DECORATIVE WALL COVERING AND METHOD OF INSTALLATION
A decorative wall covering and method of installation. The wall covering includes a plurality of identically molded panels each having first and second predetermined laterally spaced vertical cutting lines and being formed with horizontal rows of laterally spaced simulated shake. The first panel of each alternate course in the vertical direction is cut along the first cutting line and the first panel of every other course is cut along the second predetermined cutting line, whereby the lowermost row of simulated shake of the panels of each course are automatically offset from the uppermost row of the panels in the course immediately therebelow. The overlapping marginal edge regions each are formed with a plurality of parallel water barrier ridges for impeding movement of water outwardly over the peripheral edges of the underlying marginal edge region, as well as into nail mounting holes. The water barrier ridges are discontinuous so as to impede outward water movement, while allowing drainage of water in a downward direction. The wall covering panels further have various interlocking features which maintain sealing contact between overlapping upper and lower marginal edge regions and which facilitate alignment and mounting of the panels on the support surface.