Building Construction Sheathing Composites, Structures and Related Methods of Use

Abstract

Sheathing composites and related methods, as can be employed in building construction.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A sheathing composite comprising a substrate component and a layer component coupled thereto, said layer component comprising at least one peripheral edge extending beyond said substrate component, said peripheral edge comprising a flashing component of said composite, said flashing component comprising at least one directional indicator thereon. 
     
     
         2 . The composite of  claim 1  comprising a parallelogram configuration, and a plurality of said peripheral edges, each said edge comprising a said flashing component. 
     
     
         3 . The composite of  claim 2  wherein said each flashing component comprises a plurality of directional indicators. 
     
     
         4 . The composite of  claim 1  wherein each said flashing component comprises a sealingly engageable member. 
     
     
         5 . The composite of  claim 1  wherein said substrate component is selected from orient strand board, particle board, chip board, hardboard, gypsum board, foam board, and plywood. 
     
     
         6 . The composite of  claim 5  wherein said layer component comprises a material comprising at least one of a vapor permeable component, a water resistant component and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         7 . The composite of  claim 6  wherein said layer component is coupled to said substrate component with a vapor permeable adhesive. 
     
     
         8 . The composite of  claim 1  coupled to a building structure framing member. 
     
     
         9 . The composite of  claim 1  wherein said substrate comprises first and second opposed sides and at least one aperture therethrough. 
     
     
         10 . A rectangular sheathing composite comprising a substrate component comprising first and second opposed sides and at least one aperture therethrough; and a layer component coupled to said substrate component, said layer component comprising peripheral edges extending beyond said substrate component, each said peripheral edge comprising a flashing component of said composite, each said flashing component comprising at least one directional indicator thereon. 
     
     
         11 . The composite of  claim 10  wherein said substrate component is selected from orient strand board, particle board, chip board, hardboard, gypsum board, foam board, and plywood. 
     
     
         12 . The composite of  claim 10  coupled to a building structure framing member selected from a plurality of wall studs, a plurality of roofing rafters and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         13 . A building structure comprising a plurality of framing members and a plurality of adjacent, peripherally-coupled sheathing composites coupled thereto, each said sheathing composite comprising a substrate component and a layer component coupled thereto, said layer component comprising multiple peripheral edges extending beyond said substrate and comprising flashing components of said composite, each said flashing component comprising at least one directional indicator thereon, a said flashing component of one said sheathing composite overlapping the layer component of another said sheathing composite adjacent thereto. 
     
     
         14 . The structure of  claim 13  wherein each said flashing component of each said sheathing composite comprises a member sealingly engageable with said layer component of said adjacent sheathing composite. 
     
     
         15 . The structure of  claim 14  wherein said engageable member comprises an adhesive strip. 
     
     
         16 . The structure of  claim 13  wherein each said flashing component comprises a plurality of directional indicators. 
     
     
         17 . The structure of  claim 13  wherein said substrate component is selected from orient strand board, particle board, chip board, hardboard, gypsum board, foam board, and plywood. 
     
     
         18 . The structure of  claim 13  wherein said layer component is coupled to said substrate component with a vapor permeable adhesive. 
     
     
         19 . The structure of  claim 13  wherein said framing members are selected from a plurality of wall studs, a plurality of roofing rafters and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         20 . A method of using a sheathing composite to indicate water protection of a building structure, said method comprising:
 providing a first sheathing composite comprising a substrate component comprising first and second opposed sides with at least one aperture therethrough, and a layer component coupled to said substrate component, said layer component comprising multiple peripheral edges, at least one said edge extending beyond said substrate and comprising a flashing component of said composite, each said flashing component comprising at least one directional indicator thereon;   coupling said first sheathing composite to a building structure; and   coupling a second said sheathing composite to said building structure, at least a portion of one said flashing component of said second sheathing composite and a directional indicator thereon overlapping said layer component of said first sheathing composite.   
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20  wherein said second sheathing composite is positioned upwardly from said first sheathing composite, a bottom peripheral edge of said second sheathing composite comprising a flashing component overlapping said layer component of said first sheathing composite. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21  wherein said bottom flashing component comprises a plurality of downward directional indicators. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 21  wherein said bottom flashing component is sealingly engaged with said first sheathing composite layer component. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 20  wherein a plurality of additional sheathing composites are upwardly positioned, each said additional sheathing composite comprising a bottom flashing component overlapping the layer component of a sheathing composite therebelow, each said bottom flashing component comprising a downward directional indicator and overlapping said lower layer component, said downward directional indicator visibly indicating a positive drainage condition. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 20  wherein said building structure comprises framing members selected from a plurality of wall studs, a plurality of roofing rafters and combinations thereof.