Patent ID: 8641846

Claim:
A method for sealing a fenestration opening, the method comprising: (a) providing a building frame comprising building elements that define a fenestration opening, wherein the building elements define a gap having a width greater than 1.6 millimeters within the fenestration opening; (b) providing a dispersion comprising the following dispersed in a continuous aqueous phase: (i) a film-forming polymer binder having a glass transition temperature in a range of −100 degrees Celsius to −20 degrees Celsius; (ii) a shear thinning rheology modifier at a concentration sufficient to cause the dispersion to have a Brookfield viscosity greater than 300,000 centiPoise as measured using spindle #3 at 0.3 revolutions per minute; and (iii) optionally, a filler; (c) spraying the dispersion directly onto the building elements within the fenestration opening so as to form a continuous coating over the building elements and gap within the fenestration opening; wherein there is an absence of reinforcement or sealing material filling or spanning the gap prior to spraying the dispersion over the gap, the method further comprising the following steps: (d) providing a window having an attachment flange on its perimeter; (e) inserting the window into the fenestration opening, wherein the building elements of the building frame define a framework around the circumference of the fenestration opening that resides inside or outside the fenestration opening and against which the attachment flange of the window fits against upon inserting the window into the fenestration opening; and (f) spraying the dispersion over the attachment flange and adjoining framing elements so as to forma continuous coating around the window that upon drying forms a seal over the interface between the attachment flange and the building frame; where step (d) occurs at any time prior to steps (e) and (f) and steps (e) and (f) occur after step (c).