Butt joint flashing for cementitious siding

Abstract

A butt-joint flashing article of manufacture for construction of buildings is provided comprising a relatively flat, planar back surface, and a ridged front surface, the back surface adapted to face a framed wall, and the front surface adapted to receive siding planks or sheets. The butt-joint flashing apparatus comprises a center ridge and a plurality of channels on either side of the center ridge, each of the channels being separated by substantially planar surface that can be of uniform height that is lower than the height of the center ridge. The butt-joint flashing can be symmetrically arranged about the center ridge. The center ridge is adapted to provide a substantially impervious seal between two planks or sheets of siding. The channels provide a path for water that can find its way into an area between the planks or sheets and a structural sheathing of a building out of that area. The butt-joint flashing apparatus can be made from a clear rubber or clear plastic material with a predetermined shore rating that provides for flexibility over an expected temperature range.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A gasket for the use in the construction of a building, comprising:
 a substantially planar mounting portion, adapted to be affixed to a framing component of the building;   a side opposite to the substantially planar mounting portion, wherein the side opposite comprises—
 a plurality of water channels formed in the side opposite, each of which is adapted to channel water through the gasket when the gasket is mounted on the framing component, and 
 a spacer ridge substantially centrally located on the side opposite, wherein
 a spacer ridge height corresponds to a first height, and wherein the plurality of water channels are formed on the remaining portion of the side opposite and on both sides of spacer ridge. 
 
   
     
     
         2 . The gasket according to  claim 1 , wherein the side opposite comprises:
 a first and second water channel formed on a first side of the spacer ridge, and a third and fourth water channel formed on a second side of the spacer ridge;   a first ridge formed between the first and second water channel;   a second ridge formed between the third and fourth water channel;   a first mounting surface formed at a first outer periphery of the side opposite, adjacent to the first ridge; and   a second mounting surface formed at a second outer periphery of the side opposite, adjacent to the second ridge.   
     
     
         3 . The gasket according to  claim 2 , wherein the side opposite further comprises:
 an upper surface, substantially planar, formed of the upper surfaces of the first and second ridges, and the first and second mounting surfaces, all of substantially equal height corresponding to a second height.   
     
     
         4 . The gasket according to  claim 3 , wherein
 the first height is greater than the second height, and wherein   the difference between the first height and the second height is substantially equal to a thickness of a siding material used in the construction of the building.   
     
     
         5 . The gasket according to  claim 2 , wherein
 the plurality of water channels are substantially parallel to each other, and wherein   the gasket is further adapted to be affixed to the framing material of the building, such that the plurality of water channels are substantially vertically aligned with a surface of the earth to that water can pass through the gasket material, and wherein
 a first piece of siding material can be located adjacent to a first side of the spacer ridge, and 
 a second piece of siding material can be located adjacent to a second side of the spacer ridge. 
   
     
     
         6 . A system for use in construction of a building, comprising:
 a gasket adapted to provide a sealing surface between a first and second piece of siding material used in the construction of an exterior shell of the building, and wherein the gasket is further adapted to provide a water passage through which water can pass, the gasket comprising
 a substantially planar mounting portion ( 120 ), adapted to be affixed to a framing component of the building, 
 a side opposite to the substantially planar mounting portion, wherein the side opposite comprises—
 a plurality of water channels formed in the side opposite, each of which is adapted to channel water through the gasket when the gasket is mounted on the framing component, and 
 a spacer ridge substantially centrally located on the side opposite, wherein
 the spacer ridge height is formed at a first height, and wherein 
 the plurality of water channels are formed on the remaining portion of the side opposite and on both sides of spacer ridge; and 
 
 
   a spacer adapted to be located between the framing material and the gasket.   
     
     
         7 . The system according to  claim 6 , wherein the spacer ( 900 ) comprises:
 a substantially wedge shaped spacer, adapted to be located between the gasket and the framing component and provide a proper amount of spacing such that a bottom portion of the siding material is located on top of a lower one of the siding material, comprising
 a substantially planar mounting portion ( 912 ), adapted to be located on a framing component of the building; 
 a sloped surface ( 902 ) upon which the gasket can be located; and 
 a bottom portion of a first thickness, wherein the first thickness is substantially equal to a second thickness of a siding material. 
   
     
     
         8 . The gasket according to  claim 7 , wherein the side opposite comprises:
 a first and second water channel formed on a first side of the spacer ridge, and a third and fourth water channel formed on a second side of the spacer ridge;   a first ridge formed between the first and second water channel;   a second ridge formed between the third and fourth water channel;   a first mounting surface formed at a first outer periphery of the side opposite, adjacent to the first ridge; and   a second mounting surface formed at a second outer periphery of the side opposite, adjacent to the second ridge.   
     
     
         9 . The system according to  claim 8 , wherein the side opposite further comprises:
 an upper surface, substantially planar, formed of the upper surfaces of the first and second ridges, and the first and second mounting surfaces, all of substantially equal height corresponding to a second height.   
     
     
         10 . The system according to  claim 9 , wherein
 the first height is greater than the second height, and wherein   the difference between the first height and the second height is substantially equal to a thickness of a siding material used in the construction of the building.   
     
     
         11 . The system according to  claim 8 , wherein
 the plurality of water channels are substantially parallel to each other, and wherein   the gasket is further adapted to be affixed to the framing material of the building, such that the plurality of water channels are substantially vertically aligned with a surface of the earth to that water can egress through the gasket material.   
     
     
         12 . The system according to  claim 7 , further comprising:
 a trim assembly gasket, adapted to provide a sealing interface between an end of the siding material and trim material used in the construction of an exterior shell of a building.   
     
     
         13 . The system according to  claim 6 , wherein the spacer comprises:
 a substantially wedge shaped spacer, adapted to be located between the gasket and the framing component and provide a proper amount of spacing such that a bottom portion of the siding material is located on top of a lower one of the siding material, comprising
 a first sloped surface and at least one ridge component adapted to be located on a framing component of the building, 
 a substantially planar mounting portion upon which the gasket can be located, and 
 a bottom portion of a first thickness, wherein the first thickness is substantially equal to a second thickness of a siding material. 
   
     
     
         14 . The gasket according to  claim 13 , wherein the side opposite comprises:
 a first and second water channel formed on a first side of the spacer ridge, and a third and fourth water channel formed on a second side of the spacer ridge;   a first ridge formed between the first and second water channel;   a second ridge formed between the third and fourth water channel;   a first mounting surface formed at a first outer periphery of the side opposite, adjacent to the first ridge; and   a second mounting surface formed at a second outer periphery of the side opposite, adjacent to the second ridge.   
     
     
         15 . The system according to  claim 14 , wherein the side opposite further comprises:
 an upper surface, substantially planar, formed of the upper surfaces of the first and second ridges, and the first and second mounting surfaces, all of substantially equal height corresponding to a second height.   
     
     
         16 . The system according to  claim 16 , wherein
 the first height is greater than the second height, and wherein   the difference between the first height and the second height is substantially equal to a thickness of a siding material used in the construction of the building.   
     
     
         17 . The system according to  claim 14 , wherein
 the plurality of water channels are substantially parallel to each other, and wherein   the gasket is further adapted to be affixed to the framing material of the building, such that the plurality of water channels are substantially vertically aligned with a surface of the earth to that water can pass through the gasket material.   
     
     
         18 . The system according to  claim 13 , further comprising:
 a trim assembly gasket, adapted to provide a sealing interface between an end of the siding material and trim material used in the construction of an exterior shell of a building;   a starter piece adapted to provide a predetermined angle to an attached lowermost row of siding material, wherein
 the starter piece comprises an angled surface with the predetermined angle upon which the lowermost row of siding material can be placed. 
   
     
     
         19 . A method for the construction of an exterior shell of a building, the method comprising:
 determining whether to use vertical siding material or horizontal siding material;   selecting a vertical siding gasket assembly if the vertical siding material is to be used, and selecting a horizontal gasket assembly if a horizontal siding gasket assembly is to be used, and wherein
 each of the vertical and horizontal gasket assemblies are adopted to provide a sealing surface between a first and second piece of siding material used in the construction of the exterior shell of the building, and wherein the gasket is further adapted to provide a water passage through which water can pass; 
   attaching the selected siding gasket assembly to the selected siding material; and   attaching the combined selected siding gasket assembly and selected siding material to an exterior wall assembly of the building.   
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 19 , further comprising:
 selecting a spacer to be placed between the selected gasket assembly and the framing material; and   attaching the selected spacer to a back surface of the selected gasket assembly prior to attachment of the selected gasket assembly and selected siding material to the exterior wall assembly of the building, and wherein
 the selected spacer is adapted to provide a proper amount of spacing such that a bottom portion of the selected siding material is located on top of a lower one of the siding material.