Weatherproof lap siding system

Abstract

A lap siding system for use on an exterior of a building that includes a structure having a groove and a rear side for abutting the building. The groove may include a length and a contour extending along the length of the groove. The system also includes a flashing having an extension, a length, and a head. The head may be connectable to the structure so that the extension of the flashing extends from the structure generally parallel to the rear side of the structure. Additionally, a part of the head may abut and follow a portion of the contour of the groove. The lap siding system may also include a plurality of planks having a first end. The flashing may form at least part of a plank channel having a width sized to receive the first ends of the plurality of planks.

1 . An apparatus for use on an exterior of a building, the apparatus comprising: 
 a structure comprising a groove and a rear side, wherein the groove has a length and a contour; and    a flashing having an extension and a head, wherein the head is connectable to the structure so that the extension of the flashing extends from the structure generally parallel to the rear side of the structure, wherein a part of the head abuts and follows a portion of the contour of the groove;    wherein the flashing forms at least part of a plank channel having a width sized to receive an end of a plank.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the flashing extends on opposing sides of the plank channel.  
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the head of the flashing comprises an attachment channel and the structure comprises a protrusion extending generally parallel to the groove, wherein the protrusion is disposed within the attachment channel.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the head of the flashing comprises a lock arm that flexes as the part of the head is inserted into the groove at an angle nonparallel to the length of the groove, wherein the lock arm resists removal of the part of the head from the groove at an angle nonparallel to the length of the groove.  
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the structure comprises a ridge extending away from a front side of the structure toward the extension of the flashing, wherein the head of the flashing comprises a lock arm that engages the ridge to resist removal of the part of the head of the flashing from the groove at an angle nonparallel to the length of the groove.  
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a second flashing having an extension and a head, wherein the structure further comprises a second groove, wherein the head of the second flashing is connectable to the structure so that the extension of the second flashing extends from the groove generally parallel to the rear side of the structure, wherein a part of the head of the second flashing abuts and follows a portion of a contour of the second groove.  
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , the apparatus further comprising a second flashing and a second structure, the second flashing having an extension and a head, the second structure having a groove and a rear side, wherein the head of the second flashing is connectable to the second structure so that the extension of the second flashing extends from the second structure generally parallel to the rear side of the second structure, wherein a part of the head of the second flashing abuts and follows a portion of a contour of the groove of the second structure, wherein the second structure is attached to the structure at an angle.  
   
   
       8 . A lap siding system for use on an exterior of a building, the system comprising: 
 a structure comprising a groove and a rear side, wherein the groove comprises a length and a contour extending along the length of the groove;    a flashing having an extension and a head shaped, wherein the head is connectable to the structure so that the extension of the flashing extends from the structure generally parallel to the rear side of the structure, wherein a part of the head abuts and follows a portion of the contour of the groove; and    a plurality of planks, wherein each plank comprises a first end, wherein the flashing forms at least part of a plank channel having a width sized to receive the first end of one of the plurality of planks.    
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the flashing extends on opposing sides of the plank channel.  
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the structure comprises a protrusion extending generally parallel to the groove, wherein the head of the flashing comprises an attachment channel shaped to receive the protrusion of the structure within the attachment channel.  
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the head of the flashing comprises a lock arm that flexes as the part of the head is inserted into the groove at an angle nonparallel to the length of the groove, wherein the lock arm resists removal of the part of the head of the flashing from the groove at an angle nonparallel to the length of the groove.  
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the structure comprises a ridge extending away from the front side toward the extension of the flashing, wherein the head of the flashing comprises a lock arm that engages the ridge to resist removal of the head of the flashing from the groove at an angle nonparallel to the length of the groove.  
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 8 , further comprising a second plurality of planks and a second flashing having an extension and a head, wherein each plank of the second plurality of planks has a first end, wherein the structure further comprises a second groove, wherein the head of the second flashing is connectable to the second groove so that the extension of the second flashing extends from the groove generally parallel to the rear side of the structure, wherein the second flashing forms at least part of a plank channel having a width sized to receive the first end of one of the second plurality of planks.  
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 8 , the apparatus further comprising a second flashing, a second structure, and a second plurality of planks, wherein each plank of the second plurality of planks has a first end, wherein the second flashing has an extension and a head and the second structure has a groove and a rear side, wherein the head of the second flashing is connectable to the groove of the second structure so that the extension of the second flashing extends from the second structure generally parallel to the rear side of the second structure, wherein the second flashing forms at least part a plank channel having a width sized to receive the first end of one of the second plurality of planks, wherein the second structure is attached to the structure at an angle.  
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 8 , further comprising an interlock for positioning a first plank and a second plank of the plurality of planks so that a portion of the second plank overlaps a portion of the first plank, the interlock having a first positioning surface for engaging the first plank, and a second positioning surface for engaging the second plank.  
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the first positioning surface of the interlock comprises an upper abutment surface for abutting a side surface of the first plank and a front abutment surface for abutting a front surface of the first plank.  
   
   
       17 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the interlock includes an engagement member comprising the second positioning surface, wherein the second plank comprises a slot having a reciprocal positioning surface, wherein the slot is shaped to receive the engagement member so that the reciprocal positioning surface engages the second positioning surface.  
   
   
       18 . The system of  claim 8 , further comprising an upper joint member having a plank attachment surface for abutting a plank, a fastener head recess positioned opposite the plank attachment surface, and an extension for attachment to the building.  
   
   
       19 . A method for installing lap siding on an exterior of a building, the method comprising: 
 disposing a part of a head of a flashing within a groove of a structure so that an extension of the flashing extends from the structure generally parallel to a rear side of the structure, wherein the part of the head has a shape that generally follows a portion of a contour extending along a length of the groove, wherein the flashing forms at least part of a plank channel having a width sized to receive a first end of a plank;    attaching the flashing to the building so that a rear side of the structure is disposed adjacent the building;    disposing the first end of the plank within the plank channel so that the plank extends from the plank channel; and    attaching the plank to the building.    
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising the step of attaching the flashing to the structure.  
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the structure comprises a protrusion extending generally parallel to the groove, wherein the head of the flashing comprises an attachment channel, wherein the method further comprises the step of disposing the protrusion of the structure within the attachment channel.  
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising the steps of engaging the plank with a first positioning surface of an interlock and engaging a second plank with a second positioning surface of the interlock, so that a portion of the second plank overlaps a portion of the plank.  
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the first positioning surface of the interlock comprises an upper abutment surface for engaging a side surface of the plank and a front abutment surface for abutting a front surface of the plank.  
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the interlock includes an engagement member comprising the second positioning surface, wherein the second plank comprises a slot having a reciprocal positioning surface, wherein the method further comprises the step of disposing the engagement member within the slot so that the reciprocal positioning surface engages the second positioning surface.  
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 22 , further comprising the steps of disposing an end of the second plank within the plank channel and attaching the second plank to the building.  
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 22 , further comprising the step of attaching the interlock to the plank.  
   
   
       27 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising the step of disposing a plank of a second plurality of planks in a plank channel at least partially formed by a second flashing having an extension and a head and attaching the second plank to the building, wherein the plank further comprises a second groove, wherein the head of the second flashing is attached to the second groove so that the extension of the second flashing extends from the structure generally parallel to the rear side of the structure and behind the plank of the second plurality of planks.  
   
   
       28 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising the step of attaching a second structure to the structure at an angle, wherein the second structure is attached to a second flashing, the method further comprising the step of disposing a plank of a second plurality of planks in a plank channel at least partially formed by a second flashing and attaching the plank of the second plurality of planks to the building.  
   
   
       29 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising the steps of abutting a plank attachment surface of an upper joint member against the plank, attaching the upper joint member to the plank with a fastener so that a head of the fastener is disposed within a fastener head recess positioned opposite the plank attachment surface, and attaching an extension of the upper joint member to the building.