A trim for a window or door frame surround, a method of damp proofing a window or door frame surround, and a window or door frame surround damp proofing assembly

Abstract

The invention relates to a trim (50, 100, 110, 120) for a window or door frame surround. The invention also relates to a method of damp proofing a window or door frame surround. The invention also relates to a window or door frame surround damp proofing assembly (70, 80). The trim can be used internally or externally.

Description

[0001] A TRIM FOR A WINDOW OR DOOR FRAME SURROUND, A METHOD OF DAMP PROOFING A WINDOW OR DOOR FRAME SURROUND, AND A WINDOW OR DOOR FRAME SURROUND DAMP PROOFING ASSEMBLY

[0002] The invention relates to a trim for a window or door surround, a method of damp proofing a window or door surround, and a window or door surround damp proofing assembly.

[0003] Black spot mould can form at the junction of a window or door frame and the window or door surround (also known as a reveal).

[0004] Figure 1 is a schematic view of a first known window surround assembly 10. The window surround assembly 10 comprises a brick wall 12 defining an opening into which a window frame 14 (of a replacement double or triple glazed window) is installed and fixed to the wall. The wall is covered by a layer of plaster 16. Following installation and fixing of the window, the region 18 adjacent the frame 14 is “made good” (i.e. plaster is added which is flush with the surface of plaster layer 16).

[0005] Figure 2 is a schematic view of the first known window surround assembly, showing heat travel paths.

[0006] A problem with the first known window surround assembly is that, where heat travels through the full thickness of a solid wall from indoor to outdoor in the direction shown by arrow A in Figure 1, it may have a typical U value of 1.9. At a window reveal, heat doesn’t have to travel through the full thickness of the solid wall, as the heat travels around the junction in a curve roughly denoted by arrow B, giving a lower U value of about 3.22 at the reveal. The lower U value means the path B acts as a cold bridge. The surface of the reveal adjacent the junction with the frame can be cold. Condensation can form on the cold surfaces of the reveal adjacent the junction with the frame. The surface becomes wet due to the condensation. Then, black spot mould forms on the wet surface. Thermal bridge modelling by the Applicant has demonstrated an f value of 0.68 where the threshold for no condensation is 0.75.

[0007] Figure 3 shows a second known window surround damp proofing assembly 30. Similar parts to the arrangement shown in Figure 1 employ the same reference numerals. In the window surround damp proofing assembly 30, there is no made good region 18 of the plaster layer 16. Instead, an aesthetic trim 32 covers the plaster layer 16. The trim 32 is made of uPVC. The trim 32 has a thickness of 8 mm. The trim 32 covers any plaster damaged to the plaster layer 16 caused by the removal of the old window and installation of the new window. A problem with the trim 32 is that it serves no or de minimus technical function. Consequently, the window surround damp proofing assembly 30 permits damp and mould resulting from thermal bridging.

[0008] Figure 4 shows a third known window surround damp proofing assembly 40. Similar parts to the arrangement shown in Figure 1 employ the same reference numerals. In the third known window surround damp proofing assembly 40, a cavity is cut into or through the plaster layer 16, and phenolic foam insulation 42 is installed into the cavity, approximately to the depth of the plaster layer 16. An aesthetic trim 44 covers the phenolic foam insulation 42. The aesthetic trim 44 is made of uPVC. The trim 32 has a thickness of 8 mm. A problem with the third known window surround damp proofing assembly 40 is that the installation method is time consuming and invasive. It suits the installer because it yields more work. It also suits the installer because phenolic foam insulation 42 and aesthetic trim 44 can be readily available on any site. However, the installation method of the third known window surround damp proofing assembly 40 is expensive, which often deters customers from having new windows installed in this way.

[0009] An aim of the present invention is to provide a method of damp proofing a window or door surround which overcomes one or more of the aforementioned problems of the known arrangements above. A separate alternative aim of the present invention is to provide an improved, or at least an alternative, method of damp proofing a window or door surround.

[0010] According to a first embodiment of the invention(s) there is provided a method of damp proofing a window or door surround in accordance with Claim 1.

[0011] Preferably, the shortest heat pathway around the trim has an f value of about 0.75.

[0012] According to a second embodiment of the invention(s) there is provided a window or door surround damp proofing assembly in accordance with Claim 6.

[0013] An aim of the present invention is to provide a trim for a window or door surround which overcomes one or more of the aforementioned problems of the known arrangements above. A separate alternative aim of the present invention is to provide an improved, or at least an alternative, trim for a window or door surround.

[0014] According to a third embodiment of the invention(s) there is provided a trim for a window or door surround in accordance with Claim 7. The trim may be a window or door frame surround trim. Other optional and preferred features of the embodiments of the invention(s) are set out in the dependent claims, and the description, below. It will be appreciated that the features of any independent claim can be combined in any complimentary manner, with one or more features of another independent claim, dependent claim(s), and / or with one or more features of the description, where such a combination of features would provide a working embodiment of the invention.

[0015] A trim for a window or door frame surround, a method of damp proofing a window or door frame surround, and a window or door frame surround damp proofing assembly, each in accordance with the invention(s) will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which,

[0016] Figure 5 is a right end view of a trim for a window or door frame surround,

[0017] Figure 6 is a side view of the trim of Figure 5,

[0018] Figure 7 is a plan view of the trim of Figure 5,

[0019] Figure 8 is a schematic cross section view of a window frame surround damp proofing assembly,

[0020] Figure 9 is a schematic cross section view of the window frame surround damp proofing assembly of Figure 8, showing heat travel paths, Figures 10 to 12 shown an end views of some variants of trims, and

[0021] Figure 13 is a schematic cross section view of a window frame surround damp proofing assembly.

[0022] Referring to Figures 5, 6 and 7, a trim 50 comprises trim comprising a first part 52 and a second part 54. The first part 52 is made of insulating material. The second part 54 is made of robust and easy to clean material. The first part 52 is an inner part. The second part 54 is an outer part.

[0023] The insulating material is conveniently phenolic foam.

[0024] The robust and easy to clean material is conveniently uPVC. uPVC is easier to clean, handle and fix, than phenolic foam, in addition to being better from an aesthetic finish point of view.

[0025] Referring to Figure 5, the trim 50 has a base denoted by a dimension 55, which in one embodiment is 20 mm, a top, parallel to the base, and denoted by a dimension 56 (see also Figure 7) which in one embodiment is 10 mm, a back surface, perpendicular to the base, and denoted by a dimension 57 which in one embodiment is 100 mm, a front surface, parallel to the back, and denoted by a dimension 58 which in one embodiment is 70 mm, and an inclined surface denoted by a dimension 59 (see also Figure 7), which extends 30 mm upwardly and 10 mm horizontally between the top of the front surface 58 and the front of the top surface 56. Hence, the trim 50 almost resembles a long thin cuboid, with a edge omitted from the top and front of the cuboid.

[0026] Referring to Figure 5, the thickness T of the inner 52 is 14 mm. Therefore, the thickness of the outer 54 is 3 mm.

[0027] The ends of the trim 50, one of which is shown in Figure 5, are not covered by uPVC.

[0028] Referring to Figure 6, the length L of the trim 50 may conveniently be 5000 mm (i.e. 5 m). The trim 50 may be provided in different lengths.

[0029] The trim is preferably made by extrusion of the material making the inner 52 and the outer 54.

[0030] Referring to Figure 8, in use, the trim 50 is used in a window frame surround damp proofing assembly 70. The window frame surround damp proofing assembly 70 is designed for use inside a building. External use is disclosed in another embodiment below.

[0031] The window frame surround damp proofing assembly 70 comprises a (brick) wall 12 having a thickness of about 250 mm and a layer of plaster 16 having a thickness of about 25 mm.

[0032] The trim 50 is applied to the window frame surround adjacent the window frame 14.

[0033] Preferably, the trim 50 is installed at the junction of the plaster layer 16 and the frame 14, so as to avoid the need for filler or the like in the gap between the trim 50 and the frame. In particular, the base (55 in Figure 5) abuts against the window frame 14 and the back (57 in Figure 5) abuts against the (generally flat) outer surface of the plaster layer 16 (not below the outer surface of the plaster layer 16 like phenolic foam insulation 42 in the third known window surround damp proofing assembly 40).

[0034] Preferably, the trim 50 is applied to all four sides of a window frame surround. In one embodiment, the length of the trim 50 is long enough to covers the total length of all four sides of a window frame surround. Typically, this total length is between 2 m and 4 m, most often it is about 3 m. It is however not essential that all four surfaces are covered, but dependent on the conditions and the wishes of the client.

[0035] Referring to Figure 9, the window frame surround damp proofing assembly 70 solves the problem of the known second window frame surround damp proofing assembly 30 effectively by making the heat travel through a pathway C, which has a greater distance through the material of the wall 14 and 16, thereby increasing the U value.

[0036] In another embodiment of the invention (not shown for conciseness), the trim 50 can be cut into usable shorter lengths or provided in shorter lengths.

[0037] Due to the high percentage of the cross section area being made out of foam, the trim 50 is easier to cut than similar sections of pine wood material, or of comparable ease.

[0038] The invention would still work, if the back and / or base of the trim 50 is not covered by UPVC. In yet another embodiment of the invention (not shown for conciseness), a further trim 50 in accordance with the invention is like the trim 50, except that the back (corresponding to 55 in Figure 5) and / or base (corresponding to 57 in Figure 5) of the trim is not covered by UPVC. The room facing parts (corresponding to 56, 59, 58 in Figure 5) of the trim are still covered by UPVC for aesthetic reasons, robustness, and easier fixing, for example.

[0039] Therefore, the term outer 54 in the claim may cover part of the outer as well as the entire outer excluding the ends of the trim. Indeed, even the ends of the trim may be covered in one embodiment that is not shown. An advantage of this embodiment is that it makes manufacturing easier. However, a disadvantage of this embodiment is that the foam would be more susceptible to damage, so use of this embodiment may not be appropriate in certain circumstances, e.g. where significant handling is required prior to installation.

[0040] Trim cross section dimensions are important but can be varied as disclosed below, so as to meet certain criteria, such as robustness, limited width of surround, limited depth, e.g. distance between wall touching perimeter of window frame and the window, or distance between wall touching perimeter of door frame and the door, or likely amount of handling that will be required from the start to the end of the installation process.

[0041] Figures 10 to 12 shown end views of some variants of trims 100, 110, 120.

[0042] Dimensions in mm, including height, widths, and radii of curved parts, are shown on Figures 10 to 12 for convenience.

[0043] In each of Figures 10 to 12, the core and the outer of the trims 100, 110, 120 are made of the same materials disclosed in relation to the trim 50. The thickness of the outer of the trims 100, 110, 120 is the same as the thickness of the outer 54 disclosed for the trim 50. Each of the trims 100, 110, 120 of the Figures 10 to 12 variants can conveniently be made in 6000 mm, 3000 mm, or 1500 mm lengths.

[0044] The 100 mm x 20 mm variant of trim 100 shown in Figure 10 is the most robust.

[0045] The 75 mm x 20 mm variant of trim 110 and the 100 mm x 12 mm variant of trim 120 shown in, respectively, Figure 11 and Figure 12, are convenient options where width or depth are limited.

[0046] All variants of trims 50, 100, 110, 120 shown in Figures 5 to 12, when installed, meet or exceed the F value target.

[0047] If the height of the trim is less than the 75 mm height of the Figure 11 variant and / or the thickness of the trim is less than the 12 mm thickness of the Figure 12 variant, the F value may not be satisfied, but it will be appreciated that depends on the other dimension and the materials that are employed.

[0048] On the other hand, if a trim is higher than the 100 mm height of the Figure 10 or 12 variant or thicker than the 20 mm of the Figure 10 or 11 variant, for indoor use, it would increase manufacturing and transport costs and limit versatility.

[0049] It should be appreciated by the reader that the thickness of UPVC layer can be varied relative to the thickness of the insulation, without changing the outer dimension of the trim. In another embodiment, not shown for conciseness, the trim 50 is used in a door frame surround damp proofing assembly. The trim 50 is installed at the junction of the plaster layer 16 and the door frame, like it is installed at the junction of the plaster and window frame 14 in the earlier embodiment. In such a use, the trim 50 is applied to three sides of a door frame surround, i.e. above the door, and on both sides. The length of the trim 50 is conveniently long enough to cover the total length of the three sides of a door frame surround. Typically, this total length is between 5 m and 6.5 m, most often it is about 6 m. It is however not essential that all three sides are covered, but dependent on the conditions and the wishes of the client.

[0050] The term “surround” refers to the part of the wall adjacent the junction between of the plaster layer 16 (or the wall in general) and the window frame 14, in the window surround damp proofing assembly 70. The term “surround” also refers to exterior part of the wall 16 adjacent the periphery of the exterior part of the window frame 14. The term “surround” also refers to the part of the wall adjacent the junction between of the plaster layer (or the wall in general) and the door frame, in the door surround damp proofing assembly. The terms “surround” and “reveal” have the same meaning and can be used interchangeably.

[0051] Where the thickness of the wall 12 varies, the trim 50 dimensions can be varied accordingly.

[0052] In another embodiment, referring to Figure 13, and in contrast to the preceding embodiments used internally in a building, the trim 50 can be used on an external window frame surround damp proofing assembly 80.

[0053] The trim 50 in Figure 13 is a 100 mm x 20 mm variant of trim, like the trim in Figure 5. Still referring to Figure 13, the trim 50 is installed at the junction of the exterior of the window frame 14 and the adjacent exterior part of the wall 16. External wall insulation 82 is applied to the outside surface of the wall 16. Conveniently, the trim 50 extends outwardly from the frame, transverse or perpendicular to the plane of the window within the window frame, so to cover the exterior depth of the wall 16 plus the depth of the external wall insulation 82. The trim 50 may be longer than 100 mm to suit a different thickness of external wall insulation 82. Also, the trim 50 protrudes slightly beyond the outside surface of the external wall insulation 82, to extend to the depth of an external render finish 84 applied to the external wall insulation 82. In that way, the trim 50 can act as a rigid bead for making application of external render finish 84 easier and more accurate. Preferably, the trim 50 is applied to all four sides of the external window frame surround.

[0054] It will be appreciated that the trim 50 can also be applied to the external side of a door but such an embodiment is not shown for conciseness.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A method of damp proofing a window or door frame surround, wherein the method comprises providing an insulating trim, a wall defines an opening, a window or door frame is arranged in the opening, wherein the method comprises applying the insulating trim to the window or door frame surround adjacent the window or door frame.

2. A method according to Claim 1, wherein the method comprises applying the trim to a flat outer surface of the window or door frame surround.

3. A method according to any one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the method comprises applying the trim to the window or door frame surround so that the trim abuts the junction between the window or door frame and the window or door frame surround.

4. A method according to any one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the method comprises applying the trim to a window or door frame surround in such a way that the shortest heat pathway around the trim has an f value of about 0.75.

5. A method according to any one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the method comprises applying a trim in accordance with any one or more of Claims 7 to 12 to a window or door frame surround.

6. A window or door frame surround damp proofing assembly made according to the method of any one or more of Claims 1 to 5.

7. An insulating trim for a window or door frame surround, the trim comprising two different materials.

8. A trim according to Claim 7, wherein the trim is a window or door frame surround trim.

9. A trim according to any one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the trim comprises an insulating first part and a robust second part.

10. A trim according to Claim 9, wherein the first part is inner, second part is outer.

11. A trim according to Claim 9 or 10, wherein the trim has a first part made of phenolic foam and a second part made of uPVC.

12. A trim according to Claim 10, wherein the trim is made by extrusion of the material making the first part and the second part.

13. A window or door frame surround trim substantially as described herein and / or with reference to Figures 5, 6 and 7 of the drawings.

14. A method of damp proofing a window or door frame surround substantially as described herein and / or with reference to Figures 5 to 13 of the drawings.

15. A window or door frame surround damp proofing assembly substantially as described herein and / or with reference to Figures 5 to 13 of the drawings.

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