Pre-finished insulated panel system for cladding a building

A pre-finished insulated panel system for cladding an exterior wall of a building, the wall including a supporting structural substrate, the system comprising:

• a plurality of rectangular panels, wherein each panel has an insulation core and weather resistant coating defining a central portion with a panel thickness between an inside mounting surface and an exposed outside surface, a top edge, a bottom edge, and opposing lateral edges, the plurality of panels adapted for engagement in a series of parallel rows;
• each panel having:
• a mounting flange disposed on the top edge and on a first lateral edge of each panel, the mounting flange including:
• a recessed mounting groove;
• an inner ridge;
• and an outer ridge;
• an elongate cover flange complementary with the mounting flange disposed on the bottom edge and on an opposing second lateral edge, the cover flange including:
• an inner groove complementary to the inner ridge;
• and an outer groove complementary to the outer ridge;
• and
• mechanical fasteners having a fastener head disposed within the recessed mounting groove and a shank for anchoring in the supporting structural substrate;
• wherein the inner ridge has an inner detent surface to abut the inner groove;
• wherein the inner detent surface is disposed at a first obtuse angle relative to the inside mounting surface;
• wherein the cover flange includes an inward wedge defined between the inside mounting surface and the inner groove;
• wherein the inner detent surface and inward wedge are configured to interact for exerting a force driving the cover flange toward the supporting structural substrate.