Abstract:
The invention relates to an improved flashing system and method for controlling water and air intrusion around windows, doors, louvers and other wall penetrations. More specifically, the invention utilizes commercially available products such as coated polyethylene sheet material and elastomeric rubber adhesive sealant in a unique manner. It has been found that this polyethylene coated material can be creased and folded to form a flashing component and serve to control water and air intrusion. Prior to this invention, a separate pre-molded termination accessory was required to effectively seal corner areas around window and door rough openings. Additionally, the invention provides for full perimeter flashing and supplemental sealing at selected joint locations prior to installation of a closure member in the opening to prevent water and air intrusion around windows, doors and other building openings. Optionally, the lower half of a rough window opening may be flashed utilizing only four of the unique pre-folded flashing components.

Description:
This application is closely related to application Ser. No. 09/692,226, filed by applicant on Oct. 20, 2000 and entitled MULTI-COMPONENT FLASHING SYSTEMS. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The history and developmental progress of flashing elements and systems has been clearly and extensively set forth in the aforementioned related application and accordingly the entire contents thereof is incorporated herein by the above reference. This application is taking the art of flashing to the next level wherein an entire window opening is flashed to protect it from the unwanted intrusion of water and air therearound through the use of readily available commercial products. More specifically, it utilizes a coated polyethylene sheet material which is manufactured with a clay coating on one or both sides thereof and readily accepts and bonds with commercially available elastomeric adhesive rubber sealants. It accomplishes the same results as my earlier application without the need for any molded components and requires less time in completing an installation. 
     In my prior application, this same type of coated polyethylene material was utilized in combination with elastomeric adhesive rubber sealant and a uniquely formed termination accessory for providing end dam corner protection at the sill areas of a roughed-in window opening. Additionally, the prior application, in certain embodiments, also provided for installation of coated polyethylene sheet material around all four sides of a roughed-in window opening with or without the use of termination accessory units in the lower left and right corners of the opening. 
     It has since been discovered that through a unique folding sequence, the coated polyethylene sheet material can be created to form the required closure at the corner areas thus eliminating the need for the termination accessory units previously utilized. As such, these uniquely folded flashing components are creased and pre-folded and available in a variety of sizes and then can be cut in-situ, if necessary, by the installer to the required dimensions of a particular job. It has been found that a typical window rough opening can be completely flashed, i.e. all four sides of the opening, by utilizing eight of the aforementioned pre-folded flashing components by installing them in a particular sequence whereby run-off overlapping of the components is attained. 
     It has been further found that after flashing a rough opening with these pre-folded components and prior to the installation of the closure unit (window, door, louver, etc.) an additional measure of water and air intrusion protection can be obtained by the installation of additional sealing measures with respect to the horizontal overlapping joints of the sill area as well as the end corner dam areas, to effectively complete the exterior flashing around the sill portion of the opening. 
     Each of these pre-folded flashing components is made from a roll of coated polyethylene sheet material which is available in roll form of a particular width. Each component is individually cut from the roll to measurements slightly greater than half of the opening size and includes an upwardly turned inner flange portion and also a unique corner dam feature which is comprised of a plurality of folds to provide a leak proof end dam corner portion thus eliminating the need for the previously used termination accessory unit. These pre-folded flashing components are provided in two styles, a left-hand component and a right-hand component. Thus, the flashing of all four sides of a rough opening requires a total of eight components, four right-hand components and four left-hand components. The manner of folding and installing these unique pre-folded components will be described in greater detail hereinafter. 
     OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
     An object of the invention is to provide a novel flashing system utilizing readily available materials. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide a plurality of pre-folded flashing components which can be installed in an overlapping manner with a coating of elastomeric rubber adhesive sealant there between, thus accommodating a variety of opening sizes. 
     A further object of the invention is to provide a flashing system wherein corner end dams are provided without the need for specialized molded units. 
     Yet another object of the invention is to provide a flashing system wherein a coated polyethylene sheet material is utilized which bonds with known elastomeric rubber adhesive sealants to form watertight joints. 
     A still further object of the invention is to provide a flashing system wherein all four sides of a rough opening are flashed prior to installation of the opening closure. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide a flashing system wherein additional sealing is provided after the installation of the flashing components in the rough opening to provide an extra measure of sealing against water and air intrusion in those areas. 
     A further object of the invention is to provide a method of flashing at least the lower half of a rough window opening including the sill, sill/jamb corners and the lower half of the jambs to provide against water and air intrusion thereabout. 
     Yet another object of the invention is to provide a method of completely flashing all four sides of a rough window opening to prevent water and air intrusion therearound. 
     These and other objects of the invention will become more fully understood and appreciated when considered in conjunction with the specification and drawings wherein like reference characters represent the same parts throughout the several views. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1, is a layout of a coated polyethylene sheet member prior to folding and stapling for subsequent use as a left-hand flashing component. 
     FIG. 2, is layout of a coated polyethylene sheet member prior to folding and stapling for subsequent use as a right-hand flashing component. 
     FIG. 3, is a front (exterior) perspective view illustrating a left-hand flashing component after it has been folded and stapled for use as a left-hand flashing component. 
     FIG. 4, is a rear (interior) perspective view of the rear side of the flashing component shown in FIG. 3, showing the manner of folding to make the corner. 
     FIG. 5, is a front (exterior) perspective view illustrating a right-hand flashing component after it has been folded and stapled for use as A right-hand flashing component. 
     FIG. 6, is a front (exterior) perspective view of a rough window opening illustrating the sequence of installation of the left and right-hand flashing components  25 L and  25 R, used to completely flash a rough window opening prior to the installation of a closure window. 
     FIG. 7, is a partial view of the flashing system shown in FIG. 6, in this view, there is illustrated a first embodiment for providing complete sealing of the horizontal overlapping ends of respective flashing components. 
     FIG. 8 is another partial view, similar to FIG. 7, illustrating a second embodiment for providing complete sealing of the horizontal overlapping ends of the respective flashing components. 
     FIG. 9 is another partial view, similar to FIGS. 7 and 8, illustrating a third embodiment for providing complete sealing of the horizontal overlapping ends-of the flashing components. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown the layout of a piece of coated polyethylene flashing sheet material  25 L (CPSF) which has been cut from a roll of coated polyethylene material. As shown, piece  25 L has been severed as shown at  26  and marked along the dashed lines  27 ,  28 ,  29 , and  30 . These are the lines wherein folds will be made to produce the completed left-hand flashing component  25 L illustrated in FIG.  3 . Folds are made along dashed lines  29  and  30  to form the unique end dam corner portion  25 CD shown in FIG.  3 . The coated polyethylene sheet material is a cross-laminated sheet material with a coating of clay on both sides thereof and has an overall thickness of approximately 7.5 mils. Once the material is creased and folded, it will retain the folded shape. The clay coating readily bonds with a variety of elastomeric adhesive sealants. These are some of the characteristics that make this product so useful as a flashing component. 
     Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown the layout of another piece of coated polyethylene sheet flashing material designated  25 R. Basically, it is the same dimensions as that shown in FIG. 1, however, this is the piece of flashing material which is utilized to make the right-hand flashing component  25 R illustrated in FIG.  5 . As in FIG. 1, a cut is made along line  26  permitting an upward fold along dashed line  29 . Additional folds are made along dashed lines  27 ,  28  and  30 . 
     Turning now to FIG. 3, there is shown a completed left-hand flashing component  25 L. The flashing components are designated left-hand and right-hand,  25 L and  25 R, to indicate the location of corner dam portions  25 CD formed upon completion of the folds along dash lines  28 - 30  and followed with a staple  31  to hold diagonal fold  30  in place. As shown, left-hand flashing component  25 L includes downward turned flange portion  25 D which overlaps the exterior sheathing when installed in a rough opening. Horizontal portion  25 H is initially positioned over the sill portion in the first instance, however, this same component will also be placed over the jamb and header portions when the remaining components are installed. The same is true of right-hand component  25 R. Accordingly, the left and right-hand components are designated by an underlined number followed by the letter L or R, as shown in FIG. 6, to indicate which component is used. 
     As indicated earlier, there are a total of eight such flashing components utilized, i.e. four left-hand components  25 L and four right-hand components  25 R. A rear upwardly extending flange  25 U is formed by folding along crease line  28 . An end upward portion  25 J is formed by folding along crease line  29 . A diagonal fold along crease line  30  is followed by stapling at  31  to securely retain the fold. By means of the diagonal fold  30  and fold  29 , a leak-proof corner is formed to control water or air leakage therethrough. 
     Referring now to FIG. 4, there is illustrated a rear view of the left-hand flashing component  25 L illustrated in FIG.  3 . This view illustrates the fold of upwardly extending flange  25 U and diagonal return fold portion  30  which forms the seal of corner dam portion  25 CD of the flashing component  25 L. 
     Referring to FIG. 5, there is shown right-hand flashing component  25 R. This view is the same as FIG. 3, however, it is of opposite hand. As indicated earlier, the left-hand flashing component  25 L and right-hand flashing component  25 R are designated such since the end corner dam  25 CD is located on the left and right sides of the components, respectively. 
     FIG. 6 is an illustration wherein a rough window opening has been completely flashed utilizing a total of eight flashing components, i.e. four left-hand components  25 L and four right-hand components  25 R. These eight flashing components are installed in a particular sequence to provide proper overlap to insure water run-off. The installation sequence is as follows: Firstly, a left-hand flashing component  25 L, designated by an underlined  1 L, is placed in the left corner of the rough opening with portion  25 H resting on the sill of the opening. Next, a right-hand flashing component  25 R, designated by an underlined  2 R is placed in the right-hand corner of the rough opening with portion  25 H resting on the sill of the opening. The edges where  25 R overlaps  25 L are first coated with elastomeric rubber adhesive sealant to bond the components and provide a leakproof joint. This step is followed by installation of a right-hand component  25 R, designated by an underlined  3 R. This component is rotated in such a manner that its end corner dam portion  25 CD is placed over the corner dam portion  25 CD of flashing component  25 L, designated by an underlined  1 L, with the remaining portion of the component extending upwardly along the left jamb. 
     After placement of the component designated by an underlined  3 R, a coating of elastomeric rubber adhesive sealant is applied to areas where component  3 R overlaps component  1 L. Next, a flashing component, designated by an underlined  4 L, is placed over the right jamb portion with its end corner dam portion  25 CD overlapping the end corner dam portion  25 CD of the flashing component designated by an underlined  2 R. Again, a coating of elastomeric rubber adhesive sealant is applied to the edges of overlap. As indicated earlier, both sides of all flashing components have a clay coating thereon. It has been found that this clay coating readily bonds to the elastomeric rubber adhesive sealant to provide a bonding of the flashing components. 
     Continuing with the flashing procedure, a left-hand component  25 L, designated by an underlined  5 L, is placed in the upper left-hand corner of the rough opening where the header meets the left jamb. This is followed by installation of a right-hand flashing component  25 R, designated by an underlined  6 R, in the opposite upper corner where the jamb and header intersect. As illustrated in the drawing, the midpoint of the left and right jambs are shown left open. If the vertical window opening measurement is of such a length that the components designated by an underlined.  5 L and  6 R will overlap the component designated by an underlined  3 R and  4 L, respectively, the upper components would merely overlap the lower components. An optional coating of elastomeric rubber adhesive sealant is placed at the areas of contact if greater air and water protection is required. If the height of the rough opening is greater, i.e. the components designated by an underlined  5 L and  6 R do not overlap, a piece of coated polyethylene sheet flashing material is cut of sufficient length to span the gap with a couple of inches of-overlap on each end. A fold is made to provide for an upstanding flange portion  25 U. The upper edge of the piece is then placed under the lower end of component  5 L with its lower edge overlapping component  3 R. An optional coating of elastomeric rubber adhesive sealant is applied at the areas of contact if greater air and water protection is required. 
     Referring now to FIG. 7, there is shown the first of three possible ways of ensuring sealing of the horizontal overlapping of components  1 L, 2 R;  3 R, 1 L; and  4 L, 2 R. Each of these pairs of components includes an exposed overlapping edge line. To complete the flashing of these components, elastomeric rubber adhesive sealant coating  35  is manually applied as indicated. The sealant utilized may be one of several commercially available sealants which will readily bond and adhere to the clay coating which is on the coated polyethylene sheet flashing (CPSF) components. One of the sealants which can be utilized is the elastomeric rubber adhesive sealant set forth and described in my earlier application. Referring now to FIG. 8, there is shown a second embodiment for sealing the horizontal overlaps of flashing components  1 L,  2 R,  3 R and  4 L. In this embodiment, a self-adhesive membrane flashing member is utilized. This product is available in roll form and can be cut to the approximate dimensions of the overlap. The product is provided with a peel strip and a pressure sensitive adhesive coating on one side. After removing the peel strip, it is placed over the overlapping portions of the flashing components  1 L,  2 R,  3 R and  4 L. Finger pressure is applied to insure good contact and removal of any air bubbles which may reside thereunder. Again, as with the silicone rubber adhesive sealant, this product readily bonds and adheres to the clay coating of the coated polyethylene material. There are several known commercially available products which have been found suitable for this purpose. One is manufactured by Grace Corp., under the trademark VYCOR, another product is manufactured by DuPont Corp., under the trademark FLEX WRAP, a third product is manufactured by DEMAND PRODUCTS, INC. and marketed as EIFS Window/Door Tape. Each of these products has been successfully used to complete the sealing of overlapping flashing components. 
     Referring now to FIG. 9, there is illustrated a third option for finalizing the flashing of the window opening. As seen here a commercially available reinforcing mesh  45  with an adhesive coating on one side is cut to a size sufficient to overlap the joint. Again, the adhesive backing of the fiberglass mesh  45  readily bonds and adheres to the clay coating on the coated polyethylene sheet flashing material. (CPSF) components  1 L,  2 R,  3 R and  4 L. After applying the fiberglass mesh  45 , a coating of elastomeric liquid flashing material  50 , as used in my earlier patent, U.S. Pat. No. 5,899,026, is applied over the fiberglass mesh  45  and due to the self-levelling qualities of the elastomeric liquid flashing material  50 , it readily flows into the openings of the mesh, filling them, to provide additional sealing and strengthening to the fiberglass mesh  45 . 
     Now that the rough opening has been completely flashed, it is ready for the installation of the window. After installation of the window, any excess length of the inwardly turned flange portion  25 U which extends beyond the window interior frame is manually trimmed prior to the installation of the interior trim. The CPSF my be sealed to the window frame with commercially available tape. 
     As can be seen from the foregoing drawings and their descriptions, there has been set forth several embodiments and options available to a builder to prevent water and air intrusion around windows and door openings. This system provides an economical, less time consuming, effective procedure for solving a very serious problem in the construction industry. 
     While the invention has been described in its preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the words which have been used are words of description rather than limitation and that changes may be made within the purview of the appended claims without departing from the full scope or spirit of the invention. 
     Having thus described my invention,