Patent Publication Number: US-9896849-B1

Title: Flush or lap siding system

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Not Applicable 
     STATEMENT RE: FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT 
     Not Applicable 
     BACKGROUND 
     The various embodiments and aspects disclosed herein are directed to a wall siding system. 
     Wall siding systems have a plurality of panels that are either shown as being lapped over one another or flush with respect to adjacent panels. The panels may be oriented in a horizontal or vertical direction. However, there are certain deficiencies in existing wall siding systems. 
     Accordingly, there is a need in the art for an improved wall siding system. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     A wall siding system is discussed herein that can be reconfigured to show a plurality of wall panels being lapped over one another in a horizontal orientation or the plurality of wall panels may have a flushed appearance with the wall panels being oriented in a horizontal or vertical direction. This is accomplished with the same primary hardware, namely, a bottom rail and a short clip. Moreover, the finishing hardware, specifically, the trim cleat, edge trim and the top cap can also be used to hide the edges of the panels and the short clip. By utilizing the same bottom rail and short clip in all of the different configurations, this allows the manufacturer to simplify manufacturing of the wall siding system because there is only one set of primary hardware and finishing hardware to install the panels in three different configurations. 
     More particularly, a wall having a flat surface and a wall siding system mounted on the flat surface for flush mounting or lap mounting a plurality of panels of the wall siding system is disclosed. The wall may comprise the plurality of panels, a bottom rail, a plurality of clips and a second panel. Each panel of the plurality of panels may be between 6′ to 20′ long, 3″ to 24″ high and have a thickness at least 5/16″. The thickness of the panel  12 ,  112 ,  212  may be 5/16″, ⅜″ or ½″. Each panel of the plurality of panels may have a lower lip and a rear tongue that defines a lower groove. Moreover, each panel may have an upper tongue. 
     The bottom rail may have a length at least 50% of a lowest most panel mounted to the flat surface. The bottom rail may be fastened to the flat surface level to a ground. Also, the lowest most panel may be engaged to the bottom rail with a tongue and groove connection. 
     The plurality of clips may be less than 12″ long attached to the plurality of panels to mount the plurality of panels to the flat surface. Upper tongues of the panels may be received into lower grooves of a first row of the clips. The upper tongues may be closer to a front side of the panels for lap mounting the panels to the flat surface. Alternatively, if the upper tongues are closer to a rear side of the panels, such panels may be flush mounted to the flat surface. 
     The second panel may be mounted to the flat surface. A lower groove of the second panel may be received into an upper groove of the clip. 
     The bottom rail may have an upwardly directed tongue received into a groove formed on a lower edge of the lowest most panel. The lower lip may extend downward so that a lower edge of the lower lip is at or below a lower end of the bottom rail. 
     Each clip of the plurality of clips may have upper and lower grooves vertically aligned to each other. The upper tongues of the panels may be received into the lower groove. The plurality of clips can be used with a first set of the plurality of panels configured for lap mounting, or alternatively, the plurality of clips can be used with a second set of the plurality of panels configured for the flush mounting of the second set of panels. 
     The upper tongues of the panels may be closer to a front side of the panels so that the panels appear lapped over one another, or alternatively, if the upper tongues are closer to a rear side of the panels, then the panels appears flush to one another. 
     The system may further comprise edge trims and trim cleats for hiding edges of the panels. The system may further comprise a top cap attachable to the clips for hiding the clips. 
     The upper and lower grooves of the clip may be defined by upper and lower rear walls and upper and lower front walls. The rear walls may be skewed with respect to front walls. More particularly, the upper rear wall of the clip may be skewed about 4 degrees from the upper front wall of the clip. Also, the lower rear wall of the clip may be skewed about 4 degrees from the lower front wall of the clip. 
     The plurality of drainage holes may be formed in an extension plate so that water disposed between the surface and the panels drain out to mitigate mold formation. 
     The panels may be horizontally oriented on the bottom rail and the clips. 
     Alternatively, the panels may be vertically oriented on the bottom rails and the clips. 
     The clips may be spaced apart from each other to facilitate movement of air between the surface and the panels. 
     In another aspect, a method of installing a wall siding system is disclosed. The method may comprise the steps of attaching a bottom rail to a flat surface, the bottom rail being level to a ground; engaging a bottom edge of a first panel to the bottom rail with a tongue and groove connection; attaching a first row of clips to the flat surface, the clips of the first row being spaced apart from each other to permit air to flow between the spaced apart clips of the first row and the flat surface and the first panel; engaging an upper tongue of the first panel to a lower groove of the clips of the first row, the upper tongue of the first panel being disposed closer to a back side of the first panel for flush mounting the first panel with respect to a second panel or the upper tongue of the first panel being disposed closer to a front side of the first panel for lap mounting of the first panel with respect to the second panel; engaging a bottom edge of the second panel to the clips of the first row with a tongue and groove connection; engaging a second row of clips to the flat surface, the clips of the second row being spaced apart from each other to permit air to flow between the spaced apart clips of the second row and the flat surface and the second panel; engaging an upper tongue of the second panel to a lower groove of the clips of the second row, the upper tongue of the second panel being disposed closer to a back side of the second panel for flush mounting the second panel with respect to a third panel or the upper tongue of the second panel being disposed closer to a front side of the second panel for lap mounting of the second panel with respect to the third panel. 
     The method may further comprise the step of providing the clips with upper and lower grooves. The upper and lower grooves may be defined by upper and lower front and rear walls. The rear walls may be skewed from the front walls so that the panels can tilt for lap mounting of the panels or be vertical for flush mounting of the panels. The providing step may further comprise the step of providing the skew angle between the front and rear walls of about 4 degrees. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       These and other features and advantages of the various embodiments disclosed herein will be better understood with respect to the following description and drawings, in which like numbers refer to like parts throughout, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of a wall siding system with horizontally oriented panels shown as being lapped over one another; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a cross-section of the wall siding system shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 2A  illustrates a cross-section of a bottom rail of the wall siding system; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates another cross-section of the wall siding system shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3A  illustrates a cross-section of a short clip of the wall siding system; 
         FIG. 3B  illustrates a cross-section of a top cap of the wall siding system; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates another cross-section of the wall siding system shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates another cross-section of the wall siding system shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 6  illustrates another cross-section of the wall siding system shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 7  illustrates another cross-section of the wall siding system shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 8  illustrates another cross-section of the wall siding system shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 9  illustrates another cross-section of the wall siding system shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 10  illustrates another cross-section of the wall siding system shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 11  illustrates another cross-section of the wall siding system shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 12  illustrates another cross-section of the wall siding system shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 13  illustrates another cross-section of the wall siding system shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 14  illustrates another cross-section of the wall siding system shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 15  illustrates a perspective view of a wall siding system with horizontally oriented panels shown as being flush with one another; 
         FIG. 16  illustrates a cross-section of the wall siding system shown in  FIG. 15 ; 
         FIG. 17  illustrates another cross-section of the wall siding system shown in  FIG. 15 ; 
         FIG. 18  illustrates another cross-section of the wall siding system shown in  FIG. 15 ; 
         FIG. 19  illustrates another cross-section of the wall siding system shown in  FIG. 15 ; 
         FIG. 20  illustrates another cross-section of the wall siding system shown in  FIG. 15 ; 
         FIG. 21  illustrates another cross-section of the wall siding system shown in  FIG. 15 ; 
         FIG. 22  illustrates another cross-section of the wall siding system shown in  FIG. 15 ; 
         FIG. 23  illustrates another cross-section of the wall siding system shown in  FIG. 15 ; 
         FIG. 24  illustrates another cross-section of the wall siding system shown in  FIG. 15 ; 
         FIG. 25  illustrates another cross-section of the wall siding system shown in  FIG. 15 ; 
         FIG. 26  illustrates another cross-section of the wall siding system shown in  FIG. 15 ; 
         FIG. 27  illustrates another cross-section of the wall siding system shown in  FIG. 15 ; 
         FIG. 28  illustrates another cross-section of the wall siding system shown in  FIG. 15 ; 
         FIG. 29  illustrates a perspective view of a wall siding system with vertically oriented panels shown as being flush with one another; 
         FIG. 30  illustrates a cross-section of the wall siding system shown in  FIG. 29 ; 
         FIG. 31  illustrates another cross-section of the wall siding system shown in  FIG. 29 ; 
         FIG. 32  illustrates another cross-section of the wall siding system shown in  FIG. 29 ; 
         FIG. 33  illustrates another cross-section of the wall siding system shown in  FIG. 29 ; 
         FIG. 34  illustrates another cross-section of the wall siding system shown in  FIG. 29 ; 
         FIG. 35  illustrates another cross-section of the wall siding system shown in  FIG. 29 ; 
         FIG. 36  illustrates another cross-section of the wall siding system shown in  FIG. 29 ; 
         FIG. 37  illustrates another cross-section of the wall siding system shown in  FIG. 29 ; 
         FIG. 38  illustrates another cross-section of the wall siding system shown in  FIG. 29 ; 
         FIG. 39  illustrates another cross-section of the wall siding system shown in  FIG. 29 ; 
         FIG. 40  illustrates another cross-section of the wall siding system shown in  FIG. 29 ; 
         FIG. 41  illustrates another cross-section of the wall siding system shown in  FIG. 29 ; 
         FIG. 42  illustrates another cross-section of the wall siding system shown in  FIG. 29 ; 
         FIG. 43  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the short clip, panel and bottom rail with the panel being tilted so that vertically adjacent panels appear to be lapped over one another and the panels are oriented in a horizontal orientation; 
         FIG. 44  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the short clip, panel and bottom rail with the panel being vertically oriented so that vertically and horizontally adjacent panels appear to be flush with one another and the panels are oriented in a horizontal orientation; and 
         FIG. 45  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the short clip, panel and bottom rail with the panel being vertically oriented so that vertically and horizontally adjacent panels appear to be flush with one another and the panels are oriented in a vertical orientation. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring now to the drawings, an exterior wall siding system  10 ,  100 ,  200  is shown in  FIGS. 1, 15 and 29 . The wall siding system  10  shown in  FIG. 1  illustrates a lap wall siding system  10 . The wall siding system  100  shown in  FIG. 15  illustrates a flush wall siding system  100  with elongate panels  112  in a horizontal orientation. The wall siding system  200  shown in  FIG. 29  illustrates a flush wall siding system  200  with elongate panels  212  in a vertical orientation. Regardless of the orientation or whether the panels appear flush or lapped over one another, the same hardware including an elongate bottom rail  14  (see  FIG. 2 ) and a short clip  16  (see  FIG. 3 ) may be utilized to mount panels  12  to the surface  24 . Other hardware may be utilized including but not limited to a top cap  18 , an edge trim  20  and a trim cleat  22  (see  FIGS. 3 and 4 ). The only part regardless of orientation (i.e., horizontal or vertical) or style (i.e., flush or lap) that is modified is the panels  12 ,  112 ,  212 . The panel  12  (see  FIG. 5 ) which is shown as adjacent panels  12  lapped one over the other is different than the panels  112  (see  FIG. 19 ) which are shown as flush to each other. Also, the panel  112  (see  FIG. 19 ) which is shown as being flush to other panels  112  in a horizontal direction is different than the panel  212  (see  FIG. 33 ) which is shown as being flush to each other but in a vertical direction. 
     More particularly, referring now to  FIG. 1 , the lap wall siding system  10  is shown. The lap wall siding system  10  has a plurality of panels  12  that are mounted to a surface  24 . The surface  24  may be, including but not limited to a wall of a building, or even a surface of a piece of furniture. Additionally, although the lap wall siding system  10  is shown and described in relation to a vertical surface  24 , the lap wall siding system  10  may also be installed on a non-vertical surface including but not limited to a horizontal surface (e.g. ceiling, roof). Additionally, the lap wall siding system  10  may be installed to an interior or exterior surface exposed to rainwater and sun. 
     The panels  12  may be mounted to the vertical surface  24  from the bottom up direction. In this regard, the first panel  12  to be installed is the lowest most panel  12 . In order to install the lowest most panel  12  to the vertical surface  24 , the bottom rail  14  is attached to the vertical surface  24 . By way of example and not limitation, the bottom rail  14  may be attached to the vertical surface  24  with a plurality of wall fasteners  26 . The fastener  26  may be a wood screw, drywall screw, stucco screw, adhesive and other means of attaching the bottom rail  14  to the vertical surface  24 . 
     The bottom rail  14  may have a length at least about 50% of a length of the panel  12  that the bottom rail  14  supports. For example, the panel  12  may be about 4 feet to 12 feet long. In this case, the bottom rail  14  may be about 2 feet to 6 feet long. Preferably, the bottom rail  14  extends along 90% to 100% of the length of the panel  12 . For example, if the panel  12  is 12 feet long, then the bottom rail  14  extends preferably the full length of the panel  12 , namely, 12 feet. The bottom rail  14  may support to all of the panels  12  above it when the lap wall siding system  10  is mounted to the vertical surface  24 . However, it is also contemplated that the bottom rail  14  may support only the lowest most panel  12  and each intervening set of clips  16  may support the immediately adjacent panel that is resting on that set of clips. Although the bottom rail  14  is described as being at least 50% of the length of the panel  12  that the bottom rail  14  supports, it is also contemplated that the bottom rail  14  may be a plurality of short length (e.g. 1 inch to 1 feet) rails  14  mounted along the length of the lowest most panel  12 . The number of short length rails  14  should be sufficient to support the weight of the panels  12 . 
     The bottom rail  14  may be fabricated from aluminum or some other metallic or non-bending material given the weight of the system  10 . The aluminum may be extruded into the shape shown in  FIGS. 2 and 2A . After extruding the aluminum into the shape of the bottom rail  14  shown in  FIGS. 2 and 2A , the plurality of holes  28  may be drilled along the length of the back plate  30 . A sufficient number of holes  28  may be formed in the back plate  30  in order to secure the bottom rail  14  to the vertical surface  24  and support the weight of the system  10  as needed. The bottom rail  14  may also be extruded with an offset plate  32  which spaces the panel  12  away from the vertical surface  24 . A length  34  of the offset plate  32  may be sufficiently long so that an interior surface  36  of the panel  12  is spaced away from the vertical surface  24  at least ½″ and more preferably at least ¾″. The bottom rail  14  and more particularly, an upwardly extending tongue  40  may receive a bottom edge portion of the panel  12 . The panel  12  may appear to be lapped over one another. As such, the top edge portion of the panel  12  is closer to the vertical surface  24  compared to the bottom edge portion of the panel  12 . The offset plate  32  is sufficiently long  34  so that the top edge portion of the panel  12  is at least ½″ to at least ¾″ away from the vertical surface  24 . 
     The offset plate  32  may be perpendicular with respect to the back plate  30 . When the back plate  30  is mounted to the vertical surface  24 , the offset plate  32  may be generally horizontal to the ground surface. The offset plate  32  may additionally have a plurality of drainage slots  38  so that rainwater, that flows behind the panels  12  flow between the panels  12  and vertical surface  24 , can drip down and escape through the drainage slots  38  so that water is not retained behind the panels  12 . As shown in  FIG. 2A , a top surface  128  of the offset plate  32  may have a funnel-shaped cross-sectional configuration wherein a first row of the drainage slots  38  may be formed at the lowest portion of the top surface  128  so that water is urged into and through the drainage slots  38  to prevent accumulation of water. There may also be a second row of drainage slots  38  parallel to the first row of drainage slots  38 . The drainage slots  38  of the first and second rows may be offset from each other. Surface  128  may have about a 1 degree slope  41  toward slot  38 . Surface  37  may have about a 9 degree slope  43  toward the slot  38 . Water is not allowed to accumulate behind the panels  12  to mitigate formation of mold. The drainage slots may be about ¾ of an inch long by about 3/16 of an inch wide and a sufficient number of drainage slots  38  may be formed in the offset plate  32  in order to drain all the water that might be trapped behind the panel  12 . Water may be introduced behind the panel if the panel was mounted to an exterior surface  24  from rainwater. Moreover, the drainage slots  38  provide air passage so that air can flow behind the panels  12  to dry up any water that might still be behind the panels  12 . 
     The upward extending tongue  40  may be formed at a distal end of the offset plate  32 . The tongue  40  protrudes upward and may have a rounded distal end. The tongue  40  is preferably about 0.078 inches thick 130 and 0.230 inches long  132 . The rounded distal end allows the panel  12  to be received on the tongue  40  in a cocked position and not oriented in a perfect vertical orientation so that the panels  12  can be lapped one on top of the other. The rounded distal end may have a radius of 0.039 inches. Additionally, the panels  112 ,  212  can be oriented in a generally vertical orientation so that the upper and lower panels can be flushed with one another, as shown and discussed in relation to  FIGS. 16 and 30 . 
     The panel  12  may be horizontally oriented as shown in  FIG. 1 . The panel  12  may also have a groove  42  formed in a lower end portion  44  of the panel  12 . The groove  42  may have a width  46  of about 0.080 inches wide  46 . The groove  42  may be defined by a rear wall  48  and a front wall  50 . The rear wall  48  may have a thickness  52  of at least about 0.080 inches. The front wall  50  may have a thickness  54  of at least about 0.1525 inches. Depending on a thickness  56  of the panel  12 , the thickness  54  of the front wall  50  may vary accordingly. 
     The bottom rail  14  may be attached to the vertical surface  24  so that the bottom rail  14  is level to the ground. A level may be used to orient the bottom rail  14  in the horizontal orientation. The lowest most panel  12  is secured to the bottom rail by inserting the upwardly extending tongue  40  into the groove  42  of the lower end portion  44  of the panel  12 . The lowest most panel  12  rests and is supported on the bottom rail  14 . As such, a sufficient number of wall fasteners  26  must be used to secure the bottom rail  14  to the vertical surface  24 . Additionally, the bottom rail  14  should be fabricated from a material and be sufficiently thick to prevent any significant bending or deformation of the bottom rail  14  based on the weight of the system  10  and other factors that might impose forces on the bottom rail  14 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 3, 3A and 5 , the horizontal joint clip  16  is shown. The horizontal joint clip  16  is used to secure the upper end of the panel  12 . In particular, the horizontal joint clip  16  has a back plate  60  with one or more holes  62  for receiving wall fasteners  26  to secure the horizontal joint clip  16  to the vertical surface  24 . The horizontal joint clip  16  additionally has an offset plate  64  that ensures a minimum gap  66  (see  FIG. 3 ) between the panel  12  and the vertical surface  24 . The horizontal joint clip  16  may have first and second grooves  68 ,  70  that extend outwardly in opposing directions as shown in  FIG. 3A . The first and second grooves  68 ,  70  may open in a direction that is generally parallel to the back plate  60  of the horizontal joint clip  16 . 
     A width  72  of the first groove  68  may be equal to or different than a width  74  of the second groove  70 . Preferably, the width  72  of the first groove  68  is generally equal to the width  74  of the second groove  70 . The width  72 ,  74  of the first and second grooves  68 ,  70  may be slightly larger than the width  52  of the rear wall  48  and the tongue  84  of the panel  12 . In particular, the width  72 ,  74  of the first and second grooves  68 ,  70  may be about 0.115 inches. 
     The horizontal joint clip  16  may be utilized to secure the upper end of a lower panel  12  to a lower end of an upper panel  12 , as shown in  FIG. 5 . Alternatively, the horizontal joint clip  16  may be utilized to secure the upper end of the uppermost panel  12 , as shown in  FIG. 3 . A length of the horizontal joint clip  16  may be about 1 inch to 1 feet, and is preferably about 3 inches long. More importantly, the joint clip  16  does not extend across the entire width of the panel  12  so that air can still flow behind the panels vertically between joint clips  16  that are spaced apart from each other. The top cap  18  may be secured to the top of the horizontal joint clip  16  to hide the grooves  68 ,  70 , fastener  26  and the horizontal joint clip  16  in general. The top cap  18  may be fitted in place by inserting a first groove  76  into a lip  78  and a second groove  80  into one of the walls  82  that define the first groove  68 . See  FIG. 3B . The top cap  18  may snap into place and may be retained therein by an interference fit. The top cap  18  extends a substantial length along the wall. The top cap  18  is gapped  134  away from the short clips  16  by about ¼ of an inch. Because the clips  16  do not extend across the entire length but are spaced apart from each other, the ¼ inch gap allows air to flow under the top cap  18  in between the short clips  16  and ultimately flow air behind the panels  12 . 
     The panel  12  may have a groove formed on its bottom end as shown in  FIG. 2  and a tongue  84  formed on its top end as shown in  FIG. 3 . Since the groove  42  at the bottom end of the panel  12  is at the center and the tongue  84  is at a front side of the panel  12  at its top end, the panel is tilted backward as shown in  FIGS. 2, 3 and 43 . The upward extending tongue  40  is received into the groove  42  and the tongue  84  of the panel  12  is inserted into the second groove  70  of the horizontal joint clip  16 . If additional panels are stacked upon the lower panels  12 , then the top cap  18  is not installed. Rather, as shown in  FIG. 5 , another panel  12  is engaged to the top of the horizontal joint clip  16 . In particular, the lower end of the panel  12  has a tongue  86  that is received into the first groove  68  (see  FIG. 3A ). Alternatively, it is also contemplated that the groove  88  formed at the bottom end of the panel  12  may be received into the wall  82  that defines the first groove  68 . Additional horizontal joint clips  16  may be attached to the top end of the panel  12  in the same manner as that of the lower panels  12 . The process may be repeated until the topmost panel is installed and held by the horizontal joint clip  16 . 
     The tongue  84  of the panel  12  does not extend fully into the groove  70  of the clip  16 . Rather, there may be a small gap between the upper end of the tongue  84  of the panel  12  and the bottommost recess surface  136  of the groove  70 . Preferably, there is an approximately ¼ inch gap there between. The gap may be formed by placing a ¼ inch thick spacer into an aperture  138  formed in the front wall  140  that defines the groove  70 . This is shown in  FIG. 3A . By inserting the ¼ inch thick spacer into the aperture  138 , the top end of the tongue  84  is gapped away from the bottommost recess surface  136 . The clip  16  is secured to the wall with the fastener  26  that is inserted into the aperture  62  of the back plate  60 . The panel  12  may be cut to length to form the edge  96  of the wall panel  12  on the job site. 
     Referring back to  FIG. 3A , the groove  70  is formed by the front wall  140  and a rear wall  156 . Also, the front wall  140  may be coplanar with the wall  82  that defines the groove  68 . The groove  68  may be defined by rear wall  158 . The rear walls  156 ,  158  may be angularly offset with the front walls  140 ,  82  by 4 degrees plus or minus up to about 3 degrees. With respect to the offset plate  64 , the rear walls  156 ,  158  may be angularly offset  160  to the extension plate  64  by 86 degrees plus or minus 3 degrees. The rear walls  156 ,  158  may also have rounded ends. This configuration helps in allowing the panel  12  to be tilted as shown in  FIG. 5  or vertical as shown in  FIG. 19  and  FIG. 33 . 
     The top cap  18  is installed onto the horizontal joint clip  16  securing the top end of the topmost panel  12 . This finishes the wall at the top side of the wall siding system  10 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , a side edge of the plurality of wall panels  12  may be finished with the edge trim  20 . The edge trim  20  may be secured to the wall with a trim cleat  22 . The trim cleat  22  may have a serrated groove  90  that receives a serrated tongue  92 . Silicon may be squeezed into the groove  91  and the tongue  92  inserted therein. The silicone after drying, retains the edge trim  20  on the trim cleat  22 . The trim cleat  22  may be secured to the vertical surface  24  with wall fastener  26 . Edge trim  20  may have a return  94  that hides the edge  96  of the wall panel  12 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 6 , when two panels  12  butt up against each other, the ends may be formed with overlapping tongues  98 . Referring now to  FIG. 7 , an outside corner is shown. The outside corner may be finished with two sets of edge trim  20  and trim cleat  22 . The panels  12  may be cut to length on the job site to form edges  96 . Referring now to  FIG. 8 , an inside corner is shown finished with two sets of edge trim  20  and trim cleat  22 . Once again, the panels  12  may be cut to length on the job site to form edges  96 . Referring now to  FIG. 9 , a bottom edge of the window is shown. The bottom edge of the window may hide the horizontal joint clip  16  with the flashing  102 . The flashing  102  may be gapped away  142  to allow air to flow under the flashing  102  in between the short clips  16  and behind the panels  12  to dry out any water that might be behind the panels  12 . Referring now to  FIG. 10 , the top edge of the surface  24  is shown. The top edge may be finished as shown in  FIG. 3  or finished as shown in  FIG. 10 . In lieu of the top cap  18 , the uppermost horizontal joint clip  16  may be hidden with a flashing  104 . The flashing  104  may be gapped away  144  to allow air to flow under the flashing  104  in between the short clips  16  and behind the panels  12  to dry out any water that might be behind the panels  12 . Referring now to  FIG. 11 , a side of the window is shown. The side of the window may be finished with the edge trim  20  and the trim cleat  22 . The panel  12  may be cut to length on the job site to form edge  96 . Referring now to  FIG. 12 , a top edge of the window is shown. The top edge of the window may be finished with the bottom rail  14 . The front of the panel has an extension  106  that hides the bottom rail  14 .  FIG. 13  illustrates a top edge of the door which is finished in the same manner as that shown in  FIG. 12 . The side jam of the door is also finished with the edge trim  20  and trim cleat  22 , as shown in  FIG. 14 . The panel  12  may be cut to length on the job site to form edge  96 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 15-28 , the wall siding system  100  is shown. The panels  112  are flush with each other as shown in  FIG. 19  and not designed to appear to be lapped over one another, as shown in the wall siding system  10  shown in  FIGS. 1-14 . The wall siding system  100  shares the same attributes (e.g., method of install, structure and all other aspects as well) as the wall siding system  10  except for the top end of the panels  12 ,  112 . Additionally, the end portions of the panels  112  are different than the end portions of the panels  12 . In particular, comparing  FIGS. 6 and 20 , the end portions of the panels  12  shown in  FIG. 6  are not engaged to each other except by having overlapping tongues  98 . In contrast, in reference to  FIG. 20 , the end portions  146 ,  148  of the panels  112  are identical to top and bottom side longitudinal edges  116 ,  118  (see  FIG. 19 ) so that they  146 ,  148  engage the clip  16 . The clip  16  may be oriented 90° in  FIG. 20  compared to the clip  16  shown in  FIG. 19 . In this regard, the panels  112  may be held together on all four sides of the panels  12  with the clips  16  or collectively with the clips  16  and the bottom rail  14 . The formation of the end portions  146 ,  148  of the panels  112 , as that shown in  FIG. 20 , is optional. It is also contemplated that the end portions  146 ,  148  may have overlapping tongues  98  identical to the overlapping tongues  98  shown in  FIG. 6 . 
     The panels  112  are flush with each other as shown in  FIG. 33 . In particular, this means that the front surface  110  of one of the panels  112  is coplanar with the front surface  110  of the other panel  112 . The panels  12  shown in  FIG. 5  appear to be lapped over one another. This means that the front surface  114  of one of the panels  12  is tilted and the front surface  114  of the other panel  12  is tilted in the same direction so that the panels  12  appear to be lapped over one another. Panels  112  have a different configuration compared to that of the panel  12 . In particular, the top end has a tongue  108  on a backside of the panel  12 . The second groove  70  is spaced apart from the surface  24  in relation to the vertically extending tongue  40  so that when the panels  12  are mounted to the bottom rail  14  and the horizontal joint clips  16 , the panels  12  have the lapped appearance, whereas, when the panels  112  are mounted to the bottom rail  14  and the horizontal joint clips  16 , the panels  112  have a flush appearance. Panels  112  are mounted to the surface  24  with the same hardware, namely, the bottom rail  14  and the horizontal joint clip  16 . The other miscellaneous hardware including but not limited to the top cap  18 , the edge trim  20  and the trim cleat  22  may also be used to finish the wall siding system  100 . The other miscellaneous hardware is the same hardware used in both the wall siding system  10 ,  100  and  200 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 18 , a side edge of the plurality of wall panels  112  may be finished with the edge trim  20  and secured to the wall with the trim cleat  22 , as discussed above in relation to  FIG. 4 . The panel  112  may be cut to length on the job site to form edges  150 . Referring now to  FIG. 21 , an outside corner is shown. The outside corner may be finished with two sets of edge trim  20  and trim cleat  22 . The panels  112  may be cut to length on the job site to form edges  150 ,  152 . Referring now to  FIG. 22 , an inside corner is shown. The inside corner may be finished with two sets of edge trims  20  and trim cleat  22 . The panels  112  may be cut to length on the job site to form edges  150 ,  152 . Referring now to  FIG. 23 , a bottom edge of the window is shown. The bottom edge of the window may hide the horizontal joint clip  16  with the flashing  102 . The flashing  102  may be gapped away  142  to allow air to flow under the flashing  102  in between the short clips  16  and behind the panels  112  to dry out any water that might be behind the panels  112 . Referring now to  FIG. 24 , the top edge of the surface  24  is shown. The top edge may be finished as shown in  FIG. 17  or as shown in  FIG. 24 . Instead of the top cap  18 , the uppermost horizontal joint clip  16  may be hidden with the flashing  104 . The flashing  104  may be gapped away  154  to allow air to flow under the flashing  104  in between the short clips  16  and behind the panels  112  to dry out any water that might be behind the panels  12 . Referring now to  FIG. 25 , a side of the window is shown. The side of the window may be finished with edge trim the  20  and the trim cleat  22 . The panel  112  may be cut to length on the job site to form edge  150 . Referring now to  FIG. 26 , a top edge of the window is shown. The top edge of the window may be finished with the bottom rail  14 . The front of the panel  112  may have the extension  106  that hides the bottom rail  14 . Referring now to  FIG. 27 , a top edge of the door is shown. The top edge of the door may be finished with in the same manner as that shown in  FIG. 26 . The side jamb of the door may also be finished with the edge trim  20  and trim cleat  20 , as shown in  FIG. 28 . The panel  112  may be cut to length on the job site to form edge  150 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 29-42 , the wall siding system  200  is shown. In the wall siding system  200 , the panels  212  are flush with each other as shown in  FIG. 33  and not designed to appear to be lapped over one another as shown in the wall siding system  10  shown in  FIGS. 1-14 . Moreover, the panels  212  are oriented in the vertical direction, as shown in  FIG. 29 , whereas, the panels  112  shown in the wall siding system  100  are oriented in the horizontal direction as shown in  FIG. 15 . The wall siding system  200  utilizes the same elongate bottom row  14  and a plurality of short clips  16  that may be utilized to mount the panels  12 ,  112  to the surface  24 . Additionally, the other hardware including but not limited to the top cap  18 , the edge trim  20  and the trim cleat  22  may be utilized to cover the opposed distal edges of the panels  212  and interface with wall features such as doors, windows and other surface features (e.g. top edge, side edges, inside corners, outside corners). 
     In mounting the panels  212  in the vertical direction as shown in  FIG. 29 , the opposed bottom and top distal end portions  120 ,  122  of each of the panels have a configuration identical to the bottom and top ends (i.e. oppose side longitudinal edges  116 ,  118  (see  FIG. 15 )) as shown in  FIG. 33 . 
     The panels  212  may be mounted to the surface  24  from the bottom up direction. The bottom rail  14  may first be attached to the surface  24 . By way of example and not limitation, the bottom rail  14  may be attached to the surface with a plurality of wall fasteners  26  as discussed in relation to the wall siding system  10 . The bottom rail  14  may have a length that is equal to a width of the surface  24 . This means that the length of the bottom rail  14  must extend across the entire width of the surface  24  because the bottom distal end portions  122  of the plurality of vertical panels  212  must rest on the bottom rail  14 . The bottom rail  14  provides direct support to all of the panels  212  above it when the wall siding system  200  is mounted to a vertical surface  24 . It is contemplated that the bottom rail  14  may be a plurality of short length rails  14  that support one or more vertical panels  212 . There may be a sufficient number of bottom rails  14  to support all of the panels  212  mounted to the surface  24 . For example, if there are 20 vertical columns of panels  212  mounted to the surface  24  and each rail  14  is sufficiently long to support only one column of panels  212 , then there may be 20 rails  14 , one rail  14  for each column of panels  212 . 
     The panels  212  are engaged to the rail  14  either from the left to right direction or the right to left direction. However, it is also contemplated that the panels  212  may be engaged to the rail  14  from somewhere in the middle and extend outward to the left and right direction. However, it is preferred to start installation of the panels  212  from the left to right or right to left directions. 
     A first panel  212  is engaged to the bottom rail  14 . The upward extending tongue  40  is engaged to groove  242  of the bottom distal end portion  122  of the vertically oriented panel  212 . The clip  16  is attached to the surface  24  with the fastener  26 . In securing the clip  16  to the surface  24 , the tongue  284  is received into the second groove  70  of the clip  16 . The clip  16  may have a length that is less than a width of the panel  212  so that the clip  16  does not engage a panel  212  to its left or right. However, the clip  16  may have a length that is greater than the width of the panel  212 . In this case, the clip  16  engages a panel  212  to its left or right. In this case, the ends of the panels  212  are aligned to each other. By way of example and not limitation, as shown in  FIG. 29 , the end portions  120 ,  122  in the center of the wall siding system  100  are not aligned to immediately adjacent panels  212 . However, the top distal end portions  120  of the uppermost panels  212  are aligned to each other. In this case, the clips  16  (see  FIG. 38 ) may have a length that is greater than a width of the panels  212 . 
     Although the end portions  120 ,  122  in the center of the wall siding system  100  are not aligned to immediately adjacent panels  212 , it is contemplated that the end portions  120 ,  122  may be aligned to immediately adjacent panels  212 . In this case, the clip  16  may have a length that is greater than a width of the panel  212  so that the clip  16  engages to immediately adjacent panels  212 . 
     After installing the first vertical panel  212  to the bottom rail  14  and the corresponding short clip  16  to the top of the first vertical panel  212 , an immediately adjacent second panel  212  may be butted up against the first vertical panel  212 . The second panel  212  is engaged to the bottom rail  14  and a second short clip  16  is attached to the top distal end portion  120  of the second panel  212 . A plurality of additional panels  212  are secured to the surface by engaging the bottom distal end portions  122  of the plurality of additional panels  212  to the rail and engaging the short clips  16  to the top distal end portions  120  of the plurality of additional panels  212 . Additionally, as shown in  FIG. 34 , the left side longitudinal edge  124  may be held and engaged to the right side longitudinal edge  126  with one or more short clips  16  that are oriented 90° with respect to the short clips  16  shown in  FIG. 33 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 32 , a side edge of the plurality of wall panels  212  may be finished with edge trim  20  and trim cleat  22 . The panel  212  may be cut to length on the job site to form the left or right edges  124 ,  126  of the panel  212  as needed. As shown in  FIG. 35 , an outside corner utilizes a pair of trim cleat and edge trims  22 ,  20  to hide the side longitudinal edges  124 ,  126  of the panels  212 . The panels  212  may be cut to length to form side longitudinal edges  124 ,  126  on the job site. As shown in  FIG. 36 , an inside corner utilizes a pair of trim cleat and edge trim  22 ,  20  to hide the side longitudinal edges  124 ,  126  of the panels  212 . The panels  212  may be cut to length to form side longitudinal edges  124 ,  126  on the job site 
     Referring now to  FIG. 33 , the panels  12  appear lapped over one another, whereas, the front surfaces of the panels  112  are coplanar with each other.  FIGS. 43 and 44  show the differences in the panels  12 ,  112  which in particular is directed to the top end portion of the panels  12 . The tongue  84  on panel  12  is on the front side, whereas, the tongue  108  on panel  112  is on the backside. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 37 , flashing  102  hides the short clip  16  on a bottom edge of the window. The flashing  102  is spaced away  146  from the clip  16  and since the clips  16  are spaced apart from each other, air is allowed to flow under the flashing  102  and between the clips  16  and behind the panels  212  to dry out any water that might be retained behind the panels  212 . Referring now to  FIG. 38 , flashing  104  hides the short clip  16  on a top edge of the surface  24 . The flashing  104  may be spaced away  148  from the clip  16  and since the clips  16  are spaced apart from each other, air is allowed to flow under the flashing  104  and between the clips  16  and behind the panels  212  to dry out any water that might be retained behind panels  212 . Referring now to  FIG. 39 , trim cleat  22  and edge trim  20  hides the edge of the panel  212  adjacent to the window. The panel  212  may be cut to length on the job site in order to form the left side longitudinal edge  124 . Referring now to  FIG. 40 , a bottom rail  14  is utilized to support the panel  212  above the window. Referring now to  FIG. 41 , bottom rail  14  is utilized to support panels  212  above the door. Referring now to  FIG. 42 , a trim cleat  22  and edge trim  20  are used to hide the side longitudinal edge  124  of panel  212 . The panel  212  may be cut to length on the job site in order to form the left side longitudinal edge  124 . 
     After installing the bottommost vertical panels  212 , each column of vertical panels  212  may be completed from the bottom to top of the surface  24  before installing an adjacent column of vertical panels  212 . To install a column of vertical panels  212 , additional clips  16  are engaged to the top distal end portions  120  of the panels  212 . The uppermost panel  212  is cut short so that the top distal end portion  120  is aligned to the top of the surface  24 . 
     Although the bottommost vertical panels  212  are engaged to the bottom rail first, it is also contemplated that each column of vertical panels  212  may be completed before moving onto an adjacent column of vertical panels  212 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 31 , the top cap  18  may be secured to the short clip  16  when no additional vertical panels  212  are to be stacked upon a lower vertical panel  212 . Referring now to  FIG. 32 , the edge trim  20  and the trim cleat  22  may be utilized to finish a side of the wall siding system  200  so that the side longitudinal edge  124  is not shown. The edge trim  20  hides the side longitudinal edge. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 43-45 , the panel  212  is oriented in the vertical direction and the distal end portions  120 ,  122  shown in  FIG. 45  has the same configuration as the top and bottom side longitudinal edges  116 ,  118  shown in  FIG. 44 . 
     The primary hardware (i.e., bottom rail  14  and the clip  16 ) and finishing hardware (i.e., top cap, trim cleat and edge trim) discussed herein may be fabricated from an aluminum material. It is also contemplated that the primary and finishing hardware may be fabricated with an extrudable material. By way of example and not limitation, extrudable material includes magnesium, copper, steel, titanium, nickel, refractory alloys, tin, lead, zirconium, molybdenum, beryllium, vanadium, niobium. After extrusion, the primary hardware and finishing hardware may be cut to length as specified herein. Also, any holes for fastening and drainage may be drilled or machined. The panels  12 ,  112 ,  212  may be fabricated from phenolic. It is also contemplated that the panels  12 ,  112 ,  212  may be fabricated from other materials including but not limited to aluminum, steel, treated wood for outdoor application and wood, plywood for indoor applications. 
     In the systems  10 ,  100 ,  200 , the bottom groove  42 ,  162  (see  FIG. 16 ),  242  (see  FIG. 30 ) of the panel  12 ,  112 ,  212  receives the upward extending tongue  40  (see  FIGS. 2, 16, 30 ) and the front wall  82  of the clip  16  (see  FIG. 5, 19, 33 ). However, it is also contemplated instead of a groove  42 ,  162 ,  242  formed in the bottom side of the panels  12 ,  112 ,  212 , a tongue may be formed which is received into a groove of the bottom rail  14  and the clip  16 . Moreover, in the systems  10 ,  100 ,  200 , the tongues  84 ,  108 ,  284  of the panel  12  are received into the groove  70  of the clip  16 . However, it is also contemplated that the opposite configuration may also be formed. In particular, a tongue may be formed on the clip that is received into a groove formed in the top edge of the panel. Depending on whether the panels are flush mounted or lap mounted, the groove formed in the top edge of the panel may be closer to the front side or the backside of the panel. 
     The above description is given by way of example, and not limitation. Given the above disclosure, one skilled in the art could devise variations that are within the scope and spirit of the invention disclosed herein, including various ways of trimming the panels on site. Further, the various features of the embodiments disclosed herein can be used alone, or in varying combinations with each other and are not intended to be limited to the specific combination described herein. Thus, the scope of the claims is not to be limited by the illustrated embodiments.