Flashings for windows and the like

Abstract

A flashing and method for installing a window or other portal in a wall opening is provided. The flashing includes a base member with first and second portions that are angled so that an outer surface of the first portion can be disposed against a sill of the opening and an outer surface of the second portion can be disposed against one of the jambs of the opening. A front face plate of the flashing extends perpendicularly from the first and second portions of the base member, and a plurality of channels in the base member are structured to direct water toward and through the front face plate.

1 . A flashing for use in a portal installation in an opening defined by a sill and jambs extending therefrom, the flashing comprising: 
 a base member having first and second portions, the second portion being disposed at an angle relative to the first portion such that an outer surface of the first portion is configured to be disposed against the sill of the opening and an outer surface of the second portion is configured to be disposed against one of the jambs of the opening;    a front face plate extending from each of the first and second portions of the base member in a plane generally perpendicular to the first and second portions; and    a first plurality of channels disposed in the first portion of the base member to direct water toward and through the front face plate and a second plurality of channels disposed in the second portion of the base member to direct water toward and through the front face plate,    wherein each channel is at least partially defined by a sidewall that is angled toward the front face plate and the opposite portion of the base member, such that each channel is configured to direct water in a direction toward the front face plate and the opposite portion of the base member.    
   
   
       2 . A flashing according to  claim 1  wherein each channel tapers to define an increased width at the front face plate, the width of the channels being defined in a direction parallel to the first and second portions and substantially parallel to the front face plate.  
   
   
       3 . A flashing according to  claim 1  wherein each of the first and second portions defines an angled lead-in edge at the front face plate.  
   
   
       4 . A flashing according to  claim 1  wherein each channel is tapered to define an increased depth at the front face plate.  
   
   
       5 . A flashing according to  claim 1  wherein the flashing is formed of a unitary molded plastic member.  
   
   
       6 . A flashing according to  claim 1  wherein the flashing is formed of plastic with fibers disposed therein.  
   
   
       7 . A flashing according to  claim 1  wherein the flashing is structured to be configured with the outer surface of the first portion of the base member disposed toward one of the jambs of the opening and the outer surface of the second portion disposed toward the sill of the opening such that the flashing can be selectively installed in either of two corners of the opening.  
   
   
       8 . A flashing assembly in an opening extending between first and second surfaces of a wall, the flashing assembly comprising: 
 a wall defining first and second opposite surfaces and a wall opening therethrough, the wall opening being at least partially defined by a sill and jambs extending from the sill, and the wall opening defining first and second corners at intersections of the jambs and the sill;    first and second flashings disposed at the corners of the wall opening, each flashing comprising: 
 a base member having first and second portions, each of the first and second portions defining an outer surface and an opposite inner surface, the outer surface of the first portion being disposed toward the sill of the opening, the outer surface of the second portion being disposed toward one of the jambs of the opening, and the inner surfaces defining a corner of the flashing; and  
 a front face plate extending from each of the first and second portions of the base member in a plane generally perpendicular to the first and second portions of the base member and generally parallel to the first surface of the wall; and  
 a plurality of channels disposed in the first and second portions of the base member;  
 wherein each channel in the second portion of the base member is at least partially defined by a sidewall that is angled toward the front face plate and the first portion of the base member, such that each channel is configured to direct water in a downward direction toward the first surface of the wall and through the front face plate.  
   
   
   
       9 . A flashing assembly according to  claim 8  wherein each channel tapers to define an increased width at the front face plate, the width of the channels being parallel to the front face plate.  
   
   
       10 . A flashing assembly according to  claim 8  wherein the first and second portions of each flashing define an angled lead-in edge at the front face plate.  
   
   
       11 . A flashing assembly according to  claim 8 , further comprising a third flashing disposed between the first portions of the first and second flashings, the third flashing comprising: 
 a base member being disposed between the first portions of the first and second flashings, the base member of the third flashing defining an outer surface disposed toward the sill of the opening and an inner surface opposite the outer surface;    a front face plate extending from the base member of the third flashing in a plane generally perpendicular to the base member of the third flashing and generally parallel to the first surface of the wall; and    a plurality of channels disposed in the inner surface of the base member of the third flashing, such that the channels of the third flashing are structured to direct water toward the first surface of the wall and through the front face plate.    
   
   
       12 . A flashing assembly according to  claim 11 , further comprising a sealant disposed at an interface defined between the base members of the first and third flashings and an interface defined between the base members of the second and third flashings, the sealant thereby preventing water from flowing through the interfaces.  
   
   
       13 . A flashing assembly according to  claim 8  wherein each channel of each flashing is tapered to define an increased depth at the front face plate.  
   
   
       14 . A flashing assembly according to  claim 8  wherein each flashing is a unitary member formed of molded plastic.  
   
   
       15 . A flashing assembly according to  claim 8  wherein each flashing is formed of plastic with fibers disposed therein.  
   
   
       16 . A flashing assembly according to  claim 8  wherein each of the flashings is substantially similar such that each flashing is configured to be disposed at each of the corners of the wall opening.  
   
   
       17 . A flashing assembly according to  claim 8  further comprising first and second furring strips, each furring strip defining first and second portions, the first portion of each furring strip being disposed opposite a respective one of the jambs from the second portion of the base member of a respective one of the flashings, and the second portion of each furring strip being disposed against the respective jamb above the respective flashing, the second portion of each furring strip being thicker than the first portion such that each furring strip defines a substantially planar surface directed away from the respective jamb.  
   
   
       18 . A flashing for use in an inset portal installation in an opening defined by an inner sill and inner jambs extending therefrom and an outer sill and outer jambs extending therefrom, the flashing comprising: 
 an inner base member having first and second portions, the second portion being disposed at an angle relative to the first portion such that an outer surface of the first portion is configured to be disposed against the inner sill of the opening and an outer surface of the second portion is configured to be disposed against one of the inner jambs of the opening;    an intermediate face plate extending from each of the first and second portions of the inner base member in a plane generally perpendicular to the first and second portions of the inner base member;    an outer base member having first and second portions disposed at an angle corresponding to the angle between the portions of the inner base member such that an outer surface of the first portion of the outer base member is configured to be disposed against the outer sill of the opening and an outer surface of the second portion of the outer base member is configured to be disposed against one of the outer jambs of the opening;    a front face plate extending from each of the first and second portions of the outer base member in a plane generally perpendicular to the first and second portions of the outer base member; and    a plurality of channels disposed in the first and second portions of the inner base member to direct water toward and through the intermediate face plate and a plurality of channels disposed in the first and second portions of the outer base member to direct water toward and through the front face plate.    
   
   
       19 . A flashing according to  claim 18  wherein each channel is at least partially defined by a sidewall that is angled toward the front face plate and the opposite portion of the base member, such that each channel is configured to direct water in a direction toward the front face plate and the opposite portion of the base member.  
   
   
       20 . A flashing according to  claim 18  wherein each channel tapers to define an increased width at an end nearest the front face plate, the width of each channel being defined in a direction parallel to the portion of the base member in which the channel is disposed and substantially parallel to the front face plate.  
   
   
       21 . A flashing according to  claim 18  wherein each of the first and second portions of at least one of the inner and outer base members defines an angled lead-in edge nearest the front face plate.  
   
   
       22 . A flashing according to  claim 18  wherein each channel is tapered to define an increased depth at the end nearest the front face plate.  
   
   
       23 . A flashing according to  claim 18  wherein the flashing is formed of a unitary molded plastic member.  
   
   
       24 . A flashing according to  claim 18  wherein the flashing is structured to be configured with the outer surfaces of the first portions of the inner and outer base members disposed toward one of the inner and outer jambs of the opening, and the outer surface of the second portions of the inner and outer base members disposed toward one of the inner and outer sills of the opening such that the flashing can be selectively installed in either of two corners of the opening.