Patent Abstract:
In an exemplary embodiment, a window sill comprises a structural base having a first side and a second side, a fenestration cap attached to the structural base, a window frame mounted on the fenestration cap and finish elements applied to the structural base and adjacent to the fenestration cap. The window frame may be removed from the fenestration cap without disturbing the finish elements. Alternatively, a method of installing a window in a window opening comprises providing a window opening and preparing the window opening for receiving a fenestration cap, installing a fenestration cap by placement within and attachment to the window opening in a primary step, and installing a window within the window opening by placement within and attachment to the fenestration cap in a secondary step.

Full Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a system and method for finishing fenestration openings. 
     BACKGROUND 
     General contractors engaged in the construction of a commercial or residential building are responsible for scheduling various subcontractors to complete their assigned tasks in a timely manner. When a certain subcontractor&#39;s work is delayed for some reason, further delays may be caused for other subcontractors whose tasks are dependent on the first subcontractor. For instance, plumbing and electrical work must be completed before interior drywall can be hung; likewise painting and finishing cannot proceed until the drywall is hung. To the extent that a job can be planned so that as few subcontractors are dependent on the completion of each other&#39;s work as possible, a smoother job with fewer delays is likely to result. 
     While better scheduling and planning on the part of the general contractor can reduce these bottlenecks, some are unavoidable due to requirements imposed by current building materials. For example, fenestration openings are unfinished openings in the side of a building which will ultimately receive a window or door assembly. Currently, windows are delivered by the manufacturer having a frame which is attached to the framing members of the fenestration opening. Until this frame is installed, the finishing crews, which apply the exterior finish such as plastering to the building as well as the interior drywall crews, cannot complete their work. Accordingly, delays in shipment and installation of the windows and frames lead to significant problems in work scheduling for the building as a whole, which can potentially cause an entire job to fall behind schedule. 
     A need exists for a system and method which reduces the need for a high degree of coordination between subcontractors. With such a system and method, the burden on the window and door manufacturers to deliver on a tight schedule is reduced, and the general contractor regains a degree of control over his schedule without worrying about being held up by his custom window and door suppliers not delivering on time. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Accordingly, a fenestration cap system is provided as a separate piece from the frame of the window. The fenestration cap can be installed prior to the delivery of the widows and accompanying frames, and allows interior and exterior finishing to be completed without having to install the window and door systems. This allows more time for custom window and door orders to be filled by the supplier without holding up progress in other areas of the job. The waiting for the actual windows to arrive and be installed is no longer one of the critical paths of the job schedule, and may be completed at the convenience of the contractor. 
     This system is compatible with the frames of major door and window suppliers, and gives consumers the flexibility to choose the windows and doors that best fit their specific needs without being forced to make a selection due to manufacturer lead times. Furthermore, the present system is easy to install, and can be done by tradesmen with minimal training. The inclusion in certain embodiments of the present invention of flanges and stops reduces the need for careful measuring and placement of finishing materials such as drywall sheeting. 
     The fenestration cap system allows window and door openings to be made ready to receive their corresponding accessories, while at the same time being easily made weatherproof in the absence of these accessories with the addition of a simple piece of panel or sheeting. 
     Additional benefits are provided if accessories such as windows and doors are installed after finishing crews complete their work, which may include the application of plaster to the outside of the storefront, or the installation of drywall along the inside. In this case, The window and door systems installed within the fenestration cap do not need to be masked off by the finishing crews, and they are not in danger of being damaged by the finishing crews. 
     In one embodiment of the present fenestration cap system, future window replacement can be achieved by simply removing the window fasteners holding the window and possibly the frame within the fenestration cap, cutting out the perimeter window sealant, and sliding the window out leaving the integrity of the structural and building substrates in a finished undisturbed state. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, a window sill comprises a structural base having a first side and a second side, a fenestration cap attached to the structural base, a window frame mounted on the fenestration cap, and finish elements applied to the structural base and adjacent to the fenestration cap. The window frame may be removed from the fenestration cap without disturbing the finish elements. 
     In an alternative embodiment, a fenestration cap comprises a first surface for receiving a window and a second surface attached to the first surface for attachment to a fenestration opening. The window is separably detachable from the first surface and the fenestration opening is detachable from the second surface. Furthermore, detachability of the window from the first surface is independent of detachability of the fenestration opening from the second surface. 
     A method of installing a window in a window opening comprises providing a window opening and preparing the window opening for receiving a fenestration cap, installing a fenestration cap by placement within and attachment to the window opening in a primary step, and installing a window within the window opening by placement within and attachment to the fenestration cap in a secondary step. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  shows a side view of a prior art commercial window assembly; 
         FIG. 2  shows an isometric view of a prior art window assembly; 
         FIG. 3  shows a fenestration cap according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  shows a fenestration cap having a built in plaster key and a channel in the interior side according to another embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  shows a recessed fenestration cap having a built in plaster key and a flush interior side according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  shows a recessed fenestration cap having a channel in the interior side according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  shows a recessed fenestration cap having a flush interior side according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 8  shows a fenestration cap having a built in plaster key which is attached to a window pane using a caulked butt joint; 
         FIG. 9  shows a recessed fenestration cap having a built in plaster key which is attached a window pane using a caulked butt joint; 
         FIG. 10  shows a sill detail of a fenestration cap anchored to a concrete slab; 
         FIG. 11  shows a fenestration cap according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 12  shows a head detail of a fenestration cap anchored to a concrete slab. 
     
    
    
     Before any embodiment of the invention is explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and arrangements of components set forth in the following description, or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of alternative embodiments and of being practiced or being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of illustrative description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The present fenestration cap was designed to systematically coordinate and weatherproof fenestration openings before the installation of commercial or residential windows or doors. In one embodiment, the fenestration cap is a permanent fixtures in the building in which it is installed. The present cap allows for plastering and installation of interior drywall to be completed after installation of the fenestration cap itself, all of which may be completed at the leisure of a general contractor before delivery of the windows and associated frames is even taken. As such, a delay in such delivery will not unnecessarily inconvenience the contractor and delay the job; plasterers and finishing crews no longer need to wait for the delivery of windows to a job site to complete their portions of the build. 
     Once the windows and frames do arrive, they can be installed separately by attachment to the fenestration cap with sheet metal screws or other appropriate fastening means. Furthermore, if the window panes themselves ever need to be replaced, the frames in which they are mounted can be easily detached from the fenestration cap without the need to remove the cap itself. Formerly, the unitary frame in which windows were mounted and which was attached directly to the window opening necessitated a complete tear-out of the window opening to replace the window itself. As such, windows and doors are made independent and easily replaceable building components rather than permanent parts of the building structure. 
       FIG. 1  is a side view of a prior art commercial window assembly showing a nail on concrete slab detail. A sill can  150  is attached directly to a concrete slab  101  using a fastener  102 . A pair of caulk beads  152  are also shown at the periphery of the interface between the sill can  150  and the concrete slab  101 . A sealant  106  is used to waterproof the intersection of the fastener  102  and the sill can  150 . A shim  107  may be used to position the sill can  150  on the concrete slab  101 . Also, backer rods  108  may be used to provide a stop for the application of the caulk bead  152 . 
     Such an arrangement is known by those skilled in the art to be prone to leakage. The sill can  150 , together with a sill can filler  155  and a sill can stop  160  forms a frame assembly which secures a window  170 . One or more top load gaskets  171  as well as a setting block  172  may also be used with this assembly to further secure, cushion and waterproof the window  170 . 
     With the embodiment shown, finish work on the window opening may only be completed once the window  170  and frame arrives. As such, the scheduling problems discussed above are common with this prior art embodiment. Furthermore, if the window  170  and frame needed to be changed, any plastering and drywall used to finish the window opening would have to be removed at that time. 
       FIG. 2  shows an isometric view of a prior art window assembly of a similar type to that shown in profile in  FIG. 1 . Here, a vertical sill can  250  forms an assembly together with a sill can filler  255  and a sill can stop  260  to receive a window. The vertical sill can  250  is sealed to a jamb  201  using a caulk bead  25 . The vertical sill can  250  is shown at right angles to a horizontal sill can  250  which is secured to its mounting platform using a fastener  202 . 
       FIG. 3  shows a fenestration cap  300  according to a simplified embodiment of the present invention. Alternative fenestration caps are discussed in greater detail with reference to the following figures. Here, a fenestration cap  300  is shown having a side  311  defining a vertical flashing  312 , a drywall channel  345  and a plaster key  346 , in addition to one or more screw races  305 . The dry wall channel is defined between a mounting flange  305  a and a top side  305   b . In the shown exemplary embodiment, the fenestration cap has a base  315 , a top side  317  generally parallel to the base and a support  319  extending between the base and the top side. In the shown exemplary embodiment, the key  346  extends perpendicularly from the side  311  and generally along the same plane as the to side. The fenestration cap  300  is an independent piece separate from any sill can or window frame assembly which may be independently installed from the window to act as a terminal point for plaster and drywall installation as well as other finish work. 
       FIG. 4  shows one embodiment of a fenestration cap  400  according to the present invention. The cap shown in  FIG. 4  is being used in a window opening framed by wood framing members  435  and faced on the exterior side by plywood sheeting  437 .  FIG. 4  shows a sill can  450  supporting a window  470 . As is known to one skilled in the art, a head can of a like, though not necessarily identical design, may be used to support the top edge of the window  470  in a storefront. Similarly, the fenestration cap  400  may be used to finish the top of the window opening rather than the bottom as is shown in  FIG. 4  so as to provide a platform for attachment of the head can. 
     As discussed above, finishing crews are responsible for the installation of the plaster  436  and drywall sheeting  438 , but these elements cannot be installed until a terminal point is provided for them to be finished against. In the prior art, this terminal point was provided by the sill can or frame of the window itself. However, this caused the previously mentioned problems of delays in construction while the finishing crews waited for the window and associated sill can and frame to be delivered. 
     In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 4 , a fenestration cap  400  is provided as a single piece separate from any sill can or window frame; as such it may be independently installed and acts as a terminal point for plaster and drywall installation. To this end, the fenestration cap  400  includes a plaster key  446  on its exterior side. The front edge of the plaster key  446  is designed to act as a guide for the tradesperson applying the plaster  436 ; a trowel may easily be drawn along this edge of the plaster key  446  to quickly and neatly apply an even layer of plaster to the assembly. In one embodiment, the plaster  436  is applied to a depth of ⅞″. As mentioned above, because the fenestration cap  400  is provided as a single separate piece, plaster may be applied to the plaster key  446  prior to the installation of the window or frame, avoiding the risk of damage to these elements. 
     Similarly, in the shown exemplary embodiment, the fenestration cap  400  includes a base  415 , a top side  417  generally parallel to the base, as well as a first support  419  and a second support  421  between the base and the top side. The key  446  has at least a portion that extends perpendicularly from a side  411  defining a flashing  412 , and along the same plane as the top side  417 . The exemplary embodiment fenestration cap also includes a drywall channel  445  provided as a guide to receive a piece of drywall sheeting  438  such as standard ⅝″ sheetrock. This channel aids an unskilled laborer in the installation of interior drywall, plaster or paneling. The built in receiving and self-aligning channel creates a level fit for the installation of interior finish materials. Accordingly, the sheeting running from a corner bead  439  to the fenestration cap  400  can be quickly and accurately installed in a level position without the time consuming process of shimming or manual adjustment of the sheeting necessary with prior art systems. 
     In the embodiment of the present invention shown in  FIG. 4 , inserting the drywall sheeting  438  into the drywall channel  445  is all that is necessary to present a finished appearance for the inside of the window assembly. It is not necessary to tape or spackle the exposed joint between the drywall sheeting  438  and the fenestration cap  400  which lies below the water dam  411 . Thus, further time and expense is saved in the installation process. The drywall channel  445  may include one or more vertical fins  417  therein, which aid in gripping the portion of drywall sheeting  438  inserted into the drywall channel  445 . These fins also provide a cushioning effect for the drywall sheeting  438  during seismic activity. 
     In one embodiment of the present invention, the fenestration cap  400  is installed in the window opening using one or more wood screws  430  through the vertical flashing  412  and a mounting flange  415  to secure the fenestration cap  400  to the underlying structure of the window opening, namely the wood framing members  435  and/or the plywood sheeting  437 . A vertical flashing  412  may be provided allowing the fenestration cap  400  to be attached to the plywood sheeting  437 . A self healing membrane  434  may be placed between the vertical flashing  412  and the plywood sheeting  437  to provide further waterproofing for the underlying structure of the window opening. The self healing membrane  434  may be in one embodiment a continuous waterproof self healing rubberized membrane is manufactured from polypropylene. The vertical flashing  412  also provides additional waterproofing to the finished window assembly by providing a water barrier to any water which infiltrates behind the plaster  436 . The fenestration cap  400  may be attached by its interior side with one or more additional wood screws  430  to the wood framing members  435 . 
     An expansion cavity  433  may be provided between the fenestration cap  400  and the wood framing members  435  which may contain a foam strip, 3/16″ thick in one exemplary embodiment to act as a shock absorber in the event of thermal or other expansion of the underlying members or seismic movement. 
     It will be understood by one skilled in the art that the inventive concepts of the invention described herein are not limited to a fenestration cap for use only with the specific materials discussed above, such as plaster and drywall for instance. In lieu of plaster for example, a variety of siding materials can be used to finished the exterior of the storefront assembly shown in  FIG. 4 . Likewise, plaster or paneling or a variety of other interior finishing materials may be used instead of the drywall sheeting  438  discussed above. 
     The fenestration cap  400  shown in  FIG. 4  can be made from aluminum, vinyl, steel, plastic and other appropriate materials known to those skilled in the art. In one exemplary embodiment, the fenestration cap may be manufactured as an extruded aluminum piece in twenty-four foot lengths. This exceeds the length of typical extruded pieces used in window openings such as j-molds, for which the industry standard length is ten feet. Accordingly, with this embodiment of the present invention, the need for making time consuming splices between the lengths is reduced. 
     Furthermore, the width of the fenestration cap may be designed in various widths to fit various windows and window openings. The present invention is designed to work with window systems from multiple companies. As is known to one skilled in the art, the width of a commercial window is customarily measured with reference to its mullion width. These widths come in standard sizes including 2, 3, 4, 4.5 and inches in width, among others. It is envisioned that a fenestration cap may be designed to match each of these standard window widths, although one skilled in the art will understand that a fenestration cap according to the present invention can be made to match any width window.  FIG. 4  shows a window 4.5 inches in width, and the fenestration cap  400  shown therein has been designed to match a window of this width. 
     The fenestration cap  400  may be assembled in the contractor&#39;s shop or on the job site itself into a custom system for any size window opening by cutting stock lengths of the fenestration cap  400  at forty-five degree angles (or any other set of complementary angles). These lengths can then be attached to each other using fasteners passing through the integral screw races  405  of adjacent lengths of fenestration cap  400 . For an aluminum fenestration cap, stainless steel sheet metal screws can be used as fasteners. 
     If the fenestration cap  400  is assembled in the contractor&#39;s shop and transported to the job site, a blank made of styrofoam or other material may be inserted into the center of the fenestration cap assembly to stiffen it for transport. This blank may be secured within the assembly using double-sided tape. Furthermore, after the fenestration cap is installed in the window opening, a blank secured within the fenestration cap  400  assembly using double sided tape may be also used to weatherproof the capped window opening in lieu of the window itself. Taped plastic sheeting may also be used for this purpose. In any event, fenestration cap assembly provides and easy base from which to tape or otherwise weatherproof a window opening prior to the installation of the window assembly. 
     The sill can  450  shown in  FIG. 4  is an industry standard sill can having a number of interlocking parts. A sill can filler  455  and a sill can stop  460  snap into place within the sill can  450  to lock a window  470  in position. The window  470  is firmly held by a pair of top load gaskets  471 , which may be neoprene gaskets. The sill can  450  is shown engaging window  470  through the pair of top load gaskets  471  and a setting block  472 . These top load gaskets  471  are held partially snapped into receiving tracks in the sill can filler  455  and the sill can stop  460 . These gaskets are also known to those skilled in the art as self-locking gaskets, given that the weight of the window  470  bears on these gaskets to create a seal between the gaskets  471  and the window  1470 . 
     In one embodiment of the present invention, at some point after the fenestration cap  400  itself has been installed in the window opening, the sill can  450 , having a window  470  therein, may be lifted onto the length of fenestration cap  400  shown in  FIG. 4 . The sill can  450  can then be attached to the fenestration cap  400  using one or more sheet metal screws  451 . In an exemplary embodiment, the window  470  may be surrounded on multiple sides by either a sill can or frame which abuts a length of fenestration cap to which the sill can or frame may be attached. 
     If the fenestration cap  400  is used with a frame such as the sill can  450  and related components shown in  FIG. 4 , the point of attachment of the sill can  450  to the fenestration cap  400  must be made waterproof. Accordingly, before the sill can  450  is attached to the fenestration cap  400  using the sheet metal screws  451 , a caulk bead  452  is laid down therebetween to waterproof the joint. In one embodiment, the caulk used for the caulk bead  452  is structural grade silicone. At the portion of the joint nearest the exterior side of the storefront, a gap of set height  453  is provided which is designed to match the warranty requirements of the standard window sealants used in the industry. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 4 , this gap has a height of ⅜ inches. 
     A water dam  411  may be provided at the interior side of the caulk bead  452  as a further moisture barrier in the event that water is able to infiltrate through to the interior side of the caulk bead  452 . The water dam  411  also provides a stop allowing for easy installation of the window and sill can  450 . Once the fenestration cap  400  is in place in a window opening, an unskilled laborer would easily be able to install the sill can  450  and related components to provide a finished storefront by lifting the window assembly up and into the opening within the fenestration cap assembly, placing the interior edge of the sill can  450  firmly against the water dam  411 . As such, no measuring is required for the installation of the window assembly itself when the fenestration cap  400  has been used to frame the window opening ahead of time. 
     Furthermore, even if despite all the precautions built into the design of the fenestration cap  400 , water is able fully infiltrate the joint in the area of the caulk bead  452  and pass over the water dam  411 , the fenestration cap  400  fully spans the width of the window opening in which it is placed so that any water which does manage to flow over the fenestration cap  400  is directed over, rather than into, the wall on which the fenestration cap  400  rests. 
     The fenestration cap  400  may be provided with a thermal break  410  to reduce the transfer of heat through the fenestration cap  400  to help meet energy efficiency building requirements such as California&#39;s Title 24 requirements. Accordingly, an insulation material is formed in a cavity of the fenestration cap  400 . This insulation material has sufficient strength such that after it is formed in the cavity, a portion of the fenestration cap  400  can be removed in the vicinity of the insulation such that the fenestration cap  400  becomes two thermally separate pieces joined only by the insulation. This helps to substantially thermally isolate the interior from the exterior of the finished storefront by preventing heat transmission through the fenestration cap  800   
     The fenestration cap  400  has the additional advantage that over prior art systems in that it can span doorway openings in a storefront and need not be trimmed to the jamb of a doorway. With the addition of a separate threshold unit, the section fenestration cap  400 , spanning the bottom of a doorway, presents a finished appearance. Accordingly, a single length or series of lengths of the fenestration cap  400  can be made to span the base of an entire storefront serving as both a sill of a window and a door threshold. 
       FIG. 5  shows a fenestration cap  500  for use with a frameless window system. While the fenestration cap  500  shares many of the same elements as the cap shown in  FIG. 4 , the cap  500  is shown engaging the window  570  through a top load gasket  571  and a setting block  572 , rather than incorporating a separate sill can, as is the case in the cap of  FIG. 4 . In one embodiment, the top load gasket  571  may be provided by a silicone glazed bead. 
     As in the previous embodiment, the fenestration cap  500  is attached to the wood framing members  535  and plywood sheeting  537  using a series of wood screws  530 . The fenestration cap  500  is provided with a drywall channel  545  and plaster key  546  designed to receive drywall sheeting  538  and plaster  536 . A spacer  509  may be provided to support the drywall sheeting  538  in the area of a corner bead  539 . 
       FIG. 6  shows a recessed fenestration cap having a channel in the interior side according to one embodiment of the present invention. In  FIG. 6 , the top and front edges of the plaster key  647  and the top edge of the lip  649  are designed to act as guides to the tradesperson applying the plaster  436  to the assembly; a trowel may easily be drawn along these edges to quickly and neatly apply an even layer of plaster in the space between the plaster key  647  and the lip  649 . The surface created by plastering between the plaster key  647  and the lip  649  will not be completely horizontal however; the fenestration cap  600  is designed so that when level, the top edge of the plaster key  647  lies on a 2% decline from the horizontal with respect to the top edge of the lip  649 . This encourages water to shed off of the architectural reveal created by this plastered surface toward the exterior of the storefront. Furthermore, the fenestration cap  600  is provided with a serrated texture  648  to better anchor the plaster to the fenestration cap  600 . Also, the plaster key  647  is provided with holes drilled therein (not shown) so that the plaster applied below the plaster key  647  and the plaster applied to the side of the plaster key  647  is able to form one contiguous and stable mass, leading to increased durability.  FIG. 6  also depicts one of two sheet metal screws  651  entering a cavity. In some embodiments of the present invention, one or more sheet metal screws is used to affix the sill can  650  to the fenestration cap. If water leaks under the sill can and above the fenestration cap, it could leak down through the sheet metal screw  651  hole. However, if the screw hole goes through a portion of the fenestration cap into the cavity, the cavity will serve as a reservoir to hold the water, preventing water from entering into the interior, and trapping water in the cavity until it evaporates. 
       FIG. 7  shows a recessed fenestration cap  700  having a flush interior side according to one embodiment of the present invention. The fenestration cap  700  is attached to the wood framing members  735  and plywood sheeting  737  using a series of wood screws  730 . The fenestration cap  700  is attached to an assembly comprising a sill can  750 , sill can filler and  755  sill can stop  760  using sheet metal screws  751  and a caulk bead  752 . This assembly is shown engaging the window  770  through a top load gasket  771  and a setting block  772 . In contrast to  FIGS. 4 ,  5  and  6  however, the fenestration cap  700  is not provided with a drywall channel designed to receive drywall sheeting. Instead, the fenestration cap  700  is designed as a relatively flush assembly which may be placed over a corner bead  739  applied to finish the joint between the drywall sheeting  738  and the wood framing members  735 . 
       FIG. 8  shows a fenestration cap  800  attached to a window  870  using a butt joint  895 . The arrangement shown in  FIG. 8  is a counterpart to the fenestration cap  500  of  FIG. 5  for use with a frameless window system. While the fenestration cap  500  supports the sill of a window in a frameless window system, the fenestration cap  800  may be applied to the jamb of such a window opening to support the sides of the window  870 . 
     As in the previous figures, the fenestration cap  800  is provided with a plaster key  846  to facilitate the easy application of the plaster  836 , and a drywall channel  845  to facilitate the installation of the drywall sheeting  838 . The fenestration cap  800  is secured to the wood framing members  835  and the plywood sheeting  837  using one or more wood screws  830 . Furthermore, the fenestration cap  800  is provided with a thermal break  810 , which may be supplemented with the creation of a saw cut  896  in the fenestration cap  800  to substantially thermally isolate the interior from the exterior of the finished storefront, preventing heat transmission through the fenestration cap  800 . 
       FIG. 9  shows a recessed fenestration cap  900  having a built in plaster key  947  which is attached a window pane using a caulked butt joint. The fenestration cap  900  is similar to the fenestration cap  800  of  FIG. 8  in that it may be applied to the jamb of a window opening in a frameless window system to support the window therein. However, it differs in that it features a set back similar to that used in the fenestration cap  600  of  FIG. 6 , wherein the top and front edges of the plaster key  947  and the top edge of the lip  949  are designed to act as guides to the tradesperson applying the plaster  936  to the assembly. 
     As in  FIG. 6 , the surface created by plastering between the plaster key  947  and the lip  949  will not be completely horizontal. The fenestration cap  900  is designed so that when level, the top edge of the plaster key  947  lies on a slight decline from the horizontal with respect to the top edge of the lip  949 . This encourages water to shed off of this architectural reveal toward the exterior of the storefront. The fenestration cap  900  is also provided with a serrated texture  948  to better anchor the plaster  936  to the fenestration cap  900 . 
       FIG. 10  is an alternative embodiment of the present invention wherein a sill detail a fenestration cap  1000  shown is anchored to a concrete slab  1001  using a fastener  1002 . The concrete slab  1001  may be part of an overhanging eve. In place on the fenestration cap  1000  are a sill can  1050 , a sill can filler  1055 , and a sill can stop  1060  which, though the top load gaskets  1071  secure the window  1070 . 
     The gap between the sill can  1050  and the fenestration cap  1000  is sealed with a caulk bead  1052 . As in other embodiments, a gap of set height  1053  is provided as part of the caulk bead  1052  to match industry standard warranty requirements. A water dam  1011  is provided at the interior side of the caulk bead  1052  as a moisture barrier in the event that water is able to infiltrate through to the interior side of the caulk bead  1052 , and to provide a stop for easy installation of the sill can  1050 . 
     The embodiment of  FIG. 10  additionally shows that the fenestration cap  1000  is slightly wedge shaped, having a narrower edge on the exterior side. As such, water will be more inclined to run to the outside of the window  1070  both if it infiltrates between the fenestration cap  1000  and the sill can  1050 , and if it gets into the sill can  1050  itself. In prior art models, if water infiltrated the sill can  1050  for example by flowing between it and the sill can filler  1055 , it would pool within the sill can. Weep holes were sometimes added in the sill can  1050  to aid in drainage, but cannot prevent pooling in the event of an unfavorable alignment of the sill can  1050  itself. 
       FIG. 11  shows a fenestration cap  1100  according to an alternative frameless embodiment of the present invention wherein the window  1170  is mounted directly on the fenestration cap  1100  using a caulk joint  1195 . As is the previous figures, the fenestration cap  1100  is provided with a plaster key  1146  to facilitate the easy application of the plaster  1136 , and a drywall channel  1145  to facilitate the installation of the drywall sheeting  1138 . The fenestration cap  1100  is secured to the wood framing members  1135  and the plywood sheeting  1137  using one or more wood screws  1130 . 
       FIG. 12  shows a head detail of a fenestration cap  1200  anchored to an overhang  1201 . The fenestration cap  1200  is of a type which can be attached on a continuous eve or overhang  1201  without need of a flange. In the embodiment shown, the fenestration cap  1200  is attached using the fastener  1202 . On the fenestration cap  1200  is mounted an assembly comprising a sill can  1250 , sill can filler  1255  and sill can stop  1260 . This assembly may be mounted using sheet metal screws  1251 , and seamed using a caulk bead  1252 . A window  1270  may be mounted in this assembly using top load gaskets  1271 . The fenestration cap  1200  may be installed before the sill can  1250  to allow for the completion of work involving the plaster  1236  and drywall sheeting  1238 , the latter of which fits easily into the drywall channel  1245 . 
     The preceding description has been presented with reference to some embodiments of the invention. Workers skilled in the art and technology to which this invention pertains will appreciate that alterations and changes in the described structure may be practiced without meaningful departing from the principal, spirit and scope of this invention. Accordingly, the foregoing description should not be read as pertaining only to the precise structures and methods described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, but rather should be read consistent with and as support to the following claims which are to have their fullest and fair scope. For instance,  FIG. 10  depicts a fenestration cap that is slightly wedge shaped, and thus parts of the fenestration cap may not be perfectly parallel or perfectly perpendicular in reference to one another. Therefore, as used herein, parallel and perpendicular could mean substantially parallel and substantially perpendicular.

Technology Classification (CPC): 4