Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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Title: IMPROVEMENTS REL~0.TING TO IBUIL~ING STRUCTURES
Field of the invention
[0001) This invention relates generally to building structures, such as
domestic or recreational homes.
Background of the invention
[0002) So-called "log homes" are a visually appealing and popular form
of building. Traditionally, the walls of a log home are built using actual
logs
that are laid horizontally one on top of another. Oaps between the logs are
sealed or "chinked" far weather tightness. At i:he corners of the structure,
the
logs are cut to form corner joints so that the logs of one wall interlock with
the
logs of a wall at right angles to the first wall. The logs must also be cut to
form window and door openings.
[0003] This method of construction is costly. Not only is the
construction process very time consuming but significant skill is required of
the workers, particularly to form the corner joints between adjacent walls.
Also, heavy equipment must be used to bring the logs to site and place the
logs one on top of another. The logs themselves are also quite costly to buy.
[0004) A furthers drawback is that the walls cannot be insulated unless
supplementary strapping or framing is provided on the interior wall surfaces.
Obviously, when this is done, the logs are concealed from view at the interior
of the building, which may be considered cosmetically undesirable.
Summary of the Invention
[000, An object of the invention is to address some of these issues by
providing a method of constructing a building structure having a simulated log
appearance.
[0006] The method of the invention includes the steps of erecting a
frame defining walls of the building having upright exterior faces, and
applying
to those upright faces? horizontal rows of siding to clad the faces and define
exterior wall surfaces of the structure. Each row of siding includes at least
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one elongate siding section comprising a face portion, a top portion and a
bottom portion, each of which is made of solid wood and extends over the
length of the siding section. The face portion has an outer surface which is
shaped to provide the appearance of a fog at the exterior wall surface of the
building, and an inner surface, and the top and bottom portions extend along
top and bottom marginal regions of the inner surface of the face portion and
inwardly of said inner surface, so as to define therebefinreen a space
suitable
for receiving insulation in contact with said inner surface of the face
portion of
the siding section.
(0007] In accordance with the method of the invention, it is possible to
construct a building using conventional construction techniques, while
achieving the external appearance of a log horne. The siding is made of solid
wood and accordingly has a realistic texture arid "feel". At the same time,
the
building can be constructed without the need for exceptional skills or the use
of heaving lifting equipment, and at a cost comparable with the cost of
conventional buildings.
(0008] The spaces at the inner surfaces of the siding sections can be
fitted with insulation. Normally, the frame to which the siding is applied
will
itself be insulated in accordance with normal construction techniques. In that
event, any insulation within the siding sections is supplementary or
additional
insulation.
(0009] The invention also provides a siding section for use in cladding a
wall surface of a building, comprising a face portion, a top portion and a
bottom portion, each of which is made of solid wood and extends over the
length of the siding section. The face portion huas an outer surface shaped to
provide the appearance of a log to said exterior wall surface of the building,
and an inner surface, and said top and bottom portions extend along top and
bottom marginal regions of said face portion and inwardly of the inner surface
of the face portion to define therebetween a space suitable for receiving
insulation in contact with said inner surface of the face portion of the
siding
section.
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[0010] The siding may be used as "retrofit" or replacement siding. As
such, if the siding sections incorporate insulation, the replacement siding
can
be used to add insulation to an existing structure.
[0011] While the top and bottom portions of a siding section may be the
same as one another, so that vertically adjacent siding sections will be
simply
butted together, the top and bottom portions preferably are complimentarily
shaped so that the bottom portion of one siding section can inter-fit with the
top portion of the siding section below for improved weather tightness.
(0012, Further, while a siding section may be made in one piece, i.e.
with the top and bottom portions integral with the face portion, the three
portions preferably are made separately and subsequently secured together
to form the siding section.
Brief description of the Drawings
[0013, In order that the invention may be more clearly understood,
reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings which illustrate a
preferred embodiment of the invention by way of example, and ire which:
(0014] Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a simple rectangular
building constructed in accordance with the method of the invention;
(0015, Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1 showing the internal frame of the
building of Fig. 1;
(0016] Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view through a section of siding
used to construct the building of Fig. 1; and,
[0017, Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3 but showing vertically adjacent
siding sections inter-fitted with one another and secured to the frame of the
building.
Description of Preferred Embodiment
[0018] Referring first to Fig. 1, reference numeral 20 denotes a building
structure constructed in accordance with the method of the invention and
having the appearance of a log cabin. The first step in the method is to erect
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a frame such as the frame 22 shown in Fig. 2. Frame 22 is a conventional
"stick built" frame made of 2x4 (or larger) lengths of lumber that are nailed
together on a foundation (not shown). The frame is entirely conventional and
includes studs 24 that extend befinreen sill plates 26 and header plates 28 in
accordance with conventional building practice. Openings 30 for windows
and doors are also framed in accordance with conventional practice.
[0019, Not shown in Fig. 2 is the roof structure of the building which will
also be conventional.
[0020, Once the frame is in place, horizontal rows of siding are applied
to exterior upright faces of the frame 22 to clad the faces of the frame and
define exterior wall surfaces of the structure.
[0021, In Fig. 1, the rows of siding are individually denoted 32. Each
row includes at least one elongate siding section, a typical one of which is
denoted "S" in Fig. 1. Sections S will be made available in standard lengths,
for example, of 8 feet, and will be butted together end-to-end where longer
rows of siding are required. At corners of the building or around door and
window openings, the ends of the sections S of siding abut against vertical
trim members such as corner posts indicated at 34 in Fig. 1.
[0022] Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view through a typical siding section
S. Each section is made up of a face portion 36, a top portion 38 and a
bottom portion 40, each of which is made of solid wood and extends over the
length of the siding section. The face portion has an outer surface 42 which
is
shaped to provide the appearance of a log to the exterior wall surface of the
building. Fig. 3 shows by way of example an exterior surface 42 which has a
somewhat angular shape. It is however to be understood that the surface
may have any shape, for example, a more rounded arcuate shape in cross-
section or a rough hewn "textured" shape.
[0023, The face portion 36 also has an inner surface 44 which in this
embodiment is flat. The top and bottom portions 38, 40 extend along top and
bottom marginal regions of the inner surface 44 inwardly of that surface to
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define a space 46 suitable for receiving insulation in contact with the inner
surface of the face portion 36. In this embodiment, a foam insulation panel 48
is shown within the space. The insulation panel may be friction fitted or
glued
in place.
(0024 In the illustrated embodiment, the three portions, 36, 38 and 40
of the siding section are made separately and secured together by gluing the
top and bottom portions 38, 40 to the inner surface 44 of the face portion 36.
Other fastening methods, such as nails or staples may of course be used
instead. Also, the siding section could be made in one piece, though this
almost certainly would be mare costly.
(0025] The tap and bottom portions 38, 40 could be identically shaped
so that vertically adjacent siding sections can be simply butt joined
together.
Preferably, however, the top and bottom portions are shaped to inter-fit with
one another for improved weather tightness. In the illustrated embodiment,
the top portion has a flange or tenon 50 that extends in the plane of the
siding
section and the bottom portion 40 has a complimentary recess or rabbet 52.
Normally, the siding is applied a row at a time starting at the bottom. The
flange 50 of each section is then presented at the top of the siding section.
The next row of siding is applied above that section so that the rabbet 52 at
the bottom of the next higher siding section fits over the flange 50.
(0026 Fig. 4 illustrates this assembly method. Parts of several
vertically adjacent rows of siding are shown nailed to the frame 22. Though
the siding is not necessarily affixed in this manner, in the illustrated
embodiment, a single nail 54 is driven through both the bottom portion of an
upper siding section and the top portion of the siding section below.
(0027) As noted above, the method of fihe invention allows the
construction of buildings having exterior surfaces that simulate the
appearance of a fog structure without the cost .and inconvenience of building
using complete logs. At the same time, advantages are offered in terms of
ease of insulation and, if required, supplementary insulation, for example, by
way of the insulation panels 48 shown in Fig. 3.
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[0028 Also as noted previously, the siding that is used in the method of
the invention can be used both for new structures and on existing structures.
Normally, the siding vuill be installed horizontally. However, if for some
reason
the appearance of a log built home is not required, the siding could be
applied
vertically.
