Flexible flashings for windows and the like

Abstract

A flexible flashing and method for installing a window or other portal in a wall opening is provided. The flashing includes a base member with a plurality of channels that are structured to direct water therefrom. A face plate of the flashing, which extends from the base member, defines slots such that the flashing can be curved or flexed to correspond to a curved portion of the wall opening.

1 . A flexible flashing for use in a portal installation in a curved opening of a wall, the flashing comprising: 
 a base member defining opposite first and second surfaces extending from a first edge to a second edge, the first surface of the base member defining a plurality of channels configured to direct water in a direction from the first edge of the base member to the second edge of the base member; and    a face plate extending from the base member in a plane generally perpendicular to the base member, the face plate defining a first edge proximate the base member and extending therefrom to a second distal edge, such that the face plate is structured to be disposed against the wall with the base member disposed against the curved opening of the wall and the channels configured to direct water on the base member outward from the wall,    wherein the face plate defines a plurality of slots extending from the second edge of the face plate toward the first edge of the face plate such that the base member can be flexed to the curved configuration of the opening.    
   
   
       2 . A flashing according to  claim 1  wherein the slots in the face plate extend from the second edge of the face plate only partially through the face plate toward the first edge of the face plate.  
   
   
       3 . A flashing according to  claim 1 , further comprising at least one end dam flange extending substantially perpendicular to the base member and the face plate at a longitudinal end of the flashing, the end dam flange being connected to the base member and the face plate to thereby prevent water from flowing from the end of the flashing.  
   
   
       4 . A flashing according to  claim 1  wherein each of the channels defines a tapered width, the width of the channels being defined in a direction parallel to the base member and substantially parallel to the face plate.  
   
   
       5 . A flashing according to  claim 1  wherein the second surface of the base member is a substantially a continuous, smooth surface.  
   
   
       6 . A flashing according to  claim 1  wherein each channel is tapered to define an increased depth at the second edge of the base member.  
   
   
       7 . A flashing according to  claim 1  wherein the flashing is formed of a unitary molded plastic member.  
   
   
       8 . A flashing according to  claim 1  wherein the first surface of the base member defines ridges between the channels, the ridges defining a surface substantially parallel to the second surface of the base member.  
   
   
       9 . A flashing according to  claim 1  wherein the face plate extends from the first surface of the base member at the first edge of the base member, such that the face plate is structured to be disposed against the outer wall with the second surface of the base member disposed toward a curved top portion of the portal and the base member curved to the curved contour of the head.  
   
   
       10 . A flashing according to  claim 1  wherein the face plate extends from the second surface of the base member at the second edge of the base member, such that the face plate is structured to be disposed against the outer surface of the wall with the second surface of the base member disposed toward a curved sill of the opening and the base member curved to the curved contour of the sill.  
   
   
       11 . A window assembly in an opening of a wall, the assembly comprising: 
 a wall defining an outer surface and a wall opening therethrough, the wall opening being at least partially defined by a curved head at the top of the opening;    at least one flashing disposed at the head of the opening, the flashing comprising: 
 a base member defining opposite first and second surfaces extending from a first edge to a second edge, the first surface of the base member defining a plurality of channels configured to direct water in a direction from the first edge to the second edge and thereby outward from the wall; and  
 a face plate extending from the first edge of the base member in a plane generally perpendicular to the base member and extending from the first surface of the base member, the face plate defining a first edge proximate the base member and extending therefrom to a second distal edge, such that the face plate is disposed against the outer surface of the wall,  
 wherein the face plate defines a plurality of slots extending from the second edge toward the first edge such that the base member can be flexed to the curved configuration of the head; and  
   a window disposed in the wall opening, the window defining a curved top corresponding to the curved head of the opening, the base member being disposed against the curved top of the window such that the channels are structured to direct water away from the face plate and the outer surface of the wall.    
   
   
       12 . A window assembly according to  claim 11  wherein the slots in the face plate extend from the second edge of the face plate only partially through the face plate toward the first edge of the face plate.  
   
   
       13 . A window assembly according to  claim 11 , further comprising at least one end dam flange extending substantially perpendicular to the base member and the face plate at a longitudinal end of the flashing, the end dam flange being connected to the base member and the face plate to thereby prevent water from flowing from the end of the flashing.  
   
   
       14 . A window assembly according to  claim 11  wherein each of the channels defines a tapered width, the width of the channels being defined in a direction parallel to the base member and substantially parallel to the face plate.  
   
   
       15 . A window assembly according to  claim 11  wherein the second surface of the base member is a substantially a continuous, smooth surface.  
   
   
       16 . A window assembly according to  claim 11  wherein each channel is tapered to define an increased depth at the second edge of the base member opposite the face plate.  
   
   
       17 . A window assembly according to  claim 11  wherein the flashing is formed of a unitary molded plastic member.  
   
   
       18 . A window assembly according to  claim 11  wherein the first surface of the base member defines ridges between the channels, the ridges defining a surface substantially parallel to the second surface of the base member.  
   
   
       19 . A window assembly according to  claim 11  further comprising at least two flashings disposed in an end-to-end configuration at the top of the window.  
   
   
       20 . A method of installing a portal in a wall opening extending between inner and outer surfaces of a wall and defining a curved head portion at the top of the opening, the method comprising: 
 disposing a flashing at the curved portion of the wall opening, the flashing comprising: 
 a base member defining opposite first and second surfaces extending from a first edge to a second edge, the first surface of the base member being disposed toward the curved portion of the wall opening and defining a plurality of channels configured to direct water in a direction from the first edge to the second edge; and  
 a face plate extending from the first edge of the base member in a plane generally perpendicular to the base member and extending from the first surface of the base member, the face plate defining a first edge proximate the base member and extending therefrom to a second distal edge, such that the face plate is disposed against the wall,  
 wherein the face plate defines a plurality of slots extending from the second edge toward the first edge such that the base member can be flexed to the curved configuration of the wall opening; and  
   disposing the portal in the wall opening, the portal defining a curved top corresponding to the curved portion of the wall opening such that the base member is disposed against the curved top of the portal, and the channels are structured to direct water away from the face plate and the outer surface of the wall.    
   
   
       21 . A method according to  claim 20  wherein said step of disposing the flashing comprises flexing the flashing about an axis substantially parallel to the base member such that the flashing is flexed to the curved configuration of the wall opening.  
   
   
       22 . A method according to  claim 21  wherein said flexing step comprises elastically flexing the flashing to the curved configuration of the wall opening.  
   
   
       23 . A method according to  claim 20  wherein said step of disposing a flashing comprises disposing at least two of the flashings against the curved top of the portal.