Window flashing assembly

Abstract

A window or door flashing assembly includes a weather resistive barrier that covers a portion of a wall around a rough opening. The barrier may be comprised of adhesive saturated open cell foam or scrim laminated between layers of impervious film A tapered sealing gasket that engages the inner surface of the door or window nailing flange or molding seals exterior air and moisture from the interior of the building. The barrier may extend into the rough opening and integrate with a sill pan.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001] The present application is a continuation-in-part of prior U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 114,756, filed Apr. 2, 2002, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09 / 567,866, filed May 9, 2000 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,305,130, the benefit of the filing dates being claimed under 35 U.S.C. § 120.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates to building materials in general, and in particular, to seals, flashing, sill pans and flashing membrane for doors and windows. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] One of the most common failure points where water enters a building's envelope is around windows and doors. Water penetration is one of the most significant factors leading to premature failure of structures. Many windows and doors, whether they are aluminum or vinyl, are secured in the building's rough opening by a continuous nailing flange. As an example, the window is placed in the rough opening from t...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0013] The present invention is a flashing assembly for sealing around doors or windows. The present system combines integrated components that minimize material failure or installation error that will allow exterior water or air to penetrate the interior building structure. The object of the assembly is to provide an adaptable system that provides for vapor flow under the flashing, provides sealing redundancy and maximizes sealing performance. This current invention minimizes the number of components required in field installation.

[0014] The flashing assembly preferably includes a flashing membrane made from a adhesive saturated open cell foam laminated between solid film sheets with vapor flow creases that are positioned behind a nailing flange of a window or door. The foam adhesive flashing membrane is adhered to the building sheathing by staples or similar fasteners. The foam adhesive flashing membrane provides a water seal around nail and staple penetrations without use of exposed asphalt or butyl adhesives tapes that are often incompatible with other components and whose performance is inhibited by extreme temperatures and moisture. The sealing characteristic of the foam adhesive flashing membrane is enhanced by the adhesive being squeezed into the open cell structure during manufacture. The integration of the foam and adhesive also helps physically stabilize the adhesive at higher temperatures. While high density foam has strong sealing characteristics without an adhesive, its use in this application is uneconomic. The fabrication of the foam adhesive flashing membrane causes the wall side of the membrane to develop creases as it is straightened against the wall providing the opportunity for vapor to escape from behind membrane. The wall side film may be impressed with a pattern prior to fabrication to the foam further enhancing the films ability to be held off the wall.

[0015] The under flange seal is bonded to the flashing membrane or directly to the window flange, in its preferred embodiment having slanted parallel fins with serrated teeth, is compressed between the window or door nailing flange and the sheathing of the building thereby eliminating the use of caulk. The taper allows the sealing gasket to be uniformly compressed by the nailing flange while minimizing flange distortion and elevation from the wall. The serrated teeth of the sealing gasket enhance its ability to keep moisture and air from passing by the gasket.. The uniform size of the under flange seal provides consistent high performance by utilizing compression to create a seal, adapting to window flange movement and variations of the substrate. Field installation of caulk is inconsistent, generally too small in volume, does not adhere to many flashing materials and often does not cure prior to expansion that results in seal failure.

[0016] Integration of the over flange seal to the flashing membrane eliminates the requirement of sealing the two components in the field in adverse weather conditions. A factory seal is more reliable and only requires the seal to then be adhered to the window flange itself I the field. Use of closed cell foam adhesive assures compatibility and high bonding performance to the flange and full encapsulation of flange fasteners.

[0017] Integration of a sill pan to the flashing system that allow moisture to drain through channels to the exterior of the building structure, adapts to all window depths and manufactures support requirements, interlocks the sill base and molded corners while integrating to other flashing components provides additional moisture penetration protection with the simple easily installed components of the current invention. No other current system addresses all the required design considerations to comply with manufacture and industry standards.

[0018] Combining flashing membrane and closed cell foam adhesive with a release liner provides a flashing component that provides compatibility, broad temperature range and sealing performance not available from other current self adhering flashing systems. These systems are often insufficient in thickness to encapsulate flange fasteners, do not adhere in both hot and cold conditions and are blended for either a hot or cool environment while many weather patterns will expose the flashing system to both over the life of the installation.

Problems solved by technology

While high density foam has strong sealing characteristics without an adhesive, its use in this application is uneconomic.

Field installation of caulk is inconsistent, generally too small in volume, does not adhere to many flashing materials and often does not cure prior to expansion that results in seal failure.

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