GB2199857A - Building panels - Google Patents

Abstract

A building panel comprises an elongate panel member formed of metallic sheet coated on each surface with synthetic plastics. The panel member 3 has a fascia portion 4 and a soffit portion 6 and includes apertures 10 formed at the outer margin of the soffit portion. <IMAGE>

Description

"bUILDING PANELS" This invention relates to building panels intended for use as fascias and soffits.

It is well-known to build fascia boards to the lower ends of roof rafters and to provide between the said ends and an adjacent wall which supports the rafters a soffit board so as to hide the rafters from view and to inhibit ingress into the roof space. It is known to provide fascia panels and also soffit panels made of metallic sheet coated on one side. with a synthetic plastic.

The present invention however aims to provide an improved and more convenient panel and to facilitate the provision of a combined fascia and soffit with provision for ventilation.

The present invention is based on the provision of an integral elongate panel member which has a portion adapted to constitute a fascia board and a portion adapted to constitute a soffit. The integral nature of the fascia and soffit simplifies the construction of the building; the panel members may be made in different sizes and shapes if desired. It is desirable that the member should include apertures permitting air flow into and drainage of water out of the space which is formed, in use, above the soffit. This provision is particularly important if, as preferred, the panel member comprises a laminate of a metal sheet, which may be treated to resist corrosion, and which is coated on each surface with the synthetic plastics material.Though such a laminate is convenient for a variety of reasons, it is particularly important to allow drainage of water condensing from the air space above the soffit. The aforementioned apertures may be disposed in a margin of the soffit adjacent, and in use below, the fascia. The apertures may be covered by a mesh or meshes which may be disposed on the interior side of the soffit portion. Such a mesh may be useful in the prevention of ingress of insects.

The present invention also provides a method of building including fitting over the ends of a row of roof rafters a panel member which has a fascia portion and integral therewith a soffit portion and fixing a margin of the soffit to an adjacent wall.

The invention includes within its scope a building including panels affixed to rafters and an adjacent wall in accordance with the method of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING The drawing illustrates, in simplified form, a section through a building panel shown in position after it has been affixed to a wall and rafters extending over the wall.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION The drawing illustrates by way of example only one embodiment of the present invention. The arrangement shown in the drawings includes a wall 1 of a building and one rafter 2 of a plurality of rafters which, as in normal practice, extend over the wall and protrude outwardly beyond it. A panel 3 is in elongate form; it may be made in any desired length and size according to circumstances. The panel 3 is an integral member and includes a panel portion 4 which is to be disposed adjacent the ends of the rafters. The upper margin 5 of the panel member 3 may be bent inwardly from the portion 4 so as to fit over the upper side margin of the rafters 2.

Extending from the bottom of the fascia portion 4 is a soffit portion 6 which may, but need not, terminate in a downturned flange 7 which may be disposed in contact with the outer surface of the wall 1. Alternatively, the inner margin of the soffit portion 6 may be attached by any suitable means to a batten 8 secured to the wall 1.

The panel member 3 includes apertures 10 which enable a flow of air into the space 11 formed in use above the soffit. The apertures 10 also provide for drainage of water which may condense from this air space 11. Preferably but not essentially the apertures 10 are formed in a row along the length of the panel member and are disposed in an outer margin 9 which is disposed obliquely to the remainder of the soffit 6 and adjoins the fascia portion 4.

The apertures 10 are preferably covered on the inside by a wire mesh 12.

Preferably the panel member 3 is a laminate formed of a metal sheet, which may be bent to form the various portions including the fascia and the soffit and which, after having been treated in any desired and suitable manner to inhibit corrosion, is coated on both sides with a suitable, known, synthetic plastics material. Such a laminate, which requires no painting, is very convenient to use.

However, the formation of the fascia and soffit as an integral member, particularly if the member is plastics-coated metal, makes the provision of the apertures 10 highly desirable.

Claims (6)

CLAIMS:

1. A building panel comprising an integral elongate member having a portion adapted to constitute a fascia board and a portion adapted to constitute a soffit, the member including apertures permitting air flow into, and drainage of water out of, a space formed in use above the soffit.

2. A panel according to claim 1 in which the member comprises a laminate of a metallic sheet coated on each surface with a synthetic plastics material.

3. A panel according to claim 1 or claim 2 in which the apertures are disposed in a margin of the sof fit adjacent and in use below the fascia portion.

4. A panel according to any foregoing claim in which the apertures are covered by a mesh.

5. A method of making a building including fitting over the ends of a row of roof rafters a panel member which has a fascia portion and integral therewith a soffit portion and fixing a margin of the soffit portion to an adjacent wall.

6. A building including panels affixed in accordance with the method of claim 5.