Building panel

摘要

A building panel having inner and outer faces outlined by opposite ends and an upper and lower edges with opposite ends of the panel adapted to closely face the ends of adjacent panels in the same course. The outer face of the panel includes a lower portion of substantially greater surface area adapted for exposure and an upper portion of relatively smaller surface area adapted to underlie a lower portion of the back face of one or more panels laid up in the next higher course. At least one of the opposite ends of the panel is formed with a spacer projection adjacent the smaller upper portion thereof extending outwardly to provide an expansion space between a lower portion of said one end and an end of an adjacent panel positioned in the same course or row. The provision of a spacer eliminates the need for an installer to attempt to provide for adequate expansion space between panel ends when installing the panels and automatically insures that an expansion space of the desired width is present and not forgotten during installation of the panels.