Two-piece trim assembly for siding on buildings

A two-piece trim assembly covers the ends of siding used on building exterior walls. The trim assembly includes an L-shaped base and L-shaped cover. The base is secured to the wall first, then the siding strips are attached to the wall such that the ends of the strips are in close proximity to the upstanding leg of the base. Then the cover is installed so that one leg overlies the upstanding leg of the base and the front leg overlies the corners of the siding strips. The inner surface of the base and the outer surface of the cover or color coordinated with the siding strip, with the non-colored surfaces of the base and cover being hidden from view when the base and cover are assembled.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a two-piece trim assembly for use on the ends of siding strips used on buildings, such as exterior metal siding. The invention also relates to a method of installing the siding strips onto the building wall with the two-piece trim assembly.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

FIGS. 1 and 8show a prior art trim piece10for siding11, such as metal siding, on the exterior of a commercial or residential building. Conventional building siding used on building exteriors typically uses a one-piece, J-shaped trim piece or mold10to enclose the ends of the siding strips11. The J-shaped trim10has a back or base piece12which is mounted to the building wall. The trim piece10includes an upstanding leg or web14which may have different heights to accommodate different profiles of the siding strips. The trim piece10has a front face16extending perpendicular to the web14, and typically extending approximately 1 inch. The base12, the web14, and the front face16of the trim piece10form a channel18for receiving the end20of the siding11.

The prior art trim piece10has been used for many years but has many problems. First, during the installation process, if a trim piece10is used on both ends20of the siding11, as shown inFIG. 8, the siding must be cut short so as to fit between the opposing channels18, which leaves a substantial gap22, of approximately one half the length of the front face16at each end of the siding. For example, if the front face16is one inch long, the gap22is approximately a ½-⅝ inch-wide at each end20. The gap22allows the siding11to slide within the opposing channels18, which is undesirable. This installation process, wherein the siding11is slipped beneath the front face16on one end and then is slid back beneath the front face16at the opposite end, can scratch or dent the front of the siding11, with such damage to the front face of the siding being visible.

Another problem with the J-trim piece10is that the front face16overlaps the siding11, so as to prevent a sealant, such as caulking, to be applied to the end20of the siding to seal against moisture and air penetration. Often, foam material is inserted into the channel18so as to create an air dam, and thereby minimize air leakage or passage. Adding the foam is another time-consuming step that adds more cost to the siding project.

Furthermore, the one-piece trim10is normally only colored on the outer surface, such that the exterior of the front face16has a color which matches, coordinates, or complements the color of the siding11, while the interior surface of the trim piece10is usually white or gray. This bright color of the interior surface of the trim piece10is often visible, and particularly stands out against dark-colored trim. Thus, colored inserts are often used to cover the white or gray inner surface of the J-trim piece10, which adds to costs and installation time.

Therefore, there is a need in the industry for an improved trim assembly for covering the ends of siding strips on building exteriors which overcomes the problems of the prior art.

Accordingly, the primary objective of the present invention is a provision of a two-piece trim assembly for use on the ends of building siding material which avoids the problems of conventional one-piece trim systems.

Another objective of the present invention is the provision of a two-piece trim assembly for use with metal siding which simplifies installation of the siding on buildings so as to save time and costs.

A further objective of the present invention is the provision of a two-piece trim assembly for metal siding which allows the ends of the siding to be easily sealed against air and moisture.

Still another objective of the present invention is the provision of a two-piece trim assembly which permits the siding to be cut for a close fit minimizing the gap between the ends of the siding strips and the trim assembly.

Yet another objective of the present invention is the provision of a two-piece trim assembly for siding having colored interior and exterior surfaces to match or contrast the siding color.

A further objective of the present invention is the provision of a two-piece trim kit having increased integrity and appearance, while saving installation time and costs, and improving profitability for the installer.

Yet another objective of the present invention is the provision of a two-piece trim assembly for metal and other siding on buildings which can be nested closely together for improved shipping and transportation.

Still another objective of the present invention is the provision of a method of installing siding strips onto a building wall using a two-piece trim assembly which simplifies installation and reduces installation time and cost.

These and other objectives will become apparent from the following description of the invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A two-piece trim assembly is provided for covering the ends of metal or other siding used on building exteriors. The trim assembly includes an L-shaped base with the first leg adapted to reside against the building wall and a second leg extending perpendicularly to the first leg. The trim assembly further includes an L-shaped cover having first and second perpendicular legs. The cover is positioned adjacent the base, such that the first leg of the cover overlies the second leg of the base, and the second leg of the covered is spaced from the first leg of the base to form a channel in which the end of the siding resides. The edges of the base and cover may be hemmed. The outer surface of the cover and the inner surface of the base are colored to match the color of the siding, or in complementary contrast to the siding color.

The siding installation method begins by fastening the first leg of the base to the building wall. The siding strips are cut to length, such that the ends of the siding reside closely adjacent to the second leg of the base. The cover is then positioned over the ends of the siding strips so that the ends are captured between the base in the cover. If desired, a sealant, such as caulking, can be applied to the ends of the siding strips before the cover is installed so as to prevent or minimize air and moisture leakage behind the siding strips.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The two-piece trim assembly for use in covering the ends of siding strips on buildings, according to the present invention, is generally designated by the reference30in the drawings. The trim assembly30includes a base piece32and a cover piece34.

The base piece32is L-shaped, with an elongated first leg36and a shorter second leg38extending perpendicularly from the first leg36. The outer or terminal end of the second leg38is hemmed to hold edge ridges and assist with installation of the cover piece. Also, the length or height of the leg38is determined by the depth of the siding to be installed, such as the strips11, as shown inFIG. 5. This also effects the length of the leg46. The base piece32includes opposite inner and outer surfaces42,44. At least the inner surface42is colored so as to match the color of the siding or may be a complementary or contrasting color to the siding color.

The cover piece34is L-shaped, with a first leg46and a second leg48perpendicular to the first leg46. The terminal ends of the legs46,48may include a hem50, which is optional. The cover piece34has opposite inner and outer surfaces52,54. At least the outer surface54is colored so as to match, complement, or contrast the color of the siding.

The base32and the cover34, when assembled, form a channel56in which the end20of the siding11resides. As seen inFIGS. 4-7, the end20of the siding11is closely adjacent to the second leg38of the base piece32, with a minimal gap58therebetween. For example, the gap may be ⅛- 3/16 inch. The second leg48of the cover34forms a front face extending over the front corner of the siding11.

Installation of the siding and trim assembly30on the building wall60is a faster and simpler process, as compared to use of the conventional trim piece10. First, the base piece32is fastened to the wall in any convenient manner, such as with screws32. Then, after the siding strips11are cut to length, each siding strip is positioned over the first leg36of the base piece32. As seen in the drawings, the length of the siding strip is such that the end20is closely adjacent the second leg38of the cover of the base piece32with a minimal gap58. After each siding strip11is attached to the wall60using conventional fasteners, the cover piece34is positioned with the first leg46overlying the second leg38of the base piece32, and the second leg48overlying the front corners of the siding strips. The second or front leg48may be riveted or otherwise attached to the siding strip with a fastener61to secure the cover piece34in place.

If desired, before the cover piece34is installed, a sealant, such as a caulk material, may be applied to the gap58so as to minimize or preclude air and moisture leakage behind the siding strips. Also, if desired, a sealant63can be applied to the inner surface52of the first leg46of the cover piece34as to provide a seal between the first leg46of the cover34and the second leg38of the base32.

As seen inFIGS. 4-6, the two-piece trim assembly30may be used in various applications, including around a window having a frame64and glass66(FIG. 4), or at a corner of a building, including those with a brick veneer68(FIGS. 5-6). Also, it is understood that the dimensions of the base piece32and the cover piece34may vary, according to the application. For example, as seen inFIG. 5, the first leg46of the cover piece34stops short of the brick68, whereas inFIG. 6, the first leg46of the cover piece34extends slightly over the brick68.

The two-piece trim assembly30can be used in both horizontal and vertical orientations. In a vertical orientation, such as shown inFIG. 9, depending upon the height being covered, two or more base pieces32may be utilized, with adjacent ends overlapping (FIG. 10) so as to provide flashing for proper moisture drainage. Then, a cover piece34can be offset from the base pieces32, so as to cover the overlap joint between the adjacent base pieces32. Such an overlap of adjacent trim pieces is not possible with the conventional J-trim piece10, without slightly deforming the J-shaped channel and without being visible on the short leg of the J which overlaps the ends of the siding.

Preferably, the length of this first leg46of the cover piece34is slightly less than the length of the second leg38of the base piece32so that when the base and cover pieces32,34are assembled, there is no pinch point against the wall60, particularly if the first leg46is hidden from view. If there is no wall to create a pinch point for the first leg, then preferably the leg46has a length to match the length of the second leg38of the base piece32. The height of the second leg38of the base piece depends on the thickness of the siding strip11. For example, a substantially contoured siding strip such as that shown inFIG. 9will require a deeper channel56than a flatter or less contoured siding strip.

The two-piece trim assembly30of the present invention has many advantages over the prior art one-piece trim component10. First, the installation process is faster, since the cover piece34is removed so that there is no front face or leg blocking the end of the side strip as the siding strips are positioned on the base piece32. The open front of the base piece32also eliminates risk of scratching or damaging the siding strip during installation, since the lengthwise sliding adjustments is eliminated, as compared to prior art process shown inFIG. 8.

Another advantage of the two-piece trim assembly30is that all visible surfaces of the trim assembly are colored. Thus, there is no white or gray exposed surface, as with the channel18of the J-trim piece10. Thus, the two-piece trim assembly30eliminates the need for colored inserts which are required to cover the uncolored siding surface of the J-trim piece.

The two-piece trim assembly30also eliminates the need for foam used with the J trim10to block air or moisture, since the gap58between the ends of the siding strips in the base piece32is significantly smaller than the gap22for the ends of the siding strips in the J-trim piece10. Also, with the two-piece trim assembly30, a sealant can be applied in the gap58, if desired, before the cover piece34is installed. Such sealing cannot be done with the J-trim piece10, since the end of the siding strip is covered by the front face16of the trim piece10.

Furthermore, the L-shaped base piece32and L-shaped cover piece34can be easily stacked in close proximity and utilizing a minimum amount of space (seeFIG. 11), as compared to the stacking of the same number of J-shaped trim pieces10(seeFIG. 12). The close nesting of the pieces32,34allows for more compact packing, so as to reduce shipping and transportation costs.

While in the preferred embodiment the two-piece trim assembly is made of metal which is bent to the desired dimensions for use with metal siding, it is contemplated that a similar two-piece trim assembly can be extruded from vinyl for use with vinyl siding. Such a vinyl trim assembly may include a snap fit with detents on the base or cover pieces, or another form of a male and female coupling between the base and cover pieces.

The two-piece trim assembly30of the present invention improves the integrity of and appearance of the finished siding project, while saving time and money, and improving profitability.