FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to the field of building construction. More specifically,
the invention provides a method for interim sealing of window and door openings in
a building under construction.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] During construction of a building, it is a normal situation that door and window
openings in the walls of the building are sealed by means of interim means for several
months. Such sealing means are often in the form of wooden plates or thin polymeric
foils or the like which help to ensure that rain or snow does not enter the building.
However, in order to speed up the process of drying the concrete inside the building,
it is common to warm up the building, e.g. by means of electric heaters, district
heating, or the like. During the winter season, a large amount of electric energy
is used to heat buildings, due to the poor thermal insulation of the building because
of the interim sealing of the door and window openings which only provide little or
no thermal insulation.
[0004] Thus, both with respect to economical and environmental considerations, the waste
of energy for heating the building in the construction phase due to poor interim sealing
methods is a problem. To help this problem, solutions exist in the form of sealing
plates which provide at least a limited thermal insulation, however such solutions
are rather expensive.
[0005] A further problem with existing methods for interim sealing of door and window openings
is the man power required to mount the interim sealing means. Afterwards, man power
is also required to remove the interim sealing means and possibly also destroying
it or transporting it away from the building site, at the time the wall construction
has been finished and the permanent doors and windows should be finally mounted.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] Following the above description, it may be seen as an object of the present invention
to provide a method for sealing of door or window openings of a building while the
building is still under construction. The method should save energy to heating, and
it should be easy to apply to a normal building construction process.
[0007] The invention provides a method for sealing a door or window opening of a building
under construction, the method comprising
- mounting a door or window in the door or window opening so as to seal the opening
during a further construction phase of the building, wherein the door or window is
arranged for permanent installation in the door or window opening, and
- mounting a removable knockproof panel, such as a transparent or semi-transparent polymeric
panel, in front of the door or window, so as to protect at least a majority of a front
area of the door or window, preferably covering the entire front of the door or window.
[0008] By 'under construction' is understood that the building is in a phase where it is
out of its intended normal use, especially during construction of a new building,
where walls with door or window openings have been built, but remaining interior and
exterior part of the building is not finished. Especially, in case of brick wall or
concrete building, there is a need for providing heat to speed up the process of drying
the interior part of the building.
[0009] By mounting the doors and windows intended which are intended for permanent installation
in the building provides a significant increase in thermal insulation effect compared
to normal interim sealing methods. Thus, a significant amount of energy for heating
the building during the construction phase can be saved, since the thermal insulation
effect of the doors and windows that are intended for permanent use in the building
is taken advantage of already at an early phase. This is made possible by means of
the removable knockproof panel which serves to protect the door or window from possible
damage due to the ongoing work e.g. by bricklayers during the construction phase of
the building. Such damage may be in the form of accidential physical impact on the
door or window front or frame or by splashes of acid on the door or window. This is
why it is normally not possible to mount the doors and windows intended for permanent
installation during the construction phase, since the expensive doors and windows
will most often be damaged if present in this phase. Instead interim sealing solutions
are normally selected.
[0010] Apart from the saved energy expenses, the invention provides a number of advantages
since the invention allows that a building can be made airtight at an early stage
in the construction process. Draught inside the building is avoided, an improved working
environment is obtained, the drying of the interior of the building is improved, a
better finish can be obtained, and in general a higher level of quality of the building
can be obtained. Further, it is possible to comply with legal requirement in the winter
period which exist at least in some countries. Still further, extra expenses man lift
or scaffolds can be avoided. It is easy to provide a correct sealing of the building.
Expenses are saved to interim sealing solutions, and in general the elimination of
interim sealing solutions helps to provide a more efficient construction process.
Finally, the more efficient construction process results in a smaller requirement
for man, thus decreasing wages expenses during the construction phase.
[0011] After the construction phase has been completed, the removable panels can be removed,
and the doors and windows can be finally joint to the wall. Thus, there is only a
minimum of work required to remove the knockproof panels re-used, and compared to
prior art solutions, there is no need to dismantle and to destroy interim wooden structures
or the like, prior to preparing for mounting the doors and windows. This helps to
speed up the entire building process, since the doors and windows can be mounted at
an early phase where the building is scaffolded due to the construction work with
the inner walls.
[0012] By 'knockproof' or impact proof is understood a panel with a structure rigid enough
to withstand normal weather conditions such as rain and snow and also be able to protect
the door or window from normally occurring impacts during building construction work
to avoid scratches, bumps and dents and the like on the door or window. Thus, the
panel is capable of providing a significant further protection than a polymeric foil
or the like. Further, the panel is preferably transparent or semi-transparent to at
least allow a a large portion of daylight to enter the building, thus facilitating
work in the interior part of the building without the use of electric light.
[0013] Especially in modern high insulation buildings with an inner wall and an outer wall
with a rather large distance, where the inner wall in built before the outer wall,
the method is advantageous since the doors and windows can be mounted at an early
stage of the building construction. As soon as the inner wall is built, the doors
and windows can be mounted therein before the construction of the outer wall begins,
and due to the knockproof panels, the thermal insulation effect of the doors and windows
is utilized for a long period. In case of large building, the permanent doors and
windows can be mounted several months before they would normally be mounted, in case
a normal interim sealing solution is provided.
[0014] Preferably, the method comprises mounting a knockproof side panel perpendicular to
the front of the door or window, so as cover at least part of the frame structure
of the door or window, preferably comprising covering the majority of the frame structure
of the door or window. Especially, side panels can be mounted to cover all four frame
sides of a normal rectangular window (three sides in case of a door). Hereby, an optimal
protection of the door or window can be obtained.
[0015] As mentioned, it is preferred that the door or window is fastened to an inner wall
of the building, prior to construction or finishing of the outer wall of the building.
Thus, mounting the door or window and the knockproof panel just after the inner wall
is built, an optimal thermal insulation of the interior of the building can be obtained.
[0016] In preferred embodiments, the method comprises mounting one or more fastening members
arranged for fastening the knockproof panel in front of the door or window. E.g. at
least one fastening member is mounted on each side of the window, or one fastening
member may be mounted on each corner of the door or window such that the knockproof
panel is mounted or fastened directly onto the front of the door of window. The fastening
of the knockproof panel to the front of the door or window may be performed prior
to mounting the door or window in the door or window opening. Thus, especially the
door or window may be provided with the knockproof panel already at the door or window
manufacturer. However, alternatively, the parts may be assembled on the building site
just before mounting of the protected door and window on the building. As an alternative,
the fastening of the knockproof panel in front of the door or window may be performed
after mounting the door or window in the door or window opening.
[0017] It is to be understood that the knockproof panel in front of the door or window is
meant to be removed after finishing parts of work related to construction of the building
that could potentially damage the door or window, thus leaving the door or window
uninfluenced by the building process.
[0018] It is to be understood that the knockproof panel is preferably mounted or fastened
to the front of the door or window or to the building in a manner allowing it to be
easily removed, such as allowing a user or operator to remove the panel by hand without
the need for a tool. Especially, it may be preferred to re-use the knockproof panel,
and thus preferably the knockproof panel is preferably mounted by means of fastening
members or fittings that do not damage the panel.
[0019] The one or more fastening means are preferably arranged to fasten the knockproof
panel, preferably a rather thin plane plate or panel, directly to the front of the
door or window, so as to occupy a minimum of extra space compared to the door or window
alone.
[0020] The one or more fastening members are preferably arranged for being fastened to both
of the frame of the door or window and to a wall of a building. Thus, the one or more
fastening members, e.g. in the form of a specially designed metal fitting in one piece,
is preferably arranged to both fasten the door or window to the wall of the building
and to serve to fasten the knockproof panel to the front of the window. E.g. by the
fastening members being attached to a side of the door or window frame, so as to allow
an invisible fastening member when seen from the front. Especially, the door and window
may already from the manufacturer be mounted with a number of mounting fittings and
with the knockproof panel already mounted. Thus, on the building site, such pre-protected
door or window unit can easily be mounted to the wall of the building by means of
screws, thereby building site. However, it is to be understood that existing doors
and windows with wooden or aluminium frames can be used, where the fastening members
and the knockproof panels are brought to the building site separately and mounted
together either with the mounting of the door or window on the wall before mounting
the knockproof panel onto the wall or window frame, or in reverse order.
[0021] In preferred embodiments, the one or more fastening members comprises a fastening
mechanism allowing a user to fasten or to unfasten the knockproof panel by hand without
a tool. This allows easy mounting, in case the knockproof panel is not already mounted
from the manufacturer, and at least it allows easy removal of the knockproof panel,
thus saving expensive working time. In a special embodiment, the one or more fastening
members comprises a threaded part protruding in front of a plane constituted by the
front of the door or window, wherein the one or more fastening members further comprises
a screw member, such as a wing nut, arranged to engage with the threaded part so as
to allow a user to fasten or to unfasten the knockproof panel by hand without a tool.
More specifically, the threaded part protruding in front of the plane constituted
by the front of the door or window may be arranged for being removed after use, thus
leaving no visible remaining parts after the door or window has been finally joint
to the wall, e.g. by an elastic joint. This may be achieved by the threaded part being
arranged for being broken off a remaining part of the fastening member.
[0022] In preferred embodiments providing additional protection, at least a knockproof side
panel is arranged for being mounted perpendicular to a front plane of the door or
window, so as to protect at least a part of the frame of the door or window. Especially,
knockproof side panels are provided to protect all frame sides of the door or window
(normally four sides of a window, and three sides of a door).
[0023] The type of knockproof panel to be used for the front and also side panels may be
a transparent or at least semi-transparent plane panel or plate. E.g. the panel may
be a polycarbonatic plate, such as a dual layer polycarbonatic plate, or an acrylic
plate, such as having a thickness of 2 mm to 20 mm. However, it is to be understood
that the primary protection effect can be achieved by many different materials, also
wooden panels, even though the transparent effect is preferred since it allows daylight
to enter the interior of the building during the construction phase.
[0024] These and other aspects of the invention will be apparent from and elucidated with
reference to the embodiments described hereinafter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0025] Embodiments of the invention will be described in more detail in the following with
regard to the accompanying figures. The figures show one way of implementing the present
invention and is not to be construed as being limiting to other possible embodiments
falling within the scope of the attached claim set.
Fig. 1a-1d shows section sketches of different stages of construction of a building
with the early mounting of a door or window according to the invention, and
Fig. 2 shows a section drawing of an embodiment with fastening means having a threaded
portion with a wing nut for easy mounting and removing of knockproof front and side
panels.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT
[0026] To allow an easy overview of the method and system according to the invention, Figs.
1a-d serve to explain, by means of one section sketches of embodiment, how the invention
can be applied in the process of constructing a building, such as building a house
in the form of a dwelling, an office building or the like. The illustrations of Figs.
1a-d show an example of a modern building design with a rather large distance between
an inner wall and an outer wall, e.g. a brick wall, which is normal for buildings
with a larger thermal insulation effect.
[0027] Fig. 1a shows the building at an early stage where only the inner wall IW is yet
built, thus providing a window opening WO providing no thermal insulation between
the interior of the building IN and the outside OUT.
[0028] Fig. 1b shows a first stage according to the invention, namely mounting of the window
W which is determined for permanent installation in the building. The window is fastened
to the inner wall IW with fastning means FM1, FM2, in principle as a normal means
for mounting such window W on a wall IW. However, a knockproof polycarbonatic panel
PP, e.g. a 5-15 mm thick, allows early mounting of the window W on the inner wall
IW before an outer wall is built without the risk of damaging or even completely destroying
the window W due to impacts during the remaining building process. Hereby, a high
thermal insulation effect is achieved, thus helping to save energy for heating the
interior IN of the building for drying and for ensuring an acceptable working temperature
inside the building IN e.g. during a winter period where construction work is going.
Energy for electric light inside the building IN can be saved, if the polycarbonatic
panel PP is transparent or at least semi-transparent, since daylight can then enter
the interior IN of the building.
[0029] Fig. 1c shows the building after the outer wall OW has finally been built and the
brickwall structure around the window openings has been finalized. The knockproof
polycabonatic panel PP is still in place and has served to protect the window from
impacts during the construction of the outer wall OW.
[0030] Fig. 1d shows the window W after the knockproof panel PP has been removed, and the
window W is prepared for the final finish in the form of an elastic joint between
its frame and the wall structure. Such joint may be introduced either before or after
removal of the knockproof panel PP.
[0031] In the solution shown in Figs. 1a-d, only one knockproof panel PP is shown, namely
one covering the entire front area of the window W, but it is to be understood that
additional panels can also be provided to cover sides of frame of the window W, which
is illustrated by example in Fig. 2.
[0032] Fig. 2 shows a section drawing of a specific embodiment of a rather simple fastening
means or fitting means FM that serves to both fasten the window W to a wall WL of
the building and at the same time serves to fasten a protection front panel PP1 and
also a protection side panel PP2 to the window W. It is to be understood that only
one fitting means FM member is show, but to fasten a window W, e.g. four or more fitting
means FM members may be required. Preferably, the fitting means FM members are made
of a metal of a type, such as know in the art.
[0033] The fitting means FM member has a 90° bend BD1, thus allowing fastening to a front
side of the wall WL by means of a screw SC, while another part of the fitting means
FM is fastened to the window frame F, e.g. a wooden frame, my means of spikes which
are twisted or wrenched into engagement with the window frame F structure. However,
the fitting means may alternatively be mounted to the window frame F by means of one
or more screws. A small optional bend BD2 is provided to allow easier mounting of
window plates. The 90° bend BD1 can also be omitted in case it is preferred to fasten
the window W to an edge of the wall WL instead of the front of the wall WL.
[0034] The fitting means FM structure further comprises a threaded rod TR which is threaded
at least on its distal end which protrudes in front of the frontal part of the window
W. A wing nut WN with a corresponding thread allows a user to remove or mount the
wing nut WN, thus fastening or releasing an angled hinge AH that serves to hold both
the front panel PP1 and the side panel PP2, since the threaded rod TR is rigidly mounted
to he remaining part of the fitting means FM. As seen, the threaded rod TR is connected
to the further fitting means FM structure by a breaking part BP with a thin structure
which is arranged for breaking by means of a pair of nippers or the like. This allows
the protruding and thus visible part of the fitting means FM to be removed after the
wing nut WN has been released and the panels PP1, PP2 have been removed, and thus
preparing the finishing with an elastic joint or the like.
[0035] The protection side panel PP2 may specifically be of a thermal insulating material
which can thus serve as a back stop for an elastic joint.
[0036] The illustrated solution is one example of many different specific solutions to be
used for fastening of protection panels PP1, PP2. The threaded rod TR and the wing
nut WN is only one specific solution which allows an easy mounting and removing of
the panels PP1, PP2, and which is suited also for the window manufacturer to apply
already in the manufacturing state of the window, thus providing a window unit which
is already protected and ready to mount on a wall.
[0037] Other solutions to possibly replaced the threaded rod TR and wing nut WN are: snap
fits or snap locks or clip fits or clip lock mechanisms. However, it is to be understood
that in principle other mounting solutions requiring tools may alternatively be used.
[0038] The actual design of a one-piece fastening member or fitting means should preferably
be selected to match the actual design of the frame of the door or window.
[0039] It may be preferred to provide one knockproof panel sized to fit the entire front
of the door or window, but with the angle hinge AH shown in Fig. 2, it is possible
to combine two or even more layers of panels with different dimensions, such that
it is possible to cover the entire or at least a large part of the front area of the
door or window with partly overlapping panels kept in place by the force provided
by the angle hinge AH. This allows use of rather small panels which can still be combined
to cover a variety of door and window dimensions. Hereby, time required to cut panels
to the correct dimension of the door or window can be saved.
[0040] If preferred, the front of the knockproof panel may be provided with commercials
or other information or decoration.
[0041] To sum up, the invention provides a method for sealing a door or window opening of
a building under construction. A door or window is mounted in the door or window opening
so as to seal the opening during a further construction phase of the building. The
door or window is the component which is actually intended for permanent installation
in the door or window opening. Further, a removable knockproof panel, such as a transparent
or semi-transparent polymeric panel, is mounted in front of the door or window, such
as covering the entire front of the door or window. Hereby, the door or window front
is protected in the building construction phase. This eliminates the need for interim
sealing solutions using wooden structures and plastic foils and the like. Compared
to existing methods, energy is saved to heating of the interior of the building during
the construction phase, because the high thermal insulation effect of the permanent
door or window is provided at an early stage. The knockproof panel may be a transparent
2-20 mm thick polycarbonatic plate. One or more further panels may be arranged to
protect sides of the door or window. A combined fitting means may be used to both
mount the door or window in the opening, and to fasten the knockproof panel in a removable
way so as to allow easy removal from the knockproof panels. This allows the protective
panels to be mounted by the door or window manufacture for easy installation at the
building site.
[0042] Although the present invention has been described in connection with the specified
embodiments, it should not be construed as being in any way limited to the presented
examples. The scope of the present invention is set out by the accompanying claim
set. In the context of the claims, the terms "comprising" or "comprises" do not exclude
other possible elements or steps. Also, the mentioning of references such as "a" or
"an" etc. should not be construed as excluding a plurality. The use of reference signs
in the claims with respect to elements indicated in the figures shall also not be
construed as limiting the scope of the invention.
1. A method for sealing a door or window opening of a building under construction, the
method comprising
- mounting a door or window in the door or window opening so as to seal the opening
during a further construction phase of the building, wherein the door or window is
arranged for permanent installation in the door or window opening, and
- mounting a removable knockproof panel in front of the door or window, so as to protect
at least a majority of a front area of the door or window,
wherein the door or window is fastened to an inner wall of the building, prior to
construction or finishing of the outer wall of the building.
2. Method according to claim 1, comprising mounting a knockproof side panel perpendicular
to the front of the door or window, so as cover at least part of the frame structure
of the door or window, preferably comprising covering the majority of the frame structure
of the door or window.
3. Method according to any of the preceding claims, comprising mounting one or more fastening
members arranged for fastening the knockproof panel in front of the door or window.
4. Method according to claim 3, comprising fastening the knockproof panel to the front
of the door or window prior to mounting the door or window in the door or window opening.
5. Method according to claim 3, comprising fastening the knowckproof panel in front of
the door or window after mounting the door or window in the door or window opening.
6. Method according to any of the preceding claims, comprising removing the knockproof
panel in front of the door or window after finishing parts of work related to construction
of the building that could potentially damage the door or window.
7. Method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the knockproof panel is a
transparent or semi-transparent polymeric panel.
8. Method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the knockproof panel covers
the entire front of the door or window.
1. Verfahren zum Abdichten einer Tür- oder Fensteröffnung in einem im Bau befindlichen
Gebäude, wobei das Verfahren umfasst:
- Einbauen einer Tür oder eines Fensters in der Tür- oder Fensteröffnung, sodass die
Öffnung während einer weiteren Bauphase des Gebäudes abgedichtet wird, wobei die Tür
oder das Fenster für den dauerhaften Einbau in der Tür- oder Fensteröffnung angeordnet
ist, und
- Einbauen einer entfernbaren schlagfesten Blende vor der Tür oder dem Fenster, sodass
mindestens ein Großteil eines Frontbereichs der Tür oder des Fensters geschützt wird,
wobei die Tür oder das Fenster an einer Innenwand des Gebäudes vor dem Bau oder der
Beendigung der Außenwand des Gebäudes befestigt ist.
2. Verfahren nach Anspruch 1, umfassend den Einbau einer schlagfesten Seitenblende senkrecht
zur Frontseite der Tür oder des Fensters, sodass mindestens ein Teil der Rahmenkonstruktion
der Tür oder des Fensters abgedeckt wird, was vorzugsweise die Abdeckung des Großteils
der Rahmenkonstruktion der Tür oder des Fensters umfasst.
3. Verfahren nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, umfassend den Einbau von einem
oder mehreren Befestigungselementen für die Befestigung der schlagfesten Blende vor
der Tür oder dem Fenster.
4. Verfahren nach Anspruch 3, umfassend die Befestigung der schlagfesten Blende an der
Frontseite der Tür oder des Fensters vor dem Tür- oder Fenstereinbau in der Tür- oder
Fensteröffnung.
5. Verfahren nach Anspruch 3, umfassend die Befestigung der schlagfesten Blende vor der
Tür oder dem Fenster nach dem Tür- oder Fenstereinbau in der Tür- oder Fensteröffnung.
6. Verfahren nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, umfassend das Entfernen der schlagfesten
Blende vor der Tür oder dem Fenster nach Beendigung von Teilen der Baumaßnahmen am
Gebäude, welche die Tür oder das Fenster möglicherweise beschädigen könnten.
7. Verfahren nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei die schlagfeste Blende eine
transparente oder halbtransparente Polymerblende ist.
8. Verfahren nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei die schlagfeste Blende die
gesamte Frontseite der Tür oder des Fensters abdeckt.
1. Un procédé pour rendre étanche une ouverture de porte ou de fenêtre d'un bâtiment
en cours de construction, ce procédé comprenant
- le montage d'une porte ou d'une fenêtre dans l'ouverture de porte ou de fenêtre
de manière à rendre l'ouverture étanche lors d'une prochaine phase de construction
de l'immeuble, dans laquelle la porte ou la fenêtre est agencée pour une installation
permanente dans l'ouverture de porte ou de fenêtre, et
- le montage d'un panneau anti-choc amovible à l'avant de la porte ou de la fenêtre,
en vue de protéger au moins la plus grande partie de la surface avant de la porte
ou de la fenêtre,
dans lequel la porte ou la fenêtre est fixée à une paroi intérieure du bâtiment, avant
la construction ou les finitions de la paroi extérieure de l'immeuble.
2. Un procédé conforme à la revendication 1, comprenant le montage d'un panneau latéral
anti-choc perpendiculaire à l'avant de la porte ou de la fenêtre, de manière à recouvrir
au moins une partie de l'encadrement de porte ou de fenêtre, comprenant de préférence
la couverture de la majeure partie de l'encadrement de la porte ou de la fenêtre.
3. Un procédé conforme à l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, comprenant
le montage d'un ou de plusieurs éléments de fixation, en vue de fixer le panneau anti-choc
à l'avant de la porte ou de la fenêtre.
4. Un procédé conforme à la revendication 3, comprenant la fixation du panneau anti-choc
à l'avant de la porte ou de la fenêtre avant le montage de la porte ou de la fenêtre
dans l'ouverture de porte ou de la fenêtre.
5. Un procédé conforme à la revendication 3, comprenant la fixation du panneau anti-choc
à l'avant de la porte ou de la fenêtre après le montage de la porte ou de la fenêtre
dans l'ouverture de porte ou de la fenêtre.
6. Un procédé conforme à toutes les revendications précédentes, comprenant le retrait
du panneau anti-choc à l'avant de la porte ou de la fenêtre après les travaux de finition
relatifs à la construction de l'immeuble susceptibles d'endommager la porte ou la
fenêtre.
7. Un procédé conforme à toutes les revendications précédentes, dans lequel le panneau
est un panneau anti-choc en polymère transparent ou semi-transparent.
8. Un procédé conforme à toutes les revendications précédentes, dans lequel le panneau
anti-choc recouvre toute la face avant de la porte ou de la fenêtre.