The present invention provides a wall paneling system that is completely mechanical and does not require the use of adhesives in attaching panels to the walls. The system comprises wall panels having a core with a decorative surface attached to one side and profiled edges that connect to each other by push click, panel connector clips (PCCs) that further connect and secure the interconnecting panels to the walls; and corner moldings for use in paneling adjoining walls meeting at a corner via tongue and groove. The PCCs and corner moldings attach to the walls by mechanical fastening and provide an air space between the walls and the wall panels. Since the wall panels are not directly connected or adhered to the wall, the system allows the panels to be easily replaced by removing and inserting from the PCCs and corner moldings. By using specially adapted bottom seals, seals in the corner moldings and sealant between the panels, the paneling system can be made impermeable to water and is therefore especially useful in area wet areas such as bathrooms.

The system includes a plurality of panels made of a thermoplastic material. The panels have a hermetically-sealed connection between them using a plurality of first thermoplastic welded junctions. The system further includes a plurality of elongated snap-in panel anchoring units. Each unit including complementary first and second members to be latched together through an interfering engagement. At least the first member of each snap-in panel anchoring unit is made of a thermoplastic material and these first members are attached to the outboard major surface of the panels using a plurality of second thermoplastic welded junctions.

One aspect of the disclosure is a siding panel end plug including a body having a front face, a rear face, a side face connecting the front face and rear face, a top edge, a bottom edge, and a hollow space located between the front face, rear face, and side face. The siding panel end plug further includes a first locking mechanism disposed on the top edge and a second locking mechanism disposed on the bottom edge. The first locking mechanism and the second locking mechanism facilitate both locking and unlocking of the siding panel end plug from a second siding panel end plug and a third siding panel end plug.

The present invention is directed to systems and methods for improving the water management of exterior walls clad with panel siding. The present invention improves on prior art wall designs by directing water on the exterior surface of a building away from areas which are vulnerable to water penetration, such as joints between panels, joints between trim components, and locations where fasteners are driven from the exterior. The water management system generally comprises a vertical batten assembly, and in certain embodiments a horizontal joint cover. The water management system is designed to be installed on an outer surface of the exterior wall panels. Thus, the system may be installed without removing and replacing existing siding or covering panels with an entirely new layer of siding. The present invention may also be used on new panel siding installations as a lower cost alternative to other siding systems.

A structural insulated sheathing including a rigid foam insulation board having a first face, a structural member having a second face, wherein the first face of the foam insulation board is laminated to the second face of the structural member over substantially 100% of the interface between the first face and the second face.

The present invention is directed to systems and methods for improving the water management of exterior walls clad with panel siding. The present invention improves on prior art wall designs by directing water on the exterior surface of a building away from areas which are vulnerable to water penetration, such as joints between panels, joints between trim components, and locations where fasteners are driven from the exterior. The water management system generally comprises a vertical batten assembly, and in certain embodiments a horizontal joint cover. The water management system is designed to be installed on an outer surface of the exterior wall panels. Thus, the system may be installed without removing and replacing existing siding or covering panels with an entirely new layer of siding. The present invention may also be used on new panel siding installations as a lower cost alternative to other siding systems.

A board with preformed seals. In an exemplary embodiment, a sealing material is applied to at least one edge of a board to form a preformed seal on that edge. The board is configured such that when the board is attached to a frame adjacent to a another board, at least a portion of the sealing material applied to the edge of the board seals against at least a portion of an edge another board. In one exemplary embodiment, the boards are configured to seal against edges of substantially identical boards. A plurality of the sheathing boards may be installed on a building frame to form a sheathing system that provides a moisture and/or gas barrier between and interior and exterior of a building.

An improved flashing system and apparatus. A flashing apparatus or drip cap is attached to the back side or an edge of a panel or board, and has a short angled front section and edge extending over the front side of the panel or board. The flashing apparatus or drip cap may comprise a single piece of metal, or other suitable materials, including but not limited to plastic, formed by folding or by stamping or molding. The back of the drip cap has a first back section extending over the back side of an adjacent panel or board, and also may have a second back section extending over the back side of the panel or board. The flashing apparatus or drip cap may be attached by glue or other adhesive means. The second back section, if present, may be attached to the back of the panel or board by fastening means known in the art, such as, but not limited to, staples or nails that penetrate only the lower section and the back of the panel or board. The flashing apparatus or drip cap prevents water and moisture from penetrating behind the panel or board after installation.

The present invention is directed to systems and methods for improving the water management of exterior walls clad with panel siding. The present invention improves on prior art wall designs by directing water on the exterior surface of a building away from areas which are vulnerable to water penetration, such as joints between panels, joints between trim components, and locations where fasteners are driven from the exterior. The water management system generally comprises a vertical batten assembly, and in certain embodiments a horizontal joint cover. The water management system is designed to be installed on an outer surface of the exterior wall panels. Thus, the system may be installed without removing and replacing existing siding or covering panels with an entirely new layer of siding. The present invention may also be used on new panel siding installations as a lower cost alternative to other siding systems.

A method for mounting wall panels (1a,1b) to a wall (27). The method including providing first and having a thermoplastics substrate (3) and a protective film (7) applied over a major surface (11) of the substrate, said protective film (7) having a thickness of at least 140 m and including a textured surface (17) having a multiplicity of micro-peaks and/or micro-troughs randomly arranged, thereby providing a light diffusing and/or light scattering effect; mounting the first and second laminated wall panels (1a,1b) onto the wall (27); and inserting a gap filling sealant (21) into a gap between adjacent peripheral portions (29a,29b) of the first and second wall panels (1a,1b). A wall panel system is also disclosed.