Siding system

Abstract

The present invention relates to a siding system for buildings and other structures. 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.

1 . A siding panel assembly for attachment to an exterior wall of a building, comprising: 
 a) a siding panel having an inner surface and an outer surface, and a wall engaging elongated edge and a siding engaging elongated edge; 
 i. said wall engaging edge terminating in an elongated flange having a spacing element perpendicular to said inner and outer faces, and a wall engaging element parallel to said inner and outer faces, said spacing element having holes, said spacing element operative, when said elongated flange is in place against the exterior wall, to space said siding panel away from the exterior wall and to permit air flow over the exterior wall; and  
 ii. said siding engaging elongated edge shaped to engage an outer surface of another underlying siding panel.  
   
     
     
         2 . The siding panel assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said wall engaging element, said spacing element, and said inner face define a U-shaped channel.  
     
     
         3 . The siding panel assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said elongated flange comprises a plurality of nail holes operative to permit the passage of nails for attaching said siding panel to said exterior wall.  
     
     
         4 . The siding panel assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said siding panel is made of vinyl.  
     
     
         5 . The siding panel assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said elongated flange comprises a plurality of flanges spaced apart along said wall engaging elongated edge.  
     
     
         6 . The siding panel assembly of  claim 1 , wherein an obtuse angle is formed between said spacing element and said inner surface.  
     
     
         7 . The siding panel assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said spacing element is between ¼″ and 1″ wide.  
     
     
         8 . The siding panel assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a starter strip, said starter strip comprising a wall engaging plate having an elongated edge, said elongated edge terminating in an elongated flange having a spacing element and a distal element, said spacing element perpendicular to said wall engaging plate, and said distal element shaped to engage the siding engaging elongated edge of said siding panel, wherein said spacing element comprises a plurality of holes operative, when said starter strip is in place against the exterior wall, to permit air flow over the exterior wall, said elongated flange operative, when said starter strip is in place against the exterior wall, to space said siding panel away from the exterior wall.  
     
     
         9 . The siding panel assembly of  claim 8 , wherein said wall engaging plate of said starter strip has a plurality of nail holes, said nail holes operative to permit passage of nails for attaching said starter strip to the exterior wall.  
     
     
         10 . The siding system of  claim 8 , wherein said siding panel and said starter strip are made of vinyl.  
     
     
         11 . The siding panel assembly of  claim 8 , further comprising: 
 a) a double J-trim element, said double J-trim element comprising: 
 i) a wall engaging plate having a longitudinal edge;  
 ii) a soffit supporting plate having a first face and a second face, said soffit supporting plate extending perpendicularly from said longitudinal edge of said wall engaging plate;  
 iii) a spacing flange extending perpendicularly from said first face of said soffit supporting plate such that a first U-shaped channel is formed between said wall engaging plate, said soffit supporting plate and said spacing flange;  
 iv) a soffit supporting flange extending from said first face of said soffit supporting plate, said soffit supporting flange shaped such that a second U-shaped channel is formed between said first face and said soffit supporting flange, said second U-shaped channel operative to receive an edge of a soffit;  
   wherein said spacing flange and said soffit supporting flange are spaced apart such that a third U-shaped channel is formed between said spacing flange, said first face and said soffit supporting flange, said third U-shaped channel operative, when said double J-trim element is in place against the exterior wall, to receive an edge of said siding panel;    wherein said spacing flange is operative to space said siding panel away from the exterior wall;    wherein a region of said soffit supporting plate between said wall engaging plate and said spacing flange comprises holes, operative to permit air flow over said exterior wall.    
     
     
         12 . An element of a siding system comprising: 
 a) a wall engaging plate having a longitudinal edge, wall engaging face, and a siding panel engaging face;    b) a second plate extending perpendicularly from said longitudinal edge of said wall engaging plate; and    c) a third plate extending perpendicularly from said second plate;    wherein a U-shaped channel is defined by said siding panel engaging face, said second plate and said third plate, said U-shaped channel operative to receive an edge of siding panel, and wherein said siding panel engaging face comprises a raised bead parallel to said second plate, said raised bead operative, when said element is in place against an exterior wall and when the edge of the siding panel is in said U-shaped channel, to prevent water, that penetrates around the edge of the siding panel, from coming into contact with the exterior wall.    
     
     
         13 . The element of  claim 12 , wherein said element forms part of an inside corner element.  
     
     
         14 . The element of  claim 12 , wherein said element forms part of an outside corner element.  
     
     
         15 . The element of  claim 12 , wherein said element forms part of a J-trim element.  
     
     
         16 . The element of  claim 12 , wherein said second plate of said element additionally comprises air holes operative, when said element is in place against the exterior wall, to permit air flow over the exterior wall.  
     
     
         17 . The element of  claim 12 , wherein said raised bead is rectangular in cross-section.  
     
     
         18 . The element of  claim 12 , wherein said raised bead is ⅛″ high.  
     
     
         19 . The element of  claim 12 , wherein said wall engaging plate comprises nail holes.  
     
     
         20 . An element of a siding system comprising: 
 a) a wall engaging plate having a longitudinal edge, a wall engaging face, and a siding engaging face;    b) a second plate extending perpendicularly from said longitudinal edge of said wall engaging plate; and    c) a third plate extending perpendicularly from said second plate;    wherein a U-shaped channel is defined by said siding engaging face, said second plate and said third plate, said U-shaped channel operative to receive an edge of siding panel, and wherein said second plate comprises air holes operative, when said element is in place against an exterior wall, to permit air flow over the exterior wall.    
     
     
         21 . The element according to  claim 20 , wherein said element comprises a J-trim element.  
     
     
         22 . The element according to  claim 20 , wherein said siding engaging face comprises a raised bead parallel to said second plate, said raised bead operative, when said element is in place against the exterior wall and when the edge of the siding panel is in said U-shaped channel, to prevent water, that penetrates around the edge of the siding panel, from coming into contact with the exterior wall.  
     
     
         23 . The element according to  claim 22 , wherein said raised bead is rectangular in cross-section.  
     
     
         24 . The element according to  claim 20 , wherein said wall engaging plate comprises nail holes.