The invention involves an exposed aggregate architectural coating to be applied to existing concrete structures. The invention includes a method of preparing and roughening an existing concrete structure surface, mixing the components of the exposed aggregate architectural coating, applying the coating to the existing concrete structure, spreading the coating to a thickness of one-fourth of an inch or thinner, using a trowel, gauge rake, or other method to smoothen the coating, allowing the coating to cure, applying a surface retarder once the exposed aggregate architectural coating has stiffened, allowing the surface retarder to cure for twenty-four hours, and washing the surface with a pressure-washer to remove the surface retarder, then acid-washing the surface to remove residue and create a desired texture. The resulting applied exposed aggregate architectural coating will have an exposed aggregate finish that is durable and suitable for high vehicular and pedestrian traffic areas.

A veneer product and system includes a body having an aesthetic front surface and a back surface for installation adjacent the building. The body has a top side and a bottom side and a bracket attached to body and projecting away from the back surface of the body, the bracket further comprising a first end adjacent the top side for attachment to the building and a first protrusion for positioning the back surface a predetermined distance from the building and a second end having a second protrusion for positioning the bottom of the back surface a predetermined distance from the building and a bottom projection adjacent the bottom side for engagement with a second body to retain the bottom end of the veneer product.

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 prefabricated concrete element (10) having a textile reinforcement (17) comprising fastening elements (12, 13, 14, 15), which are connected directly to the reinforcement (17). The fastening elements (12 to 15) can have a bent form and pass through a flat side of the prefabricated concrete element (10). The fastening elements can also have a straight or elongated form and emerge on narrow sides of a plate-shaped prefabricated concrete element (I 0). Because of the direct connection between the fastening element (12 to 15) and the reinforcement (17), the prefabricated concrete element can have an especially extensive and thin form and thus can be used as a faade panel.

A veneer product and system includes a body having an aesthetic front surface and a back surface for installation adjacent the building. The body has a top side and a bottom side and a bracket attached to body and projecting away from the back surface of the body, the bracket further comprising a first end adjacent the top side for attachment to the building and a first protrusion for positioning the back surface a predetermined distance from the building and a second end having a second protrusion for positioning the bottom of the back surface a predetermined distance from the building and a bottom projection adjacent the bottom side for engagement with a second body to retain the bottom end of the veneer product.

A fastener configured to catch the edges of a plurality of wallboards with the use of one anchoring element is disclosed. The fastener comprises a convex plate of circular shape having an anchoring hole, which is configured to allow the insertion of an anchoring element, located at the center of the convex plate. The method for using such a fastener comprises placing the fastener at a location where the surface of the convex plate covers a plurality of edges of a plurality of wallboards; inserting an anchoring element (e.g., a screw or nail) through the anchoring hole so that the anchoring element anchors onto a support element; upon completion of the insertion of an anchoring element, the surface of the convex plate will be essentially flat and flush with the surface of the plurality of boards.

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 building panel in the form of a sheet having a front side and a rear side and constructed of a thermal insulating material, such as foam. The front side has a non-planar profile simulating wood siding which is covered with a cementious material and optionally painted. A plurality of spacers protrude outwardly from the rear side of the panel to create a drainage plane between the building and the panel.

A method for constructing a concrete structure with light sources embedded therein is provided. An array of light sources with associated circuitry is positioned on a support member. A mold is positioned around the light sources and the associated circuitry on the support member. A binder material is filled in the mold containing the light sources and the associated circuitry on the support member to embed the light sources and the associated circuitry within the binder material. The binder material is allowed to set within the mold containing the embedded light sources and the associated circuitry. The mold and the support member are then removed to obtain the concrete structure embedded with the light sources and the associated circuitry. The embedded light sources illuminate the concrete structure when the embedded light sources are powered on. A decorative upper layer may be created by marbling, veining, etc., in the concrete structure.

An insulating wall assembly features a plurality of insulation panels fitted together end-to-end and each having least one slot in a side thereof facing into an interior space of a building. At each slot, a respective set of supports each have an insertion portion engaged in the slot and a fastening portion reaching outwardly from said slot past the first face of the insulation panel. A respective framing member is fastened to each set of supports with a longitudinal dimension of said framing member running along the slot in which said set of supports are engaged. Each framing member has a first leg fastened face-to-face with the fastening portions of the respective set of supports and a second leg facing away from the insulation panels to present a surface for fastening of wall-finishing panels thereto. Holes in the supports accommodate electrical wiring or other lines within the finished wall assembly.