Improved designs for embedded anchors that may be utilized to attach panels to other structures are described. An anchor includes a chassis and a leg. The chassis defines a mounting plate with a top surface and a downturned edge region projecting from the mounting plate in a direction substantially normal to the top surface. The bonding leg projects from the downturned edge region and is narrower than the downturned edge region. The bonding leg defines a proximal bonding leg region projecting from the downturned edge region in a direction normal to the top surface that transitions through a curved intermediate bonding leg region into a distal bonding leg region projecting from the curved intermediate bonding leg region in a direction parallel to the top surface. These anchors are easy and economical to manufacturer, and also provide a strong structural bond with panels due to the anchors' unique designs.

A fastening system suitable for attaching a cladding panel to a structural substrate comprising: a first and second panel support profile member, each of the first and second panel support profile members comprising a first arm, a second arm and a bridging portion intermediate the first and second arm. The bridging portion is configured to be attachable to either a cladding panel or a structural substrate. The first arm of each of the first and second panel support profile members further comprises a projecting member; wherein the configuration of the second arm and at least a portion of the bridging portion of each of the first and second panel support profile member defines a recess; and wherein the first and second panel support profile members seat together such that the first and second panel support profile members interlock.

The present invention pertains to integrated machine for manufacturing anchor embedded cladding elements. Essentially, this machine comprises a cladding block manufacturing machine and anchor feeding and embedding machine, where the concrete block manufacturing machine and anchor feeding and embedding machine are configured for coordinated operation for producing anchors embedded cladding elements comprising concrete blocks and anchors embedded within said blocks. The flexibility and versatility of the machine is in determining the end location of the anchors in the final cladding elements before even manufacturing the cladding blocks. This provides greater degree of freedom, which in turn allows increasing the strength in fixing the cladding elements to a support wall on the one hand, and decreasing onsite or prefabrication workload and difficulties in the cladding process.

A cladding system for covering an exterior wall is provided. The cladding system includes a panel for assembling on the exterior wall and an anchor for securing the panel to the exterior wall. The panel has a body with channels formed on a rear side thereof for draining water on an interior surface of the channel which is spaced away from the exterior wall. The anchor comprises tabs for fitting in to the channels and preventing a pull-out and/or a push-in of the panel relative to the exterior wall. The anchor cooperates with the panel to direct water into the drainage channels, and to define a continuous drainage path from top to bottom of the cladding system.

A system and method for fabricating and installing structure siding with the appearance of logs fashioned from at least one mold configured from digital scans of existing logs of an antiquated log cabin is described. The process facilitates the reuse of scans amounting to digital files representing an existing log cabin structure. Via the system, staff members may craft a recreation of the faade of an existing log cabin numerous times on modern homes without the removal of the original logs, taking out all unwanted imperfections of the existing log cabin structure. A high-definition metrology grade scanner is preferably employed to capture the appearance of the existing log cabin in great detail such that molds may be formed to facilitate its reproduction. Composite faades may be created based on scans of logs derived from a variety of existing log cabins to create a new design.

A textured cladding element can be manufactured to approximate the aesthetic and functional properties or natural wood siding and/or shingles. The cladding element can comprise non-wood material, such as fiber cement. The cladding element can include a step and a recessed portion or cove which enables the element to have a relatively low thickness while also achieving a desirable drip edge and/or shadow line when multiple cladding elements are overlapping when installed in a finished product.

The invention provides a veneer panel for use on a surface of a building. The veneer panel can be fabricated with a mounting system that includes a frame and/or a backing for efficient installation on a building surface, as well as a mounting strip or mating connector that can be installed on a building surface to further support the veneer panel.

The appearance of natural rock faces are formed on planar panels or part portions disposed horizontally by stamping or texturizing a cementatious mixture of veneer material and then selectively applying colorant matter, which may include combinations of stains and mineral.

A fastening system suitable for attaching a cladding panel to a structural substrate comprising: a first and second panel support profile member, each of the first and second panel support profile members comprising a first arm, a second arm and a bridging portion intermediate the first and second arm. The bridging portion is configured to be attachable to either a cladding panel or a structural substrate. The first arm of each of the first and second panel support profile members further comprises a projecting member; wherein the configuration of the second arm and at least a portion of the bridging portion of each of the first and second panel support profile member defines a recess; and wherein the first and second panel support profile members seat together such that the first and second panel support profile members interlock.

Apparatus and methods for joining sections of sheet material (e.g., drywall) are provided. The sheet material joining apparatus or connector comprises an elongated body having two channels disposed such that the ends of two sections of sheet material may be secured therein. The channels are defined by front and back walls interconnected via an internal rib. The front wall is configured to be disposed on the exposed side of the sheet material and the back wall is configured to be disposed on the back or hidden side of the sheet material, while the back wall takes the form of a convex arced surface. The convex arced surface is configured to be engaged by one or more securing elements (e.g., screw), and during such engagement to exert a resilient force onto the adjoining sections of sheet material to draw them inward toward the back wall of the connector.