A CLADDING SYSTEM

The present invention relates to a cladding system for a structure and in particular to a cladding system for a chimney, a dormer window or other structure primarily but not essentially built from masonry. Hereinafter in the specification claims the term 'masonry' is used to include other materials from which a structure is built.

The traditional method of weatherproofing a chimney or a dormer window is a two stage process. The first stage involves a plasterer applying a base coat of plaster to the external surface of the masonry. This base coat of plaster is allowed to set for at least twenty four hours and the second stage of the process is carried out when the plasterer returns to the roof to apply a finish coat. This method of applying weatherproofing to the masonry of the chimney or dormer window is subject to inclement weather conditions and also has the disadvantage that any roofing finish can not be applied until the plastering process is completed.

It is an object of the present invention to obviate or mitigate against the weather problems associated with the traditional method of weatherproofing a chimney or dormer window and against the problems associated with spillage of mortar during the plastering process.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a cladding system comprising panels formed for extending across a surface and template guides removably locatable on the surface for sizing the panels on site. ideally, the template guides are removably locatable on the surface for marking to define an outline of the surface for cutting the panels to the outline on site.

Advantageously, the cladding system can be applied in all weather conditions and it greatly reduces the time taken to weatherproof the chimney, dormer window or other structure. It also removes the need for employing plasterers in the early stages of construction and it is light weight and user friendly. Furthermore, it is suitable for new builds and is equally suitable for retrofitting to existing structures. Beneficially, the template guides provide the cladding system with a degree of flexibility allowing a single panel to be cut on site to the outline defined by markings on the

template guide to suit a large number of structures of varying dimensions. This removes the need for bespoke cladding systems to suit different shapes and sizes of structures.

Preferably, the cladding system comprises means for sealing the gap between contiguous edges of two adjacent panels.

Ideally, the sealing means is suitable for use between a pair of panels meeting at a corner of a structure.

Preferably, the cladding system is suitable for covering the masonry of a structure.

Preferably, the means for sealing the gap between the edges of two panels meeting at a comer is an elongate corner bracket.

Ideally, corner bracket fixing means are provided for fixing the elongate corner brackets to the masonry.

Preferably, panel fixing means are provided for fixing the panels to the elongate corner brackets. Ideally, panel-to-masonry fixing means are provided between the masonry of the structure and the internal surface of the panel.

Preferably, the panel-to-masonry fixing means is provided by hooks and loops fastening strips or some form of adhesive material such as a pressure activated adhesive material.

Preferably, a masonry mounted portion of the panel-to-masonry fixing means is mounted onto the masonry by masonry fixings.

Ideally, a panel mounted portion of the panel-to-masonry fixing means is adhered to the internal surface of the panel using glue or so me similar adhesive material.

Ideally, the elongate corner brackets have a pair of rebates for receiving panels so that the panels and the elongate corner brackets form a flush continuous external cladding. Preferably, free longitudinal edges of the elongate corner bracket have apertures for receiving the corner bracket masonry fixings for fixing the elongate corner brackets onto the corners of the structure.

Preferably, the panels have a textured surface.

In a second embodiment of cladding system, the means for sealing th e gaps between the vertical edges of two panels meeting at a corner is provided by angled corner covers.

In the second embodiment, the angled corner covers are fixed in place on a portion of the external surface of two panels meeting at a corner at or about their vertical edges.

In the second embodiment, the angled corner covers are adhered to the panels by adhesive.

In the second embodiment, the external surface of the angled corner covers has a textured surface. Preferably, the cladding system comprises jointing means for jointing two panels meeting on a planar surface of the masonry.

Ideally, the jointing means comprises an elongate jointing member have a t-shaped cross- section.

Preferably, the t-shaped jointing member is a strip like member with a textured surface. Ideally, the free lateral edges of a cap member of the t-shaped jointing member have a recess.

Preferably, the recess is perforated.

Ideally, the cladding system comprises corbelling means for cladding a corbelled structure.

Preferably, the corbelling means comprises elongate external angle corbel cladding members.

Ideally, the external angle corbel cladding members are L-shaped cross-sectional strip members.

Preferably, a free lateral edge of the L-shaped external angle corbel cladding strip member has a perforated recess. Ideally, the corbelling means comprises an internal angle corbel cladding member.

Preferably, the internal angle corbel cladding member is an L-shaped cross-sectional strip member.

The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings which show by way of example only two embodiments of a cladding system in accordance with the invention. In the drawings: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a prior art chimney with a partially cutaway view of the mortar exposing brick and corner bead;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of cladding system showing a partially cutaway cladding panel in accordance with the invention;

Figure 3 is a top plan view of Figure 2 showing an exploded view of the cladding system; Figure 3a is a top plan corner detail view of the cladding system of Figures 2 and 3;

Figure 4 is a top plan partial view of a second embodiment of chimney cladding system in accordance with the invention;

Figure 5 is a partially cutaway perspective view of a panel of the cladding system; Figure 6 is a partially cutaway perspective view of a template guide of the cladding system; Figure 7 is a partially cutaway perspective view of an elongate corner bracket;

Figure 8 is a partially cutaway perspective view of an angled corner cover for the second embodiment of cladding system in accordance with the invention; Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view of a jointing member; Figure 10 is a partial perspective view of the jointing member of Figure 9; Figure 1 1 is a partial perspective view of an external angle corbel cladding member;

Figure 12 is a partial perspective view of an internal angle corbel cladding member; Figure 13 is an end view of the corbel cladding member of Figure 11 ; Figure 14 is a vertical sectional view of a corbel chimney and cladding system; Figure 15 is a partially cutaway front elevational view of a dormer window showing details of Figure 7 and Figure 10; and

Figure 16 is a perspective view of a dormer window showing details of Figures 5, 6, 7 and 10 Referring to the drawings and initially to Figure 1 , the traditional method of rendering a chimney 5 involves a plasterer attaching a lead flashing 15 onto the base of the chimney 5 and then fixing angle beads 14 which are suitable for render along the vertical length of the corners of

the chimney 5. The plasterer then applies a base coat of plaster 12 onto the brickwork of the chimney 5. This base coat of plaster 12 is left for at least twenty four hours to dry. The plasterer then returns to the chimney 5 and applies a smooth layer of textured plaster finish 11. This method of applying weatherproofing to the masonry of the chimney 5 is subject to inclement weather conditions and also has the disadvantage that any roofing finish can not be applied until the plastering process is completed.

Referring now to Figures 2, 3, 5 and 6, there is shown a first embodiment of a cladding system for a chimney indicated generally by the reference numeral 21 having elongate corner brackets 3 vertically mounted on each chimney corner of the chimney 5. Panels 2 are provided for extending between a pair of elongate corner brackets 3 for covering the masonry of the chimney 5. Template guides 22, see Figure 6 are provided for temporarily locating between the elongate corner brackets 3 and for marking with marking lines 23 to define an outline for sizing the panels 2 on site. The panels 2 have a textured finish 39, see Figure 5 and the chimney 5 has a chimney pot 8 and a fill material 9 around the chimney pot 8.

Advantageously, the cladding system 21 can be applied in all weather conditions and it greatly reduces the time taken to weatherproof the chimney 5. It also removes the need for employing plasterers in the early stages of construction and ft is light weight and user friendly. Furthermore, it is suitable for new builds and is equally suitable for retrofitting to existing chimneys. Beneficially, the template guides 22 provide the cladding system 21 with a degree of flexibility allowing a single panel 2 to be cut on site to the outline defined by marking lines 23 on the template guide 22 to suit a large number of chimneys 5 of varying dimensions. This removes the need for bespoke cladding systems to suit different chimney shapes and sizes.

Corner bracket masonry fixings 7 are provided for fixing the elongate corner brackets 3 to the masonry of the chimney 5. Panel-to-corner bracket fixings 6 preferably in the form of adhesive, such as glue, are provided for fixing the panels 2 to the elongate corner brackets 3. A panel-to- chimney fixing 1 is provided between the masonry of the chimney 5 and the internal surface of the panel 2. A chimney mounted portion 31 , see Figure 3 of the panel-to-chimney fixing 1 is mounted onto the chimney 5 by masonry fixings 32. A panel mounted portion 33 of the panel-to chimney

fixing 1 is adhered to the internal surface of the panel 2 using glue or some similar adhesive material. The panel-to-chimney fixing 1 is provided by hooks and loops fastening strips such as Velcro® or some similar form of adhesive material such as a pressure activated adhesive material. The elongate corner brackets 3 see especially Figure 7, have a pair of rebates 36 for receiving panels 2 so that the panels 2 and the elongate comer brackets 3 form a flush continuous external cladding system 21. The free longitudinal edges 38 of the elongate corner brackets 3 have apertures 69 for receiving the corner bracket masonry fixings 7, see Figure 3 for fixing the elongate corner brackets 3 onto the corners of the chimney 5. The elongate corner brackets 3 have a textured finish 39.

In a second embodiment of cladding system indicated generally by the reference numeral 41 as shown in Figure 4, the same panel-to-chimney fixing 1 is provided between the masonry of the chimney 5 and the internal surface of the panel 2. The chimney mounted portion 31 of the panel-to-chimney fixing 1 is mounted onto the chimney 5 by masonry fixings and the panel mounted portion 33 of the panel-to chimney fixing 1 is adhered to the internal surface of the panel 2 using glue or some similar adhesive material. Instead of elongate corner brackets 3, the second embodiment of chimney cladding system 41 has angled corner covers 42 which are fixed in place about a portion of the external surface of the panels 2 along their vertical edges. The angled corner covers 42 are glued to the panels 2 by fixing glue 6. The external surface of the angled corner covers 42 has a textured finish 39, see Figure 8.

In use, and referring initially to the first embodiment of the invention, in order to install the cladding system 21 a person carries the relevant component parts of the system up to the chimney 5. Flashing 15 is installed on the base of the masonry of the chimney 5 and the elongate corner brackets 3 are fixed one at a time to the corners of the chimney 5 by masonry fixings 7 being hammered through the apertures 69 and into the masonry of the chimney 5. The template guides 22 are then set into place for each chimney wall and the exact size of panels 2 required is marked on the template guide 22. The person takes the template guides 22 and the panels 2 down to the ground and cuts the panels 2 to size and climbs back up to the chimney 5. The person then fits the panel-to-chimney fixing 1 between the masonry of the chimney

5 and the internal surface of the panels 2. The chimney mounted portion 31 of the panel-to- chimney fixing 1 is mounted onto the chimney 5 at predetermined locations by masonry fixings 32 and the panel mounted portion 33 of the panel-to-chimney fixing 1 is adhered to the internal surface of the panel 2 using jointing glue 6 or some similar adhesive material. Jointing glue 6 is then deposited onto the rebates 36 of each elongate corner bracket 3 and the panels 2 are pressed into position. The panels 2 are secured in place by the jointing glue 6 along both rebates 36 of opposing elongate corner brackets 3 and by the panel-to-chimney fixings 1. The panel-to- chimney fixing is provided to allow the jointing glue 6 time to form a strong bond between chimney 5 and panel 2. The chimney cladding system 21 provides a flush continuous external cladding.

In use, in order to install the second embodiment of cladding system 41 , the person carries the relevant component parts of the system 41 up to the chimney 5. Flashing 15 is again installed on the base of the masonry of the chimney 5 but in this embodiment the template guides 22 are then set into place for each chimney wall and the exact size of panels 2 required is marked on the template guide 22. The person takes the template guides 22 down to the ground and cuts the panels 2 to size and climbs back up to the chimney 5. The person then fits the panel-to-chimney fixing 1 as a first stage of assembly of the system 41. The chimney mounted portion 31 of the panel-to-chimney fixing 1 is mounted onto the chimney 5 at predetermined locations by masonry fixings and the panel mounted portion 33 of the panel-to-chimney fixing 1 is adhered to the internal surface of the panel 2 using jointing glue 6 or some similar adhesive material. The panels 2 are then pressed onto the chimney 5 so that the chimney mounted portion 31 and the panel mounted portion 33 of the fixing 1 are in alignment. Jointing glue 6 is then deposited on the internal surfaces of the angled corner covers 42 along their free edges and the angled corner covers 42 are pressed into position sealing the gaps between the vertical edges of adjacent panels 2. In this embodiment, additional masonry fixings 7 are driven through apertures in the panels 2 into the masonry of the chimney 5 for additional strength.

Referring to the drawings and now to Figures 1 1 to 14, there is shown an arrangement indicated generally by the reference numeral 51 for cladding a corbelled chimney 52. The corbelling arrangement 51 comprises elongate external angle corbel cladding members 53 with a

textured surface 39. The external angle corbel cladding members 53 are L-shaped cross- sectional strip members and a free lateral edge of the L-shaped external angle corbel cladding strip member 53 has a rebate 54 which is perforated. The corbelling arrangement 51 also comprises internal angle corbel cladding members 55 and the internal angle corbel cladding members 55 are also L-shaped cross-sectional strip member. In Figure 14, the corbelling arrangement 51 is shown in an assembled position where an internal angle corbel cladding member 55 is built into the internal angle between the substantially flat planar surface 57 of the corbelled chimney 52 and the first projecting brick 58 and is held in place by a panel 2 of the cladding system. An external angle corbel cladding member 53 is built onto the vertical face of the first projecting brick 58 and is held in place by the internal angle corbel cladding members 55 above and below. The corbelled chimney 52 is clad as shown using any suitable arrangement of internal angle corbel cladding members 55 and external angle corbel cladding members 53 as the particular structure requires. Elongate comer brackets 3 or angled corner covers 42 are both suitable for sealing the gaps between adjacent corbel cladding member 53, 55 when mounted on the masonry of the chimney 52.

Referring to Figures 9 and 10, a jointing member 63 is shown for jointing two panels 2 meeting on a planar surface. The jointing member 63 is an elongate strip-like jointing element with a t-shaped cross-section. The t-shape of the jointing member 63 defines two recesses 70 for receiving the panels 2. The jointing member 63 has a textured surface 64 on the free end of a central leg 69 of the t-shaped jointing member 63 and the free lateral edges 65 of a cap member 66 of the t-shaped jointing member 63 have a perforated recess 67 for receiving fixings.

Referring now to Figures 15 and 16, there is shown a dormer window cladding system indicated generally by the reference numeral 71. A dormer window 73 is formed in the roof of a dwelling by a carpenter using standard roof opening and framing techniques and a weather proofing membrane 72 covers the timber framework built for supporting the dormer roof and roofing finish 74. The elevation face of the dormer window 73 has an opening for receiving a window frame 76 for supporting a pair of glass panes 75. Lead cover flashing 15 is fitted at the intersection of the base of the dormer window 73 and the roof 78 which the dormer window 73 is

built out of. Elongate corner brackets 3 are fitted along the external angles of the reveals of the window opening and at the corners of the front and lateral faces of the dormer window 73. Template guides 22 are used to mark the outline of the surfaces of the dormer window 73 to be clad with panels 2 and these panels 2 are fitted to the surfaces of the dormer window 73.

Corner bracket fixings are provided for fixing the elongate corner brackets 3 to plywood or some similar panelling means covering the timber framework of the dormer window 73. Panel-to- corner bracket fixings preferably in the form of glue are provided for fixing the panels 2 to the elongate corner brackets 3. A panel-to-dormer window fixing is provided between the panelling of the dormer window 73 and the internal surface of the panel 2. A dormer window mounted portion of the panel-to-dormer window fixing is mounted onto the dormer window by mechanical fixings. A panel mounted portion of the panel-to-dormer window fixing is adhered to the internal surface of the panel 2 using glue or some similar adhesive material. The panel-to-dormer window fixing is provided by Velcro® strips or some similar form of adhesive material such as a pressure activated adhesive material.

The elongate corner brackets 3 see Figure 7, have a pair of rebates 36 for receiving panels 2 so that the panels 2 and the elongate corner brackets 3 form a flush continuous external cladding system 71. The free longitudinal edges 38 of the elongate corner brackets 3 have apertures 69 for receiving the corner bracket fixings, see Figure 3 for fixing the elongate corner brackets 3 onto the corners of the dormer window 73 and onto the external angles of the reveals of the window opening. The elongate comer brackets 3 have a textured finish 39.

In order to avoid carrying unnecessarily large panels 2 from the ground onto the roof, jointing members 63 are provide for jointing two panels 2 meeting on a planar surface. The cap member 66 rests on the planar surface and the central leg 69 of the jointing member 63 protrudes substantially orthogonally from the planar surface. The free end of the central leg 69 has a textured surface 64 and the free lateral edges 65 of the cap member 66 of the t-shaped jointing member 63 have perforated recesses 67 which receive fixing members for fixing the jointing members 63 to the dormer window 73.

Variations and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention described above and as claimed hereinafter