A plurality of ventilation elements, vents, slots, or gap elements or similar features that are applied to, or machined into, one or more sides or faces of exterior siding products, such as lap siding, panel siding, vertical siding, horizontal siding, flat (or non-overlapping) siding, flap siding, decorative trim, trim system components or other forms of panels or cladding materials. When the exterior siding product is installed, the ventilation elements, vents, slots, or gap elements or similar features provide a built-in air and water gap to facilitate and increase water drainage and air circulation behind the siding or panel, thereby minimizing water storage in the space behind the product and lowering the equilibrium moisture content of the siding itself. The ventilation features are incorporated into the corresponding product in-line or during the manufacturing process, and do not require any further work during assembly or construction on-site (e.g., furring strips or other similar drainage mechanisms are not needed). Some or all of the ventilation features or elements are located to improve the product's ability to equilibrate (moisture-wise) in a product stack before installation as well as after installation.

A ventilation structure in an exterior wall body incorporates: a pair of wooden column members erected spaced away from each other; a wooden beam member installed across on the pair of wooden column members and having a first ventilation groove at an exterior face; a wooden base member installed across lower ends of the pair of wooden column members and having a second ventilation groove at an exterior face; and a base plywood fixed to an exterior face of each of the pair of wooden column members, the wooden beam member, and the wooden base member, and serving as a base of a decorative exterior wall member, wherein a plurality of the first ventilation grooves and a plurality of the second ventilation grooves are formed away from each other in a horizontal direction.

A system is provided that improves basement sustainability in regards to a building's sub-ground level foundation hydrostatic pressure modulation, waterproofing and interior air control and that yields sustained clean and dry interior space.

A hole punching machine for use on wet or damp drywall improves ventilation behind the drywall for drying purposes. The machine includes a base position on the floor and against the wall. A pneumatic ram in the base can be extended and retracted to cut a hole in drywall, after any baseboard is removed. The hole can then be covered when the baseboard is reinstalled. The operator can activate the ram using a switch, while standing.

A method of constructing a building comprising the steps of attaching a first panel to a second panel. The first panel is one of a single plenum panel and a multi-plenum panel and the second panel is one of a single plenum panel and a multi-plenum panel.

A ventilation member includes a base panel for mounting onto a substrate, an upper panel extending transversely from the base panel, a lower panel spaced apart from the upper panel, and an inner panel extending transversely from the lower panel. A passageway is defined having a first portion defined between the base panel and the inner panel and a second portion extending transversely from the first portion and being defined between the upper and the lower panel. When used as part of a system, the ventilation member may be an upper ventilation member and the system may include a second lower ventilation member including a base panel and a leg extending transversely thereof.

A combination rainscreen/lath assembly comprises a corrugated spunbond layer and a lath layer operatively connected to the corrugated spunbond layer. Optionally, the lath layer is corrugated. The assembly is configured and arranged to allow air and moisture to flow therethrough.

A ventilation screed comprising: an attachment flange having a top portion and a bottom portion; a drip edge protruding from the attachment flange and a return leg that protrudes back from the drip edge, wherein the drip edge is angled downward in a first direction and the return leg is angled downward in a second direction; a drainage cavity protrusion protruding from the attachment flange above the drip edge, wherein the drainage cavity protrusion has an L-shaped drainage trough portion having at least one drainage opening in a bottom portion and a substantially vertical portion with a top end and a bottom end in communication with the bottom portion, an upper ground portion in communication with the top end of the substantially vertical portion of the L-shaped drainage trough portion extending outward from the substantially vertical portion and a drainage cavity shroud extending substantially downward from the upper ground portion.

A soil stabilization system for a structure can include a stem wall and floor slab disposed within a perimeter of the stem wall. An aggregate base course (ABC) layer can be disposed within a perimeter of the stem wall and below the floor slab. A ventilation opening can extend to the ABC layer, and an air exhaust system can extend between the ABC layer and an exterior of the structure. A method of soil stabilization for a structure can include measuring a moisture content of an expansive soil below a structure, drawing dry air through the ABC layer and over a surface of an expansive soil. Moisture can be removed from the expansive soil into the dry air by evaporation to create moist air, and moist air can be evacuated at an exterior of the structure.

A system for retaining a flowable and curable building material to form a portion of a foundation includes side walls disposed in a predetermined configuration having a first side wall and a second side wall, and at least one component having an interior cavity disposed in one of the side walls. A bracket assembly includes an outwardly bounding reinforcement post for each of the side walls, a separator bar having a plurality of apertures sized to receive and retain each of the reinforcement posts at locations corresponding to nominal widths of the at least one component. A barrier is disposed between the outwardly bounding posts. The barrier and the component in the side wall is retained in the foundation after the building material cures. The barrier prevents backfill from filling a volume between the outwardly bounding posts.