Outdoor structure and methods

Abstract

An outdoor structure includes a plurality of vertically extending walls joined together to form a standing structure surrounding an interior volume. Each of the walls includes a structural polymer panel and a veneer directly adhered to the structural polymer panel. The standing structure can be frameless and supportless. The standing structure can bear at least 90% of a load of the standing structure.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A frameless structure comprising:
 at least three vertically extending walls joined together to form a standing structure surrounding an interior volume and adapted to bear a compressive load comprising the weight of other components supported by the standing structure; the standing structure being free of a supporting frame;   each of the walls comprising a panel of polymeric foam, each having a thickness of at least 1 inch;   each of the walls further including a plurality of veneer members substantially covering a major surface of the foam panel and adhered to the foam panel with structural adhesive; the structural adhesive being (i) between the foam panel and each of the veneer members; and (ii) between adjacent veneer members.   
     
     
         2 . The structure of  claim 1  wherein:
 (a) the standing structure defines an opening in communication with the interior volume; and 
 (b) the structure further includes a frame and door assembly held in the opening. 
 
     
     
         3 . The structure of  claim 1  wherein the thickness of the foam panel and veneer together is not greater than 6 inches. 
     
     
         4 . The structure of  claim 1  further including a base horizontally supporting the standing structure, the base comprising at least one foam panel with a thickness of 1-6 inches. 
     
     
         5 . The structure of  claim 1  wherein each foam panel comprises graphite polystyrene. 
     
     
         6 . A kit for an outdoor structure, the kit comprising:
 (a) at least three panels of polymeric foam; each panel having a thickness of at least 1 inch, opposite top and bottom edges, and opposite side edges and adapted to assemble into a frameless standing structure;   (b) a plurality of veneer members;   (c) structural adhesive adapted to adhere the veneer members onto the foam panels (i) between each foam panel and each of the veneer members; and (ii) between adjacent veneer members; and   (d) wherein the kit is free of a supporting frame.   
     
     
         7 . The kit of  claim 6  wherein the edges of each of the foam panels can be fitted together to form the frameless standing structure. 
     
     
         8 . The kit of  claim 7  wherein the edges of the foam panels include a plurality of projections alternating with recesses, such that the panels can be fitted together by projections from a first panel being received in recesses of a second panel. 
     
     
         9 . The kit of  claim 6  wherein each panel comprises graphite polystyrene. 
     
     
         10 . The kit of  claim 6  wherein the veneer members simulate an appearance of stone or brick. 
     
     
         11 . The kit of  claim 6  wherein each panel has a uniform thickness not greater than 6 inches. 
     
     
         12 . The kit of  claim 6  wherein each panel has a uniform thickness not greater than 2 inches.