SIDING SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR WALL STRUCTURES

Abstract

A retaining system for supporting at least one siding element relative to a wall structure comprises at least one edge groove formed in at least one siding element, at least one retainer defining at least one perimeter portion, and at least one fastener. The at least one perimeter portion extends into the at least one edge groove. At least one fastener secures the at least one retainer to the wall structure.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to siding systems and methods for structures and, more specifically, to siding systems and methods that enhance the seismic properties of siding elements made of material such as rock, stone, and/or concrete used as exterior siding of structures.

BACKGROUND

Buildings are often clad in discrete siding elements made of materials selected to form a waterproof external surface and to provide acceptable or enhanced aesthetics. Discrete siding materials typically take the form of sheets, planks, boards, or shingles that are typically fastened (e.g., nails or screws) or bonded (e.g., adhesives) to an external sheathing layer forming a part of a wall system defining the building.

Siding elements such as rock, stone, and/or concrete provide enhanced aesthetics. Siding elements made of rock, stone, or concrete may be bonded to the external sheathing layer. However, because of weight concerns, rock, stone, and/or concrete siding elements bonded to the sheathing layer are limited to a lower elevation.

Rock, stone, and/or concrete siding elements may be stacked such that the weight thereof is supported separately from the structural wall system and not directly by the sheathing layer of the wall system. However, the use of stacked siding elements can unacceptably increase costs of the building.

The need thus exists for improved siding systems and methods for forming an external cladding layer of a wall structure.

SUMMARY

The present invention may be embodied as a retaining system for supporting at least one siding element relative to a wall structure comprises at least one edge groove formed in at least one siding element, at least one retainer defining at least one perimeter portion, and at least one fastener. The at least one perimeter portion extends into the at least one edge groove. At least one fastener secures the at least one retainer to the wall structure.

The present invention may also be embodied as a retaining system for supporting a plurality of siding elements relative to a wall structure comprising at least one edge groove formed in at least one siding element, at least one retainer defining first and second perimeter portions and first and second primary openings, and a fastener extending through each of the first and second primary openings to secure the at least one retainer to the wall structure. The first perimeter portion extends into the at least one edge groove of a first siding element. The second perimeter portion extends into the at least one edge groove of a second siding element.

The present invention may also be embodied as a method for supporting a plurality of siding elements relative to a wall structure comprising the following steps. At least one edge groove is formed in at least one siding element. At least one retainer defining first and second perimeter portions and first and second primary openings is provided. A fastener is extended through each of the first and second primary openings to secure the at least one retainer to the wall structure. The first perimeter portion is arranged to extend into the at least one edge groove of a first siding element. The second perimeter portion is arranged to extend into the at least one edge groove of a second siding element.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front plan view of a first example siding system of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a first example retainer that may be used by the first example siding system;

FIG. 3 is a front elevation view of the first example retainer;

FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of the first example retainer and an example fastener of the first example siding system;

FIG. 5 is an end elevation view of the first example retainer;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of first and second example siding elements that may be used as part of a siding system of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a section view taken along lines 7-7 in FIG. 1 illustrating a portion of the first example retainer within the first example siding system;

FIG. 8 illustrates an end section view of the first example retainer and a side view of an adjustment rod that may be used during installation of a siding system of the present invention;

FIG. 9A is a section view similar to FIG. 7 illustrating use of the adjustment rod during installation of the first example siding system;

FIG. 9B is a section view similar to FIG. 7 illustrating use of an example mounting stud during installation of a siding system of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a section view taken along lines 10-10 in FIG. 1 illustrating the fastener within a primary opening defined by the first example retainer;

FIG. 11 is a section view taken along lines 11-11 in FIG. 1 illustrating a second example fastener that may be used by a siding system of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a front plan view of a second example siding system of the present invention forming part of a second example wall system; and

FIG. 13 is a front elevation view of a third example retainer used by the second example siding system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring initially to FIGS. 1 and 7 of the drawing, depicted therein is a first example retaining system 20 that forms a part of a siding system 22 of a wall system 24. The example wall system 24 further comprises a wall structure 26 supported at least in part by a foundation 28. The elements of the example siding system 22 and not per se part of the present invention, but the example siding system 22 may incorporate the present invention in some forms. The example siding system 22 will be described herein only to that extent helpful for a complete understanding of the present invention. The example wall structure 26 and foundation 28 are not part of the present invention and are described herein only to that extent helpful for a complete understanding of the present invention.

The first example retaining system 20 comprises at least one retainer 30, at least one siding element 32, and at least one fastener 34. Each retainer 30 defines a base portion 40 and at least one wing or perimeter portion 42. The base portion 40 defines at least one primary opening 44 and, optionally, at least one secondary opening 46. The example siding elements 32 each define an outer surface 50, an inner surface 52, and at least one edge surface 54. At least a portion of at least one edge surface 54 defines an edge groove 56.

To form the first example retaining system 20, a selected retainer 30 is arranged with the at least one wing or perimeter portion 42 thereof within at least a portion of an edge groove 56 of at least one selected siding structure 32. A selected fastener 34 is then inserted through the at least one primary opening 44 formed in the selected retainer 30 and secured to the wall structure 26 such that the selected fastener 34 secures the selected retainer 30 in place relative to the wall structure 26. With the selected retainer 30 secured in place relative to the wall structure 26, the at least one wing or perimeter portion 42 of the selected retainer 30 inhibits movement of the selected siding structure 32 relative to the wall structure 26. The first example retaining system 20 thus inhibits movement of the at least one siding structure 32 relative to the wall structure 26 during, for example, seismic events.

With the foregoing general understanding of the construction and operation of the present invention in mind, the details of the first example retaining system 20 and wall system 24 incorporating that example retaining system 20 will now be described in further detail.

Initially, the first example retaining system 20 will typically comprise many of the siding elements 32 and will may also comprise different types of the siding elements 32. Further, a plurality of the retainers 30 will typically be provided for each of the siding structures 32 to enhance the ability of the example retaining system 20 to inhibit movement of each of the individual siding structures 32 relative to the wall structure 26. Finally, different types of the retainers 30 may be used depending on factors such as the type of siding element 32, the location of the retainer 30 relative to the siding element 32, and/or the location of the retainer 30 relative to the foundation 28. In the first example retaining system 20 as depicted in FIG. 1, a first and second types 30A and 30B of the retainers 30 are used. Further, first and second types 32A and 32B of the siding elements 32 are used.

The example first type 30A of the first example retainer 30 is depicted in and will be described with reference to FIGS. 2-5 of the drawing. The first retainer type 30A of first example retainer 30 comprises first and second wing or perimeter portions 42a and 42b extending from the base portion 40 to define a cross-sectional area in the shape of a pointed oval. Further, first and second primary openings 44a and 44b are formed in the base portion 40 of the first retainer type 30A. The base portion 40 of the first retainer type 30A further defines an optional secondary opening 46. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the first retainer type 30A is symmetrical in front plan view and in end elevation view about a reference plane P extending along a longitudinal axis L of defined by the first example retainer 30.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 11, the example second type 30B of first example retainer 30 comprises a base portion 40 and a single wing or perimeter portion 42; unlike the first retainer type 30A, the second retainer type 30B does not have two wing or perimeter portions. The example second retainer type 30B may be manufactured with only one wing or perimeter portion 42, or the first retainer type 30A may be modified to obtain the second type of first example retainer 30B by removing therefrom one of the first and second wing or perimeter portions 42a and 42b.

Both types 30A and 30B of the first example retainer 30 may be made of any material of sufficient rigidity to bear the loads applied thereto by external forces such as seismic events and to withstand environmental factors such as water intrusion. The first example retainer 30 may thus be made of metal (e.g., cast or milled) or by plastic or composite materials (e.g., molded or milled). In any case, the material from the first example retainer 30 should be sufficiently rigid and durable to prevent, up to a maximum anticipated load, pull out of the fastener(s) 34 and/or deformation that would allow the wing or perimeter portion(s) 42 to be withdrawn from the edge groove 56 of the siding element 32.

Turning now to FIG. 6 of the drawing, the siding elements 32 will now be described in further detail. The example siding elements 32 are typically formed of material such as rock, stone, concrete, or composites of those materials. The present invention is thus of primary significance when the siding elements are relatively heavy and bulky, and that example of the present invention will be described herein in detail. The term “stone siding elements” will be used herein as shorthand to refer to such heavy, bulky siding elements made of rock, stone, concrete, composites of those materials, or other materials having similar properties. Stone siding elements should be rigidly secured in place to inhibit falling debris during seismic events.

FIG. 6 illustrates examples of the first and second siding types 32A and 32B. The example first and second siding types 32A and 32B are all regular in shape, but the present invention may use siding elements 32 that are irregular in shape. Regular shapes are used for simplicity in the example wall system 24.

The first siding type 32A, also referred to herein as a field siding element, is intended for installation along a planar section of the wall structure 26. The second siding type 32B, also referred to herein as a corner siding element, is intended for installation at corners where two planar sections of the wall structure 26 intersect. It should be understood that use both of the first and second siding types 30A and 32B, even in a wall structure defining a corner, is optional. Only the first siding type 32A may be used, in which case two siding elements of the first siding type 32A may be butted together to define the corner defined by two intersecting portions of the wall structure 26. Alternatively, a particular wall system using a siding system of the present invention may use only the second siding types 32B at the corner of a particular wall structure, in which case the remaining portions of the planar sections of that particular wall structure may be sided using another type of siding element and/or siding material.

The first siding type 32A defines an outer surface 50, an inner surface 52, at least one edge surface 54, and an edge groove 56 formed in at least a portion of at least one edge surface 54. The example outer surface 50 and example inner surface 52 of the example first siding type 32A are substantially planar and rectangular. The example first siding type 32A thus defines four edge surfaces 54a, 54b, 54c, and 54d. In the example first siding type 32A, four edge grooves 56a, 56b, 56c, and 56d are formed in the edge surfaces 54a, 54b, 54c, and 54d, respectively. While the example edge grooves 56a, 56b, 56c, and 56d extend along the entire length of the edge surfaces 54a, 54b, 54c, and 54d, these grooves may be formed in only a part of edge surfaces 54a, 54b, 54c, and 54d. Further, the edge grooves need not be formed in all of the edge surfaces 54a, 54b, 54c, and 54d.

The second siding type 32B defines an outer surface 60, an inner surface 62, at least one edge surface 64, and an edge groove 66 formed in at least a portion of at least one edge surface 64. The second example siding type 32B is configured to extend around right angle corners defined by the wall structure 26 and thus comprises a first portion 68a and a second portion 68b. The example outer surface 60 and example inner surface 62 of the example second siding type 32B are discontinuous and follow the first and second portions 68a and 68b. The example second siding type 32B thus defines four edge surfaces 64a, 64b, 64c, and 64d. In the example second siding type 32B, four edge grooves 66a, 66b, 66c, and 66d are formed in the edge surfaces 64a, 64b, 64c, and 64d, respectively. While the example edge grooves 66a, 66b, 66c, and 66d extend along the entire length of the edge surfaces 64a, 64b, 64c, and 64d, these grooves may be formed in only a part of edge surfaces 64a, 64b, 64c, and 64d. Further, the edge grooves need not be formed in all of the edge surfaces 64a, 64b, 64c, and 64d, as will be described in further detail below.

Referring for a moment back to FIG. 4, it can be seen that the example fastener 34 is a screw defining a head 70, a shaft 72, and threads 74 formed on at least a portion of the shaft 72. The example fastener 34 is sized and dimensioned such that the shaft 72, but not the head 70, may pass through the primary opening 44 formed in the base portion 40 of the retainer 30. FIGS. 7, 10, and 11 illustrate that the fastener is further sized and dimensioned to penetrate at least a portion of the wall structure 26 to secure the retainer 30 to the wall structure 26. Typically, but not necessarily, two of the fasteners 34 are used to secure each retainer 30 to the wall structure 26, one through each of the primary openings 44a and 44b.

FIGS. 7, 10, and 11 further illustrate details of the example retaining system 20 and an example of the wall structure 26 used as part of the wall system 24 comprising the example retaining system 20. FIGS. 7 and 10 illustrate horizontal section views of a middle portion of the wall system 24, while FIG. 11 illustrates a vertical section view of a lower portion of the wall system 24 that is in contact with the foundation 28.

The example wall structure 26 comprises framing studs 80, exterior sheathing 82, and drywall 84. A wall cavity 86 is formed between the framing studs 80, exterior sheathing 82, and drywall 84. The wall cavity 86 is typically filled with insulating material (not shown). The exterior sheathing 82 defines an exterior surface 88 of the wall structure. In the example shown in FIGS. 7, 10, and 11, the example siding system 22 comprises, in addition to the retaining system 20 and the siding elements 32, a moisture barrier 90, wire mesh 92, a scratch coat mortar layer 94, a bonding mortar layer 96, and grout 98. The wall structure 26, moisture barrier 90, wire mesh 92, scratch coat layer 94, bonding layer 96, and grout 98 all are or may be conventional and do not per se form a part of the present invention. In the example wall system 26, the example fasteners 34 may be exterior wood screws in which the threads 74 are capable of securely engaging the stud(s) 80 and/or sheathing 82 to hold the head 70 in a desired position relative to the exterior surface 88 of the wall structure 26.

Further, other types of wall structures and siding systems may be used in place of the siding system 22 and the wall structure 26. As one example, a siding system of the present invention may comprise a rain barrier system in which one or more spaces are formed between the siding elements 32 and the moisture barrier 90. As another example, the wall structure may be masonry instead of stud framed. Different fastener(s) 34, and possibly an adhesive, may be used for a masonry wall. In any case, the fastener(s) 34 are sized and dimensioned to extend from the edge groove(s) 56 and beyond the exterior surface 88 of the wall structure 26 such that the fastener(s) 34 hold the retainer 30 in a desired orientation relative to the wall structure 26.

Referring for a moment back to FIG. 1, it can be seen that the portion of the example wall system 24 depicted therein comprises twenty-two of the first siding types 32A and five of the second siding types 32B. FIG. 1 further illustrates that, to secure the first siding types 32A and second siding types 32B to the wall structure 26, twenty-three of the first retainer types 30A and five of the second retainer types 30B are used. This example is representative only and, in other situations, may involve different sizes of siding elements 32 (e.g., siding types of 32A and 32B), different numbers of siding elements 32, and different wall areas to be sided.

Typically, the siding elements 32 are arranged in a predetermined pattern as determined by functional and aesthetic concerns. Once the pattern of the siding elements 32 is determined, a pattern of the retainers 30 can be determined. The retainers 30 are typically hidden, so the pattern/location of the retainers 30 is primarily determined based on the ability of the retainers 30 to hold the siding elements 32 in place during the life of the structure of which the wall system 24 forms a part.

In the example depicted in FIG. 1, a row of retainers 30 of the second retainer type 30B is arranged along a lower edge of the wall structure 26 to engage the lower edges of each of the siding elements 32 in the lowest course. Between the first and second courses and between the second and third courses, retainers 30 of the first type 30A are arranged at the juncture of the adjacent upper corners of each of siding elements 32 in the lowermost course and to engage the lower edges of each of the siding elements 32 in the uppermost course. Beyond the third course, retainers 30 of the first type 30A are arranged to engage vertical side edges of each of the siding elements 32.

Typically, an engineer or technician will determine a pattern of the retainers 30 suitable for the particular wall system 24. FIG. 1 shows two such patterns. A first pattern arranges the retainers 30 in a substantially horizontal configuration (e.g., longitudinal axis substantially horizontal) to support the first three courses of siding elements 32 relative to the wall structure 26. A second pattern arranges the retainers 30 in a substantially vertical configuration (e.g., longitudinal axis substantially vertical) to support the next three courses of siding elements 32 relative to the wall structure 26. Other patterns or combinations of patterns may be used, or it may be determined that retainers 30 are only required in select locations (e.g., upper rows or courses) or that retainers 30 may be arranged random locations based on factors such as stud locations or the like.

FIGS. 8, 9A, and 9B illustrate that the optional secondary opening 46 may be used for various purposes. Although the example secondary opening 46 is a threaded cylinder shape as shown, the secondary opening may take non-threaded and non-cylindrical shapes.

One example of the use of the secondary opening 46 is shown in FIG. 9A. A rod 120 may be inserted at least partly within the secondary opening and used to manipulate the orientation of the retainer 30. The rod 120 may be threaded as shown or an unthreaded rod sized and dimensioned to be received within the secondary opening 46, whether threaded or unthreaded. A second example of the use of the secondary opening 46 is shown in FIG. 9B. A peg 130 may be secured at a desired location on the wall structure 26 at which the fastener 130 is to be located. The example peg 130 comprises an engaging portion 132 and a support portion 134. During construction of the siding system 22, the engaging portion 132 is engaged with the wall structure 26 with the support portion 134 exposed, and the retainer 30 is displaced such that the secondary opening 46 therein receive the support portion 134 of the peg 130. The retainer 30 is supported at the desired location but may be rotated and otherwise moved as necessary to accommodate the particular siding elements 32. Yet another example of a use of the secondary opening 46 would be to support rods or bolts that extend to the exterior of the wall system 24 through the grout 98 to facilitate the attachment of building components such as architectural elements, lighting, and/or signs to the wall system 24.

Turning now to FIGS. 12 and 13, depicted therein is a second example retaining system 220 that forms a part of a siding system 222 of a wall system 224. The example wall system 224 further comprises a wall structure (not shown) supported at least in part by a foundation 226. The example siding system 222, wall structure, and foundation 226 are not per se part of the present invention and will be described herein only to that extent helpful for a complete understanding of the present invention.

The second example retaining system 220 comprises at least one retainer 230, at least one siding element 232, and at least one fastener (not shown). The fastener may be the same as the fastener 34 and alternatives thereto described above and will not be described attain herein.

As shown in FIG. 13, each retainer 230 defines a base portion 240 and at least one wing or perimeter portion 242. The base portion 240 defines at least one primary opening 244 and, optionally, at least one secondary opening 246. The example siding elements 232 each define an outer surface 250, an inner surface (not shown), and at least one edge surface 252. At least a portion of at least one edge surface 252 defines an edge groove 254.

To form the second example retaining system 220, a selected retainer 230 is arranged with the at least one wing or perimeter portion 242 thereof within at least a portion of an edge groove 254 of at least one selected siding structure 232. A selected fastener is then inserted through the at least one primary opening 244 formed in the selected retainer 230 and secured to the wall structure such that the selected fastener secures the selected retainer 230 in place relative to the wall structure. With the selected retainer 230 secured in place relative to the wall structure, the at least one wing or perimeter portion 242 of the selected retainer 230 inhibits movement of the selected siding structure 232 relative to the wall structure. The second example retaining system 220 thus inhibits movement of the at least one siding structure 232 relative to the wall structure during, for example, seismic events.

With the foregoing general understanding of the construction and operation of the present invention in mind, the details of the second example retaining system 220 and wall system 224 incorporating that example retaining system 220 will now be described in further detail.

Initially, the second example retaining system 220 will typically comprise many of the siding elements 232 and will may also comprise different types of the siding elements 232. Further, a plurality of the retainers 230 will typically be provided for each of the siding structures 232 to enhance the ability of the example retaining system 220 to inhibit movement of each of the individual siding structures 232 relative to the wall structure. Finally, different types of the retainers 230 may be used depending on factors such as the type of siding element 232, the location of the retainer 230 relative to the siding element 232, and/or the location of the retainer 230 relative to the foundation 226.

In the second example retaining system 220 as depicted in FIG. 12, a first and second types 230A and 230B of the retainers 230 are used. The example first type 230A of the second example retainer 230 is depicted in and will be described with reference to FIG. 13 of the drawing. The first retainer type 230A of second example retainer 230 comprises first and second wing or perimeter portions 242a and 242b extending from the base portion 240 to define a circular cross-sectional area. Further, first and second primary openings 244a and 244b are formed in the base portion 240 of the first retainer type 230A. The base portion 240 of the first retainer type 230A further defines an optional secondary opening 246. As shown in FIG. 13, the first retainer type 230A is symmetrical in front plan view and in end elevation view about a reference plane P extending along a longitudinal axis L of defined by the second example retainer 230.

As shown in FIG. 12, the example second type 230B of the second example retainer 230 comprises a base portion 240 and a single wing or perimeter portion 242; unlike the first retainer type 230A, the example second retainer type 230B does not have two wing or perimeter portions. The example second retainer type 230B may be manufactured with only one wing or perimeter portion 242, or the first retainer type 230A may be modified to obtain the second type of second example retainer 230B by removing therefrom one of the first and second wing or perimeter portions 242a and 242b.

Like the first example retainer 30, both types 230A and 230B of the second example retainer 230 may be made of any material of sufficient rigidity to bear the loads applied thereto by external forces such as seismic events and to withstand environmental factors such as water intrusion. The second example retainer 230 may thus be made of metal (e.g., cast or milled) or by plastic or composite materials (e.g., molded or milled). In any case, the material from the first example retainer 230 should be sufficiently rigid and durable to prevent, up to a maximum anticipated load, pull out of the fastener(s) 234 and/or deformation of the wing or perimeter portion(s) 242 when used as described herein.

The siding elements 232 are all regular in shape, but the present invention may use siding elements 232 different types of siding elements and/or elements that are irregular in shape. Regular shapes are used for simplicity in the example wall system 224.

The siding element 232 defines an outer surface 250, an inner surface (not visible), at least one edge surface 252, and an edge groove 254 formed in at least a portion of at least one edge surface 252. The example outer surface 250 and example inner surface of the example siding element 232 are substantially planar and rectangular. The example siding element 232 thus defines four of the edge surfaces 252. In the example siding element 232, one edge groove 254 is formed in each of the edge surfaces 252. While the example edge grooves 254 extend along the entire length of the edge surfaces 252, these grooves may be formed in only a part of edge surfaces 252. Further, the edge grooves need not be formed in all of the edge surfaces 252. The second example retainer 230 is capable of engaging grooves formed only partly along the edge surfaces 252 at the corners of the siding elements 232 where the edge surfaces intersect.

The circular shape of the first type 230A of the second example retainers 230 allows the first retainer type 230A to engage four adjacent corners of the siding elements 232 in the field of the wall system 224. The semicircular shape of the second type 230B of the second example retainers 230 allows the retainer type 230B to engage two adjacent corners of the siding elements 232 along the bottom edge of the wall system 224 adjacent to the foundation 226.

While pointed oval and circular shapes of the first and second example retainers 30 and 230 are described herein, other shapes may be used, such as rectangular, cross, star, or the like.

In the foregoing discussion, upper case letter suffixes such as “A” and “B” are used to indicate different types of something and are not different from that something. For example, with respect to the example siding elements described herein, the first example retainer 30 as described herein is generic to and not different the first and second types 30A and 30B of that first example retainer 30. Similarly, the siding elements 32 as described herein is generic to and not different from the first and second siding types 32A and 32B.

Similarly, in the foregoing discussion lower case suffixes such as “a” and “b” are used to indicate different instances of something and are not different from that something. In particular, the example first and second wing or perimeter portions 42a and 42b extending from the base portion 40 of the first example retainers 30 are not different from the wing or perimeter portion 42 as described herein. And with respect to the example first and second primary openings 44a and 44b described herein, the first and second primary openings 44a and 44b formed in the base portion 40 of the first example retainers 30 are not different from the primary opening 44 as described herein.

Claims

1. A retaining system for supporting at least one siding element relative to a wall structure comprising: at least one edge groove formed in at least one siding element;at least one retainer defining at least one perimeter portion; andat least one fastener; wherebythe at least one perimeter portion extends into the at least one edge groove; andat least one fastener secures the at least one retainer to the wall structure.

2. A retaining system as recited in claim 1, in which: the at least one retainer defines at least one primary opening; andone fastener extends through each primary opening to engage the wall structure.

3. A retaining system as recited in claim 1, in which: the at least one retainer defines first and second primary openings; andone fastener extends through each of the first and second primary openings to engage the wall structure.

4. A retaining system as recited in claim 1, in which the at least one retainer defines at least one secondary opening.

5. A retaining system as recited in claim 4, further comprising a rod adapted to engage the at least one secondary opening to facilitate movement of the retainer.

6. A retaining system as recited in claim 4, further comprising a peg adapted to engage the at least one secondary opening to support a building component from the wall structure.

7. A retaining system as recited in claim 1, in which: the at least one retainer defines first and second perimeter portions;the first perimeter portion extends into the at least one edge groove of a first siding element; andthe second perimeter portion extends into the at least one edge groove of a second siding element.

8. A retaining system as recited in claim 7, in which: the retainer defines first and second wing portions;the first perimeter portion is formed by the first wing portion of the retainer; andthe second perimeter portion is formed by the second wing portion of the retainer.

9. A retaining system as recited in claim 1, in which: the at least one retainer defines first, second, and third perimeter portions;the first perimeter portion extends into the at least one edge groove of a first siding element;the second perimeter portion extends into the at least one edge groove of a second siding element; andthe third perimeter portion extends into the at least one edge groove of a third siding element.

10. A retaining system as recited in claim 9, in which: the retainer defines first and second wing portions;the first perimeter portion is formed by the first wing portion of the retainer; andthe second and third perimeter portions are formed by the second wing portion of the retainer.

11. A retaining system as recited in claim 1, in which: the at least one retainer defines first, second, third, and fourth perimeter portions;the first perimeter portion extends into the at least one edge groove of a first siding element;the second perimeter portion extends into the at least one edge groove of a second siding element;the third perimeter portion extends into the at least one edge groove of a third siding element; andthe fourth perimeter portion extends into the at least one edge groove of a fourth siding element.

12. A retaining system as recited in claim 11, in which the retainer is circular.

13. A retaining system as recited in claim 1, in which: the retainer defines a single perimeter portion; andthe single perimeter portion extends into the at least one edge groove of a first siding element.

14. A retaining system as recited in claim 13, in which the retainer defines a single wing defining the single perimeter portion.

15. A retaining system as recited in claim 1, in which: the retainer comprises a single wing defining first and second perimeter portions;the first perimeter portion extends into the at least one edge groove of a first siding element; andthe second perimeter portion extends into the at least one edge groove of a second siding element.

16. A retaining system for supporting a plurality of siding elements relative to a wall structure comprising: at least one edge groove formed in at least one siding element;at least one retainer defining first and second perimeter portions and first and second primary openings; anda fastener extending through each of the first and second primary openings to secure the at least one retainer to the wall structure; wherebythe first perimeter portion extends into the at least one edge groove of a first siding element; andthe second perimeter portion extends into the at least one edge groove of a second siding element.

17. A retaining system as recited in claim 16, in which the at least one retainer defines at least one secondary opening, the retaining system further comprising at least one of a rod adapted to engage the at least one secondary opening to facilitate movement of the retainer; anda peg adapted to engage the at least one secondary opening to support a building component from the wall structure.

18. A retaining system as recited in claim 17, in which: the retainer defines first and second wing portions;the first perimeter portion is formed by the first wing portion of the retainer; andthe second perimeter portion is formed by the second wing portion of the retainer.

19. A retaining system as recited in claim 17, in which: the at least one retainer further defines third and fourth perimeter portions;the third perimeter portion extends into the at least one edge groove of a third siding element; andthe fourth perimeter portion extends into the at least one edge groove of a fourth siding element.

20. A retaining system as recited in claim 19, in which at least one retainer is circular.

21. A retaining system as recited in claim 16, in which at least one retainer defines a single wing defining the first and second perimeter portions.

22. A method for supporting a plurality of siding elements relative to a wall structure comprising the steps of: forming at least one edge groove in the at least one siding element;providing at least one retainer defining first and second perimeter portions and first and second primary openings;extending a fastener extending through each of the first and second primary openings to secure the at least one retainer to the wall structure;arranging the first perimeter portion to extend into the at least one edge groove of a first siding element; andarranging the second perimeter portion to extend into the at least one edge groove of a second siding element.