This application relates generally to pultruded products and more specifically to a pultruded building product.
Siding on residential and light-commercial buildings is typically made of wood, vinyl, fiber cement, or metal. Wood is not considered “low maintenance” as it is susceptible to warp, rot, and requires frequent repainting. Both vinyl and metal siding need to be slotted when attached to the sheathing of a home because of their high coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE). They have to be carefully nailed in the slots in a manner that allows horizontal movement of the siding as the temperature changes. Warping due to this large CTE is one of the chief drawbacks to these types of siding. Vinyl siding is also susceptible to additional warping because of vinyl's low heat deflection temperature. Solar heat gain on vinyl siding must be minimized to prevent softening of the vinyl, and subsequent warping. The softening of vinyl also occurs simultaneously with a high rate of thermal expansion as the temperature of the vinyl rises, which can make warp and deflection permanent. To reduce solar gain, vinyl siding is typically only sold in light reflecting colors like white and pastels. Dark colors on vinyl siding experience too much solar gain for the vinyl to retain stiffness. Fiber cement siding is heavy and relatively brittle, making it difficult to handle and install. Fiber cement siding requires painting and touching up. Also, fiber cement siding absorbs water. Additionally, fiber cement siding is free-floating, with no interlocking or self-aligning mechanism included with the siding.
Denting of metal siding results from impacts during installation and regular use. Such denting results from the metal siding being formed from thin-skinned metals that dent easily. Siding products that are more dent resistant result in a better quality siding product. Metal siding, being a good thermal conductor, also reduces the insulating value of the wall and acts as a condensation point for moisture.
Weather barriers are often wrapped around the exterior sheathing of buildings to combat the infiltration of water and air. Installing a weather barrier is a separate step in home construction after the sheathing and before siding installation.
The sheathing on a building, typically oriented strand board (OSB), plywood, polystyrene, or fiberboard, acts as a rigid backing for the internal insulation and the external weather barrier. In the case of OSB or plywood, it also acts as a structural reinforcement to increase the shear strength of a building. Less structural sheathing materials require braces or other additional structural members to give the building the necessary shear strength. Sheathing a building is a separate step from wrapping the weather barrier, and installing the siding.
What is needed is a building product to improve on the disadvantages and weaknesses of traditional siding materials, traditional weather barrier, and traditional sheathing.
A pultruded product which is adapted to be exterior siding of a building. The pultruded product includes a profile defining a shape of exterior siding and a joint member configured to mate with a joint member of a second pultruded product mounted adjacent the pultruded product.
In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Therefore, the following detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.
The products 10, 20 are formed by pultrusion and can have a wall thickness of about 0.06 inches to about 0.120 inches. Some embodiments have a wall thickness of as small as about 0.03 inches. Some embodiments can have a thickness of about 1 inch or more. The pultrusions can include a coating or a film 27 on at least a portion of the exterior surface of the member for additional protection from elements or ultraviolet protection. For example, the pultrusion and coating can be as described in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 6,197,412, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Products 10, 20 can be various heights, for example, from three inches or less to 4 feet or more. They can have lengths of up to thirty feet or longer. In this example, the cross-section profile shape of products 10, 20 defines a dutch-lap siding shape. Other continuous cross-section siding shapes are also possible with pultrusion. In some embodiments, these shapes include straight lap, dutch lap, curved lap, beaded, flat, grooved/fluted, and many other profile shapes. Dimension of the lap height are typically three to twelve inches but could be taller or shorter. The number of repeating laps on a given profile are typically one to four but could be many more.
The pultruded products 10, 20 can be formed in virtually any profile shape. Accordingly they can be provided with projecting portions, and other profile shapes, so as to define relief portions 29 on the exterior of the house. For example, each of the pultruded products 10, 20 can include a main body defining a back plane 31 for abutting an outside of the building and one or more sections 33, 35 extending out from the back plane to define relief portions. Accordingly, they can be formed to be aesthetically pleasing such as present siding shapes, as discussed above.
Furthermore, the pultruded products provide protection from wind and rain. Each pultruded member itself is air-tight and weather-tight, and the joint between adjacent members can be sealed to provide an air-tight, rain-tight seal. Moreover, the pultruded products are stiff enough and sturdy enough to provide structural support when attached directly to frame 25. For example, the pultruded products 10, 20 are stiff enough to match or exceed the strength of OSB as sheathing.
The present pultruded building products of
Moreover, since the pultruded members have a relatively high insulative property, they help the insulating value of a structure wall and are less likely to be condensation points for moisture.
In one embodiment, pultruded building products discussed above combine the functionality of sheathing, weather-tight barriers, and/or siding to reduce the labor and time needed to construct a building. In some examples, the building products can offer greater structural support and shear strength to a building versus OSB to allow for a stronger structure, and/or cost savings on other structural members of a building.
As discussed herein, pultrusion is a method of forming composite parts that is automated and continuous. Glass, or other reinforcing fibers, are impregnated with resin and pulled through a forming guide and a heated die. The forming guide orients the fibers to be properly placed in the heated die to insure that the pultruded part has uniform reinforcement across its shape. The heated die cures and/or solidifies the resin around the reinforcing fibers, thus forming the composite part. The composite part, having a profile shape, is continuously pulled out of the heated die by a puller. The puller can be a clamp and stroke action from a reciprocating puller, or a smooth action from a caterpillar puller.
Reinforcing fibers used in the present pultrusion can be glass, carbon fiber, kevlar, and other organic and inorganic filaments and fibers. The most common reinforcement used is glass fibers. Reinforcement fibers can take the form of filament and strand bundles, called rovings. They also take the form of yarns, texturized yarns, chopped strand mats, continuous strand mats, knitted mats, woven mats, surfacing veils, and many hybrid combinations of rovings, yarns, mats, and veils.
Resin used in pultrusion can be thermosetting resins like unsaturated polyesters in a styrene solution, or polyurethanes, phenolics, epoxides, thermosetting blends, and other thermosetting resins. Other resins used in pultrusion can be thermoplastic resins based on polyurethanes, acrylics, polyethylenes, and other thermoplastic resins. Resin used in pultrusion can also be thermoplastic resins that are embedded in rovings that melt and form the part inside the pultrusion die.
Resin mixtures in pultrusion can also contain organic, polymeric, and inorganic additives for such properties as shrink control, mold lubrication, colorants, fillers and other specially additives.
Glass reinforced pultrusions exhibit very low thermal expansion. Thermosetting pultrusions also exhibit dimensional stability and strength even at high temperatures. Pultrusions can be formulated to offer dent resistance.
The joint assembly 40 allows for seating of one member to the next. In one embodiment, the interlocking joint assembly 40 also includes sealing members such as foam rope 90 and extruded gaskets 100. The foam and gaskets constitute a multi-point seal to prevent air and rain infiltration providing a weather-tight barrier for the building product system discussed herein.
In some embodiments, a sealing member such as gasket material 100 can be provided between the joint members 90 and 95.
Referring again to
After product 10 is mounted to the building, the second product 20 is placed adjacent the first product such that joint 42 mates with joint 44. In this example, at least two points of support are provided between the upper and lower joints. One embodiment provides a sealing material on all the abutting surfaces so as to provide a three-point (or more) seal. The joint members are further designed such that the lower joint covers the fastener 30 of the lower product. After the upper product is fastened to the frame, the process is repeated.
In various examples, the pultruded products can be made having profiles defining the following siding styles: straight lap, curved lap, dutch lap, flat, beaded, fluted, reeded, or smooth siding. In one or more examples, a pultruded part can contain one or more repeating siding features per part. In some embodiments, any of the pultruded products discussed can be used as horizontal siding, vertical siding, or angled siding.
The building product 210 of this example includes a siding product 212. The siding product 212 in one example is a pultruded product 212 generally similar to the pultruded products 10, 20 described above. The pultruded product 212 of this example includes a first side 212A and a second side 212B. The pultruded product 212 includes a first engagement feature 214 disposed on or near the first side 212A. In one example, the first engagement feature 214 generally includes a channel or slot disposed proximate the first side 212A and extending at least partially along the length of the pultruded product 212. In one example, the first engagement feature 214 is a slot that is downwardly-facing or, in other words, open in a direction generally toward the second side 212B of the pultruded product 212. The pultruded product 212 of this example further includes a second engagement feature 216 disposed on or near the second side 212B. In one example, the second engagement feature 216 is a generally upturned lip or tab extending at least partially along the length of the pultruded product 212. In one example, the second engagement feature 216 is a tab that is oriented in a direction generally toward the first side 212A of the pultruded product 212. The second engagement feature 216 is configured to selectively frictionally engage with the first engagement feature 214 of another similar pultruded product 212 such that any curvature in either or both of the pultruded products 212 increases frictional engagement between the pultruded product 212 and the other similar pultruded product 212.
Referring specifically to
Referring now to
In one example, the attachment portion 217 is configured to frictionally engage with a clip 218 configured to space the building product 210 a distance from the surface of the building. The clip 218, in one example, is a spacer clip 218 for attachment of a building product 210 to the surface of a building. In one example, the clip 218 includes a first leg 218A. The clip 218, in one example, includes a second leg 218B coupled with the first leg 218A to form a U-shape. The first and second legs 218A, 218B can have various lengths. In one example, as shown in
Referring to
In one example, the clip 218 is slidable along the attachment portion 217 of the building product 210. The slidable clips 218 allow for one or more clips 218 to be attached to and packaged with the building product 210 and then repositioned along the building product 210 during installation to align the clips 218 with the studs or other frame members of the frame 225 of the building. Once aligned with the studs or other frame members of the frame 225, in one example, a fastener 220 is used to couple the building product 210 to the frame 225. In one example, as shown in
Referring now to
Referring to
In various examples, the seam support member 221 performs one or more functions, including, but not limited to, the following. In one example, the seam support member 221 facilitates alignment of two building products 210 by providing an abutment lip 221A along which top edges of two side-by-side abutting building products 210 can be lined up. In another example, the seam support member 221 serves to control water, such as water entering through the seam between two building products 210. For instance, a ramp-like surface 221B of the seam support member 221 downwardly directs water entering through the seam and inhibits the water from contacting the surface of the building. In still another example, the seam support member 221 acts as a spacer clip 218, as described above, to space the building product 210 from the surface of the building. In a manner similar to that described above with respect to the spacer clip 218, use of the seam support member 221 creates a water drainage and ventilation plane to facilitate the draining of condensation and other moisture disposed between the building product 210 and the building and to allow for ventilation between the building product 210 and the building. In yet another example, the seam support member 221 provides added strength, stability, and structure at the seams between two building products 210 to inhibit deflection and distortion of the building products 210 at the seams.
Referring to
In one example, the backer member 292 is attached to the building before the building products 210 for that area are attached. In this example, the backer member 292 is placed between the building products and the surface of the building and functions in a similar manner to that described above with respect to the seam support member 221. In one example, the backer member 292 facilitates alignment of two adjacent corner building products 210 by providing a top abutment lip 292A along which top edges of two adjacent corner building products 210 can be lined up and a side abutment lip 292C along which side edges of two adjacent corner building products 210 can be lined up. In another example, the backer member 292 serves to control water entering at the corner of the building. For instance, a ramp-like surface 292B of the backer member 292 downwardly directs water entering at the corner and inhibits the water from contacting the surface of the building. In still another example, the backer member 292 acts similar to the spacer clip 218, as described above, to space the one or more building products 210 from the surface of the building. In a manner similar to that described above with respect to the spacer clip 218, use of the backer member 292 creates a water drainage and ventilation plane to facilitate the draining of condensation and other moisture disposed between the building product 210 and the building at the corner of the building and to allow for ventilation between the building product 210 and the building. In yet another example, the backer member 292 provides added strength, stability, and structure at the building corners to inhibit deflection and distortion of the building products 210 at the corners.
In one example, once the building products 210 and the backer member 292 are attached to a corner of the building at a particular level, a fascia member 294 can be attached to the corner. Various ways of attaching the fascia member 294 to the backer member 292 are contemplated hereby. For instance, in one example, the fascia member 294 includes a protrusion 294A or other such member that is configured to be placed behind a bottom edge 292D of the backer member 292, such that the bottom edge 292D becomes lodged between the protrusion 294A and the front wall of the fascia member 294. A snap arm 294B or other similar feature at the top of the fascia member 292 can then be snapped or otherwise engaged with an attachment surface 292E of the backer member 292. Once the fascia member 294 is in place, the next level of siding at the corner can be installed. While the above discusses one example of attaching the fascia member 294 to the backer member 292, other attachment means are contemplate, such as, for instance, detents, tabs-in-slots, fasteners, adhesives, and the like.
It is important to note that while the above discusses one example of a corner component 290, other examples of corner components are contemplated. For instance, in one such example, the corner component could be placed between building products and the corner of building, with the building products meeting along a seam at the corner of the building. The building products of this example could be mitered along the meeting edges so as to make a finished look to the siding corners formed. In another example, a corner component could be used to attach over building products at a corner of a building. The corner component of this example covers over the seam between the building products and, in turn, conceals the corner and any rough cuts of the building products along the edges at the corner.
Like the products 10, 20 discussed above, the building products 210 can be formed by pultrusion and can have a wall thickness of about 0.06 inches to about 0.120 inches. Some embodiments have a wall thickness of as small as about 0.03 inches. Some embodiments can have a thickness of about 1 inch or more. The pultrusions can include a coating or a film 27 on at least a portion of the exterior surface of the member for additional protection from elements or ultraviolet protection. For example, the pultrusion and coating can be as described in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 6,197,412, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. The building products 210 can have various heights, for example, from three inches or less to 4 feet or more. They can have lengths of up to thirty feet or longer. In various examples, the building products 210 can define various cross-section siding shapes. In some embodiments, these shapes include straight lap, dutch lap, curved lap, beaded, flat, grooved/fluted, and many other profile shapes. Dimension of the lap height are typically three to twelve inches but could be taller or shorter. The number of repeating laps on a given profile are typically one to four but could be many more.
The building products 210 can be formed in virtually any profile shape. Accordingly they can be provided with projecting portions, and other profile shapes, so as to define relief portions on the exterior of the house. Accordingly, they can be formed to be aesthetically pleasing, such as present siding shapes, as discussed above.
Furthermore, the building products 210 provide protection from wind and rain. In one example, each building product 210 itself is air-tight and weather-tight. In one example, the joint between adjacent building products 210 can be sealed to provide an air-tight, rain-tight seal. Additionally, in one example, the building products 210 are stiff enough and sturdy enough to provide structural support when attached directly to the frame 225. For example, the building product 210 of one example can be stiff enough to match or exceed the strength of OSB as sheathing.
Additionally, in one example, coloring is added during manufacturing of the building products 210 so that the building products 210 are pre-finished. By providing a finished colored surface on the building products 210, the building products 210 can be installed as is and do not need to be painted or touched up.
Referring to
Still referring to
The pultruded building products discussed herein can be designed in various manners. For example, a building product can include a pultruded part that constitutes exterior siding of a building. Also a building product can include a pultruded part that constitutes siding and a weather-tight barrier. Also a building product can include a pultruded part that constitutes siding and the external and structural sheathing of a building. Some embodiments provide exterior siding, sheathing, and a weather-tight barrier. In some embodiments, a building product can include a pultruded part that constitutes the necessary attachments, trim, and accessories for installing siding, weather barrier, and sheathing.
The present pultruded building products offer the low thermal expansion that vinyl and metal siding lacks. Pultruded products can be formulated to exhibit dent resistance that metal siding lacks. Pultruded products are thermal insulators while metal siding is thermally conductive. Pultruded products do not soften due to solar heat gain, even in very dark colors, unlike vinyl siding. Pultruded products are manufactured with a particular finish color and do not require painting or touching up like fiber cement siding. In one example, pultruded products can be designed and formulated to have superior structural properties in terms of actual strengths and strength-to-weight ratios compared to traditional sheathing products like plywood or OSB.
The above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. Many other embodiments will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. The scope of the invention should, therefore, be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.
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