Building cladding systems with changeable appearances are described. The building cladding system may include a plurality of panels, a substrate, and a controller configured to move the plurality of panels relative to the substrate to change the appearance of the building cladding system, while protecting the substrate. Moving the plurality of panels to change the appearance of the building cladding system may include rotation.

The present disclosure relates generally to surface panels for covering a building surface. The disclosure relates more particularly to a surface panel kit and system including a set of panels for attaching to a support structure. Each of the panels includes opposing ends, and each end includes one of a group of end configurations. A first end configuration is mateable with a first portion of the group and is unmateable with a second portion of the group, and a second end configuration is mateable with a third portion of the group and is unmateable with a fourth portion of the group. The set of panels includes at least three panel types including a first panel type with the first and second end configurations, a second panel type with the first and without the second end configurations, and a third panel type with the second and without the first end configurations.

The present disclosure is a method and apparatus for protecting building-related elements from collision damages. The apparatus can be designed to withstand high-impact collisions such as those caused by errant operation of heavy equipment. The method and apparatus are intended to be applicable to buildings already constructed and do not have to be implemented or considered before or during building design. In one exemplary embodiment, the apparatus can protect downspouts of warehouse sprinkler systems from collision damage that could result in pipe eruption.

In the field of decorative floor coverings, decorative panels are known having a MDF (Medium Density Board) or HDF (High Density Board) based core layer on top of which a decorative substrate is attached to provide the panels a desired appearance. The invention relates to a panel, in particular a decorative panel, a floor panel, a ceiling panel or a wall panel. The invention also relates to a floor covering consisting of a plurality of mutually coupled panels.

An insulated panel assembly having improved insulative R-value. The insulated panel assembly comprises a cover panel, a first insulation layer, and at least one additional insulation layer, wherein the at least one additional insulation layer has a higher R-value than the first insulation layer. The first insulation layer is secured to the cover panel. The first insulation layer further forms at least one recessed portion. The at least one additional insulation layer is positioned in the at least one recessed portion of the first insulation layer. Examples of the at least one additional insulation layer may include vacuum insulated panels and modified atmosphere insulation panels.

In the field of decorative floor coverings, decorative panels are known having a MDF (Medium Density Board) or HDF (High Density Board) based core layer on top of which a decorative substrate is attached to provide the panels a desired appearance. The invention relates to a panel, in particular a decorative panel, a floor panel, a ceiling panel or a wall panel. The invention also relates to a floor covering consisting of a plurality of mutually coupled panels.

The invention relates to a multi-purpose tile system configured to being joined in a chevron pattern, wherein each tile includes a first pair of opposing edges consisting of a first edge and an opposite second edge and a second pair of opposing edges consisting of a third edge and an opposing fourth edge, wherein the first pair of opposing edges have pairs of opposing first mechanical coupling means for locking together said tiles at least vertically, and the second pair of opposing edges have pairs of opposing second mechanical coupling means for locking together said tiles at least vertically.

A plank and plank system for covering a wall or other surface is provided. Each longitudinally extending plank comprises a generally planar front façade and a back member. The back member comprises multiple plateaus interspersed with channels. Each plateau provides a flat surface that will be adjacent to the wall/surface when the plank is installed and onto which, optionally, a strip of pressure sensitive adhesive tape may be applied. The channels provide a predetermined location and predetermined holding capacity to regulate the location and amount of construction adhesive to be applied by a user. In an aspect of the invention, the channels also provide a degree of flexibility that allows the plank to adhere securely to the wall and that allows the depth of the plank to be greater than conventional wood wall covering panels.

A z-shaped building material includes a base defining a z-shape configuration and at least one break-line disposed on an exterior surface of the base such that a geometric pattern of the z-shaped building materials creates a three-dimensional visual appearance. A reveal is disposed around an outer periphery of the base for receiving mortar to join together adjacent building materials. The base is formed from a material selected from the group consisting of clay, clay and straw, clay-bearing soil, sand and lime, cement, concrete and mixtures thereof. The z-shaped building material may be a masonry brick having a dimension of about eight inches in a height direction and a dimension of about eight inches in a width direction. The z-shaped building material may be a face brick having a dimension of about eight inches in a height direction and a dimension of about eleven and five-eighths inches in a width direction.

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.