Weatherproof lap siding system

Abstract

A lap siding system for use on an exterior of a building that includes a structure having a groove and a rear side for abutting the building. The groove may include a length and a contour extending along the length of the groove. The system also includes a flashing having an extension, a length, and a head. The head may be connectable to the structure so that the extension of the flashing extends from the structure generally parallel to the rear side of the structure. Additionally, a part of the head may abut and follow a portion of the contour of the groove. The lap siding system may also include a plurality of planks having a first end. The flashing may form at least part of a plank channel having a width sized to receive the first ends of the plurality of planks.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCED RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 682,641, filed May 18, 2005.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] This invention relates generally to lap siding systems and apparatus for use on the exteriors of residential and commercial buildings. Lap siding systems generally provide aesthetically pleasing, low maintenance exteriors to a variety of buildings by attaching overlapping horizontal or vertical boards or planks to the exterior of a building. For simplicity, the term “plank” includes boards, slats, and panels. Planks may be made of wood, cementitous material, plastic, metal, glass, various types of fiber and filler material, composites of these materials and other materials known in the art. [0003] A common problem in construction is that of weatherproofing structural junctures in lap siding systems, such as between planks and at corners. Weatherproofing serves the goal of protecting the underlying struc...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0010] The apparatus and system of the present invention has been developed in response to the present state of the art, and in particular, in response to the problems and needs in the art that have not been fully solved by currently available lap siding systems and apparatus. Thus, the present invention provides a lap siding system and apparatus for providing an aesthetically pleasing, low maintenance exterior to a variety of buildings.

Problems solved by technology

A common problem in construction is that of weatherproofing structural junctures in lap siding systems, such as between planks and at corners.

Damage resulting from water seepage may also result in rotting, swelling, and warping of the planks of the lap siding system and underlying structure.

Water seepage may also result in a reduction of the effectiveness of insulation, cracks in the masonry, loosening of the siding system from the underlying structure of the building, and the like.

However, caulk tends to shrink over time.

Additionally, the weathering and dissimilar thermal expansion and contraction of the flashing, siding, and caulk often leads to failure of the seal so that water seeps behind the siding and may result in water damage to the lap siding system and underlying structure.

Furthermore, the exposed junctions, caulk, and flashing may be unsightly.

Water often collects and sits in this juncture causing water damage to the bottommost planks and starter strips.

Furthermore, the bottommost planks and starter strips are often disposed so close to the underlying structure of the building that water wicks up between the bottommost planks, starter strips, and the underlying structure of the building, which increases the likelihood that significant water damage will occur.

Another problem in the installation of a lap siding system on a building is the difficulty in evenly attaching each plank to the underlying structure.

The current method of installation requires constant measuring of plank position and adjustment, which is time-consuming.

However, this gap may be unsightly and, like the structural junctions discussed above, the caulk and flashing may fail so that water is able to seep behind the flashing.

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