Patent Abstract:
A three dimensional scaffold formed of mesh, or semi-porous material is designed to be inserted into and to surround an opening in the exterior structure of a building to receive a fenestration product such as a door, a vent, a window and a skylight. The three dimensional scaffold is pre-formed into three-dimensional shapes that include corners, returns, back-dams, and optional head flaps that provide a scaffold and backing for the application of a fluid applied water/weather-proofing material. The separate fluid applied waterproofing/weatherproofing may be applied by spray, brush or roll and can be asphalt, rubber, plastic or other fluid applied material. The scaffolding may be formed out of mesh, or other semi-porous fiberglass, metal, plastic, synthetic or other material that can be formed into three dimensional shapes. When combined with a fluid applied weather/waterproofing, the scaffolding provides a superior, continuous, reinforced weather/water-proofing system to protect openings and fenestrations in buildings.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    Building construction commonly involves flashing and sealing of openings in the exterior surface of a structure, where fenestration products such as windows, doors, skylights, and vents are located, to prevent moisture or air from entering the envelope of the structure. To water/weather-proof such openings, various types of flashing products have been developed which are installed at the openings and surrounding the fenestration products. One such flashing product includes strips of self-adhered flashing often sold in rolls and made of asphalt, rubber or similar materials. These strips of self-adhered flashing are commonly adhered to the sheathing and wrapped into the opening at the framing surface of the opening, or adhered to the sheathing and placed over the edges, “fins,” or frames of the fenestration product. The opening in the exterior of the structure is typically described as having a bottom edge (the sill), a top edge (the head), and the vertical side edges (the jambs). The self-adhered flashing products have significant disadvantages. These flashings come in rolls of material, typically field cut into strips. The flashing strips do not form a continuous membrane surface, as they rely on adhesion and proper lapping to prevent water and air intrusion at the joints between the flashing strips and to prevent gaps and openings at the corners of the fenestration products and the openings. In particular, openings have historically suffered from leaks due to defects in the installation of the flashing as well as the inherent difficulty of water/weather-proofing the three dimensional corners of openings with flat or folded strips of flashing. The flashing strips are flat and are not manufactured to a three dimensional shape. The flashing can be folded into an opening, but inherent waterproofing problems result where the flat or folded strips meet the corners of the opening. In addition, due to the flat nature of the flashing products, the flashing material itself does not form returns, or back dams to reduce the infiltration of water and/or air at the opening. 
         [0002]    Another flashing application for openings includes the use of spray, roll, or brush applied water/weather-proofing products that coat the opening in an attempt to provide complete water/weather-proofing of openings without seams or joints. These fluid applied flashing systems also have significant disadvantages including the propensity of the fluid applied flashing to crack at the corners of the opening as the material dries or is stressed due to thermal movement of the building and openings. To reduce this cracking or breaches in the fluid applied flashing, some products also recommend the use of a separate flat reinforcing mesh tape, typically made of fiberglass, to reinforce the membrane. The mesh tape, like the above described flashing strips, comes in rolls and thus does not form a three dimensional shape to reinforce the corner or to provide a backing for flashing returns, or back-dams. In addition, these fluid applied systems do not include, within the flashing material itself, returns, or back-dams to reduce the infiltration of water and/or air at the opening. The likelihood of moisture and air intrusion at openings is greater in openings that do not include back dams to limit the passage of air or water and to re-direct water back to the exterior. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    In one embodiment, a three-dimensional prefabricated scaffolding for use in flashing a fenestration opening of a structure is disclosed. The three-dimensional prefabricated scaffold includes a flange and a return connected to the flange. The flange and return are formed of a mesh, semi-porous or solid material, and have a sufficient rigidity to maintain a three-dimensional shape. 
         [0004]    In certain embodiments, the three-dimensional prefabricated flashing may have an adhesive attached to a rear, interior facing surface such that the scaffolding may adhere to an opening in a structure for a fenestration product. 
         [0005]    In certain embodiments, the return defines a first plane, and the flange defines a second plane that is substantially orthogonal to the first plane. 
         [0006]    In certain embodiments, the three-dimensional prefabricated scaffolding includes a back-dam connected to the return and formed from the mesh or semi-porous material. Further, the return may define a first plane, the flange may define a second plane that is substantially orthogonal to the first plane, and the back-dam may define a third plane that is substantially parallel and offset from the second plane. 
         [0007]    In certain embodiments, the return includes drainage ribs raised from an outer surface of the return. 
         [0008]    In certain embodiments, the three-dimensional prefabricated scaffolding includes a drip margin between the flange and the return. 
         [0009]    In certain embodiments, the return includes a sill/head return, for attaching to a sill/head of the opening, and a jamb return, for attaching to a jamb of the opening, and the flange connects to both the sill/head return and the jamb return. Further, the sill return may include drainage ribs raised from an outer surface of the sill return. Further, the sill/head return and jamb return may define respective first and second planes that are substantially orthogonal to each other, and the flange may define a third plane that is substantially orthogonal to both the first and second planes. Further yet, in one or more of these certain embodiments, the three-dimensional prefabricated scaffolding may include a sill/head back-dam connected to the sill/head return, and a jamb back-dam connected to the jamb return. The sill return may include drainage ribs raised from an outer surface of the sill return. It may be such that the sill/head return and jamb return define respective first and second planes that are substantially orthogonal to each other, the flange defines a third plane that is substantially orthogonal to both the first and second planes, and the sill back-dam and the jamb back-dam define a fourth plane that is substantially parallel and offset from the third plane. 
         [0010]    In certain embodiments, the three-dimensional prefabricated scaffolding includes a hinged flap connected to the flange at an edge of the flange that is distal from the return. The hinged flap may have a greater length than the flange. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0011]    The foregoing and other features and advantages of the disclosure will be apparent from the more particular description of the embodiments, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters refer to the same parts throughout the different figures. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the disclosure. 
           [0012]      FIG. 1  depicts an exploded view of a three-dimensional prefabricated flashing scaffolding system for use during construction of buildings. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  illustrates an isolated three-dimensional prefabricated flashing scaffolding system. 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  illustrates an embodiment of the scaffolding system of  FIG. 2  without a hinged flap. 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  illustrates an exemplary sill corner piece, in one embodiment. 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  illustrates an exemplary head corner piece, in one embodiment. 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  illustrates an exemplary head corner piece, in another embodiment. 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  illustrates an exemplary head piece, in one embodiment. 
           [0019]      FIG. 8  illustrates an exemplary head piece, in another embodiment without a hinged flap. 
           [0020]      FIG. 9  illustrates an exemplary jamb piece, in one embodiment. 
           [0021]      FIG. 10  illustrates an exemplary sill piece, in one embodiment. 
           [0022]      FIG. 11  shows an exemplary method for installing the scaffolding system of  FIG. 2 , in one embodiment. 
           [0023]      FIG. 12  illustrates an opening in a structure that will receive a fenestration product. 
           [0024]      FIG. 13  illustrates the sill piece of  FIG. 10 , is installed on the sill of the opening for a window of  FIG. 12 . 
           [0025]      FIG. 14  illustrates the sill corner pieces of  FIG. 4 , is installed on the sill corners of the opening for a window of  FIG. 13 . 
           [0026]      FIG. 15  illustrates the jamb pieces of  FIG. 9 , is installed on the jambs of the opening for a window of  FIG. 14 . 
           [0027]      FIG. 16  illustrates the head corner pieces of  FIG. 5 , is installed on the head corners of the opening for a window of  FIG. 15 . 
           [0028]      FIG. 17  illustrates the head piece of  FIG. 7 , is installed on the head of the opening for a window of  FIG. 16 . 
           [0029]      FIG. 18  illustrates fluid applied water/weather-proofing material applied on the scaffolding system installed on the opening for a window of  FIG. 17 . 
           [0030]      FIG. 19  illustrates a fenestration product being installed over the partially water/weather-proofed opening for a window of  FIG. 18 . 
           [0031]      FIG. 20  illustrates a hinged flap of the head piece of  FIGS. 17-19  folded over a nailing fin of the fenestration product of  FIG. 19 . 
           [0032]      FIG. 21  illustrates fluid water/weather-proofing material applied on the remainder of scaffolding system installed on the opening for a fenestration product, in this case a window, of  FIG. 21 . 
           [0033]      FIG. 22  shows an exemplary method for manufacturing a piece of the scaffolding system of  FIG. 2 , in one embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
       [0034]    The present disclosure may be understood by reference to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawings briefly described below. It is noted that, for purposes of illustrative clarity, certain elements in the drawings may not be drawn to scale. In particular, the thicknesses of many elements shown in certain drawings herein may be exaggerated in comparison to their height and width. Specific instances of an item may be referred to by use of a numeral in parentheses (e.g., jamb  110 ( 1 ),  110 ( 2 ), etc.) while numerals without parentheses refer to any such item (e.g., sill  108 ). 
         [0035]    Fenestration is an architectural term of art that generally refers to an opening in a surface of a structure. A “fenestration product” as utilized herein is a product that extends through an exterior surface of a structure at a fenestration opening; framed windows, framed doors and skylights are examples of fenestration products. 
         [0036]    Disclosed herein is a three-dimensional prefabricated scaffolding system and method of manufacturing and installing the same. The three-dimensional prefabricated scaffolding provides significant advantages over prior flashing products. Such advantages include, but are not limited to the following. The three dimensional elements are capable of being used with a fluid applied flashing product, thereby eliminating seams and corner failures in the flashing that are failure points for prior flashing systems, while maintaining three-dimensional features that prevent ingress of water/weather into the opening. The system and methods herein provide quick installation of the three-dimensional prefabricated scaffolding that is applicable to any size and shape of opening and fenestration product. 
         [0037]      FIG. 1  depicts an exploded view  100  of a three-dimensional prefabricated flashing scaffolding system  120  for use during construction of buildings. Exploded view  100  illustrates a structure  102  having an exterior surface  104  with a fenestration opening  106  therein. Fenestration opening  106  is defined typically by framing including sill  108 , two vertical jambs  110 ( 1 ),  110 ( 2 ), and head  112 . Exterior surface  104  may be defined by sheathing or other material. It should be appreciated that fenestration opening  106  may be of a different shape than illustrated, such as circular, and also may not include features shown. For example, if fenestration opening  106  is for a door, there may not be a sill  108  at the bottom of the opening. Three-dimensional prefabricated flashing scaffolding system  120  includes corner pieces  122 , a header piece  124 , jamb pieces  126 , and a sill piece  128 . Features of scaffolding system  120  are discussed in further detail below. Scaffolding system  120  is installed between surface  104 , header  112 , jambs  110 , and sill  108  of structure  102 , and a fenestration product  130 . While fenestration product  130  is illustrated as being a window product, it should be appreciated that fenestration product  130  may be a different product such as a door, vent, skylight, or other product installed into structure  102 . 
         [0038]      FIG. 2  illustrates an isolated three-dimensional prefabricated flashing scaffolding system  200 . Scaffolding system  200  is an embodiment of scaffolding system  120  of  FIG. 1 . Scaffolding system  200  includes four corner pieces  202 , a header piece  204 , two jamb pieces  206 , and a sill piece  208 . Header piece  204  is illustrated having a hinged flap  210  at the top edge  212  of header piece  204 . It should be appreciated that hinged flap  210  is optional as shown in embodiment  300 , of  FIG. 3 , which illustrates an embodiment of scaffolding system  200  without hinged flap  210 . Each piece of scaffolding system  200  is formed of a material chosen from the group of materials including: fiberglass, plastic, rubber, metal, synthetics, or other formable material. While illustrated as a mesh, the scaffolding may alternatively be formed of semi-porous materials. Particularly, the mesh or semi-porous materials having a textured surface provide a surface for use with the fluid water/weather-proofing product in that the fluid permeates the surface and adequately affixes to the scaffolding. Thus, while the scaffolding itself is not water/weather-proof, once the fluid product is applied, scaffolding system  200  and the fluid material cooperate to form a water/weather-proof barrier. While each piece is formed from mesh, or semi-porous materials, each piece also has a sufficient rigidity to maintain the three-dimensional shape desired. Therefore, each piece of scaffolding system  200  may be installed, and then the fluid water/weather-proofing product may be applied (via spraying, rolling, or brushing) thereon to form the water-proof and/or weather-proof barrier. 
         [0039]      FIG. 4  illustrates an exemplary sill corner piece  400 , in one embodiment. Corner piece  400  is an example of corner piece  202  of  FIG. 2 . Particularly, referring to  FIG. 1 , corner piece  400  is adapted for installation at the lower right corner of opening  106 , at the junction of the right vertical jamb  110 ( 2 ) and sill  108 . Corner piece  400  includes flange  402 , sill return  404 , jamb return  406 , sill back-dam  408 , and jamb back-dam  410 . It should be appreciated that sill back-dam  408  and jamb back-dam  410  are optional. Sill return  404  and jamb return  406  are orthogonal (a) to each other, and (b) to flange  402 . Optional sill back-dam  408  and jamb back-dam  410  are orthogonal to (a) each other and (b) sill return  404  and jamb return  406 , respectively. Sill back-dam  408  and jamb back-dam  410  thereby lie in a plane that is substantially parallel to the plane of flange  402 . Corner piece  400  further includes optional sill drainage ribs  412 . Drainage ribs  412  are raised from the surface of sill return  404  such that when the fenestration product is installed, the product is offset from the surface of sill return  404  to allow for moisture drainage away from sill back-dam  408 . The rear surfaces of corner piece  400  may include an adhesive such that corner piece  400  may be adhered in place to the exterior surface of structure  102  and/or the jamb  110  and sill  108 . Features of sill corner piece  400  may be mirrored for installation to the lower left corner of the fenestration opening. 
         [0040]      FIG. 5  illustrates an exemplary head corner piece  500 , in one embodiment. Corner piece  500  is an example of corner piece  202  of  FIG. 2 . Particularly, referring to  FIG. 1 , corner piece  500  is adapted for installation at the upper right corner of opening  106 , at the junction of the right vertical jamb  110 ( 2 ) and header  104 . Head corner piece  500  includes flange  502 , head return  504 , jamb return  506 , optional head back-dam  508 , and optional jamb back-dam  510 . Flange  502 , jamb return  506 , and jamb back-dam  510  are similar to flange  402 , jamb return  406 , and jamb back-dam  410 , respectively, as discussed above with respect to  FIG. 4 . Head return  504  and head back-dam  508  are similar to sill return  404  and sill back-dam  410 , respectively, as discussed above with respect to  FIG. 4 ; however, head return  504  and head back-dam  508  are adapted for installation at the head of the fenestration opening. The rear surfaces of corner piece  500  may include an adhesive such that corner piece  500  may be adhered in place to the exterior surface of structure  102  and/or the jamb  110  and head  112 . Features of head corner piece  500  may be mirrored for installation to the upper left corner of the fenestration opening. 
         [0041]      FIG. 6  illustrates an exemplary head corner piece  600 , in another embodiment. Corner piece  600  is an example of corner piece  202  of  FIG. 2 . Particularly, referring to  FIG. 1 , corner piece  600  is adapted for installation at the upper right corner of opening  106 , at the junction of the right vertical jamb  110 ( 2 ) and header  104 . Head corner piece  600  includes flange  602 , head return  604 , jamb return  606 , optional head back-dam  608 , and optional jamb back-dam  610 . Flange  602 , return  604 , jamb return  606 , and return back-dam  608  jamb back-dam  610  are similar to flange  502 , return  504 , jamb return  506 , and jamb back-dam  510 , respectively, as discussed above with respect to  FIG. 5 . Head corner piece  600  is further shown with optional jamb drip margin  620  and head drip margin  622  at the intersection of head return  604  and jamb return  606  to flange  602 . The rear surfaces of corner piece  600  may include an adhesive such that corner piece  600  may be adhered in place to the exterior surface of structure  102  and/or the jamb  110  and head  112 . Features of head corner piece  600  may be mirrored for installation to the upper left corner of the fenestration opening. 
         [0042]      FIG. 7  illustrates an exemplary head piece  700 , in one embodiment. Head piece  700  is an example of head piece  204  of  FIG. 2 . Particularly, referring to  FIG. 1 , head piece  700  is adapted for installation at the head  112 . Head piece  700  includes flange  702 , head return  704 , and optional head back-dam  708 . Flange  702 , head return  704 , and head back-dam  708  are similar to flange  402 , return  406 , and back-dam  410 , respectively, as discussed above with respect to  FIG. 4 . For example, head return  704  is orthogonal to flange  702 . Optional head back-dam  708  is orthogonal to head return  704 . Head back-dam  708  is thereby in a plane that is substantially parallel to the plane of flange  702 . The rear surfaces of head piece  700  may include an adhesive such that head piece  700  may be adhered in place to the exterior surface of structure  102  and/or the head  112 . 
         [0043]    Head piece  700  further includes a hinged flap  720  which is similar to hinged flap  210  of  FIG. 2 . Hinged flap  720  is located at the upper edge of return  702  at hinge  722 . Hinged flap  720  may have a length, as defined by arrow “L” in  FIG. 7  that is greater than the length of elements  702 ,  704 , and  708  of head piece  700 . Hinged flap  700  is adapted to fold, at hinge  722 , and cover the nailing fin of a fenestration product—for example nailing fin  132  of the window  130  in  FIG. 1 . Hinge  722  may be a living hinge. Accordingly, the exterior surface  724  of hinged flap  720  may have an adhesive such that the exterior surface  724  adheres to the nailing fin when installed. 
         [0044]      FIG. 8  illustrates an exemplary head piece  800 , in another embodiment without hinged flap  720 . Head piece  800  is an example of head piece  204  of  FIG. 2 . Particularly, referring to  FIG. 1 , head piece  800  is adapted for installation at the head  112 . Head piece  800  includes flange  802 , head return  804 , and optional head back-dam  808 . Flange  802 , head return  804 , and head back-dam  808  are similar to flange  702 , return  704 , and back-dam  708 , respectively, as discussed above with respect to  FIG. 7 . For example, head return  804  is orthogonal to flange  802 . Optional head back-dam  808  is orthogonal to head return  804 . Head back-dam  808  is in a plane that is substantially parallel to the plane of flange  802 . The rear surfaces of head piece  800  may include an adhesive such that head piece  800  may be adhered in place to the exterior surface of structure  102  and/or the head  112 . 
         [0045]    Head piece  800  is further shown with optional head drip margin  822  at the intersection of head return  804  to flange  802 . It should be appreciated that head piece  700  may include a drip margin similar to head drip margin  822  shown in  FIG. 8 . 
         [0046]      FIG. 9  illustrates an exemplary jamb piece  900 , in one embodiment. Jamb piece  900  is an example of jamb piece  206  of  FIG. 2 . Particularly, referring to  FIG. 1 , jamb piece  900  is adapted for installation at the right vertical jamb  110 ( 2 ). Jamb piece  900  includes flange  902 , jamb return  904 , and optional jamb back-dam  908 . Flange  902 , jamb return  904 , and jamb back-dam  908  are similar to flange  402 , jamb return  406 , and jamb back-dam  410 , respectively, as discussed above with respect to  FIG. 4 . For example, jamb return  904  is orthogonal to flange  902 . Optional jamb back-dam  908  is orthogonal to jamb return  904 . Jamb back-dam  908  is thereby in a plane that is substantially parallel to the plane of flange  902 . The rear surfaces of jamb piece  900  may include an adhesive such that jamb piece  900  may be adhered in place to the exterior surface of structure  102  and/or the jamb  110 . It should also be appreciated that, although not shown, jamb piece  900  may further include a jamb drip margin, similar to drip margins  620 ,  622 , and  822 , discussed above. Features of jamb piece  900  may be mirrored for installation to the left jamb  110 ( 1 ) of the fenestration opening. 
         [0047]      FIG. 10  illustrates an exemplary sill piece  1000 , in one embodiment. Sill piece  1000  is an example of sill piece  208  of  FIG. 2 . Particularly, referring to  FIG. 1 , sill piece  1000  is adapted for installation at the sill  108  of opening  106 . Sill piece  1000  includes flange  1002 , sill return  1004 , and optional sill back-dam  1008 . Sill return  1004  is orthogonal to flange  1002 . Optional sill back-dam  1008  is orthogonal to sill return  1004 . Sill back-dam  1008  is thereby in a plane that is substantially parallel to the plane of flange  1002 . Sill piece  1000  further includes optional sill drainage ribs  1012  extending between the outer surface of sill piece  1000  and optional sill back-dam  1008 . Drainage ribs  1012  are raised from the surface of sill return  1004  such that when the fenestration product is installed, the product is offset from the surface of sill return  1004  to allow for air or moisture drainage away from sill back-dam  1008 . The rear surfaces of sill piece  1000  may include an adhesive such that sill piece  1000  may be adhered in place to the exterior surface of structure  102  and/or the jamb  110  and sill  108 . 
         [0048]    Although not illustrated, sill piece  1000  may additionally include a ramp element attached to the rear surface of the sill return  1004 . The ramp element causes the slope of the sill piece  1000  to slope downwardly from the interior of the structure (such as from the return back-dam  1008 ) towards the flange  1002 . The ramp element may be directly attached to the rear surface, or alternatively be a separate element that is attached to the sill  108 , and that the sill return  1004  attaches to. In certain cases, an appropriate slope of ramp element is from zero (un-sloped) to about 0.25 inch per foot, but the slope may be more or less depending on the circumstances. 
         [0049]    The illustrated shapes and configuration of the various pieces of scaffolding system  200  shown above in  FIGS. 2-10  are not intended to be limiting in scope. In other words, the pieces of scaffolding system  200  may be of any three-dimensional shape desired. Accordingly, the three-dimensional prefabricated scaffolding system described herein can be adapted to a variety of common architectural approaches to define and frame features that penetrate an exterior surface of a structure. One such variation is a stepped frame in which an opening in the structure is of a given size at one point in the exterior surface, and expands stepwise to a slightly larger size at the exterior surface. The stepwise expansion of the opening may be in the horizontal or vertical directions or both. 
         [0050]      FIG. 11  shows an exemplary method  1100  for installing scaffolding system  200  of  FIG. 2 , in one embodiment.  FIGS. 12-21  depict exemplary illustrations of each step within method  1100  of  FIG. 11 . 
         [0051]    In step  1102 , the fenestration opening is prepared. For example, as shown in  FIG. 12 , the fenestration opening  106 , within structure  102  having exterior surface  104 , includes sill  108 , two vertical jambs  110 ( 1 ),  110 ( 2 ), and head  112 , and is shaped and sized to receive a fenestration product. It should be appreciated that opening  106  may be of a different shape than illustrated in  FIG. 12 . Furthermore, although  FIG. 12  illustrates a fenestration opening for a window, the fenestration for an opening may not include a sill  108 . 
         [0052]    In step  1104 , the sill piece of scaffolding system  200  is installed on sill  108  of  FIG. 12 . For example, as shown in  FIG. 13 , sill piece  1000 , of  FIG. 10 , is installed on sill  108 . If sill piece  1000  is backed with an adhesive, then during step  1104 , sill piece  1000  is pressed against exterior surface  104  and sill  108 . Alternatively, sill piece  1000  may be stapled, adhered, nailed, or otherwise attached to sill  108 . In an example of step  1104 , if sill  108  has a longer length than sill piece  1000 , two sill pieces  1000 , or a portion thereof, may be overlapped to obtain the desired length. Moreover, in certain cases, during step  1104 , it may be desirable to slope the sill piece  1000  downwardly towards the flange of the sill piece  1000 . Therefore, prior to installing the sill piece  1000 , a ramp element may be attached to sill  108  having the desired slope. Sill piece  1000  is then adhered to the ramp element.). In certain cases, an appropriate slope is from zero (un-sloped) to about  0 . 25  inch per foot, but the slope may be more or less depending on the circumstances. 
         [0053]    In step  1106 , sill corner pieces of scaffolding system  200  are installed at the junction of the vertical jambs  110 ( 1 ),  110 ( 2 ), and sill  108 . For example, as shown in  FIG. 14 , corner pieces  400  are installed to be overlapping sill piece  1000 . If corner pieces  400  are backed with an adhesive, then during step  1106 , each corner piece  400  is pressed against exterior surface  104 , sill  108 , and jamb  110 ( 1 ),  110 ( 2 ). Alternatively, each corner piece  400  may be stapled or otherwise attached to exterior surface  104 , sill  108 , and/or jamb  110 ( 1 ),  110 ( 2 ) to remain in its location. 
         [0054]    In step  1108 , jamb pieces of scaffolding system  200  are installed at the along the height of the jamb. For example, as shown in  FIG. 15 , jamb pieces  900 , of  FIG. 9 , are installed to be overlapping each respective corner piece  400 . If jamb pieces  900  are backed with an adhesive, then during step  1108 , each jamb piece  900  is pressed against exterior surface  104 , and jamb  110 ( 1 ),  110 ( 2 ), respectively. Alternatively, each jamb piece  900  may be stapled or otherwise attached to exterior surface  104  and/or jamb  110 ( 1 ),  110 ( 2 ) to remain in its location. In an example of step  1108 , if each jamb  110 ( 1 ), 110 ( 2 ) has a longer length than jamb piece  900 , two jamb pieces  900 , or a portion thereof, may be overlapped to obtain the desired length. 
         [0055]    In step  1110 , head corner pieces of scaffolding system  200  are installed at the junction of the vertical jambs  110 ( 1 ),  110 ( 2 ), and head  112 . For example, as shown in  FIG. 16 , head corner pieces  500 , of  FIG. 5 , are installed to be overlapping each respective jamb piece  900 . If head corner pieces  500  are backed with an adhesive, then during step  1110 , each head corner piece  500  is pressed against exterior surface  104 , head  112 , and jamb  110 ( 1 ),  110 ( 2 ). Alternatively, each head corner piece  500  may be stapled or otherwise attached to exterior surface  104 , head  112 , and/or jamb  110 ( 1 ),  110 ( 2 ) to remain in its location. 
         [0056]    In step  1112 , the head piece of scaffolding system  200  is installed on head  112  of opening  106 . For example, as shown in  FIG. 17 , head piece  700 , of  FIG. 7 , is installed on head  112 . If head piece  700  is backed with an adhesive, then during step  1112 , head piece  700  is pressed against exterior surface  104  and head  112 . Alternatively, head piece  700  may be stapled, adhered, nailed, or otherwise attached to head  112  and/or exterior surface  104 . In an example of step  1112 , if head  112  has a longer length than head piece  700 , two head pieces  700 , or a portion thereof, may be overlapped to obtain the desired length. 
         [0057]    In step  1114 , a fluid water/weather-proofing material is applied (via spraying, rolling, brushing, or other fluid application method) over the portions of scaffolding system  200  installed in steps  1102 - 1112 , above. Water/weather-proofing material may comprise any fluid applied material including one or more of asphalt, rubber, plastic, or other synthetic fluid water/weather-proofing material known in the art. As shown in  FIG. 18 , water/weather-proofing material  1800  may only be applied on a portion of the installed scaffolding system  200 . For example, where head piece  700  includes hinged flap  720 , the water/weather-proofing material  1800  is only applied on flange  704  of head piece  700 . This allows hinged flap  720  to be folded over the nailing fin during installation of fenestration product in step  1116 , discussed below. If, however, no additional manipulation of the scaffolding system is required to install the fenestration product, then the water/weather-proofing material  1800  may be applied over the entirety of the scaffolding system  200 . Furthermore, as shown in  FIG. 18 , the water/weather-proofing material  1800  may be applied to a portion of, or the entirety of, exterior surface  104  of structure  102 . 
         [0058]    In step  1116 , the fenestration product is installed. For example, as shown in  FIG. 19 , fenestration product  130 , depicted as a window, is installed to fenestration opening such that the weatherproof material  1800  is between scaffolding system  200  and the fenestration product. In one example of step  1116 , shown in  FIG. 20 , fenestration product  130  includes a nailing fin  132 . Thus, during step  1116 , hinged flap  720  of head piece  700  is folded over nailing fin  132 . If hinged flap  720  includes adhesive on the exterior surface (discussed above with regards to  FIG. 7 ), then the adhesive adheres to the exterior surface of nailing fin  132 . To finish installation, nails or screws may be utilized to secure fenestration product in place within the fenestration opening. 
         [0059]    In optional step  1118 , a hinged flap is folded over a portion of the fenestration product. In one example of step  1118 , hinged flap  720  at the top edge  702  of header piece  700  is folded over nailing fin  132  of window  130 . 
         [0060]    In step  1120 , the remainder of the scaffolding system  200  is coated with water/weather-proofing material  1800 . Step  11120  is optional where, in step  1114 , the entirety of scaffolding system  200  (or exterior surface  104 ) is not previously coated with water/weather-proofing material  1800 . As shown in  FIG. 21 , the remainder of scaffolding system  200  (and optionally exterior surface  104  of structure  102 ) is coated with the water/weather-proofing material  1800 . Furthermore, although steps  1114 - 1120  illustrate fluid water/weather-proofing materials being applied over the entirety of surface  104  of structure  102 , it should be appreciated that other types of water/weather-proofing material may be utilized to cover exterior surface  104 . One example of this other type of water/weather-proofing material is a sheet weatherproof barrier. In such an example, the sheet may overlap, or be overlapped by the various pieces of scaffolding system  200  (such as being below or on top of the flanges of the scaffolding system  200 ). Then, the spray water/weather-proofing material is sprayed to cover both the scaffolding system  200 , and the junction of the scaffolding system  200  to the sheet water/weather-proofing barrier. 
         [0061]    It should be appreciated that the various steps of method  1100  could be completed in any order. For example, the various pieces of scaffolding system  200  could be overlapped in a different manner. Or, the pieces could not overlap at all, but placed next to each other. Moreover, after the fenestration product is installed, one or more types of exterior finishing products, such as siding, trim, and stucco product could be applied on top of spray water/weather-proofing material. 
         [0062]      FIG. 22  depicts one exemplary method  2200  for manufacturing one or more pieces of scaffolding system  200 . In step  2202 , a form or stamp is created that corresponds to the desired shape of the scaffolding piece. For example, to create sill corner piece  400 , of  FIG. 4 , the form or stamp may be created having features corresponding to flange  402 , sill return  404 , jamb return  406 , optional sill back-dam  408 , and optional jamb back-dam  410 . 
         [0063]    In step  2204 , the scaffolding piece is created by pressing, rolling, forming or shaping scaffolding material into scaffolding pieces. For example, the form or stamp of step  2202  may be pressed into a mesh or semi-porous material. Such materials include, but are not limited to, fiberglass, plastic, rubber, metal, synthetics, or other formable material. 
         [0064]    In optional step  2206 , the stamped scaffolding piece is folded to include additional features. For example, in some circumstances, it may be more efficient to fold the back-dam features, or the drip margin features (disclosed above in  FIGS. 2-10 ). Therefore, such features may be folded into the scaffolding system instead of being stamped. 
         [0065]    In optional step  2208 , a stiffening agent is applied to the scaffolding piece. The stiffening agent may be any material that will allow the stamped scaffolding piece to retain its shape with a predefined rigidity. The scaffolding piece does not need to be completely rigid, but instead may have a certain amount of flexibility. Optional step  2208  is not required where the scaffolding piece material is of sufficient rigidity by itself. 
         [0066]    In optional step  2210 , the scaffolding piece is trimmed into a final shape. For example, the stamping process of step  2204  may cause the scaffolding piece to have excess material at the edges. This excess material may be trimmed if desired. 
         [0067]    The systems and methods disclosed herein provide significant advantages over prior flashing methods. The scaffold itself is not weatherproof or waterproof, but provides a three dimensional backing for the use of fluid applied or other weather/waterproofing material. Moreover, the predefined three-dimensional shape enables the installer to quickly and efficiently install the scaffolding system. The pre-manufactured corner shapes disclosed herein allow quick and easy placement to scaffold the corners of the opening. When combined with the other shapes herein, virtually any size and shape of window may be quickly and easily flashed. 
         [0068]    Changes may be made in the above methods and systems without departing from the scope hereof. It should thus be noted that the matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings should be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. The following claims are intended to cover all generic and specific features described herein, as well as all statements of the scope of the present method and system, which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall there between.

Technology Classification (CPC): 4