Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02363787 2001-11-26
SIDING SYSTEM
Background of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to exterior
coverings for buildings. Specifically, this invention
relates to an improved siding system that prevents the
collection of moisture between the vinyl siding and the
wall of the building.
The primary purpose of applying aluminum or vinyl
siding is to the exterior of a building is to protect the
structure from the elements. Most importantly, the
exterior of the building is protected from moisture, wind
and W. In addition, siding performs an aesthetic
function.
However, existing siding systems suffer from
significant drawbacks. Conventional siding consists of
panels, which are nailed directly to the wall of the
structure thereby creating a barrier to the movement of air
behind the panels. Furthermore, the panels interlock with
one another, creating a seal therebetween and effectively
trapping air and moisture in a pocket behind each panel.
Although prior art siding systems do protect the structure
of a building from rain, rainwater, especially when driven
by the wind, is often able to penetrate behind the siding
panels at corners, around windows and doors, and at other
CA 02363787 2001-11-26
points where adjacent siding panels come together. water
may also collect behind the siding by condensation.
Once water penetrates behind the siding or collects
behind the siding by condensation, the barriers formed
between the panels and the wall, and the seals formed
between adjacent panels, prevent the water from escaping.
water trapped behind the siding results in damage to the
structure of the building.
U.S. Patent No. 6,223,488 B1 issued to Pelfrey et al.
discloses vented siding, having recessed vents that allow
moisture to escape from behind the siding. Unfortunately,
the siding of Pelfrey et al. is only applicable in drier
climates. In wetter climates the vented siding of Pelfrey
et al. actually allows water to penetrate behind the
siding, thereby damaging the building structure. This is
clearly undesirable.
Another drawback of prior art siding systems is that,
when exposed to strong sunlight and high outdoor
temperatures, vinyl siding can become so heated as to
become warped and buckled. warped vinyl siding may no
longer form an effective barrier against rain and moisture
and has diminished aesthetic qualities.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention
to provide a siding system that prevents water from
penetrating to the wall behind the siding.
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It is a further object of the present invention to
provide a siding system that allows moisture behind the
siding to escape.
It is yet another object of the present invention to
provide a siding system that is resistant to warping and
buckling due to high ambient temperatures and sunlight.
Summary of the Invention
The present invention comprises a siding system for
attachment to an exterior wall of a building. The siding
panel of the present system comprises an elongated flange
along the top edge of the panel. The elongated flange
comprises a spacing element perpendicular to the body of
the panel and a wall engaging element parallel to the body
of the panel. The spacing element comprises a plurality of
air holes operative to allow air move behind the panels.
The spacing element is additionally operative to maintain
the siding panel spaced away from the wall. The siding
panel additionally comprises a siding engaging flange along
the lower edge, operative to stabilize the siding panel by
engaging an adjacent siding panel.
The spacing elements may form an integral part of the
siding panels or may form separate components to which the
siding panels are connected. In the preferred embodiment
described herein the spacing elements form an integral part
of the siding panels.
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The present siding system additionally comprises
starter strips and double J-trim elements operative to
maintain the siding panels spaced apart from the supporting
wall and to allow air to enter and exit the space between
the siding panels and the supporting wall.
The starter strips and double J-trim elements of the
present siding system allow air to move through the space
between the siding panels and the supporting wall, thereby
permitting accumulated moisture to evaporate.
In addition, the movement of air behind the panels of
the present siding system acts to cool the panels when
exposed to high temperatures. The present siding system is
therefore resistant to heat-induced warping and buckling
which may take place in hot climates.
The present siding system additionally comprises J-
trim, gable line trim, inside corner elements, outside
corner elements and similar components incorporating a
raised bead or ridge on the surface directly behind the
siding panels. By channeling water that penetrates behind
the siding panels, the bead prevents the supporting wall
from coming into contact with water thereby protecting the
supporting wall from water damage.
Brief Description of the Drawings
Further features and advantages will be apparent from
the following detailed description, given by way of
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example, of a preferred embodiment taken in conjunction
with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a panel of prior art
siding;
Figure 2 is a perspective view of a panel of siding of
the present invention;
Figure 3 is a perspective view of a prior art starter
strip;
Figure 4 is a perspective view of a starter strip of
the present invention;
Figure 5 is a perspective view of prior art J-trim;
Figure 6 is a perspective view of a J-trim element of
the present invention for use along the gable line;
Figure 7 is a perspective view of a J-trim element of
the present 'invention for use, for example, along the side
of windows and doors;
Figure 8 is a perspective view of a prior art inside
corner element;
Figure 9 is a perspective view of a inside corner
element of the present invention;
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Figure 10 is a perspective view of a prior art outside
corner element;
Figure 11 is a perspective view of an outside corner
element of the present invention;
Figure 12 is a perspective view of a panel of prior
art siding and soffit trim;
Figure 13 is a perspective view of a double J-trim
element of the present invention; and
Figure 14 is a perspective view of a panel of siding
panel and a double J-trim element of the present invention.
Detailed Description
Referring to Figure l, a prior art panel of vinyl
siding 10 is shown mounted on the wall 12. The panel 10 is
supported by nails 14 which pass through nail holes l6.
The panel 10 has a fold 20 and a bottom flange 22. The
bottom flange 22 of a first panel 10 is received by the
fold 20 of an adjacent panel 10 so as to secure the bottom
of the first panel 10. The body 18 of the panel 10 is in
contact with the wall at points 24. The fact that the
panel 10 contacts the wall 12 means that air and moisture
are trapped in pockets behind the panel 10 and are
therefore prevented from escaping.
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Referring to Figure 2, a panel of vinyl siding 30 of
the present invention is shown mounted on the wall 12. The
panel has a top flange 32 with a first vertical portion 34,
a horizontal portion 36 and a second vertical portion 38.
The first vertical portion 34 and second vertical portion
38 have nail holes 16 operative to pass nails 14 to support
the panel 30 on the wall 12. The horizontal portion 36 has
a plurality of air holes 42. The panel 30 has a fold 46
and a bottom flange 48. The bottom flange 48 of a first
panel 30 is received by the fold 46 of an adjacent panel 30
so as to secure the bottom of the first panel 30. The
separation between the wall 12 and the body 50 of the panel
30 is the smallest at points 44. However, in contrast to
the panel 10 of Figure l, the body 50 of the panel 30 does
not come into contact with the wall 12. This feature, in
conjunction with the air holes 42, allows air to move
behind the panel 30 thereby allowing moisture trapped
between the panel 30 and the wall 12 to evaporate. In a
preferred embodiment the horizontal portion 36 of the top
flange 32 is of a width such that points 44 of the body 50
of the panel 30 are separated from the wall 12 by 3/8" to
3/4".
In an alternative embodiment, in place of a single
elongated top flange 32 containing air holes 42 and
extending the length of the panel 30, the panel 30 may
incorporate a plurality of spaced-apart flanges. The
spaced apart flanges would not require air holes as such.
Rather than moving through the air holes 42, air would move
between the spaced apart flanges.
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CA 02363787 2002-08-02
Referring to Figure 2, in a preferred embodiment the
method of the present invention the nails 14 that support
the panels 30 of the present siding system are nailed into
the wall 12 so that the head of the nail is lower than the
point. Water condensing on or contacting nails oriented in
this way is caused to move down and away from the wall 12
by gravity. Damage to the wall 12 is thereby minimized.
More specifically, it has been found that nails 12 are
optimally oriented at an angle of 10-15 degrees.
In an alternate embodiment of the present siding
system, a prior art panel 10 may be used in combination
with a spacer element. The spacer element is similar to
the top flange 32 of panel 30 in that it comprises a first
vertical portion, a horizontal portion and a second
vertical portion. The horizontal portion of the spacer
element additionally comprises air holes to allow the
passage of air. The spacer element is nailed to the wall
12 and then the panel 10 is attached to the spacer element
by nails or otherwise. In this way the panel 10 is spaced
from the wall 12 and air is permitted to move behind the
panel ten, in a manner similar to that of the embodiment
described in Figure 2.
In a further alternate embodiment, the air holes are
located on the first vertical portion 34 rather than on the
horizontal portion 36. Such air holes may be located on
the first vertical portion 34 anywhere between the fold 46
and the horizontal portion 36. Alternatively, the nail
holes 16 themselves on the first vertical portion 34 may be
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CA 02363787 2002-08-02
of a size, shape and number to permit both the passage of
nails 14 to support the panel 30 and the passage of air,
such that moisture trapped between the wall 12 and panels
30 is allowed to evaporate. In the embodiment where the
air holes are located on the first vertical portion 34,
care must be had to ensure that the panels 30 are shaped so
that there is sufficient space between the body 50 of a
first panel 30 and the top flange 32 of an adjacent panel
30 to allow air to flow between the panels 30.
Referring to Figure 3, a prior art starter strip
60 is shown. Starter strips 60 are secured at the
bottom edge of a wall area that is to be covered by
vinyl or aluminum siding. The starter strip 60 is
supported on wall 12 by nails 14 which pass through
nail holes 16. The starter
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strip 60 has a folded flange 64 which is operative to
receive the bottom flange 22 of a panel 10 (see Fig. 1).
The folded flange 64 performs a similar function to that of
the fold 20 of panel 10.
Referring to Figure 4, a starter strip 70 of the
present siding system is shown. The starter strip 70 is
attached to wall 12 by nails 14 which pass through nail
holes 16. The folded flange 72 of the starter strip 70
comprises a horizontal portion 74 and a folded portion 76.
The horizontal portion 74 is perforated by air holes 78.
The starter strip 70 forms the bottom edge of the siding
system of the present invention and therefore the air holes
78 allow air to enter the space between the panels 30 and
the wall 12. The bottom flange 48 of a first panel 30 is
received by the folded portion 76 so as to secure the
bottom of the first panel 30 (see Fig. 2). In the
preferred embodiment, the horizontal portion 74 of the
folded flange 72 is of a width such that points 44 of panel
30 are 3/8" to 3/4~~ from the wall 12.
Referring to Figure 5, a prior art J-trim element 80
is shown. The J-trim 80 is used to form a border and to
seal and protect the edge of siding panels around windows,
doors, and gable lines. The J-trim 80 is connected to the
wall 12 by nails 14 that pass through nail holes 16. The
J-trim 80 has a flange 82 comprising a horizontal portion
84 and a vertical portion 86. The U-shaped channel 90
formed by the flange 82 and the body 88 Of the J-trim 80 is
operative to receive the edge of a panel 10 (see Fig. 1).
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Referring to Figure 6, a J-trim element 100 of the
present invention for use along the gable line is shown.
The J-trim 100 is attached to the wall 12 by nails 14 which
pass through nail holes 16. The J-trim 100 has a flange
104 comprising a horizontal portion 106 and a vertical
portion 108. The U-shaped channel 112 formed by the flange
104 and the body 102 of the J-trim 100 is operative to
receive the edge of a panel 30 (see Fig. 3). The J-trim
100 is distinguished from the prior art J-trim 80 in that
the horizontal portion 106 is perforated by a plurality of
air holes 110. The J-trim 100 forms the bottom edge of the
siding system along the gable line and therefore, in a
manner similar to that of the starter strip 70 of Figure 4,
the air holes 110 allow air to enter the space between the
panels 30 and the wall 12.
Referring to Figure 7, a J-trim element 120 of the
present invention for use along windows, doors, etc., is
shown. The J-trim 120 is attached to the wall 12 by nails
14 which pass through nail holes 16. The J-trim 120 has a
flange 122 comprising a horizontal portion 124 and a
vertical portion 126. The U-shaped channel 132 formed by
the body 128 of the J-trim and the flange 122 is operative
to receive the edge of a panel 30.
Referring again to Figures 1 and 5, in prior art
siding systems, rain water can penetrate around the edge of
the panel 10 that is situated within the U-shaped channel
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CA 02363787 2001-11-26
90. In this manner water is able to reach the wall 12
behind the panel 10, thereby damaging it.
Referring again to Figures 1, 2, 5 and 7, the body 128
includes a bead 130, which is operative to prevent water
from reaching the wall 12 behind the panel 30. Water is
able to penetrate around the edge of the panel 30 that is
situated within the U-shaped channel 132 in the same manner
as with the prior art J-trim 80, however, it is prevented
from reaching the wall 12 by bead 130. Water is
effectively channeled between the bead 130 and the
horizontal portion 124 of the flange 122, and is drained
down and away by gravity.
Referring to Figures 6 and 7, the siding system of the
present invention additionally contemplates a J-trim
element for use, for example, along gable lines and above
and below doors and windows, which combines the air holes
110 of Figure 6 and the bead 130 of Figure 7. Such a J-
trim element would allow air to enter the space behind the
siding panels and prevent water from penetrating behind the
siding panel.
Referring to Figure 8, a prior art inside corner
element 200 is shown. The inside corner element 200 is
symmetrical, comprising two terminal flanges 202, each
comprising an inner face 204, an intermediate face 206, and
an outer face 208. Two cavities 210 are formed between the
inner, intermediate and outer faces 204, 206, 208. Each of
the cavities 210 is operative to receive the edge of a
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siding panel 10 (see Fig. 1). The inside corner element
200 is supported on wall 12 by nails 14 which pass through
nail holes 16.
Referring to Figures 1, 5 and 8, in a manner similar
to that described above with respect to the prior art J-
trim 80, water is able to penetrate around the edge of
panel 10 that is situated in the U-shaped channel 210,
thereby contacting the wall 12 and causing damage thereto.
Referring to Figure 9, an inside corner element 220 of
the present invention is shown. The inside corner element
220 is symmetrical, comprising two terminal flanges 222,
each comprising an inner face 224, an intermediate face
226, and an outer face 228. Two cavities 230 are formed
between the inner, intermediate and outer faces 224, 226,
228. Each of the cavities 230 is operative to receive the
edge of a siding panel 30 (see Fig. 2). The inside corner
element 220 is supported on wall 12 by nails 14 which pass
through nail holes 16. The inside corner element 220 is
distinguished from the inside corner element 200 of Figure
8, in that each of the outer faces 228 of terminal flanges
222 comprises a bead 232. The bead 232 prevents water that
penetrates around the edge of panel 30 that is situated in
the U-shaped channel 230 (see Fig. 2) from coming into
contact with the wall 12. The water to be channeled
between bead 232 and intermediate face 226 and is drained
downward by gravity.
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Referring to Figures 2, 8 and 9, if used in
conjunction with the panels 30 of the present invention,
inside corner element 220 must have intermediate faces 226
wider than the intermediate faces 206 of the prior art
inside corner elements 200 in order to allow the body 50 of
the panel 30 to be spaced from the wall 12.
Referring to Figure 10, a prior art outside
corner element 240 is shown. The outside corner element
240 is symmetrical, comprising two terminal flanges 242,
each comprising an inner face 244, an intermediate face
246, and an outer face 248. Two cavities 250 are formed
between the inner, intermediate and outer faces 244, 246,
248. The cavities 250 are operative to receive the edge of
a siding panel 10 (see Fig. 1). The outside corner element
240 is supported on wall 12 by nails 14 which pass through
nail holes 16.
Referring to Figures 5, 8 and 10, in a manner similar
to that described above with respect to the prior art J-
trim 80 and inside corner element 200, water is able to
penetrate around the edge of the panel 10 (see Fig. 1) that
is situated in the U-shaped channel 250, thereby contacting
the wall 12 and causing damage thereto.
Referring to Figure 11, an outside corner element 260
of the present invention is shown. The outside corner
element 260 is symmetrical, comprising two terminal flanges
262, each comprising an inner face 264, an intermediate
face 266, and an outer face 268. Two cavities 270 are
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formed between the inner, intermediate and outer faces 264,
266, 268. Each of the cavities 270 is operative to receive
the edge of a siding panel 30 (see Fig. 2). The outside
corner element 260 is supported on wall 12 by nails 14
which pass through nail holes 16. Each of the outer faces
268 of terminal flanges 262 comprises a bead 272. The bead
272 prevents water that penetrates around the edge of panel
30 from coming into contact with the wall 12. The bead 272
causes the water to be channeled downward such that it is
drained away.
Referring to Figures 2, 10 and 11, if used in
conjunction with the panels 30 of the present invention,
outside corner element 260 must have intermediate faces 266
wider than the intermediate faces 246 of the prior art
outside corner elements 240 in order to allow the body 50
of the panel 30 to be spaced from the wall 12.
Referring to Figures 7, 9 and 11, beads 130, 232, 272
may be of any profile, however, a bead 130, 232, 272 of
square profile, as is shown in Figure 7, has been found to
be most effective in preventing water from penetrating to
the wall 12.
Referring to Figures 1 and 12, a prior art siding
system is shown where the top of the siding meets meets the
soffit. Soffit trim 280 is supported on the wall 12 by
nails 14 that pass through nail holes 16. Nails 14
additionally pass through siding panel 10. Rarely is the
size of the area to be covered with siding equal to an
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integer multiple of the size of the siding panels 10. In
other words, panels 10 must often be cut in order to
conform them to the area being covered. For example in
Figure 12 the siding panel 10 has been cut along its length
below the fold 20 (see Fig. 1) in order to reduce its
height to conform to the size of the area being covered
with siding. Soffit 282 is shown in in dashed lines and is
supported by soffit trim 280. The soffit 282 has air holes
that allow air to move to and from the attic of the
building. However, as is obvious from Figure 12, since
soffit trim 280 is nailed directly over panel 10, panel 10
comes into direct contact with the wall 12, thereby
trapping air between the panel 10 and the wall 12.
Therefore any moisture that penetrates behind panel 10 is
unable to escape, resulting in damage to the wall 12.
Referring to Figure 13, a novel trim element of the
present invention, comprising a double J-trim element 290
is shown. The double J-trim element 290 comprises a lower
portion 292 and an upper portion 294. The double J-trim
element 290 is supported on wall 12 by nails 14 that pass
through nail holes 16 in the lower portion 292. The upper
portion 294 has a plurality of air holes 296, a flange 298,
and a J-flange 300.
Referring to Figure 14, an installed double J-trim
element 290, siding panel 30, and soffit 282 are shown.
The panel 30 is supported between flange 298, and J-flange
300. Panel 30 may, for example, fixed between flange 298
and J-flange 300 by glue or sealant. Flange 298 also acts
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to maintain the panel 30 spaced away from the wall 12 so
that air can escape from behind the panel 30 through the
air holes 296, thus preventing the buildup of moisture
between the wall 12 and the panel 30. Air escaping through
the air holes 296 can reach the outside of the building
through the air holes 284 in the soffit 282.
Referring to Figures 2, 4, 6, 13 and 14, the air holes
42, 78, 110, 296 may be of any shape.
Referring to Figures 2, 6, 13 and 14, air is permitted
to enter the space between the wall 12 and the panels 30
through the airholes 110 in the starter strip 100.
Alternatively, air can enter the space between the wall 12
and the panels 30 through air holes in the gable line J-
trim as described above with reference to Figs. 6 and 7.
The air is able to move past successive panels 30 through
the air holes 42 of the panels 30 and out through the air
holes 296 of the double J-trim element 290, thereby
allowing moisture accumulated between the panels 30 and the
wall 12 to evaporate.
Referring to Figures 2, 6, 13 and 14, the movement of
air between the panels 30 and the wall 12 that is made
possible by this invention additionally performs a cooling
function when the siding system is exposed to strong
sunlight and high ambient temperatures. This renders the
siding system of the present invention resistant to heat
induced buckling and warping.
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Accordingly, while this invention has been described
with reference to illustrative embodiments, this
description is not intended to be construed in a limiting
sense. Various modifications of the illustrative
embodiments, as well as other embodiments of the invention,
will be apparent to persons skilled in the art upon
reference to this description. It is therefore
contemplated that the appended claims will cover any such
modifications or embodiments as fall within the true scope
of the invention.
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