Support members for a roof system are provided to allow for positioning panels of a roof apart from building members so that building components, such as insulation may be placed between the roof panels and the building members. The support members may be utilized in new buildings or to retrofit existing buildings. Each of the support members may comprise a single support member that has a base portion operatively coupled to an offset portion that is operatively coupled to an upper portion. One or more channels may be provided in the base portion, offset portion, and/or the upper portion to provide structural support and to allow the support members to be operatively coupled to each other and other building members without the need for additional components.

Support members for a roof system are provided to allow for positioning panels of a roof apart from building members so that building components, such as insulation may be placed between the roof panels and the building members. The support members may be utilized in new buildings or to retrofit existing buildings. Each of the support members may comprise a single support member that has a base portion operatively coupled to an offset portion that is operatively coupled to an upper portion. One or more channels may be provided in the base portion, offset portion, and/or the upper portion to provide structural support and to allow the support members to be operatively coupled to each other and other building members without the need for additional components.

An insulating system for retrofitting the roof and/or walls of a building. The retrofit system includes a first layer of insulating material extending transverse to the purlins, girts and chords and atop the existing roof or wall structure as well as a plurality of longitudinally extending bridge members each with an upper and a lower surface. The system also includes a plurality of orthogonally extending spacer members that compresses the first layer of insulating material proximate to the spacer members and allowing an otherwise uncompressed first insulation layer to span between the spacer members. The system further includes a second layer of insulation extending across the upper surface of the bridge members wherein a plurality of panel clips each with a panel clip tab are disposed atop the second layer of insulation and are fastened to the bridge member and the clip tabs engage with the lateral edges of the roof or wall panels in the formation of a water resistant seam.

An integrated joint sealing system that is incorporated into the edges of a sheathing panel, which also may have a factory bonded weather resistive barrier. The edges of each panel are configured as a shiplap joint, or similarly functioning joint, that is present as either an overlap or underlap on each of the four panel edges. The arrangement of the joints are such that one edge will have an overlap and the opposite edge will have an underlap. A flexible gasket material (or materials) is factory applied to one or both sides (underlap and/or overlap) of the shiplap joint. This flexible gasket material, when overlapped with adjacent shiplap panels, provides a weather resistive seal to limit both water and air penetration.

Support members for a roof system are provided to allow for positioning panels of a roof apart from building members so that building components, such as insulation may be placed between the roof panels and the building members. The support members may be utilized in new buildings or to retrofit existing buildings. Each of the support members may comprise a single support member that has a base portion operatively coupled to an offset portion that is operatively coupled to an upper portion. One or more channels may be provided in the base portion, offset portion, and/or the upper portion to provide structural support and to allow the support members to be operatively coupled to each other and other building members without the need for additional components.

An integrated joint sealing system that is incorporated into the edges of a sheathing panel, which also may have a factory bonded weather resistive barrier. The edges of each panel are configured as a shiplap joint, or similarly functioning joint, that is present as either an overlap or underlap on each of the four panel edges. The arrangement of the joints are such that one edge will have an overlap and the opposite edge will have an underlap. A flexible gasket material (or materials) is factory applied to one or both sides (underlap and/or overlap) of the shiplap joint. This flexible gasket material, when overlapped with adjacent shiplap panels, provides a weather resistive seal to limit both water and air penetration.

Support members for a roof system are provided to allow for positioning panels of a roof apart from building members so that building components, such as insulation may be placed between the roof panels and the building members. The support members may be utilized in new buildings or to retrofit existing buildings. Each of the support members may comprise a single support member that has a base portion operatively coupled to an offset portion that is operatively coupled to an upper portion. One or more channels may be provided in the base portion, offset portion, and/or the upper portion to provide structural support and to allow the support members to be operatively coupled to each other and other building members without the need for additional components.

An example of conversion of solar energy into other forms of useful energy is taking heat from an area below a roof and using the heat to generate mechanical energy or electrical power. An air duct opening is placed in a hottest area under the roof. An air fan is placed in the air duct to draw the heated air from the area below the roof. A heat exchanger coil is placed inside the air duct. A return air duct is routed back to the area below the roof. The heat exchanger coil is coupled to a turbine through a closed loop line. A heat transfer medium pump, a first valve and a second valve are retained in the closed loop line. The first valve, second valve and pump are used regulate heat transfer medium into and out of the turbine. An electrical generator may be connected to the turbine.

An integrated joint sealing system that is incorporated into the edges of a sheathing panel, which also may have a factory bonded weather resistive barrier. The edges of each panel are configured as a shiplap joint, or similarly functioning joint, that is present as either an overlap or underlap on each of the four panel edges. The arrangement of the joints are such that one edge will have an overlap and the opposite edge will have an underlap. A flexible gasket material (or materials) is factory applied to one or both sides (underlap and/or overlap) of the shiplap joint. This flexible gasket material, when overlapped with adjacent shiplap panels, provides a weather resistive seal to limit both water and air penetration.

A roof, wall or faade structure suitable for new flat or pitched roofs, or renovation or reconstruction thereof, to a kit of parts for constructing, reconstructing or renovating a roof, wall or faade structure and a method for constructing or reconstructing a roof, wall or faade structure.