GB2403978A

GB2403978A - Frame with components of wood and wood/plastic composite

Info

Publication number: GB2403978A
Application number: GB0414112A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Nicholas David Howarth
Original assignee: Howarth Timber Windows & Doors
Current assignee: Howarth Timber Windows & Doors
Priority date: 2003-07-12
Filing date: 2004-06-24
Publication date: 2005-01-19
Also published as: GB0414112D0; GB0316359D0

Abstract

A building frame element, for a door or window, has a wooden frame 1 mounted to face the interior of a building and a cladding 2 of a wood plastic composite material mounted to face the exterior, and the two may be formed with tongue and groove connection. A glazing bead 3 may also be formed of the composite material. The composite may be formed from recycled wood and recycled waste plastic, formulated to be machined and worked using traditional timber manufacturing methods, and to accept the same paint and stain finishes being used on the wood frame.

Description

I J

DESCPON

"BUILDING E. LAMENT MANUFAE The present invention relates to building elements such as doors, windows and frames and to a constructional component for use in the fabrication thereof.

Specifiers frequently prefer timber windows for a number of reasons. Firstly, the occupant of the room can appreciate the aesthetics of a timber finish. Secondly, timber windows which are made from timber grown from well managed sustain yield forests have good environmental credentials. Thirdly, timber is a very versatile material from which windows can be made that match those already installed in other buildings in the surrounding locality.

A problem with timber windows however is that the timber itself is frequently not durable and requires cyclical redecoration in order to stop it degrading and the function ofthe window being compromised. Making a composite window where the interior of the frame is made from timber and hence has the associated aesthetic benefits, but the external parts made from materials that require minimum maintenance can obviate disadvantages associated with the exterior of the window being made from timber.

Traditionally these exterior claddings are made from a plastic (usually PVCu), or a metal (usually aluminium). These exterior claddings however have disadvantages.

Externally they alter the appearance ofthe window in such a way that it no longer closely matches the appearance of a pure timber window. The claddings are also frequently made from materials which do not have the same positive perceived environmental credentials as timber, grown from well managed and sustained forests. These considerations are also found to apply to other exterior building elements such as doors and frames.

It is an object ofthis invention is to provide a building element which has all the aesthetic and environmental benefits of timber both on the inside and the outside, yet is clad externally with a low maintenance material.

It is yet another object ofthe invention to provide a constructional element for use in the fabrication of windows.

Accordingly, this invention provides for the interior timber part of the building element to be clad externally with a wood-plastic composite. This wood-plastic composite is a durable low maintenance material, and is colour matched to the timber it is marrying up to. Additionally the woodplastic composite is formulated such that it can be machined and worked using traditional timber manufacturing methods so that it can be made to look like the timber it is replacing. The wood-plastic composite is also formulated to accept the same paint and stain finishes being used on the timber interior of the building element. The fact that the wood-plastic composite can be made from a combination of recycled timber and recycled wasted plastic gives it strong environmental credentials.

The fact that the wood-plastic composite can be manufactured using traditional timber manufacturing methods, and accepts the same paint finishes as the timbers, gives the building element substantially lower manufacturing costs, compared to building elements made from other composites; in addition to its aesthetic benefits.

The interior of the building element can either be made Mom hardwood or softwood species. The exterior wood-plastic composite cladding can be made from a mixture of wood flour or flax, mixed with a range of recycled plastics such as polypropylene or PVCu.

The important characteristics of the wood-plastic composite are that it can be decorated using the same paint or stain finish as the interior of the building element, it can be machined using traditional timber manufacturing methods, it is stable having a low thermal coefficient of expansion, and it is durable in nature.

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. I shows a section through the frame jamb and sash style; Fig. 2 shows a section through the frame mullion and sash style; Fig. 3 shows a section through the frame head and sash rail, and Fig. 4 shows a section through the frame cill and sash rail The composite window comprises of an interior profile 1, made from timber and may be of varying species, shapes and sizes. The exterior wood-plastic composite exterior cladding 2 may also be made of varying shapes and sizes.

Typically, the wood plastic profile is extruded with the required profile.

However, the nature of the material is such that it can be machined as required using In order to eliminate the need to use nails to temporarily secure the wood-plastic composite 2 to the timber 1, and also to assist its accurate location, a tongue on the wood plastic composite 2 slots into a groove in the timber 1, a quick curing, fully exterior grade, glue is used to bond the wood-plastic composite 2 to the timber 1. The quick curing feature ofthe glue also assists in the elimination of the need to temporarily secure the wood-plastic composite 2 to the timber 1. The fully exterior feature of the glue ensures a permanent bond, even if the glue is exposed to water.

The glazing bead 3 is also made from wood-plastic composite and is attached to the window using a clip glazing system, identical to if it were made from timber. There are several such clip systems commonly available for fitting timber beads to timber windows. Alternatively the glazing bead 3 could be attached to the window using a foam, or mastic tape glazing system, identical to if it were made from timber. There are several such tape systems commonly available for tiffing timber beads to timber windows.

It will be appreciated that the above system for making windows manufactured from timber and wood-plastic composites may be used on various styles, e.g. hinged casement, tilt and turn, sliding, roof windows etc. and of various sizes of windows. It may also be used for making doors and door frames, sidelights and entrance frames.

These windows and doors may be used for new build, replacement and conservatory walling or roofing.

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..................................................................CLME: CLAIMS

Claims

1. A building element comprising a wooden frame mountable inside a wall of

a building and defining inner surfaces disposed in use towards the interior of the building and exterior surfaces disposed in use towards the exterior of the building, wherein each of the exterior surfaces of the frame is covered with wood plastic composite cladding.

2. A building element according to claim 1, wherein the wooden flame is comprised of a plurality of sections, each section having an exterior surface being covered by a section of wood plastic composite cladding.

3. A building element according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the building element further comprises a sash mounted in the frame and defining inner surfaces disposed in use towards the interior of the building and exterior surfaces disposed in use towards the exterior of the building, wherein each of the exterior surfaces of the frame is covered with wood plastic composite cladding.

4. A building element according the claim 3, wherein the sash further comprises an exterior mounted glazing bead of said wood plastic composite.

5. A building element according to any preceding claim, wherein the wood plastic composite cladding is bonded to the wooden frame using exterior grade adhesive.

6. A building element according to claim 5, wherein the facing surfaces of the wood plastic composite cladding and the wooden frame are tongued and grooved.

7. A constructional component for use in the fabrication of doors and windows comprising a first section of wood shaped to conform to the interior profile of c the door or window and a second section of wood plastic composite affixed to the first section and shaped to conform to the exterior profile of the door or window.

8. A constructional component according to claim 7, wherein the first and second sections each define a facing surface and the facing surfaces are bonded together.

59. A constructional component according to claim 8, wherein the facing surfaces of the first and second sections are tongued and grooved.

10. A building element substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

11. A constructional component substantially as hereinbefore described with 10reference to the accompanying drawings.