Method and apparatus for providing weather protection for buildings under construction, and buildings integrally retaining that protective structure

Abstract

A sheeting product in the form of a semi-transparent, non-organic and thin grid mesh having substantial inherent structural integrity is applied to exterior walls or similar outward structures at an early stage of building construction, so as to provide protection thereafter for the interior structure against the exterior environment, that sheeting product then becoming an integral part of the building. The strength of the material permits it to be installed through the use of booms or lifts (to the extent of the reach of these) without the use of scaffolding, and also permits elimination of any structural sheathing material and the use of a wider spacing between vertical studs, all of which contribute to savings in materials, labor, and the required time of the construction schedule.

I claim:  
     
         1 . A method of constructing a building, comprising: 
 providing a foundation bounded by a periphery;    installing atop said foundation at predetermined locations thereon a multiplicity of bottom stud tracks, including peripheral bottom stud tracks near to said periphery of said foundation;    installing above each of said bottom stud tracks, in respectively mutually facing relationships, a multiplicity of top stud tracks, including peripheral top stud tracks;    installing a multiplicity of studs having spaces therebetween and inwardly and outwardly facing sides with respect to said periphery of said foundation, said studs being disposed so as to extend between respective ones of said peripheral bottom stud tracks and peripheral top stud tracks that lie in respective mutually facing relationships;    installing on sides of said studs a protective material;    installing plumbing, wiring, cabling and insulation within said spaces between said studs;    providing an inwardly facing finish around inwardly facing sides of said studs; and    installing outwardly from said protective material a layer of exterior cladding material.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said protective material comprises planar sheets.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein said planar sheets are formed from polyolefin and polyester materials.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2  wherein said planar sheets comprise a woven textile fabric.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2  wherein said planar sheets have been formed by extrusion and lamination into the form of a mesh.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the manufacture of said planar sheets is adaptable to allow particular instances thereof to serve as a vapor permeable air barrier, a vapor retardant barrier or a vapor retardant air barrier.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 2  wherein said planar sheets have a structure whereby the passage of air therethrough has been minimized.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 2  wherein said planar sheets have a high tensile strength that is resistant to wind forces.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 2  wherein said planar sheets are semi-transparent.  
     
     
         10 . A building having external walls that are covered over externally by a protective material.  
     
     
         11 . The building of  claim 10  wherein said protective material comprises planar sheets.  
     
     
         12 . The building of  claim 11  wherein said planar sheets are formed from polyolefin and polyester materials.  
     
     
         13 . The building of  claim 11  wherein said planar sheets comprise a woven textile fabric.  
     
     
         14 . The building of  claim 11  wherein said planar sheets have been formed by extrusion and lamination into the form of a mesh.  
     
     
         15 . The building of  claim 11  wherein the manufacture of said planar sheets is adaptable to allow particular instances thereof to serve as a vapor permeable air barrier, a vapor retardant barrier or a vapor retardant air barrier.  
     
     
         16 . The building of  claim 11  wherein said planar sheets have a structure whereby the passage of air therethrough has been minimized.  
     
     
         17 . The building of  claim 11  wherein said planar sheets have a high tensile strength that is resistant to wind forces.  
     
     
         18 . The building of  claim 11  wherein said planar sheets are semi-transparent.  
     
     
         19 . The building of  claim 11  wherein said planar sheets further comprise reinforcing strips.  
     
     
         20 . An exterior building wall for protecting the interior of a building from inclement weather, comprising: 
 a wall frame disposed about the periphery of a building and having an outwardly facing side; and    a protective material disposed over said outwardly facing side of said wall frame.