Apparatuses and methods for a lath and rain screen assembly

Abstract

A lath and rain screen assembly for fastening to an exterior building surface or the like is provided. The lath and rain screen assembly comprises (a) a rain screen having a first side and a second side and defining a first plane, the first side including a plurality of first side spacer elements extending outwardly in a first direction substantially perpendicular to the first plane; and (b) a lath defining a second plane spaced apart from and substantially parallel to the first plane, the lath being operatively attached to an outermost surface of each of the first side spacer elements positioned adjacent the second plane. In certain embodiments, the lath and rain screen assembly further comprises a plurality of second side spacer elements extending outwardly in a second direction. A method of applying the lath and rain screen assembly is also provided.

1 . A lath and rain screen assembly configured for fastening to an exterior building surface, the lath and rain screen assembly comprising:
 A) a rain screen configured to encourage ventilation and drying, said rain screen including
 1) a substantially planar body having a nominal thickness, said body having opposing primary planar first and second sides lying in corresponding first and second coparallel planes; and 
 2) a plurality of first side spacer elements, each of said first side spacer elements extending from said first side of said rain screen body along a direction substantially parallel to a first axis being substantially normal to said first plane, each of said first side spacer elements terminating in a free end, the tips of each of said free ends lying in a first free end plane being substantially coparallel to said first and second coparallel planes; and 
   B) a lath configured to receive at least a portion of a first mortar layer, said lath including a substantially planar body having a nominal thickness, said body defining a third plane spaced apart from and substantially parallel to said first plane of said rain screen body,   said lath being operably connected to said rain screen at least in part by a plurality of connections between said body of said lath and each of said free ends of said spacer elements,   such that said rain screen and said lath are spaced apart so as to provide an intermediate first cavity therebetween configured for permitting the passage of liquid water and water vapor.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said rain screen further comprises a plurality of second side spacer elements, each of said second side spacer elements extending from said second side of said rain screen body in a direction substantially opposite to that of said first side spacer elements, said direction being substantially parallel to said first axis, each of said second side spacer elements terminating in a free end. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the first side spacer elements and the second side spacer elements are arranged in an alternating pattern. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said connections between said body of said lath and each of said free ends of said spacer elements are provided by heat bonding. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said lath and rain screen assembly further comprises adhesive for providing said connections between said body of said lath and each of said free ends of said spacer elements. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said first cavity has a width of from about 0.25 inches to about 0.50 inches. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the rain screen is formed from a polymer-based material. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein said polymer-based material is selected from a group consisting of: polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, polyethylene, polypropylene, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the rain screen has a thickness in a range of about 0.005 inches to about 0.040 inches. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the rain screen has a permeability value in a range of about 80 coulombs to about 250 coulombs. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said lath includes a plurality of spaced apart apertures configured to permit passage of the first layer of mortar substantially through the lath. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the lath is formed from a fiberglass-based material. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein said lath is formed by weaving the fiberglass-based material into a mesh configuration. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the first side spacer elements and the second side spacer elements are each spaced apart relative to their respective adjacent first and second side spacer elements an equal distance. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the equal distance is from about one inch to about four inches. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein:
 each of the first side spacer elements are spaced apart a distance of approximately two inches relative to adjacently located first side spacer elements;   each of the second side spacer elements are spaced apart a distance of approximately two inches relative to adjacently located second side spacer elements; and   each of the first and second side spacer elements are spaced apart a distance of approximately one inch relative to one other.   
     
     
         17 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said lath and rain screen assembly is capable of being stored in a rolled-up fashion. 
     
     
         18 . A method of providing a lath and rain screen assembly configured to be attached to an exterior building surface, said method comprising the steps of:
 A) providing a rain screen configured to encourage ventilation and drying, said rain screen including
 1) a substantially planar body having a nominal thickness, said body having opposing primary planar first and second sides lying in corresponding first and second coparallel planes; and 
 2) a plurality of first side spacer elements, each of said first side spacer elements extending from said first side of said rain screen body along a direction substantially parallel to a first axis being substantially normal to said first plane, each of said first side spacer elements terminating in a free end; 
   B) providing a lath configured to receive at least a portion of a first mortar layer, said lath including a substantially planar body having a nominal thickness, said body defining a third plane spaced apart from and substantially parallel to said first plane of said rain screen body; and   C) providing said lath and rain screen assembly by connecting said rain screen and said lath at least in part by connections between said body of said lath and each of said free ends of said spacer elements, such that said rain screen and said lath are spaced apart so as to provide an intermediate first cavity therebetween configured for permitting the passage of liquid water and water vapor.   
     
     
         19 . The method as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein in Step “C” said connection between said rain screen and said lath is provided by heat bonding. 
     
     
         20 . The method as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein in Step “C” said connection between said rain screen and said lath is provided by adhesive. 
     
     
         21 . The method as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein in Step “B” said lath is provided with apertures configured to permit passage of mortar therethrough. 
     
     
         22 . The method as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein in Step “A” said rain screen is provided with a permeability value in a range of about 80 coulombs to about 250 coulombs. 
     
     
         23 . A method of applying a lath and rain screen assembly to an exterior building surface to facilitate the attachment of exterior cladding materials, said method comprising the steps of:
 A) providing a rain screen configured to encourage ventilation and drying, said rain screen including
 1) a substantially planar body having a nominal thickness, said body having opposing primary planar first and second sides lying in corresponding first and second coparallel planes; and 
 2) a plurality of first side spacer elements, each of said first side spacer elements extending from said first side of said rain screen body along a direction substantially parallel to a first axis being substantially normal to said first plane, each of said first side spacer elements terminating in a free end; 
   B) providing a lath configured to receive at least a portion of a first mortar layer, said lath including a substantially planar body having a nominal thickness, said body defining a third plane spaced apart from and substantially parallel to said first plane of said rain screen body;   C) providing said lath and rain screen assembly by connecting said rain screen and said lath at least in part by connections between said body of said lath and each of said free ends of said spacer elements, such that said rain screen and said lath are spaced apart so as to provide an intermediate first cavity therebetween configured for permitting the passage of liquid water and water vapor;   D) positioning said lath and rain screen assembly adjacent said exterior building surface;   E) applying a first layer of mortar onto the lath; and   F) attaching a plurality of exterior cladding materials to aid lath at least partially with the use of said mortar.   
     
     
         24 . The method as claimed in  claim 23 , wherein in Step “E” said first cavity receives at least a portion of a first layer of mortar. 
     
     
         25 . The method as claimed in  claim 23 , wherein in step “B” said lath is provided with a plurality of spaced apart apertures configured to permit passage of a portion of said first layer of mortar substantially through the lath in Step “E”, and wherein in Step “F”, said first layer of mortar, upon passing substantially through the lath, further substantially encapsulates the lath. 
     
     
         26 . The method as claimed in  claim 23 , wherein step “E” furthers comprises the step of applying a second layer of mortar onto the first layer of mortar once the first layer has been allowed to cure. 
     
     
         27 . The method as claimed in  claim 23 , wherein said step “D” of positioning said lath and rain screen assembly adjacent said exterior building surface comprises positioning said plurality of second side spacer elements in contact with the exterior building surface. 
     
     
         28 . The method as claimed in  claim 23 , wherein said step “D” of positioning said plurality of second side spacer elements adjacent said exterior building surfaces creates a second cavity configured to provide a pathway for moisture management and ventilation between said second side spacer elements and the exterior building surface. 
     
     
         29 . The method as claimed in  claim 28 , wherein following Step “D” said second cavity has a width of from about 0.125 inches to about 0.50 inches.