Patent Publication Number: US-9890537-B2

Title: Siding or roofing panel system

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 14/991,250, filed Jan. 8, 2016, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/104,978, filed Jan. 19, 2015, both of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     INTRODUCTION 
     This disclosure relates to siding or roofing panel systems for attachment to mounting surfaces. Exterior siding or roofing systems may include a plurality of panels, with each of the panels formed to simulate a plurality of individual decorative units. For example, each panel may emulate a plurality of wooden shakes or shingles, such that each decorative unit is formed to simulate a single shake or shingle. Furthermore, the decorative units may be formed to simulate other siding materials, including stone, tile, et cetera. 
     SUMMARY 
     A panel configured for attachment to a mounting surface is provided. The panel includes a plurality of raised faces formed and extending between an upper edge and a lower edge of the panel, and a plurality of recessed keyways defined between each of the raised faces. The raised faces and the keyways define a plurality of elements spaced at an average element distance from the sides or edges of the panel. 
     The panel may have a recessed base formed at the lower edge of the keyways, such that the recessed base defines a fold lip adjacent the mounting surface, and a full base formed at the lower edge of the raised faces. The full base extends further, generally downward, than the recessed base. An under lap extends from the lower edge toward the upper edge adjacent to the mounting surface when the panel is attached thereto. The fold lip is configured to provide a reaction point for the under lap. 
     The panel may also include a lock flange formed at the upper edge. The lock flange defines a lock slot between layers of the panel, and closes the lock slot to substantially zero depth at a first touch point and a second touch point. 
     The above features and advantages, and other features and advantages, of the present invention are readily apparent from the following detailed description of some of the best modes and other embodiments for carrying out the invention, which is defined solely by the appended claims, when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic isometric view of a portion of a siding system having a plurality of panels. 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic plan view of the siding system of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic plan view of one of the panels of the siding system shown in  FIGS. 1-2 . 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic cross-sectional view taken generally along line  4 - 4  of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic enlarged detail view from area  5  of  FIG. 4 , illustrating an assembled keyway-lap intersection between the panels. 
         FIG. 6  is a schematic enlarged detail view taken generally along line  6 - 6  of  FIG. 2 , and illustrating vertical assembly between a lock edge and a butt edge of the panels. 
         FIG. 7  is a schematic enlarged detail view from area  7  of  FIG. 2 , illustrating features at the horizontal intersection and installation markings for the panels. 
         FIG. 8  is a schematic enlarged detail view from area  8  of  FIG. 2 , illustrating additional installation markings on the panels. 
         FIG. 9  is a schematic isometric view of a side lap of one of the panels. 
         FIG. 10  is a schematic enlarged detail cross-sectional view taken generally along line  10 - 10  of  FIG. 2 , illustrating a side lap of one of the panels. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring to the drawings, like reference numbers correspond to like or similar components wherever possible throughout the several figures. There is shown in  FIG. 1  an isometric view of a portion of a siding system  10  and in  FIG. 2  a partial front view of the siding system  10 . 
     The siding system  10  illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2  includes a first panel  11 , a second panel  12 , a third panel  13 , and a fourth panel  14 . The second panel  12 , the third panel  13 , and the fourth panel  14  have similar features to the first panel  11 , such that they may be referred to collectively or generically as panels  16 . 
     The panels  16  are configured for attachment to a mounting surface  18 , only a portion of which is shown in the figures. In  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the mounting surface  18  is a substantially vertical structure, such as an exterior wall or insulating materials attached thereto. However, the siding system  10  may alternatively be attached to roofs or angled walls, such that the mounting surface  18  may be an angled wall or a roof surface. 
     Each of the panels  16  is formed from a substrate material having substantially-constant thickness. The rearward sides of the panels  16  define a mounting plane, particularly when assembled to each other, which may be substantially coincident with the mounting surface  18 . 
     While the present invention may be described with respect to specific applications or industries, those skilled in the art will recognize the broader applicability of the invention. Those having ordinary skill in the art will recognize that terms such as “above,” “below,” “upward,” “downward,” et cetera, are used descriptively of the figures, and do not represent limitations on the scope of the invention, as defined by the appended claims. Any numerical designations, such as “first” or “second” are illustrative only and are not intended to limit scope in any way. 
     As used herein, substantially equal refers to quantities, values, or dimensions that are within manufacturing variance or tolerance ranges of being perfectly equal. Substantially equal dimensions, for example, may be planned as ideally equal but normal manufacturing tolerances may cause the resulting dimensions to vary by 10-20% for different pieces. 
     Features shown in one figure may be combined with, substituted for, or modified by, features shown in any of the figures. Unless stated otherwise, no features, elements, or limitations are mutually exclusive of any other features, elements, or limitations. Furthermore, no features, elements, or limitations are absolutely required for operation. Any specific configurations shown in the figures are illustrative only and the specific configurations shown are not limiting of the claims or the description. 
     Referring also to  FIG. 3  and to  FIG. 4 , and with continued reference to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , there are shown additional views of portions of the siding system  10 .  FIG. 3  shows a schematic front view of one of the panels  16  for the siding system  10 , and  FIG. 4  shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the siding system  10  taken generally along a section line  4 - 4  shown in  FIG. 2 . The panel  16  shown in  FIG. 3  may be substantially identical to the first panel  11 . 
     Features of the panels  16  will be described interchangeably with reference to all of  FIGS. 1-4 , and may refer to any of the first panel  11 , the second panel  12 , the third panel  13 , and the fourth panel  14 . Note that manufacturing variance may lead to natural differences between panels  16  that are, otherwise, intended to be identical. 
     The panels  16  may be formed from different types of plastic or composite materials. For example, and without limitation, the panels  16  may be formed from vinyl, polypropylene, PVC, combinations of similar materials, et cetera. Furthermore, the panels  16  may be formed as unitary, one-piece components, such that each of the first panel  11 , the second panel  12 , the third panel  13 , and the fourth panel  14  is a single component formed from a single piece of material (a single substrate), without subsequent attachment of pieces formed separately to complete each of the first panel  11 , the second panel  12 , the third panel  13 , and the fourth panel  14 . 
     Each of the panels  16  include a fastener edge or lock edge  20  defined along one edge, which is shown on a top or upper edge in  FIGS. 1-4 . A lap edge or butt edge  22  is defined opposite the lock edge  20 , and is shown on a bottom or lower edge in  FIGS. 1-4 . As viewed in the figures, the lock edge  20  is toward the top of each panel  16  (such that the terms upper edge and lock edge  20  are generally interchangeable) and the butt edge  22  is toward the bottom of each panel  16  (such that the terms lower edge and butt edge  22  are generally interchangeable). References to upper and lower directions, regions, or portions are generally defined relative to gravity and, therefore, to the normal flow direction of water or moisture over the panels  16  and the structures to which they are mounted (although wind may cause water to move opposite gravity). 
     The lock edge  20  contacts the mounting surface  18  and has a plurality of fastener holes  24  defined there through. The fastener holes  24  are configured to mount the panels  16  to the mounting surface  18  with a plurality of fasteners  25  (not shown in all figures), which may include nails, screws, staples, et cetera. In some embodiments, the fastener holes  24  may not be fully defined through the lock edge  20  but may instead be areas designated or identified for piercing by the fasteners  25 , such that the fasteners at least partially pierce the material forming the panels  16 . 
     A plurality of raised faces  26  are formed between the lock edge  20  and the butt edge  22 . The raised faces  26  shown extend substantially continuously from the lock edge  20  to the butt edge  22  and generally simulate wooden shingles, and have variable widths, as shown in the figures. The raised faces  26  may be designed to represent other decorative units, including shakes, tiles, et cetera. 
     A plurality of recessed keyways  28  are formed between each of the raised faces  26 . The keyways  28  define grooves or channels and link each of the raised faces  26 . The keyways  28  are formed from the same substrate material as the raised faces  26  and are recessed from the raised faces  26  toward the mounting surface  18  or the mounting plane that represents the mounting surface  18  to which the panels  16  may subsequently be attached. The keyways  28  may simulate the empty, continuous, horizontal gap between individual wooden shingles in traditional shingle siding. 
     Note that the second panel  12  may have raised faces  26  of different size, number, or both, relative to the first panel  11 . Such that the keyways  28  may be spaced at different intervals on each of the panels  16 . Furthermore, even on panels intended to be identical, such as multiple copies of the first panel  11 , manufacturing differences or variations may exist. The raised faces  26  and the keyways  28  may have a texture (not shown) that simulates natural wooden shingles. The texture may be formed into the substrate of panels  16 , painted onto the substrate, combinations of both, or other techniques. 
     The keyways  28  are staggered such that they appear to be randomly located, in order to better approximate the aesthetics of natural wooden shingles. The patterns of the keyways  28  vary across a pre-set number of panels  16 , which are then assembled onto the mounting surface to approximate wooden shingles. Ideally, the keyways  28  of vertically-adjacent panels  16  never align, irrespective of the order in which the first panel  11 , the second panel  12 , the third panel  13 , the fourth panel  14 , and any subsequent panels  16  are assembled, and irrespective of staggering or cut-off lines on the panels  16 . 
     The keyways  28  are located on the various panels  16  based upon a formula or algorithm. Illustrative formulas or algorithms for locating the keyways  28  may be found in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/746,133, filed Jan. 21, 2013, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
     A side lap  30  is formed on the edge of the panels  16 . The side lap  30  facilitates horizontal assembly or mating of the panels  16 . For example, the second panel  12  may be placed to the right of the first panel  11  and covers at least a portion of the side lap  30  on the first panel  11 . In  FIG. 2 , the side laps  30  are illustrated in dashed lines and show the intersection between the first panel  11  and the second panel  12 , and also between the third panel  13  and the fourth panel  14 . 
     Referring also to  FIG. 5  and to  FIG. 6 , and with continued reference to  FIGS. 1-4 , there are shown detail views of junctions or mating regions between vertically-adjacent panels  16 . As used herein, references to vertical and horizontal refer to the general directions along the mounting surface  18 , such that vertical refers to upward and downward and horizontal refers to leftward and rightward. When assembled, vertical generally involves a change in elevation along the panels  16 , while horizontal generally does not involve a change in elevation. 
       FIG. 5  is taken generally from area  5  in  FIG. 4  and shows a zoomed or detail view of the intersection between the lock edge  20  of the first panel  11  and the butt edge  22  of the fourth panel  14 .  FIG. 6  is taken generally from the viewpoint of line  6 - 6  in  FIG. 2  and shows a zoomed or detailed side view of two panels  16  being assembled together, such as the first panel  11  and the third panel  13 .  FIG. 5  illustrates the interaction between keyways  28  and the lock edges  20  of the panels  16 , while  FIG. 6  illustrates the interaction between the butt edges  22  and the lock edges  20  at the raised faces  26 . 
     The raised faces  26  define a shoulder  32  adjacent to the lock edge  20 . The shoulder  32  is spaced from the mounting surface  18  by a shoulder offset. Furthermore, the shoulder  32  provides an abutment face or surface for interface between the lock edge  20  of one of the panels  16  and the butt edge  22  of another of the panels  16 . 
     As viewed in  FIG. 5 , the bottom of the keyway  28  includes a recessed base  34  that brings the keyway  28  back toward the mounting surface  18  and defines a rat hole or small gap between the keyway  28  of the upper panel  16  and the shoulder  32  of the lower panel  16  when the two are assembled together. Contrarily, the butt edge  22  adjacent the raised faces  26  extends further downward to a full base  36 , which directly abuts the shoulder  32  of the panel  16  below, such that there is substantially no gap between the full base  36  and the shoulder  32  of vertically-adjacent panels  16 . 
     At an interior portion of the keyway  28 , toward the mounting surface  18 , the recessed base  34  merges with the full base  36 , such that the rat hole does not extend to the full possible depth. The recessed base  34  defines a fold point or fold lip  38 . The butt edge  22  shown includes an under lap  40 , which is used to interface the second panel  12  with the first panel  11 . 
     During manufacturing of the panels  16 , many of the features of the panels  16  will be molded, such as through injection molding or vacuum molding. However, some of the features may be post-formed after molding. For example, the under lap  40  may initially be molded substantially planar or coincident with the remainder of the butt edge  22 , as illustrated in phantom by an initial under lap  40 ′ in  FIG. 4  and  FIG. 6 . The under lap  40  may then be post-formed to the position shown by folding the initial under lap  40 ′ back toward the remainder of the panel  16 . 
     Each of the keyways  28  defines one fold lip  38  at its recessed base  34 —i.e., at each lower, back side portion of the keyways  28 . This plurality of fold lips  38  may assist in folding the initial under lap  40 ′ to the final under lap  40  by providing a series of reaction points against which the under lap  40  is folded. 
     The fold lip  38  and the reaction points or surfaces provided by the fold lip  38  are viewable in both  FIGS. 5 and 6 . As the recessed base  34  joins with the full base  36 , it provides or defines a continuous fold line  41  along the butt edge  22  of the panels  16 . The continuous fold line  41  extends along the butt edge  22  regardless of the location of the keyways  28  or raised faces  26 . Adjacent the continuous fold line  41 —more particularly, above, as viewed in  FIGS. 5 and 6 —the under lap  40  abuts the fold lip  38 , and may come into contact with the fold lip  38 , particularly during manufacturing of the panel  16  as the initial under lap  40 ′ is being folded to create the under lap  40 . Because the fold lip  38  is offset (upward, as viewed in the figures) from the continuous fold line  41 , the under lap  40  cannot be folded further toward the back side of the keyways  28  and is not over folded, which may result in difficulty assembling the under lap  40  to the lock slot  44  of a previous course of panels  16 . 
     The continuous fold line  41  may assist in manufacturing the panel  16  by improving the process of folding the initial under lap  40 ′ from its molded position to its final position, shown as under lap  40  in the figures. If, for example, the recessed base  34  continued without the fold lip  38 , there would be a discontinuity at the bottom of each of the keyways  28 , which would prevent folding of the under lap  40  along a clean line or plane. 
     A lock flange  42  is formed on the lock edge  20  and extends away from the mounting surface  18 , when the panels  16  are mounted thereto, such that there are two layers of the panels  16  at the lock edge  20 . A lock slot  44 , or overlap portion, is formed between the layers of the lock edge  20  and is at least partially defined by the lock flange  42 . The lock slot  44  opens toward the butt edge  22 . 
     A lock tab  46  is also formed on the lock flange  42  and extends at an angle away from to the mounting surface  18 . The lock tab  46  is spaced from the mounting surface  18  by a lock flange offset, which is greater than the gap created by the lock slot  44 . 
     The under lap  40  is configured to slide into the lock slot  44  through the lock tab  46 . During installation, the under lap  40  of an upper panel  16  (such as the third panel  13  in  FIG. 6 ) is inserted into the lock slot  44  of a lower panel  16  (such as the first panel  11  in  FIG. 6 ) such that the butt edge  22  of the upper panel  16  abuts the shoulder  32  of the lower panel  16 , and fasteners  25  may then be inserted though the fastener holes  24  of the upper panel  16  to affix it to the mounting surface  18 . 
     As viewed in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the fastener holes  24  pass through the two layers of material forming the lock edge  20  the panels  16 , such that each fastener  25  passes through two fastener holes  24 . In many configurations, the panels  16  will be manufactured by folding the lock flange  42  to form the lock slot  44  after molding other features of the panel  16 , such that the lock flange  42  is initially formed extending upward (as viewed in  FIGS. 5 and 6 ) and then folded to the position shown in the figures. The fastener holes  24  may be formed prior to, or following, the folding operation for the lock flange  42 . 
     As best viewed in  FIG. 6 , the lock flange  42  closes the lock slot  44  to substantially zero gap or zero depth and creates two touch points, a first touch point  48  and a second touch point  49 , at which the two layers of the lock edge  22  of the panels  16  touch. The first touch point  48  being the higher of the touch points, and the second touch point  49  being the lower of the touch points. Note that both touch points being closed to substantially zero gap occurs before any subsequent panel  16  is mated thereto, and that one of the touch points, generally the second touch point  49 , likely opens up as the under lap  40  is inserted into the lock slot  44 . 
     The first touch point  48  and the second touch point  49  may promote both manufacturing and installation functions for the panels  16 . During the manufacturing process, folding the lock flange  42  from its initial, extended position to the position shown in the figures creates the first touch point  48  and the second touch point  49 . The first touch point  48  and the second touch point  49  provide reduced tolerance concern relative to configurations needing to maintain a specified gap between the layers of the lock edge  20 . For example, if a small gap is required, as opposed to zero gap, that gap has multidirectional tolerance and error possibility. However, the zero gap of the first touch point  48  and the second touch point  49  has only a single direction of tolerance or error, and any resulting, erroneous, gap may be easily identified. 
     Additionally, during installation, the first touch point  48  and the second touch point  49  limit the likelihood of an installer driving the fastener  25  so deeply that it closes an otherwise-open gap and prevents or hinders insertion of the under lap  40 . Because the lock edge  20  is configured with the first touch point  48  near the fastener holes  24 , the lock tab  46  is configured to flex sufficiently, beyond the first touch point  48 , to allow insertion of the under lap  40  even with an over-driven fastener  25 . 
     As shown in the figures, the fastener holes  24  are disposed between the top of the lock edge  20  (at the fold beginning the lock flange  42 ) and at least the second touch point  49  of the first panel  11 . In some configurations, and as illustrated, the fastener holes  24  are disposed between the top of the lock edge  20  and both the first touch point  48  and the second touch point  49 . 
     Assembly or installation of the illustrated siding system  10  may involve side-by-side and bottom-up processes. For example, the first panel  11  may be aligned on the mounting surface  18  and then attached by driving fasteners  25  through the fastener holes  24 . The second panel  12  may then be placed to the right or left, as viewed in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , of the first panel  11  and attached to the mounting surface  18 . Therefore, the first panel  11  and the second panel  12  may be part of a first course or first row, which extends generally horizontally from the first panel  11 . 
     A second course of panels may then be placed on the mounting surface  18  above the first course, such that the third panel  13  is aligned above the first panel  11 , as viewed in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . The under lap  40  of the third panel  13  is inserted into the lock slot  44  of the first panel  11  and the butt edge  22  of the second panel  12  is aligned to generally abut the shoulder  32  (the top of the raised faces  26 ) of the first panel  11 . This gives the appearance that the third panel  13  is formed from individual wood shingles laid partially over the top of the simulated wood shingles below (the first panel  11 ). 
     Referring also to  FIG. 7  and to  FIG. 8 , and with continued reference to  FIGS. 1-6 , there are shown detail views to illustrate horizontal assembly of the panels  16 .  FIG. 7  shows the side lapping intersection between the third panel  13  and the fourth panel  14 , the viewpoint of which is taken generally from detail  7  in  FIG. 2 .  FIG. 8  shows a portion of the panels  16  that may be used as an initial start line, as described herein. 
     As viewed in  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 7 , the lock edge  20  of the panels  16  spans or defines a distance of a lock width  50 , which is measured from the left side or edge (as viewed in the figures) of the panels  16 . During assembly, the left side of one panel  16  is overlaid onto the side lap  30  (at the right side) of a previous panel  16 , such as shown with the third panel  13  and the fourth panel  14  in  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 7 . 
     A face width  52  is the distance from the left side of the panel  16 , with substantially the same starting point as the lock width  50 , to the edge of the last raised face  26  before the side lap  30 , such that the horizontal distance of the raised faces  26  spans or defines the face width  52 . As best viewed in  FIG. 7 , the face width  52  is lesser than the lock width  50 , such that the difference between the two defines a minimum key lap  54 . The non-zero minimum key lap  54  defines a gap between the body of the panels  16 , that provides separation between the keyways  28  and the raised faces  26  of adjacent panels  16 , such that the lock edges  20  of adjacent panels  16  contact each other instead of the faces  26  of adjacent panels  16  contacting each other. 
     At the time of initial installation (or repair) of the siding system  10 , there will normally be a slight gap between horizontally-adjacent panels  16 , as shown in  FIG. 7 . However, exposure to heat may cause the panels  16  to expand, particularly in the horizontal direction because the panels  16  are longer horizontally than vertically. 
     When the panels  16  expand, the installation gap between horizontally-adjacent panels  16  may close. In the siding system  10 , the lock edges  20  of adjacent panels  16  come into contact before any other portion of the panels  16 . In particular, the minimum key lap  54  ensures that no portion of the keyways  28  or the raised faces  26  come into contact prior to contact between the lock edges  20  as a result of heat expansion. The minimum key lap  54  may therefore limit the amount of buckling experienced by the panels  16  under expansion by limiting mid-panel contact of the raised faces  26 . 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , and also in  FIG. 2 , the panels  16  may also include one or more sets of cut lines or markings to assist in installation of the siding system  10 . The first panel  11  may be installed in a single, uncut piece to start the first course (horizontal row) of panels  16 . However, as the second course is started, the starting panel  16  in that course will be cut to offset the keyways  28  and provide a more-realistic appearance to the siding system  10 . In the example illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the left portion of the third panel  13  has been removed. 
     To assist the installer, the panels  16  include a pair of first cut marks  60  and a pair of second cut marks  62 , which are different shapes or symbols. On the illustrative panels  16  shown, the first cut marks  60  are a pair of squares or rectangles and the second cut marks  62  are a pair of triangles. The first cut marks  60  are shown in more detail in  FIG. 7  and the second cut marks  62  are shown in more detail in  FIG. 8 . However, the first cut marks  60  and the second cut marks  62  may also be single markings, instead of pairs. 
     During installation, the installer alternates between starting courses with panels  16  cut at the first cut mark  60  and with panels  16  cut at the second cut mark  62 . As viewed in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the starting point of the first course is the rectangle symbol of the first cut mark  60  on the first panel  11 . Therefore, the starting point of the second course is the triangle symbol of the second cut mark  62  on the third panel  13 . 
     The next course of panels  16 , which is not shown, would begin with a panel  16  that has been cut along any of the first cut marks  60  and the portion to the left of the selected first cut marks  60  either discarded or used as the final panel  16  (on the right side, as viewed in the figures) in a subsequent course. Note that the last panels  16  of horizontal courses will be cut to size, with the portion to the right of the cut remaining as leftovers. These portions of the panels  16  may be used to begin subsequent courses by simply trimming the leftover portion at either the first cut marks  60  or the second cut marks  62 , depending on the rotation. 
     As best viewed in  FIG. 3 , the panels  16  include a number (n) of face elements, which generally represent shingles. On the illustrative panels  16  shown in the figures, there are nine shingles, as defined by the raised faces  26  and the keyways  28  formed therebetween. Therefore, an average element distance or, in the illustrated example of simulated shingle siding, an average shingle distance (ASD) may be defined as the total width (w) of those elements divided by the number of elements. For example, if the panel  16  shown in  FIG. 3  were sixty inches long, the average shingle distance would be six and two-thirds inches: ASD=w/n. 
     Note that the total width may be substantially similar to the lock width  50 . The keyways  28 , which divide the simulated shingle elements on the panels  16 , are placed within specified ranges of the average shingle distances, but do not necessarily coincide with the exact average shingle distance locations. 
     In the siding system  10 , the first cut marks  60  are located at intervals of the average shingle distance and the second cut marks  62  are located at intervals of the one-half of the average shingle distance. More particularly, in the example shown, the first cut marks  60  are located at: 3*ASD, 6*ASD, and 9*ASD, in addition to the initial mark at the far left, or 0*ASD. Similarly, in the example shown, the second cut marks  62  are located at: 1.5*ASD, 4.5*ASD, and 7.5*ASD. 
     As shown in  FIG. 8 , and also viewable in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the panels  16  may also contain one or more third marks  64 . In the illustrative panel  16  shown, the third mark  64  is an arrow symbol. Regardless of the start point (or start marking) for a horizontal course of the panels  16 , the side lap  30  of each installed panel  16  will align with one of the third marks  64  on the panel  16  in the course immediately below. The location of the third marks  64  helps the installer verify that the panels  16  of each subsequent course have been properly installed. 
     For example, if the installer began two consecutive courses (horizontal rows) by cutting both of the starting panels  16  at the second cut marks  62 , the side laps  30  of each of the panels  16  of the upper course would not align with any of the third marks  64  on the lower course. Each of these misalignments would alert the installer to an installation error, because every panel on the incorrect course would not align with one of the third marks  64  below. Furthermore, the installer would be visually alerted while the erroneous course—due to an improper starting cut—was still in progress, which limits the amount of waste and repair time. 
     Referring also to  FIG. 9  and to  FIG. 10 , and with continued reference to  FIGS. 1-8 , there are shown detail views to illustrate horizontal assembly and interaction of the side lap  30  with adjacent panels  16 .  FIG. 9  shows an isometric view of the lower rear side of the panel  16 .  FIG. 10  shows a detail view taken generally from line  10 - 10  in  FIG. 2 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 9 , the side lap  30  extends outward from the end of the panel  16 . Much of the side lap  30  emulates the keyways  28 . However, the side lap  30  does not include the fold point  38 . Furthermore, the side lap  30  includes a side lap cut  70  instead of continuing the under lap  40  from the remainder of the panel  16 . The side lap cut  70  provides relief or space for the under lap  40  of the subsequent panel  16  assembled over the side lap  30 . 
     The viewpoint of  FIG. 10  is taken from immediately adjacent to the fourth panel  14 , and shows its interaction with the third panel  13  and the first panel  11 , both of which are sectioned by the view. As illustrated in  FIG. 10 , the side lap  30  of the third panel  13  is nested within the butt edge  22  of the fourth panel  14 . More particularly, the under lap  40  of the fourth panel  14  wraps around the side lap  30  of the third panel  30 . 
     The detailed description and the drawings or figures are supportive and descriptive of the invention, but the scope of the invention is defined solely by the claims. While some of the best modes and other embodiments for carrying out the described processes and products have been discussed in detail, various alternative designs, configurations, and embodiments exist.