Sill plate and method of use

Abstract

The present invention provides a sill plate for use between a foundation and a frame of a structure for attaching the frame to the foundation. The sill plate includes an elongated sill board and a compressible seal member attached to a side of the sill board, the seal member for placement adjacent the building foundation for sealing the joint between the foundation and the sill plate. In a preferred embodiment, the sill board is formed of a composite material including wood or reclaimed wood. Additionally, the present invention provides a method of installing a sill plate on the foundation of a building.

1 . A sill plate for use between a foundation and a frame of a structure, the sill plate comprising:
 an elongated sill board having two opposing sides, and   a compressible seal member attached to one of the two sides of said sill board, said seal member for placement adjacent the foundation for sealing the joint between the foundation and said sill board.   
   
   
       2 . The sill plate according to  claim 1  wherein said sill board comprises a composite material. 
   
   
       3 . The sill plate according to  claim 1  wherein said seal member is attached to said sill board with an adhesive. 
   
   
       4 . The sill plate according to  claim 1  wherein said sill board and said seal member define at least one opening through both said sill board and said seal member for receiving a fastener for attaching said sill plate to said foundation. 
   
   
       5 . The sill plate according to  claim 1  wherein said seal member extends beyond an end of said sill board. 
   
   
       6 . The sill plate according to  claim 2  wherein said composite material includes wood flour. 
   
   
       7 . The sill plate according to  claim 2  wherein said composite material includes wood or reclaimed wood. 
   
   
       8 . The sill plate according to  claim 2  wherein said composite material includes a polymer. 
   
   
       9 . The sill plate according to  claim 1  wherein said seal member includes a foam membrane. 
   
   
       10 . A sill plate for use between a foundation and a frame of a structure, the sill plate comprising:
 an elongated sill board formed of a composite material, and   a compressible seal member adhered to a side of said sill board, said seal member for placement adjacent the foundation for sealing the joint between the foundation and said sill board.   
   
   
       11 . The sill plate according to  claim 10  wherein said composite material includes a minimum of about 50% wood flour by weight. 
   
   
       12 . The sill plate according to  claim 10  wherein said composite material includes a maximum of about 50% polyethylene by weight. 
   
   
       13 . The sill plate according to  claim 10  wherein said seal member includes a foam membrane. 
   
   
       14 . The sill plate according to  claim 10  wherein the seal member extends beyond the end of the sill board at one end of the sill board and the sill board extends beyond the seal member at the other end of the sill board. 
   
   
       15 . A method of installing a sill plate on a foundation of a building, the method comprising the steps of:
 attaching a seal member to a sill board forming a sill plate, and thereafter   mounting said sill plate on a top surface of a foundation such that said seal member engages a top surface of the foundation for sealing the joint between said sill plate and the foundation.   
   
   
       16 . The method of installing a sill plate in accordance with  claim 15  wherein the step of mounting includes compressing the seal member between said sill plate and the foundation. 
   
   
       17 . The method of installing a sill plate in accordance with  claim 15  wherein the step of attaching includes adhering said seal member to said sill board. 
   
   
       18 . The method of installing a sill plate in accordance with  claim 15  further comprising a step of defining a plurality of openings in said sill plate for attaching said sill plate to said foundation. 
   
   
       19 . The method of installing a sill plate in accordance with  claim 15  wherein the step of attaching further comprises extending said seal member beyond at least one end of said sill board such that said seal member is longer than said sill board and extends beyond the length thereof. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 17  wherein the step of adhering includes using a settable adhesive and allowing the adhesive to set prior to installing the sill plate.