There is described a shower enclosure and kit of walls therefor. The kit of decorative wall panels comprise a first wall panel including a front face, the front face of the first wall panel defining a first decorative pattern and including a relief element, a second wall panel including a front face, the front face of the second wall panel defining a second decorative pattern, and a connecting assembly for connecting the first wall panel adjacent to the second wall panel. The first decorative pattern of the first wall panel and the second decorative pattern of the second wall panel are configured to counteract a visual distortion caused by the relief element of the first wall panel when the first wall panel is adjacent to the second wall panel.

Disclosed herein are composite building materials having at least one textured surface. The textured surface includes at least a plurality of particles. The textured surface closely mimics conventional building materials. The building materials can contain an image printed using ink jet printing methods with inks optimized for enhanced color stability.

A wall panel may have a layer made from magnesium oxide, a first insulation layer made from a two-part rigid urethane pour foam, and a second insulation layer made from a phase change material. The first insulation layer maybe chemically bonded to the magnesium oxide layer and may also be bonded to the phase change layer. The first insulation layer may be positioned between the second insulation layer and the magnesium oxide layer. The magnesium oxide layer may be a finished surface or a veneer layer may be applied to the magnesium oxide layer.

Disclosed herein are composite building materials having at least one textured surface. The textured surface includes at least a plurality of particles. The textured surface closely mimics conventional building materials. The building materials can contain an image printed using ink jet printing methods with inks optimized for enhanced color stability.

A coated building article comprising a fiber cement cladding element may be coated with a system designed to achieve a desired appearance. The coating system may comprise a first coating layer and a second coating layer wherein the second coating layer comprises at least one layer of a low gloss coating composition which has a light reflectance of 5% or less when light is shone onto the surface of the coated article at an angle of 60? or 85? to the surface is positioned on at least a portion of the front face of the fiber cement cladding element. Also provided is a method of coating the building article with a low gloss coating composition.

The invention is related to a method of manufacturing a wall panel and a wall panel system. The method includes: forming a glass-fiber reinforced rigid magnesium oxide layer including the steps of: pouring or injecting a slurry of uncured magnesium oxide into a mold, embedding glass fiber reinforcing material therein, and curing the magnesium oxide to obtain the glass-fiber reinforced rigid magnesium oxide layer having a first side and a second side; applying, to the second side of the rigid magnesium oxide layer, an insulation layer, the insulation layer comprising a foam; and applying to the first side of the rigid layer a veneer layer.

A wall panel for installation on a supporting wall includes a facing surface that includes a plurality of separate and spaced apart design elements. The design elements define a channel therebetween. The panel also includes a backing surface having at least one rib opposite the channel. The rib extends transversely across the backing surface, such as a parallel to one of the upper or lower edges of the panel or at an angle between 0 and 90 relative to one of the upper or lower edges of panel. Fasteners are engagable through the channel and the rib for securing the wall panel to the supporting wall. Upon installation of the wall panel on the supporting wall, one or more air gaps are defined by the rib and the backing surface opposite the design elements. The rib provides additional material opposite the channel to prevent the panel from breaking during installation.

A masonry panel assembly for enhancing quality and efficiency of masonry work includes a panel that may be fastened to a wall. The panel has a plurality of ridges thereon and the process of fastening the panel to the wall replaces applying a scratch coat for masonry work. A mortar is provided and the mortar is selectively applied to the panel when the panel is fastened to the wall. Thus, a plurality of masonry units applied to the mortar for adhering the mortar units to the panel. Additionally, the mortar engages each of the ridges such that the mortar resists running downwardly on the panel thereby enhancing the appearance and the quality of the masonry work.

A precast concrete panel and method for forming the panel are disclosed. A method of forming the panel to be used as a floor, wall, or roof structure includes positioning one or more forming members within a casting bed having a plurality of upright surfaces defining a generally rectangular interior area, the one or more forming members comprising an insulating material extending along a length dimension of the one or more forming members to define a plurality of rectangular-shaped channels in a parallel and spaced-apart relationship, placing uncured concrete within the casting bed and allowing the concrete to cover the one or more forming members and substantially fill the channels, and allowing the concrete to cure.

A precast composite wall structure and method for forming the wall structure are disclosed. The method includes providing a casting bed defining a plurality of shapes corresponding to a three-dimensional outer surface of a wall structure, placing a first layer of uncured concrete to conform to the shapes defined by the lower surface, positioning a forming member in overlying relation above the frame, the forming member defining a plurality of rectangular-shaped channels therebetween, positioning a stud frame within the casting bed along the forming member, placing a second layer of uncured concrete within the casting bed to conform to the rectangular-shaped channels between the rectangular protrusions, and allowing the concrete to cure.