Method for making tongue and groove panel

Abstract

A composite wood panel is disclosed, the wood panel having parallel first and second longitudinal edges, and parallel upper and lower faces, and comprising: a groove formed along the second longitudinal edge, a complementary shaped tongue formed along the first longitudinal edge, and a barrier layer. A first surface extends from the tongue to the upper surface and forms a generally obtuse angle, α, with the upper surface, while a matching surface extends from the groove forming a generally acute angle, β, with the upper surface, and the sum of α and β is from about 175° to less than about 180°. The composite wood panel allows for convenient and fast assembly, particularly in constructing roofs, and also provides resistance against the penetration of water through the structure formed by the panels.

1 - 19 . (Canceled)  
     
     
         20 . A method of making a tongue and groove panel comprising the steps of: 
 (a) providing a quantity of wood material present in the form of strands;    (b) blending the wood strands with binder;    (c) forming the wood strands into a mat having an upper surface, a lower surface and a core layer, the upper surface and lower surface of wood strands substantially oriented in a first direction and the core layer wood strands oriented in a second direction, wherein the first direction is substantially different from the second direction;    (d) pressing the mat in a heated press; and    (e) forming a tongue profile along a first longitudinal edge of the pressed mat and a groove profile along a second longitudinal edge of the pressed mat to form a tongue and groove panel;    wherein the panel further comprises a radiant barrier material secured to the lower surface, and a barrier layer secured to the upper surface.    
     
     
         21 . The method according to  claim 20 , wherein the radiant barrier material and the barrier layer are secured to the lower surface and upper surface, respectively, by an adhesive.  
     
     
         22 . The method according to  claim 20 , wherein a first surface extends from the tongue to the upper surface and forms a generally obtuse angle, α, with the upper surface, a matching surface extends from the groove forming a generally acute angle, β, with the upper surface, and the sum of α and β is from about 175° to about 185°.  
     
     
         23 . The method according to  claim 20 , wherein the barrier layer is made from fibers impregnated with a sizing compound.  
     
     
         24 . The method according to  claim 23 , wherein the fibers are cellulosic fibers.  
     
     
         25 . The method according to  claim 23 , wherein the sizing compound is selected from the group consisting of asphalt and non-asphaltic sizing.  
     
     
         26 . The method according to  claim 20 , wherein the barrier layer is selected from the group consisting of asphalt-impregnated felt and high density overlay.  
     
     
         27 . The composite wood panel according to  claim 20 , wherein the radiant barrier material comprises a first layer of metal foil, and a backing layer.