Insulative and weather-resistant building construction

Abstract

A building structural component, such as a wall, roof, ceiling, floor, or the like, is resistant to weather and moisture while facilitating the drying and elimination of water vapor and liquid water. The component includes a vapor-permeable membrane that resists penetration of liquids including water, but that permits gases including water vapor to pass through the membrane to resist buildup of moisture in the building component, A batten, such as an insulated batten, forms a cavity in the building component to facilitate air circulation, and reduces heat flow through structural studs of the building component to increase the overall insulation value of the finished component.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]The present application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 61 / 055,229, filed May 22, 2008, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates generally to building structure, and more particularly, to walls, roofs, and other building structures that resist weather and insulate against heat transfer.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Buildings are typically constructed with a series of studs or structural members in a spaced arrangement to form walls and roofs. The studs typically have an inner sheet material (such as gypsum board) on one side and an outer facade or cladding on the other side. The inner sheet typically forms the portion of the wall that is visible from inside the building, and the outer sheet forms the facade or siding viewable from the exterior of the building. A layer of insulation material is typically placed between each stud ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0004]The present invention provides a building structural component that resists weather elements while remaining breathable to gases such as water vapor, to limit or prevent moisture from becoming entrapped in walls, roofs, ceilings, floors, and the like. In addition, the building component may include insulated battens aligned with structural studs to eliminate or substantially reduce heat loss or gain through-the studs. In one embodiment, the batten is comprised of an outer structural-portion and an inner portion made of highly-insulative material. The outer portion of the batten may be made from a magnesium-based binder mixed with recycled and / or waste materials, and the inner insulative portion made of an aerogel, for example.

[0005]According to one aspect of the invention, a building structural component includes a plurality of structural stud or joist members spaced from one another, a sheathing or sheet-like material, a plurality of battens substantially aligned with the stud member, a vapor-permeable membrane, and an exterior siding material, An interior surface of the sheathing is positioned along the exterior surfaces of the stud members. The battens have exterior and interior surfaces and are positioned along the exterior surface of the sheathing in general alignment with the stud members. The vapor-permeable membrane is substantially impervious to liquids and permeable to gases including water vapor. The exterior siding member is positioned along the exterior surfaces of the battens so that the siding member is spaced from the sheathing by the battens. A cavity is thus defined between the siding member and the sheathing. The battens substantially reduce the flow of thermal energy through the structural stud members to thereby increase the insulation value of the building structural component.

[0009]Thus, the present invention provides a building structural member having low thermal conductivity, even in the regions of structural stud members, and weather-resistance combined with breathability that facilitates drying and evaporation of moisture that may be present within the structural member or within the building in which it is used. The batten may include a recess or chamber for receiving a layer of aerogel or other highly insulative material, and may have an outer portion made up of recycled or waste materials mixed with a binder, such as a magnesium-based binder or other materials that may be nonflammable and resistant to deterioration in the presence of moisture and extreme temperatures.

Problems solved by technology

However, the studs themselves, and especially studs made from steel or other metals, act as heat conductors or “thermal shorts” through which a significant amount of heat may be gained or lost through the wall or roof.

In addition, typical construction methods and materials may lead to entrapment of moisture that can result in formation of mold, mildew, Tot, and loss of insulation properties.

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