Louisiana-Pacific Corporation
SELF-SPACING LAP AND PANEL SIDING

Abstract:

A lap siding or panel siding product with a unique shiplap joint that spaces abutting pieces of lap siding correctly from each other without measurements taken or needed by the installer. The shiplap joint comprises a bottom element and a top element, each extending from the respective piece of lap or panel siding. A set of "tabs" or "hook-tabs" is engineered on or adjacent to the underside of each joint element to space the pieces of lap or panel siding correctly, without requiring measurement during installation. The locations of the tabs or hook-tabs serve as a stop point for placement of the two pieces of lap or panel siding, allowing self-indexing. Post-installation, as the siding pieces expand or elongate length-wise or laterally, the two tabs or hook-tabs move away from each other, thereby allowing expansion and/or elongation without distortion or warping of the siding pieces.