Patent Grant
10844608
The present disclosure relates to cladding systems for buildings. More particularly, it relates to a cladding system having panels with water drainage channels provided therein.
Masonry veneer is a popular cladding for buildings. Generally, it involves building a layer of brick, stone or other masonry work to cover a structural wall. Masonry veneer is often desirable because of its aesthetic qualities, but can be labour intensive and time consuming as the masonry work must be installed in a mortar bed.
Alternatively, a veneer can be assembled using prefabricated cladding panels. These panels generally have an exterior face designed to resemble the finish of traditional masonry veneer. Advantageously, this type of cladding can be faster and easier to install as the panels can be attached directly to a structural wall and do not required the use of mortar.
In addition to providing a pleasing aesthetic, the cladding panels should preferably be designed to protect a supporting wall from the elements. More specifically, the assembled panels should be able to withstand varying weather conditions, and should be able to adequately manage moisture. Preferably still, the cladding panels should be easy to manufacture.
It is therefore desirable to provide an improved cladding system which solves at least some of the shortcomings of the prior art.
According to an aspect, a cladding system for covering an exterior wall is provided. The cladding system includes a panel assemblable with other like-panels to cover the exterior wall. The panel includes a body having a front face for facing outward, a rear face for facing the exterior wall, and top, bottom and side faces for positioning proximate to faces of adjacent ones of the other like-panels. The panel includes a plurality of drainage channels formed in the rear face of the body, the plurality of drainage channels each having an interior surface spaced apart from the rear face of the body, and opening at least on the top and bottom faces of the body. The channels on the rear face of the panel define a drainage plane between the front face and the rear face of the body of the panel. The cladding system also includes an anchor engaged with the panel for securing the panel to the exterior wall. The anchor has an elongated body extending along the top face of the panel. The elongated body includes a plurality of tabs spaced-apart along the elongated body, the tabs respectively fitting in corresponding ones of the drainage channels formed in the panel. The anchor also includes a wall engagement mechanism, for securing the anchor to the exterior wall.
In an embodiment, at least one of the drainage channels in the panel includes a slotted portion receiving one of the plurality of tabs therein. The slotted portion is spaced apart from the interior surface of the corresponding drainage channel, and defines a liquid channeling portion between the interior surface and the tab, allowing liquid on the top face of the panel to flow into the drainage channel.
In an embodiment, each of the plurality of tabs includes an angled portion angled towards the interior surface of its corresponding drainage channel. The angled portion directs liquid flowing over the tab towards the interior surface.
In an embodiment, the body of the panel includes protrusions formed on its top face. The protrusions are positioned adjacent the openings of the drainage channels on the top face for blocking liquid from entering the drainage channels directly from the front face of the panel.
In an embodiment, the top face of the panel is sloped downwards from the rear face to the front face, to direct water away from the exterior wall.
In an embodiment, the bottom face of the panel is angled at approximately 90° relative to the rear face.
In an embodiment, the panel body is a molded body.
In an embodiment, the anchor further includes a wall spacing element for spacing the rear face of the panel apart from the exterior wall when assembled on the exterior wall, thereby defining a continuous air gap between the rear face of the panel and the exterior wall.
In an embodiment, the anchor further includes a panel spacing element for spacing the top face of the panel apart from the bottom face of a like-panel vertically stacked thereon by at least 1 mm when assembled on the exterior wall.
In an embodiment, the panel spacing element includes wings extending from the elongated body of the anchor, said wings abutting the bottom face of the like-panel vertically stacked thereon when assembled on the exterior wall, thereby maintaining a spacing between the top face of the panel and the bottom face of the like-panel vertically stacked thereon, and blocking water from passing therethrough.
In an embodiment, the wings extend from the elongated body of the anchor at an angle between 10° and 70°.
The exterior wall typically includes a weather resistant barrier. Accordingly, in an embodiment, the panel and/or anchor further include panel spacing elements for spacing apart at least one of the faces of the panel and at least one face of an adjacent panel. When assembled on the exterior wall to form a veneer, the panel spacing elements in the anchor and/or the panel form at least 10 times more air leakage areas in the veneer than in the WRB.
In an embodiment, the plurality of drainage channels are in fluid communication with the drainage channels of a top-adjacent panel via the channel opening on the top face, and with the drainage channels of a bottom-adjacent panel via the drainage channel opening on the bottom face. The cladding system thereby has a continuous drainage path for water via the drainage channels from a top face of a topmost panel to a bottom face of a bottommost panel.
In an embodiment, the elongated body of the anchor includes a gutter portion for collecting liquid on the top face of the panel and directing the liquid to a nearest one of the drainage channels.
In an embodiment, the gutter portion has a substantially U-shaped profile and extends along the top face of the panel in an area between the rear face and the interior surface of the plurality of channels.
In an embodiment, the gutter portion has apertures formed therein, said apertures being aligned with the drainage channels for draining liquid collecting on the gutter portion through the drainage channels.
In an embodiment, the cladding system further includes at least one bracket engaged with the panel, the bracket having a body with a panel engagement portion engaged in a corresponding one of the plurality of drainage channels, and an anchor engagement portion for engaging with a bottom-adjacent anchor, the bracket and anchor engaging to prevent a pull-out of the panel relative to the exterior wall.
In an embodiment, the bracket is engaged in the corresponding one of the plurality of drainage channels via a press-fit in a bottom portion thereof.
In an embodiment, the wall engagement section of the anchor includes a mounting plate for mounting to the exterior wall, and the anchor further includes a bracket engagement portion which includes an elongated track extending from the mounting plate. The anchor engagement portion of the bracket includes a substantially U-shaped member shaped to fit over the elongated track and hang therefrom.
In an embodiment, the elongated track is spaced apart from the mounting plate. The drainage holes are provided in the anchor body between the elongated track and the mounting plate for allowing liquid in a plane of the exterior wall to drain onto the anchor.
In an embodiment, the bracket engagement portion includes a panel abutment portion spaced apart from the elongated track. The panel abutment portion abuts against a lower portion of the panel when the panel hangs from the elongated track member via the bracket element, thereby preventing a push-in of the panel relative to the wall structure.
In an embodiment, the cladding system further includes a starter anchor supporting a bottommost panel, the starter anchor having an elongated body extending along the bottom face of the bottommost panel. The elongated body of the starter anchor includes a mounting plate for mounting to the wall structure; and a ledge portion extending away from the mounting plate. The ledge portion includes a panel abutting member abutting against the bottom face of the bottommost panel for providing vertical support thereto.
In an embodiment, the elongated body of the starter anchor further includes a bracket engagement portion for engaging with a bracket provided in the bottommost panel, the bracket engagement portion including an elongated track member extending from the mounting plate.
In an embodiment, the ledge portion has apertures formed therein for allowing fluid flowing through the bottom face of the bottommost panel to drain therethrough.
In an embodiment, each of the plurality of drainage channels in the panel is substantially dovetail-shaped.
In an embodiment, the plurality of drainage channels are parallel to one another and run substantially rectilinearly from the top face of the panel to the bottom face of the panel.
In an embodiment, each of the plurality of channels open on the rear face of the panel.
In an embodiment, the tabs of the anchor have apertures formed in a distal end thereof, said apertures breaking water droplets, preventing a blockage of water flowing into the drainage channels from the tabs and maintaining a laminar flow of water along the interior surfaces of the channels.
In an embodiment, the front face of the panel has a substantially rectangular profile.
In an embodiment, the front face of the panel has a substantially Z-shaped profile.
In an embodiment, the anchor is removably engaged with the panel.
In an embodiment, the anchor is made of a corrosion-resistant metal.
According to another aspect, a panel assembly for assembling a cladding system on an exterior wall is provided. The panel includes: a panel body having a front face for facing outward, a rear face for facing the wall structure, and top, bottom and side faces for positioning proximate to edges of adjacent panels. The panel includes at least one drainage channel formed in the panel body, said at least one drainage channel having an interior surface spaced apart from the rear face of the panel body, and opening at least on the top and bottom faces of the panel body. The panel assembly also includes an anchor engaged with the panel body, the anchor having a wall engagement portion for securing the anchor to the wall structure, and a panel engagement portion including at least one tab engaged in the at least one drainage channel formed in the panel body.
According to another aspect, a cladding system assembled on a wall structure is provided. The cladding system includes a plurality of panels having drainage channels molded on rear sides thereof. Each of the plurality of panels is secured to the wall structure via anchors. The anchors are engaged with the panels via tabs inserted into the drainage channels. The anchors have a gutter portion extending laterally along the top edge of the panels and directing fluid on the top face of the panels towards the drainage channels. The assembled panels define a drainage plane spaced apart from the wall structure. The drainage plane includes an uninterrupted path for liquid between a topmost edge of the cladding system to a bottommost edge of the cladding system defined by the drainage channels of vertically stacked panels in fluid communication via the gutter portions of the anchors.
In an embodiment, the rear faces of the panels are spaced apart from the wall structure, defining a continuous air gap between a rear face of the assembled panels and the wall structure.
In an embodiment, the cladding system further includes a weather resistant barrier extending between the rear faces of the panels and the wall structure. The assembled panels are spaced apart from one another to define an air leakage area at least 10 times greater than that of the weather resistant barrier.
In an embodiment, the drainage channels of vertically stacked panels are aligned with one another.
In an embodiment, the anchors are removably engaged with the panels.
According to yet another aspect, a mortarless cladding or siding system is provided. The mortarless siding system includes a plurality of siding panels and anchors for securing the siding panels to a supporting wall. Each siding panel has a body with a rear side for facing the supporting wall and an outward-facing front side. Water drainage channels are provided in the siding panel body along a height thereof and open on the rear side. Each anchor includes a panel engagement mechanism removably engageable with the water drainage channels, and a mounting plate for securing the anchor to the supporting wall. By “mortarless”, it is meant that the system does not need mortar to assemble the panels. Mortar can be used to fill in the gaps between the panels for aesthetic reasons, but it does not provide structural integrity to the panel system.
In an embodiment, the channels are arranged such that when the panels are stacked, the channels of vertically stacked panels align to form a continuous drainage channel along a height of the stacked panels.
In an embodiment, the channels of vertically stacked panels are out of alignment, and the anchors are configured to redirect water on a top edge of the panel towards a closest one of the drainage channels.
In an embodiment, the panels are provided with protrusions along their top or bottom edges creating spacing between stacked panels, the spacing being sized to allow water to enter therethrough and drain through the drainage channels.
In an embodiment, at least some of the protrusions are provided adjacent the drainage channels, thereby forming a first water barrier preventing water from entering the channels from an exterior of the panel.
In an embodiment, the anchors include a panel abutment portion abutting against a top edge of a panel when engaged with the channels thereof, the panel abutment portion including extensions positioned between the channels and acting as a second water barrier to direct water towards the drainage channels.
In an embodiment, the protrusions are sized and arranged such that a pressure equalization chamber is formed between stacked panels, defining open spaces thereby equalizing pressure on the front and rear sides of the panels.
In an embodiment, the protrusions are aligned with embossed features in the anchors, the embossed features securing the protrusions and preventing a pull-out or push-through movement of the panels.
In an embodiment, the embossed features are spaced-apart horizontal ribs on the panel abutting portion of the anchor, the protrusions being aligned between the ribs.
In an embodiment, the panel abutting portion of the anchor is provided with a smooth surface, thereby allowing a lateral translation of a panel stacked thereon.
In an embodiment, the drainage channels are dovetail-shaped and the anchor is provided with deflection means angled towards an interior wall of the channels, thereby directing water draining through the channel towards an interior wall of the channels.
In an embodiment, the panels are provided with lips along edges thereof for directing water towards an exterior of the panels.
In an embodiment, the adjacent panels are spaced apart, defining open spaces thereby equalizing pressure on the front and rear sides of the panels.
In an embodiment, the open spaces are sized such that the assembled panels define a veneer having more than 5,000 mm2 of open space per m2 and preferably approximately 10,000 mm2 of open space per m2.
In an embodiment, the system further includes a starter strip for securing to the supporting wall and for supporting a first row of panels. The starter strip includes a panel abutment portion for abutting against a lower edge of the panel, and a panel engagement portion for engaging with the panel.
In an embodiment, the panel engagement portion includes a tab removably engageable with the channels of the panel.
In an embodiment, the panel includes a slider and the panel engagement portion includes an abutting portion for abutting against the slider, allowing the slider to slide there along.
According to an aspect, a kit is provided for assembling a mortarless siding system. The kit includes a combination of the panel, anchor and/or starter strip described above.
According to an aspect, a method is provided for assembling a mortarless siding system. The method includes the steps of inserting tabs of an anchor into channels of a panel, and securing the anchor to a supporting wall.
Other objects, advantages and features will become more apparent upon reading the following non-restrictive description of embodiments thereof, given for the purpose of exemplification only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
In the following description, similar features in different embodiments have been given similar reference numbers. For the sake of simplicity and clarity, namely so as to not unduly burden the figures with unneeded references numbers, not all figures contain references to all the components and features; references to some components and features may be found in only one figure, and components and features of the present disclosure which are illustrated in other figures can be easily inferred therefrom.
With reference to
In the illustrated embodiment, the cladding system 100 includes a plurality of panels 200 secured to the supporting wall via anchors 300, 400 and assembled to form a veneer, siding or cladding 11. In the present embodiment, the cladding system 100 can be said to be mortarless in that the panels 200 are installed and secured without the use of mortar. Instead, the anchors 300, 400 are screwed into the supporting wall 1 and provide the necessary support to adequately secure the panels 200 in an assembled configuration. It is appreciated, however, that this does not necessarily mean that no mortar is present in the system whatsoever. For example, mortar can be provided between adjacent panels for aesthetic purposes, to give the appearance that the panels 200 are traditional masonry elements assembled using mortar. Mortar may also be used to provide additional support to the panels 200 in addition to the support provided by the anchors 300, 400.
As will be described in more detail hereinafter, the anchors 300, 400 allow the panels 200 to be spaced apart from the supporting wall 1 when secured thereto, thereby defining a continuous air gap (or an air circulation plane) between the supporting wall 1 and the panels 200. Moreover, the panels 200 and anchors 300, 400 are configured to cooperate to manage water (or other liquids), making it suitable for handling moisture on the exterior walls of a building. In this sense, the cladding system 100 can also be referred to as a rain screen.
With reference now to
In the present illustration, panels 200a and 200b can be referred to as the bottommost panels, as they are the panels positioned at the bottom of the veneer 11, and are supported by anchor 400, which can also be referred to as a starter strip or starter anchor. Panels 200a and 200b assembled side-by-side to one another and can be said to be side-adjacent, forming vertical joints therebetween. Panel 200c is stacked on top of panels 200a and 200b, and can be said to be top-adjacent thereto, forming horizontal joints therebetween. As can be appreciated, other panels 200 in the cladding system 100 can be assembled in a similar manner. Each of the panels 200a, 200b, 200c is attached to the supporting wall 1 and supported via corresponding anchors 300a, 300b, 300c, and starter anchor 400, which are themselves secured to the supporting wall with fasteners, such as screws 110. The screws 110 are driven through anchors 300a, 300b, 300c, and starter anchor 400, to the framing of the exterior wall. The anchors themselves engage with the panels 200a, 200b, 200c. Each panel is provided with a plurality of water drainage channels 220a, 220b, 220c, for draining water and protecting the supporting wall. The anchors and starter strips can also be referred as longitudinal guides.
With reference to
As best shown on
Preferably, the channels 220 are sized and shaped to engage with the anchors 300. In the present embodiment, and as best viewed in the cross section of
Referring to
With reference now to
The tabs 304 are portions of the anchor 300 which are sized and shaped to be received in and secured by the channels 220 of a panel 200. In the present embodiment, the tabs 304 are flat projections which can be slid into the tab-receiving portion 226 of a channel 220. Although in the present embodiment the tabs 304 are flat projections, it should be appreciated that in other embodiments the tabs 304 can take any other shape or form as long as they can be secured in the channels 220. For example, the tabs 304 can have a contour which is complementary to that of the tapered notch 224 which forms the channels 220. Preferably, the anchor is provided with deflectors for directing water received along a top face 206 of the panel 200 towards the interior surface 222 of the channel, so that it can be directed away from the supporting wall while the water drains through the channel 220. As can be appreciated, in this configuration, water can drain through a drainage plane located between the supporting wall and the front face 202 of the panel 200, and more particularly parallel to the supporting wall and inside the body 201 of the panel 200, rather than along the exterior of the body 201 and rather than along the supporting wall. In the present embodiment, the tabs 304 act as deflectors, and comprise an angled portion 314 provided in a distal end thereof. The angled portion 314 is angled away from the mounting plate 306, such that when the tab 304 is inserted into a channel 220, the angled portion 314 extends in the water channeling portion 228 of the channel 220 and towards the interior surface 222 of the channel 220. Preferably, the distal end of the tabs 304 is in close proximity to, or even in contact with, the interior surface 222 of the channel 220. As a result, water flowing over the tab 304 is directed towards the interior surface of the channel 222 and thus away from a supporting wall to which the anchor 300 is secured. The tab 304 and the channel 220 effectively act as a funnel, directing draining water to a specific area, preferably away from the supporting wall, thereby protecting the supporting wall from water damage. The angled portion 314 can be configured to break up water droplets flowing over the distal end of the tab 304, and prevent saturation of the funnel, for example to encourage a laminar flow of water through the funnel, particularly when the angled portion 314 is in contact with the interior surface 222 of the channel 220. For example, in the present embodiment, apertures are in the distal end of the tab 304, forming teeth or notches 320. Others means to prevent saturation of the funnel are also possible. For example, the tab 304 can have a non-uniform profile (i.e. it can be undulated instead of having a flat profile), and/or apertures can be provided at any location along the tabs 304.
The mounting plate 306 preferably extends from a top side of the panel abutting portion 302, in a direction opposite that of the tabs 304, making it easier to secure to a supporting wall. In other configuration, however, the mounting plate 306 can extend in the same direction as the tabs 304. The mounting plate 306 is provided with screw holes 308 for receiving screws therein and securing the anchor 300 to a supporting wall. It should be appreciated that although in the present configuration the anchor 300 is secured with screws, other fasteners or securing means are also possible and the configuration of the mounting plate can change to accommodate said other securing means. Preferably, the mounting plate 306 is spaced apart from the tabs 304 such that when the mounting plate 306 is secured to a supporting wall, the panel 200 engaged with the anchor 300 is not directly in contact with the supporting wall and is preferably spaced apart therefrom by several millimetres. In the present embodiment, the panel is spaced away from the supporting wall via a wall spacing element 336. As can be appreciated, this allows air to flow behind the panels 200 in a continuous air gap between the supporting wall and the rear faces 204 of the panels 200. As will be explained in more detail hereinafter, this can allow for the equalization of pressure between the front and rear sides of the panels 200. It also allows for water draining through the channels 220 in the panel 200 to be kept away from the supporting wall. Advantageously, in the present configuration, the channels 220 cause water to drain inside the body 201 of the panel 200, further distancing the draining water from the supporting wall.
As described above, the anchor 300 can engage with a panel 200 such that the tabs 304 prevent a push-in and a pull-out of a top portion (i.e. a portion proximate to the top face 206) of that panel 200 relative to the supporting wall. However, the anchor 300 can also be configured to support and/or engage with a top-adjacent panel 200, for example to prevent a push-in and a pull-out of a bottom portion (i.e. a portion proximate to the bottom face 208) of the top-adjacent panel 200. In the present embodiment, the anchor 300 comprises a track 326, a push-in abutment 334 and an extension portion 316 for supporting a top-adjacent panel 200. It is appreciated, however, that other adjacent panel securing mechanisms can also be provided.
In more detail now, and as best shown in
The push-in abutment 334 is provided to abut against the rear face 204 of a bottom portion of the top-adjacent panel 200 to prevent a push-in thereof. In the present embodiment, the wall spacing element 336 of the anchor body 301 is vertically offset (i.e. stepped-up) relative the panel abutment portion 302. This vertical offset forms a vertical wall which defines the push-in abutment 334. When assembled, the bottom portion of the top-adjacent panel 200 abuts against this vertical wall, keeping the bottom portion of the top-adjacent panel 200 spaced apart from the supporting wall by a distance corresponding to a length of the wall spacing element 336. In the present embodiment, the push-in abutment 334 extends from a rear the panel abutment portion 302, and is spaced apart from the tabs 304 such that when the anchor 300 is engaged with the panel, the push-in abutment 334 extends in the same plane as the rear face 204 of the panel. In this configuration, the push-in abutment 334 maintains the rear faces 204 of the panel and the top-adjacent panel in a common plane, for example in a plane parallel to the supporting wall, thereby assuring alignment of both panels. Other configurations are possible, however. For example, push-in abutment 334 can extend frontward or rearward relative to the plane of the rear face 204 of the panel 200, for example to slant the panels 200 relative to the supporting wall.
Extension 316 is a portion of the anchor 300 body extending from a top side of the panel abutting portion 302. In the present embodiment, the extension comprises elevated wings 316 extending from a front section of the anchor. As illustrated in
In the illustrated embodiment, the anchor 300 engages with panel 200 on its top face 206, preventing pull-out and push-in movement of the panel 200 along its top edge (i.e. the top edge of the panel cannot move toward or away from the supporting wall because the anchor tabs 304 are engaged in the channels 220) as well as lateral movement of the panel (i.e. tabs 304 further prevent the panel 200 from sliding along the length of the anchor 300). The anchor 300 also engages with a top-adjacent panel 200 on its bottom face 208, thus preventing pull-out and push-in movement of the bottom edge of the panel 200. Since the anchor 300 is removably engaged with panel 200 (i.e. it can slide vertically in and out of the channel 220), the anchor 300 does not necessarily secure the panel 200 along a vertical axis. In the present embodiment, panel 200 is instead supported vertically by engaging with an anchor 300 of a bottom adjacent panel. If there is no panel below, (i.e. if panel 200 is a bottommost panel) a starter anchor 400 can be provided in order to vertically support panel 200. The starter anchor 400 can serve to support a first row of panels, while second and subsequent rows of panels can be supported by abutting against the row below and/or by engaging with the anchors of the row below.
With reference now to
More particularly, starter anchor 400 has an elongated body 401 extending along a length 403. Preferably, length 403 of starter anchor 400 is longer than that of anchor 300. For example, anchor 400 can have a length 403 corresponding to a length of a plurality of panels. The body 401 includes a mounting plate 406 with screw holes 408 for securing the anchor 400 to a supporting wall. The body 401 further includes a track 426 with an angled portion 430 in a distal end thereof.
Track 416 is spaced from plate 406 via spacing element 428 with drainage holes 438 formed therein. The body 401 also includes a push-in abutment 434 spaced apart from mounting plate 406 via spacing element 436. Finally, the body 401 includes a base portion 402 (corresponding to panel abutment portion 302) extending perpendicularly relative to mounting plate 406. Elevated wings 416 are provided at a front end of the base portion 402, which defines gutter 432 and which abut the bottom face of a panel. In the present embodiment, gutter 432 has drainage holes 442 formed therein, allowing water reaching the gutter to drain out.
In the present embodiment, anchors 300, 400 engage with bottom portions of top-adjacent panels via brackets. With reference to
In the illustrated embodiment, the bracket 500 comprises a body 501 with a track engagement portion 503 and a panel engagement portion 506. The panel engagement portion 506 is secured in the channel 220 of a panel, and can comprise dovetail-engaging wings 508 for engaging with the dovetail-shaped contour of the channel 220. Panel engagement portion 506 can further comprise press-fit elements 512 for press-fitting in the channel 220, and a panel abutment portion 514 for abutting a bottom edge 208 of the panel 200. Although in the present embodiment the brackets 500 are removably engageable with the panel 200, it should be understood that in alternate embodiments, the brackets can be permanently engage in the panel and/or can be embedded in the body 201 of the panel 200. Preferably, each panel 200 is provided with two sliders 500 which are spaced apart. In the illustrated embodiment, the sliders 500 are positioned in the outermost channels 220, i.e. adjacent the left and right faces 210, 212 of the panel 200.
With further reference to
As shown in
Preferably, the channels 220 are arranged such that when panels 200 are vertically stacked, the channels 220 of stacked panels align, thus forming a continuous channel extending from the top surface 206 of the top panel 200 to the bottom edge 208 of the bottom panel 200. As illustrated in
It is appreciated that in some embodiments, the channels of vertically stacked panels can be out of alignment when the panels are installed. As described above, the anchors permit a lateral movement of panels stacked thereon. Therefore, as illustrated in
As can be appreciated, anchor 300 is configured to cooperate with the panels 200 such that water arriving anywhere along the top face of the panel 200 is directed towards the drainage channels 220, whether the water arrives from channels of a panel stacked thereon (either in alignment or out of alignment), from other sources such as a window, or from vertical joints between two side-adjacent panels. More particularly, as described above, the gutter portion of anchor 300 allows water received anywhere along the top face 206 of the panel 200 with which it is engaged to be directed to a nearest drainage channel 220 of that panel 200. Similarly, water arriving along the top edge 206 which originates from a front side 202 of the panel 200 or from a rear side 204 of the panel will also be directed towards the drainage channels 220.
With reference to
As can be appreciated, when panels 200 are stacked, the anchor 300 and edges of adjacent panels 200 cooperate to better secure the panels 200 and to provide improved drainage properties. With reference to
Preferably, the size and distribution of the open spaces described above is chosen so that pressure is uniform across the assembled veneer. Preferably still, the open spaces are configured such that there is a relatively small/negligible pressure differential between the front 202 and rear 204 faces of the panel. In this configuration, when wind blows on the assembled veneer, the flux of air passing between the front 202 and rear 204 faces through the open spaces will be so small that very little water will be blown to the rear of the panels by the wind. As illustrated in
Although certain embodiments of a cladding (or siding) system have been described hereinabove, it is appreciated that a number of different configurations are possible without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, in the embodiments described above, panels 200 have a substantially rectangular profile. However, as illustrated in
Moreover, different configurations of the panels 200 and anchors 300 can be provided to secure panels 200 to supporting wall and prevent push-in/pull-out. For example, as illustrated in the alternate embodiments of panel 200′ and anchor 300′ in
Different configurations of starter anchor 400 are also possible to support the bottommost row of panels. For example, as illustrated in the alternate embodiment of starter anchor 400′ in
In some embodiments, such as the one shown in the alternate embodiment of anchor 300″ in
Several alternative embodiments and examples have been described and illustrated herein. The embodiments of the invention described above are intended to be exemplary only. A person skilled in the art would appreciate the features of the individual embodiments, and the possible combinations and variations of the components. A person skilled in the art would further appreciate that any of the embodiments could be provided in any combination with the other embodiments disclosed herein. It is understood that the invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the central characteristics thereof. The present examples and embodiments, therefore, are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, and the invention is not to be limited to the details given herein. Accordingly, while specific embodiments have been illustrated and described, numerous modifications come to mind without significantly departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.
This application is a National Stage Application of PCT/CA2016/051065, filed 9 Sep. 2016, which claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/217,439, filed 11 Sep. 2015 and which applications are incorporated herein by reference. To the extent appropriate, a claim of priority is made to each of the above disclosed applications.
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/CA2016/051065 | 9/9/2016 | WO | 00 |
| Publishing Document | Publishing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| WO2017/041178 | 3/16/2017 | WO | A |
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| 62217439 | Sep 2015 | US |
