WO2004051026A1

WO2004051026A1 - A flashing device and a method of installing a roof penetrating structure by means of the flashing device

Info

Publication number: WO2004051026A1
Application number: PCT/DK2003/000815
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jakob Swane Lund; Per Kofoed Nielsen
Original assignee: VKR Holding AS
Current assignee: VKR Holding AS
Priority date: 2002-11-29
Filing date: 2003-11-27
Publication date: 2004-06-17
Anticipated expiration: 2005-05-29
Also published as: EP1567732B1; CN1717520A; PL376742A1; ATE323807T1; AU2003283208A1; DE60304734D1; EP1567732A1; DE60304734T2; CN100439629C; PL221316B1

Abstract

The flashing device (101) has a sealing member (120) for sealing between the flashing parts (102, 103) and a side cladding device to provide a transition between a roof penetrating structure and a surrounding roofing. The sealing member (120) has a sealing portion (121) and an engagement portion (122) connected with the sealing portion and with one of the flashing parts. The relative position between the flashing parts is adjustable.

Description

A flashing device and a method of installing a roof penetrating structure by means of the flashing device.

The invention relates to a flashing device for a roof penetrating structure, comprising a first flashing part and a second flashing part, the first and second parts being interconnected in sliding engagement allowing the relative position between the first and second flashing parts to be adjusted during mounting of the flashing device, and at least one sealing member to be brought into contact with at least the second flashing part. The invention furthermore relates to a method of installing a roof penetrating structure.

When flashing roof penetrating building structures, for example chimneys or frame structures for roof windows, in order to protect them from the weather and to provide a seal between the structure itself and the roof, it is common to use flashing covers of sheet metal, for instance aluminium, copper, steel or zinc. Conventionally, such flashing covers have been manufactured by ordinary tin man work from a plane sheet material which is profiled and formed to make a fit at the desired location.

The comparatively costly adjustment and assembly work on location, which is required when using this conventional craftsmanship, may be avoided by use of pre-manufactured flashing devices. Such flash- ing devices may be composed of e.g. two or more interconnected members or be constituted by a single member. When these flashing devices are used with, for example, a standard window type mounted in a given roof surface, it is possible to use the same standard flashing devices regardless of, for example, the slope of an inclined roof surface.

Typically, a flashing assembly adapted to be used between, for example, a roof window and a sloping roof surface comprises upper and lower flashing devices adapted to be mounted in a horizontal position between the roof surface and the upper and lower frame portions of the window, respectively, as well as first and second side flashing devices adapted to be mounted in a sloping position between the two side frame portions of the window and the roof surface. Such a flashing assembly further comprises corner elements adapted to provide a seal between the side flashing devices and the- upper and lower flashing devices, such corner elements often being integrated in^" either the upper and lower flashing devices or the side flashing devices. In addition, a set of cladding devices is used to cover the joints between the flashing devices and the window, the number and positioning of the cladding devices normally corresponding to that of the flashing devices .

However, some types of flashing devices are not standard as they are dependent upon, for example, the actual position of the window frame relative to the roof surface. An example of this would be the desired height of the mounted window frame relative to the roof surface, the choice of which depends upon a number of factors, e.g. the roof material, the roof con- struction, the roof slope, the construction of the actual window frame as well as aesthetic considerations .

One type of flashing devices, which has to be adapted with respect to the above mentioned variations are the flashing devices used between the roof surface and the upper and lower frame pieces, respectively, of a window frame. Depending on the circum- stances and the specific construction of the flashing or the window, such flashing devices may need to be adapted to both the slope of the roof and the height of the window frame relative to the roof surface.

In the past there have been attempts to provide flashing assemblies, which are adjustable so as to be adaptable under such different circumstances.

A flashing device, which makes it possible to utilize the same flashing assembly independently of the height of the roof penetrating structure extend- ing above the plane of the roof, is disclosed in WO

In order to provide a substantially weather- tight connection between such a flashing device and other parts of the covering, the cladding to be posi- tioned against the side pieces of the window frame are provided with a compressible sealing member that is traditionally fastened to the under side of the side cladding by means of e.g. an adhesive.

However, as such a sealing member is attached to the cladding, there is a risk that the sealing member is deformed during storage and transportation, or during mounting of the window. This problem is particularly pronounced in installation situations, in which the window is positioned such that a sub- stantial part of the window frame lies below the roof surface. This entails that the skirt portion of the protruding part has a slight upwards inclination away from the frame, and hence there is a risk that water will be present near the frame, thus necessitating an efficient seal between flashing parts.

With this background, it is an object of the invention to improve the overall sealing properties of a roof penetrating structure with respect to the surrounding roofing.

It is a further object to facilitate the installation of a roof penetrating structure.

In a first aspect of the invention, these ob- jects are met by a flashing device of the kind mentioned in the introduction, which is furthermore characterized in that said at least one sealing member is substantially L-shaped and includes at least one first sealing portion and a second sealing por- tion connected with the first sealing portion and in engagement with the second flashing part .

With these measures a flashing device is achieved in which the risk of ingress of water is reduced. Furthermore, it is possible to provide the sealing member either as a separate part that may easily be connected with the relevant part, e.g. a part of the flashing device, at the installation site, or which may be pre-mounted on the flashing part in question. A further advantage of the design of the sealing member and its connection with the second flashing part is that the sealing portion is kept securely in position by the engagement portion.

To further improve a flashing device as stated above, in which the second flashing part comprises a second sheet portion and an upper flange, the first sealing portion is positioned substantially in parallel with the upper flange and the second sealing portion is positioned substantially in parallel with the second sheet portion.

According to an embodiment, the second portion of the sealing member includes guiding surfaces, and the second sheet portion includes an extended section in abutment with said guiding surfaces .

According to a further embodiment, the engagement portion comprises an opening, to enable relatively firm engagement with a flashing part. By mounting the sealing element onto a flashing part, the risk of loosing the sealing element, e.g. on a windy building site, is reduced, and further correct mounting of the sealing element is increased, as the risk of tilting of the sealing element during installation is reduced. To further enhance the functionality of the sealing member, the engagement portion comprises an area of increased friction, to thereby enhance the ability of the sealing member to follow telescopic movement of flashing parts during installation and keep the position relative to the second flashing part .

The increased friction may be achieved by applying an anti-friction material on the engagement portion, however according to an embodiment the area of increased friction comprises ribs. These ribs provide the further advantage of increased protection against ingress of water, and in addition the ribs provide a reinforcement of the engagement surface .

In another aspect of the invention, these ob- jects are met by a method of installing a roof penetrating structure. The method comprises the following steps: providing a first flashing part, a second flashing part, and at least two substantially L- shaped sealing members; positioning one sealing member at a respective end of said second flashing part; connecting the second flashing part with said first flashing part to form a flashing device; adjusting the relative position between the first and the second flashing parts; and connecting the flashing device with the roof penetrating structure.

Advantageously, a cladding member for connection with the roof penetrating structure is connected with the flashing device prior to the step in which the flashing device is connected with the roof penetrating structure.

In the following, the invention will be described in further detail by means of examples of em- bodiments and with reference to the schematic drawings, in which

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a prior art flashing device,

Fig. 2 is a partial perspective view of a de- tail of a cladding member to be connected with the flashing device of Fig. 1,

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a flashing device according to the invention,

Fig. 4 is a perspective view, on a larger scale, of an embodiment of a sealing member of the flashing device according to the invention, and

Fig. 5 is a partial perspective view of another section of the flashing device according to the invention. The prior art flashing device shown in Fig. 1 comprises a first flashing part 2 adapted to provide a seal against the roof, and a second flashing part 3 adapted to provide a sealing transition between the first flashing part and the roof penetrating structure (not shown) such that the composite flashing device provides a substantially sealed transition between the roof and the roof penetrating structure. The roof penetrating structure may e.g. be a roof window, a sun collector or the like. The first flashing part 2 comprises a first sheet portion 4 and a skirt portion 5 connected to a lower part thereof, the skirt portion being arranged at an angle relative to the plane of the first sheet portion. In the embodiment shown the skirt portion comprises two portions, the first skirt portion 5a being arranged in a downwardly sloping position relative to the first sheet portion and the second skirt portion 5b being arranged substantially in plane with the roof surface

(not shown) . The second flashing part 3 comprises a second sheet portion 6 as well as an upper flange 7 adapted to engage an upper surface of a window frame piece (not shown) by means of holes 17 and suitable fastening means (not shown) . As illustrated by the arrow 8 the first and second sheet parts are arranged in sliding engagement and held together by cooperating, adjustable connecting means. These connecting means may e.g. designed as follows: The first sheet portion comprises a folded-over upper portion with a downwardly facing first flange 11, thereby creating a first narrow fold between the first sheet portion and the first flange. The second sheet portion 6 comprises a folded-over lower portion with an upwardly facing second flange 14, thereby creating a second narrow fold between the second sheet portion and the second flange. In the assembled state the first flange is arranged in the second fold and the second flange is arranged in the first fold, thus forming a connection between the two sheet portions.

The shown skirt ^•" 5 is . a substantially plane sheet portion which is adapted to be mounted on top of a substantially planar roof surface or below a roof surface, however, for use on roof surfaces in the form of undulated tiles with deep troughs, the skirt can be made from materials which can be manually deformed or stretched during mounting to enable a good fit between the flashing and roofing, such materials including wave-undulated or pleated laminates. In the installation situation shown in Fig. 1, the first skirt portion 5a is arranged in an almost horizontal position sloping slightly downward rela- tive to the first sheet portion 4, however, the skirt may be arranged- in any desired angle. The skirt may also be arranged in such a way that the angle between the first skirt portion 5 and the first sheet portion 4 can be adjusted, for example by a connection allow- ing pivoting there between.

In order to provide a seal between the upper and lower flashing devices, respectively, and the side flashing devices, corner elements are provided which may be formed integrally with either the up- per/lower or the side flashing devices. The flashing device 1 comprises a corner element 10 arranged substantially perpendicular to the general planes of the skirt 5 and the sheet portion 4 at an end thereof and adapted to engage a side flashing device (not shown) . The flashing device also comprises a corner element at the opposite end, but for reasons of clarity this corner element is not shown.

During installation, the flashing device 1 is fastened to the window frame bottom piece, which as described in the above is normally covered by a bottom cladding member (not shown in Fig. 1) . Subsequently, a covering in the form of a side cladding member 18, as shown partially in Fig. 2, is fastened to the adjacent side piece of the window frame. The side cladding 18 is at its under side provided with a sealing member 20 sealing against the bottom cladding member of the bottom piece of the window frame . Figs. 3 to 5 show an embodiment of a flashing device 101 according to the invention incorporating a sealing member 120. Elements having the same or analogous function as corresponding elements in the prior art flashing shown in Figs. 1 and 2 bear the same reference numerals, to which 100 has been added.

As shown more clearly in Fig. 4 the sealing member 120 is substantially L-shaped comprising a first sealing portion 121 and a second engagement portion 122. Guiding surfaces 123 and 124 are pro- vided on the second portion 122 for reasons that will be described in the following.

The first sealing portion 121 serves substantially the same purpose as the entire sealing member 20 of the prior art flashing device. In the embodi- ment shown, the first sealing portion 121 is connected integrally with the second portion 122, which serves as a combined sealing and engagement portion. The portions 121 and 122 of the sealing member 120 may be manufactured by moulding of one and the same material, or by forming the portions as two separate parts that are subsequently connected with each other in any suitable manner.

In Fig. 3 only the right-hand sealing member 120 has been shown, whereas in Fig. 5 the left-hand sealing member 120' is shown. It is noted that the right-hand and the left-hand sealing members 120 and 120' are mirror-inverted images of each other. Fur- thermore, a bottom cladding member 130 is shown in Fig. 5. The details regarding the bottom cladding member 130 will be described further below.

As shown in Fig. 3, the second sheet portion 106 of the second flashing part 103 is positioned in engagement with the second portion 122 of the sealing member 120. In the embodiment shown the second sheet portion 106 comprises an extended portion 106a, which in turn is designed with a protruding flange section

(not visible) inserted into an opening in the form of a slit 126 of surface 124. The end edge of the second sheet portion 106, i.e. in the embodiment shown the end edge of the extended portion 106a outside the protruding flange section, abuts against the guiding surface 124 of the sealing member 120. The inside portion of the sheet portion 106 in the vicinity of the end edge abuts against the guiding surface 123. The under side of the first sealing portion 121 is positioned against the upper flange 107.

During installation of the roof penetrating structure in a roof surface, the sealing member 120 is initially positioned at the right-hand end of the second flashing part 103 in order to obtain the position as explained in the above. The connection between the second flashing part 103 and the sealing member 120' at the left-hand side shown in Fig. 5 is carried out in a similar manner.

Following the mounting of the two sealing members 120 and 120' at a respective end of the second flashing part 103, the second flashing part 103 is connected with the first flashing part 102 by connecting the respective connecting means of the first and second flashing parts 102 and 103 with each other. The outwards facing side of the sealing members 120 and 120', i.e. the side facing away from the flashing part 102, now abuts against the respective corner element 110. The order of mounting may also be reversed. The flashing device 101 is now in a condition corresponding to Fig. 3 and is in principle ready to be connected with the window or other roof penetrating structure .

However, with reference to Fig. 5, it is pre- ferred that a cladding member 130 for connection with the bottom piece of the window is at this point connected with the flashing device 101. The cladding member 130 is substantially L-shaped with a first part 131 and a second part 132 with engagement means (not shown), e.g. in the form of apertures for receiving screws of similar securing means which are driven into the window frame bottom piece . The connection is accomplished by positioning the cladding member 130 on top of the second flashing part 103 such that an end piece 150 is placed in abutment with the inwards facing side of the first sealing portion 121' of the sealing member 120' . The cladding member 130 may as shown have a flange 133 abutting against the guiding surface 124 of the sealing member 120'. As soon as the relative position of the first and second flashing part 102 and 103 has been adjusted in accordance with the installation situation, the flashing device 101 may be connected with the roof penetrating structure. During the adjustment, the sealing members 120 and 121' follow the movement of the second flashing part 103 such that the first flashing portion 121 is in the correct position in order to ensure correct sealing.

In the following, further details regarding details of the sealing member 120 will be described. It is noted that these details relate correspondingly to the sealing member 120'. On the upper side of the first sealing portion 121, a number of ridges 125 are provided, to thereby form a number of divided chambers, so ingress of water between the upper side of the sealing and a side cladding member (not shown) is restricted. Any incom- ing water, e.g. rain forced upwards by wind, will be prevented from passing through and capillary effect is avoided.

A portion 127 provided with ribs 128 reinforces the second sealing portion 122 of the sealing member 120. One effect of the ribs 128 is to provide a number of divided chambers to restrict ingress of water as described above. A further effect of the ribs 128 is to increase friction between the sealing member 120 and the second sheet portion 106, to thereby re- duce the risk that the sealing member 120 will not follow the second sheet portion 106, when the latter is telescoped relative to the sheet portion 104 during installation. The extended portion 106a might otherwise cut the slit. By making the material of the second portion

122 resilient, a combined sealing and retaining effect is obtained. The surfaces 123 and 124 may be provided with a coating or covering to give them the necessary strength. Suitable materials comprise generally all types of plastic and rubber materials, such as terpolymer ethylene propylene rubber (EPDM) , chloroprene rubber (CR) or polyurethane rubber (PUR) , and the sealing member is preferably manufactured by moulding. Other suitable materials comprise foam materials e.g. a copolymer ethylene closed cell foam, and the sealing member may be made by thermoforming .

The sealing member 120 may be solid or comprise hollows or cavities. By a suitable combination of the material thickness and choice of material in different sections of the sealing members, it is possible to obtain optimum sealing and engagement properties.

It will be understood that the embodiments de- scribed herein only serve as examples to illustrate the invention and that a person skilled in the art may make many variations and modifications without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

C L I M S

1. A flashing device (101) for a roof penetrating structure, comprising a first flashing part (102) and a second flashing part (103) , the first and sec- ond parts being interconnected in sliding engagement allowing the relative position between the first and second flashing parts to be adjusted during mounting of the flashing device, and at least one sealing member (120) to be brought into contact with at least the second flashing part, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that said at least one sealing member (120) is substantially L-shaped and includes at least one first sealing portion (121) and a second sealing portion (122) connected with the first sealing portion and in engagement with the second flashing part (103) .

2. A flashing device according to claim 1, in which the second flashing part (103) comprises a second sheet portion (106) and an upper flange (107) , c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the first sealing portion (121) of the sealing member (120) is positioned substantially in parallel with the upper flange and the second sealing portion (122) is positioned substantially in parallel with the second sheet portion.

3. A flashing device as claimed in any one of claims 1 and 2, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the second portion (122) of the sealing member (120) includes guiding surfaces (123,124), and that the second sheet portion (106) includes an extended section (106a) in abutment with said guiding surfaces.

4. A flashing device according to claim 3, in which the engagement portion (122) comprises an open- ing (126) and that said extended portion (106a) is at least partly received in said opening (126) .

5. A flashing device according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the engagement portion (122) comprises an area (127) of increased friction.

6. A flashing device according to claim 5, in which the area (127) of increased friction comprises ribs (128) .

7. A method of installing a roof penetrating structure, comprising the following steps:

- providing a first flashing part (102) , a second flashing part (103) , and at least two substantially L-shaped sealing members (120,120'),

- positioning one sealing member (120,120') at a respective end of said second flashing part (103) , connecting the second flashing part (103) with said first flashing part (102) to form a flashing device (101) ,

- adjusting the relative position between the first and the second flashing parts (102,103), and

- connecting the flashing device with the roof penetrating structure.

8. A method according to claim 7, in which a cladding member (130) for connection with the roof penetrating structure is connected with the flashing device (101) prior to the step in which the flashing device is connected with the roof penetrating structure .