Method and elements for forming a building facade

Abstract

A facade is formed on an upright supporting surface using a plurality of facade elements formed of plastic material having a flat rear side and a decorative front side protruding from the rear side. The flat rear side of the elements can be abutted directly against the upright supporting surface with the elements in spaced relation with one another and secured thereon using nails or adhesive. Grouting in the form of mortar repair or caulking can be used to fill the gaps between adjacent elements on the supporting surface to complete the appearance of a natural stone facade on a building wall.

1 . A method of forming a facade on an upright supporting surface, the method comprising: 
 forming a plurality of facade elements of plastic material having a flat rear side and a decorative front side protruding from the rear side;    abutting the rear side of the elements directly against the upright supporting surface with the elements in spaced relation with one another;    securing the elements to the upright supporting surface; and    grouting between the elements.    
   
   
       2 . The method according to  claim 1  including securing the elements to the upright supporting surface with nails.  
   
   
       3 . The method according to  claim 2  including driving the nails fully through the front side of the elements so as to be embedded through the rear side and into the supporting surface.  
   
   
       4 . The method according to  claim 1  including securing the elements to the upright supporting surface using adhesive.  
   
   
       5 . The method according to  claim 1  including forming the front side to be generally dome shaped with a stone texture.  
   
   
       6 . The method according to  claim 1  including forming the flat rear side to be enclosed.  
   
   
       7 . The method according to  claim 6  including forming the elements to be hollow.  
   
   
       8 . The method according to  claim 1  including: 
 forming the elements to include a peripheral flange lying in a common plane with the flat rear side to project outwardly in opposing directions; and    securing the elements to the upright supporting surface by securing the peripheral flange to the upright supporting surface.    
   
   
       9 . The method according to  claim 1  including forming the elements with nails integrally molded therein which project rearwardly beyond the flat rear side of the elements.  
   
   
       10 . The method according to  claim 1  including forming the elements to be rectangular in shape with the front side having a masonry texture.  
   
   
       11 . The method according to  claim 1  including grouting between the elements using conventional mortar.  
   
   
       12 . The method according to  claim 1  including grouting between the elements using caulking.  
   
   
       13 . A facade element comprising: 
 a plastic body having a flat rear side and a decorative front side protruding from the rear side;    mounting means at the rear side of the plastic body for securing the rear side in abutment with an upright supporting surface.    
   
   
       14 . The element according to  claim 13  wherein the mounting means comprises a flat panel at the rear side which is formed integrally with the front side of the plastic body and nails for being received through the flat panel.  
   
   
       15 . The element according to  claim 13  wherein the mounting means comprises a peripheral flange in a common plane with the flat rear side which projects outwardly in opposing directions from the body with which the flanges are integrally molded.  
   
   
       16 . The element according to  claim 13  wherein the mounting means comprises nails which are integrally molded within the plastic body to project rearwardly beyond the flat rear side of the body.  
   
   
       17 . The element according to  claim 13  wherein the decorative front side has a domed shape with a stone texture.  
   
   
       18 . The element according to  claim 13  wherein the rear side comprise a pair of flat panels supported perpendicularly to one another to define an interior angle therebetween.  
   
   
       19 . The element according to  claim 13  wherein the decorative front side is rectangular in shape and includes a masonry texture.  
   
   
       20 . The element according to  claim 13  wherein the plastic body is formed of polyethylene.