has a barrier layer that lies below the superstructure material and an underlayment infrastructure positioned below the barrier layer. Included in the underlayment infrastructure are hat-shaped absorbing members that have a relatively compliant stage subsystem and one or more relatively stiff stage subsystems.

A method of making a siding product is disclosed and includes molding a panel, wherein the panel comprises a substantially rectangular structure having a simulated pattern on a front face thereof and a hollow back, and the panel comprises a single shake configuration that does not simulate more than one shake or more than one course of siding, wherein the panel comprises a plurality of recesses and fastener locations on the front face thereof, and the hollow back comprises a pad opposite each recess and fastener location, each recess and pad having a thickness in a depth direction, wherein the hollow back comprises a plurality of short ribs extending in the longitudinal direction, each short rib having a longitudinal length that is less than a length of the hollow back.

A method of making a siding product is disclosed and includes molding a panel, wherein the panel comprises a substantially rectangular structure having a simulated pattern on a front face thereof and a hollow back, and the panel comprises a single shake configuration that does not simulate more than one shake or more than one course of siding, wherein the panel comprises a plurality of recesses and fastener locations on the front face thereof, and the hollow back comprises a pad opposite each recess and fastener location, each recess and pad having a thickness in a depth direction, wherein the hollow back comprises a plurality of short ribs extending in the longitudinal direction, each short rib having a longitudinal length that is less than a length of the hollow back.