An integrated fiber cement and foam cladding system is provided that incorporates foam or similar light weight material to improve the insulation capacity of the cladding system. The system includes at least a fiber cement layer and a foam layer disposed on the backside of the fiber cement layer. The system improves the R-value of the building, a measure of the building's resistance to transferring heat or thermal energy.

An integrated fiber cement and foam cladding system is provided that incorporates foam or similar light weight material to improve the insulation capacity of the cladding system. The system includes at least a fiber cement layer and a foam layer disposed on the backside of the fiber cement layer. The system improves the R-value of the building, a measure of the building's resistance to transferring heat or thermal energy.

A simulated brick includes a polymeric core member and a laminate adhered to the core member. The core member and the laminate together define a brick profile portion having first and second lateral sides extending to a planar outer surface to define a first thickness, an offset portion extending from the first lateral side of the brick profile portion to a lateral end surface and having an outer surface defining a second thickness smaller than the first thickness, and a rectangular base surface extending from the second lateral side of the brick profile portion to the lateral end surface of the offset portion. The laminate covers the core member to define the first and second lateral sides and the outer surface of the brick profile portion, and the lateral end surface and the outer surface of the offset portion, and the core member is uncovered by the laminate on the base surface such that the core member defines the base surface.

A simulated brick includes a polymeric core member and a laminate adhered to the core member. The core member and the laminate together define a brick profile portion having first and second lateral sides extending to a planar outer surface to define a first thickness, an offset portion extending from the first lateral side of the brick profile portion to a lateral end surface and having an outer surface defining a second thickness smaller than the first thickness, and a rectangular base surface extending from the second lateral side of the brick profile portion to the lateral end surface of the offset portion. The laminate covers the core member to define the first and second lateral sides and the outer surface of the brick profile portion, and the lateral end surface and the outer surface of the offset portion, and the core member is uncovered by the laminate on the base surface such that the core member defines the base surface.

An integrated fiber cement and foam cladding system is provided that incorporates foam or similar light weight material to improve the insulation capacity of the cladding system. The system includes at least a fiber cement layer and a foam layer disposed on the backside of the fiber cement layer. The system improves the R-value of the building, a measure of the building's resistance to transferring heat or thermal energy.

An integrated fiber cement and foam cladding system is provided that incorporates foam or similar light weight material to improve the insulation capacity of the cladding system. The system includes at least a fiber cement layer and a foam layer disposed on the backside of the fiber cement layer. The system improves the R-value of the building, a measure of the building's resistance to transferring heat or thermal energy.

The disclosure is directed to thermal and moisture insulated interlocking brick comprising natural, in-situ carved stone faade coupled to a backing layer comprised of a massive and lightweight portions, as well as methods of forming the brick and methods for cladding and using the bricks in load bearing walls and in non-load-bearing walls (light construction).

A panel 10 is formed with first and second joint systems 20 and 22 to enable engagement of a plurality of panels 10 along their sides 16 and 18. The first joint system 20 has a laterally extending tongue 24a along one longitudinal side 16a and a groove 24b along an opposite longitudinal side 16b. The second joint system 22 is a vertical joint system having mutually engageable male and female parts Jm and Jf respectively. The male part Jm is formed on one transverse the side 18a, while the female part Jf is formed on an opposite transverse side 18b.

An expandable panel, constructed such that the expandable panel can at least expand in at least one direction, includes a panel having a front face and rear face bordered by side edges, end edges and a thickness dimension extending between the front and rear faces and includes discretely spaced cuts extending from the front face to the rear face or rear to front face. The cuts form bridging members between living hinges and are elongate and extend in a spaced longitudinal manner including at least one cut forming a side of the expandable panel located on one side of the cut, and at least two cuts located on a side of the expandable panel. The at least one cut on side and the other cuts on side together forming at least one pair of lines being substantially parallel, offset mirror images of each other and being intermeshed but not touching.

An expandable panel, constructed such that the expandable panel can at least expand in at least one direction, includes a panel having a front face and rear face bordered by side edges, end edges and a thickness dimension extending between the front and rear faces and includes discretely spaced cuts extending from the front face to the rear face or rear to front face. The cuts form bridging members between living hinges and are elongate and extend in a spaced longitudinal manner including at least one cut forming a side of the expandable panel located on one side of the cut, and at least two cuts located on a side of the expandable panel. The at least one cut on side and the other cuts on side together forming at least one pair of lines being substantially parallel, offset mirror images of each other and being intermeshed but not touching.