A unique modified shiplap joint with a transverse spline extending into the respective edge of each piece of siding forming the joint. The spline ensures that the two adjacent pieces of siding are properly and adequately connected to each other, and, through the nail in the underlap portion of the joint, to the wall. The spline may be located in four possible positions: (1) attached to the back side of the underlap section of the joint (i.e., closest to the wall); (2) through the center of the underlap section of the joint; (3) directly attached to the front face of the underlap section of the joint; and (4) through the overlap section of the joint (i.e., closest to the outside face). The spline may be installed on one of the pieces of siding during manufacturing or at the factory, or alternatively, at the job site.

An improved mounting block has a base plate portion and a face plate portion. Base plate portion has an outer surface extending outward from a mounting surface and is selectively attachable to the face plate portion. One of the face plate portion and the base plate portion has a plurality of snap fit teeth formed thereon, and the other has a plurality of snap fit receivers, configured to selectively receive the snap fit teeth. Face plate portion may include flange flex grooves formed in an attachment flange, allowing walls to deflect independently from corners, such that the flange flex grooves allow the attachment flange to flex outward from the outer surface. Base plate portion may include alignment ribs extending outward from the outer surface, such that the flange flex grooves formed in the attachment flange interface with the alignment ribs formed on the base plate portion.

An improved mounting block has a base plate portion and a face plate portion. Base plate portion has an outer surface extending outward from a mounting surface and is selectively attachable to the face plate portion. One of the face plate portion and the base plate portion has a plurality of snap fit teeth formed thereon, and the other has a plurality of snap fit receivers, configured to selectively receive the snap fit teeth. Face plate portion may include flange flex grooves formed in an attachment flange, allowing walls to deflect independently from corners, such that the flange flex grooves allow the attachment flange to flex outward from the outer surface. Base plate portion may include alignment ribs extending outward from the outer surface, such that the flange flex grooves formed in the attachment flange interface with the alignment ribs formed on the base plate portion.

The invention relates to a modular metal covering for buildings, consisting of successive metal sheets (1) which are interconnected by means of joining corresponding bends in the edges thereof, said connections being supported and fastened on supports (2), a lower groove (6) determining the bending of the edges of the metal sheets (1), wherefrom a vertical section extends, ending in a downward-oriented upper break, wherefrom one of the bends extends upwards, successively determining a bowed wing (9), a horizontal section (10) and a vertical section (11), while the other bend extends from the upper break with a wing (12) defining a domed shape; each support (2) comprising a body in the form of a column which determines structures to which said bends of the metal plates (1) are fitted.

A panel assembly covers a bearing surface. The panel assembly includes a panel and a plurality of panel supports. Each one of the panel supports includes a mounting plate, first and second panel edge engaging portions and a protruding rib engaging portion. The panel includes a first edge region, an opposed second edge region, a covering portion extending between the first and second edge regions, and at least one rearwardly protruding rib extending between the first and second edge regions. The first edge region, the second edge region, and the at least one rearwardly protruding rib of the panel are respectively engageable with the first panel edge engaging portions, the second panel edge engaging portions, and the protruding rib engaging portions of the supports. The panel assembly is translatable with respect to the panel supports when engaged together.

A panel assembly covers a bearing surface. The panel assembly includes a panel and a plurality of panel supports. Each one of the panel supports includes a mounting plate, first and second panel edge engaging portions and a protruding rib engaging portion. The panel includes a first edge region, an opposed second edge region, a covering portion extending between the first and second edge regions, and at least one rearwardly protruding rib extending between the first and second edge regions. The first edge region, the second edge region, and the at least one rearwardly protruding rib of the panel are respectively engageable with the first panel edge engaging portions, the second panel edge engaging portions, and the protruding rib engaging portions of the supports. The panel assembly is translatable with respect to the panel supports when engaged together.

The invention is directed to a joint tape for finishing a joint between boards comprising a nonwoven substrate that does not swell substantially in the presence of water. The invention further provides a method of finishing a joint between boards comprising (i) applying a joint tape of the invention to a joint between boards by embedding the joint tape in a first coat of joint compound, (ii) applying a second coat of joint compound over the tape, wherein step (ii) is carried out before the joint tape and joint compound applied in step (i) have substantially dried, and optionally (iii) applying a third fill or finish coat of joint compound over the tape, wherein step (iii) is carried out before the joint tape and second coat have substantially dried.

The invention is directed to a joint tape for finishing a joint between boards comprising a nonwoven substrate that does not swell substantially in the presence of water. The invention further provides a method of finishing a joint between boards comprising (i) applying a joint tape of the invention to a joint between boards by embedding the joint tape in a first coat of joint compound, (ii) applying a second coat of joint compound over the tape, wherein step (ii) is carried out before the joint tape and joint compound applied in step (i) have substantially dried, and optionally (iii) applying a third fill or finish coat of joint compound over the tape, wherein step (iii) is carried out before the joint tape and second coat have substantially dried.

A vertical joint system (10a) for a surface covering panel P having an upper and lower surfaces (16, 18) a plurality of sides (20, 22, 24, 26) located between the upper and lower surfaces. The joint system (10a) has a male part (12) along at least one side (20) and a female part (14) along an opposite side (14). The female part (14) has a protrusion (54) that extends from the lower surface (18) and an outer most female surface (72) on the protrusion (54). The male part (12) has a recess (30) that opens onto the lower surface (18) with a portion of the recess (18) forming an inner most male surface (40). The outer most female surface (72) and the inner most male surface (40) arranged so that when the male part (12) of one surface covering panel is engaged with a female part (14) of a second surface covering panel the outer most female surface (72) overlies the inner most male locking surface (40) at a first location L1 and a second location L2. Datum surfaces (34, 62) are also provided on the male and female parts respectively that are pressed when the male and female parts contact at the location L1. This acts as a clasp to hold the male and female parts together, resisting vertical separation.

The invention relates to a surface element (1), intended for use as a floor, wall and/or ceiling surface element for a floor, wall and/or ceiling covering, having at least one carrier plate (2) and at least one functional layer (3), wherein the carrier plate (2) comprises a top side (5) facing a usable side (4) and an underside (7) opposite the top side (5) and facing the underground (6). According to the invention, it is provided that the functional layer (3) is provided underneath the carrier plate (2), and that the functional layer (3) is designed in such a way that, in the installed state, it projects beyond the side edge (10) of the side (8), in particular of the long side (9), on at least one side (8), especially on at least one long side (9).