Abstract: A starter strip for through-wall-flashing of a cement-based exterior finish and hard siding includes a flashing membrane and a body. The flashing membrane has an inner surface that includes first and second inner surface portions containing self-adhering adhesive. The first inner surface portion is configured to permanently attach to at least one wall substrate. The body includes a first vertical leg having an inner surface attached to the second inner surface portion of the flashing membrane. The first vertical leg includes upper and a lower portions. The body also includes a second vertical leg and an outwardly and downwardly projecting leg extending between the lower portion of the first vertical leg and the second vertical leg. The outwardly and downwardly projecting leg includes first and second pluralities of spaced apertures, configured to relieve cavity air pressure and drain water from the body, respectively.

Abstract: A laminated board is secured to the inner wall of a cavity wall construction to establish a defined spacing between the inner and outer walls and prevent excess mortar from bridging to the inner wall. The laminated board has a series of spaced sockets into which fasteners may project into the face of the inner wall or framing thereof to secure the outer wall. The board is installed prior to the construction of the outer wall and establishes a minimum spacing or gap between the walls based upon the thickness of the board. The outer wall is constructed immediately adjacent to the outer face of the laminated board. The board is impervious and eliminates bridging by the mortar, eliminates transfer of bulk water from the exterior finish to the inner wall and provides an air conduit to exhaust even the minimal amounts of vapor that will occur in the cavity.

Abstract: A starter strip for through-wall-flashing of a cement-based exterior finish and hard siding includes a flashing membrane and a body. The flashing membrane has an inner surface that includes first and second inner surface portions containing self-adhering adhesive. The first inner surface portion is configured to permanently attach to at least one wall substrate. The body includes a first vertical leg having an inner surface attached to the second inner surface portion of the flashing membrane. The first vertical leg includes upper and a lower portions. The body also includes a second vertical leg and an outwardly and downwardly projecting leg extending between the lower portion of the first vertical leg and the second vertical leg. The outwardly and downwardly projecting leg includes first and second pluralities of spaced apertures, configured to relieve cavity air pressure and drain water from the body, respectively.

Abstract: A laminated board is secured to the inner wall of a cavity wall construction to establish a defined spacing between the inner and outer walls and prevent excess mortar from bridging to the inner wall. The laminated board has a series of spaced sockets into which fasteners may project into the face of the inner wall or framing thereof to secure the outer wall. The board is installed prior to the construction of the outer wall and establishes a minimum spacing or gap between the walls based upon the thickness of the board. The outer wall is constructed immediately adjacent to the outer face of the laminated board. The board is impervious and eliminates bridging by the mortar, eliminates transfer of bulk water from the exterior finish to the inner wall and provides an air conduit to exhaust even the minimal amounts of vapor that will occur in the cavity.

Abstract: In various embodiments, this invention includes a wall assembly having an interior generally vertical wall having a wall face, an exterior generally vertical wall confronting and being spaced from the wall face, and a generally horizontal ledge extending perpendicularly to the interior and exterior walls. A cant member is installed above grade on the wall assembly and has a upper portion, a lower portion and a cant portion intermediate the wall and lower portions. The upper portion is juxtaposed in face-to-face relation to the wall face and the lower portion is juxtaposed in face-to-face relation to the ledge with the cant portion extending between the wall and lower portions such that a flashing is supported by the cant and moisture on the wall face of the interior wall is diverted by the cant member along the cant portion toward the exterior wall and away from the wall assembly.

Abstract: A joint device is installed between adjacent components during construction to provide a proper transition between the components. The joint device has a generally L-shaped configuration with a first leg of the device that may be mounted to the outer face of the inner wall of a cavity wall construction and in the cavity between the spaced walls. The second leg projects generally perpendicularly from the first leg and from the inner wall toward the outer wall adjacent the bricks at which the movement joint is located. The second leg of the joint includes a series of segments in which a terminal end portion of the second leg is joined to a remainder thereof by frangible connections or perforated joints. After the joint device is installed on the inner wall and the outer wall is constructed, the terminal end portion of the second leg is removed by being torn along the appropriate frangible joint depending upon the spacing between the components.

Abstract: A flashing kit seals or waterproofs a hole in a wall with a conduit penetrating therethrough. The flashing kit generally includes a first flashing member adapted to be mounted to the wall adjacent the hole, a second flashing member adapted to be mounted to the wall adjacent the hole and the first flashing member, a third flashing member wrapped onto the conduit adjacent the first and second flashing members, and a fourth flashing member adapted to be applied to the wall over the first and second flashing members. The fourth flashing member has an aperture for receiving the conduit and may include one or more leaves spaced about the aperture. The leaves are adapted to bend in order to accommodate the conduit and are covered by a fifth flashing member wrapped around the conduit.

Abstract: A finishing member for masonry walls allows for simple installation and accurate placement of caulking around windows and doors in cavity wall construction. This invention accommodates a wide variety of window or door frame profiles, particularly those having an outwardly directed channel such as so called J-channel frames, for the detailing and finishing work required for proper installation of a window or door into a masonry veneer or cavity wall construction without requiring a highly skilled and labor intensive installation.

Abstract: A corrugated board is secured to the inner wall of a cavity wall construction to establish a defined spacing between the inner and outer walls and prevent excess mortar from bridging to the inner wall. The corrugated board has a series of spaced channels, furrows or grooves into which an anchor projects into the studs of the inner wall to secure the outer wall. The corrugated board is installed prior to the construction of the outer wall and establishes a minimum spacing or gap between the walls based upon the thickness of the board. The outer wall is constructed immediately adjacent to the outer face of the corrugated board. The grooves or channels of the corrugated board create a chamber for vapor and air circulation. The board eliminates bridging by the mortar and provides an air conduit to exhaust even the minimal amounts of vapor that will occur in the cavity.

Abstract: An apparatus for insertion between a masonry element at least partially defining a perimeter of an opening in an architectural structure and a frame surrounding the perimeter and having at least one surface includes a sponge structure adapted to rest against the frame and having at least one surface. The apparatus further includes a rigid member affixed to the sponge structure and adapted to rest against the masonry element and a coupling element affixed to the sponge structure and adapted to be coupled to a surface of the frame. In another aspect of this embodiment, the surface of the sponge structure is adapted to adhere to a sealant. The sponge structure may include closed cell blended EPDM neoprene.

Abstract: A flashing and weep apparatus allows for simple installation and accurate placement windows and doors in cavity wall construction. In a first embodiment, the flashing and weep apparatus is a two-panel extrusion that has a flashing panel that acts as a non-porous support for the masonry veneer. This embodiment also includes a second panel which is joined at a generally right angle to the first panel to be juxtaposed against the outer face of the inner wall in the cavity wall construction. Weep channels are formed between the two panels and allow for the drainage and dissipation of water and other moisture in the cavity wall system. In a second embodiment, membrane is initially attached to and draped along the lower portion of the inner wall immediately above the sill or lintel. The membrane extends across the cavity spacing between the walls to underlie the masonry components forming the outer veneer.

Abstract: A masonry wall tie for anchoring a masonry wall to an inner wall of a cavity wall construction includes a base channel member having a pair of spaced generally parallel side walls and an anchor clip configured for engaging the base channel member. A slot is formed in each of the channel side walls. Each slot has an outwardly-extending lip bordering the slot. The base member is fastened to the outer surface of the inner wall. The anchor clip has a pair of oppositely projecting arms, each of which is seated in one of the slots in the side walls. The length of the slots determines the height adjustment of the anchor clip when engaged with the base channel member. The anchor clip spans the gap between the two walls in the cavity wall construction and the brace of the clip is seated within the mortar joint between the bricks or other masonry units on the outer wall.

Abstract: An efficient and reliable installation for a water tight and an aesthetically pleasing transition between adjacent building or construction components is provided with use of a backer rod material for placement between adjacent building or construction components for subsequent caulking. A closed cell foam backer rod material includes a terminal end portion of the backer rod joined to a remainder thereof by a frangible connection or perforated joint. The frangible connection or joint in the backer rod is nonlinear or arcuate-shaped to provide a crown-shaped or convex-shaped backer rod surface to receive the caulking compound to finish the joint. After the backer rod material is installed into the joint, the terminal end portion of the backer rod is removed by being torn along the frangible joint. A bead of caulk or similar finishing material is applied in the recess to provide a smooth and aesthetically pleasing transition from the frame to the wall.

Abstract: A corrugated board is secured to the inner wall of a cavity wall construction to establish a defined spacing between the inner and outer walls and prevent excess mortar from bridging to the inner wall. The corrugated board has a series of spaced channels, furrows or grooves into which an anchor projects into the studs of the inner wall to secure the outer wall. The corrugated board is installed prior to the construction of the outer wall and establishes a minimum spacing or gap between the walls based upon the thickness of the board. The outer wall is constructed immediately adjacent to the outer face of the corrugated board. The grooves or channels of the corrugated board create a chamber for vapor and air circulation. The board eliminates bridging by the mortar and provides an air conduit to exhaust even the minimal amounts of vapor that will occur in the cavity.

Abstract: A flashing and weep apparatus allows for simple installation and accurate placement windows and doors in cavity wall construction. In a first embodiment, the flashing and weep apparatus is a two-panel extrusion that has a flashing panel that acts as a non-porous support for the masonry veneer. This embodiment also includes a second panel which is joined at a generally right angle to the first panel to be juxtaposed against the outer face of the inner wall in the cavity wall construction. Weep channels are formed between the two panels and allow for the drainage and dissipation of water and other moisture in the cavity wall system. In a second embodiment, membrane is initially attached to and draped along the lower portion of the inner wall immediately above the sill or lintel. The membrane extends across the cavity spacing between the walls to underlie the masonry components forming the outer veneer.

Abstract: A hopper (10, 120) for use with flowable material (12) such as particulate, aggregate, sand, salt, gravel, top soil or the like includes at least one pivotal gate (14) attached to a frame (18) of the hopper (10, 120). Advantageously, the gate (14) swings toward an open position in response to the weight of the material (12) in the hopper (10, 120) to allow the material (12) to flow out of the hopper (10, 120). Additionally, the gate (14) automatically returns toward the closed position by gravity due to the position of the pivot axis of the hinge (16) connecting the gate (14) to the frame (18) relative to the center of gravity of the gate (14). Furthermore, a latch (58) and other features of the hopper (10, 120) control the movement of the gate (14) to regulate the flow of the material (12) from the hopper (10, 120).

Abstract: A combustion air kit for providing a source of external air to feed a fire in a firebox is installed during new construction or as a retrofit unit into existing fireplaces. A masonry air vent brick having a hole therein air flow is included in the combustion air kit. The flow of air through the brick and to the firebox is regulated by a spinner cap mounted for rotation on a threaded post seated within a plug contained in the air vent brick. The air vent brick is connected to a flexible duct which is attached at an opposite end to a vent inlet brick located on the external of the house, chimney or other structure. The vent inlet also includes a vent inlet cover to provide an attractive inlet for the air to the firebox.