[0001] The present invention relates to an insulating member for insulating a roof window
comprising a stationary rectangular frame with top, bottom, and side frame pieces
surrounding an opening, each frame piece having a length, an inner side facing the
opening, an outer side opposite the inner side, an interior side interconnecting the
inner and outer sides and adapted for facing the interior of a building, and an exterior
side opposite the interior side, said insulating member having an elongate shape with
a length corresponding substantially to the length of said top and bottom frame pieces
or to the length of said side pieces, and a pre-defined cross-section. The invention
further relates to a method for insulating a roof window.
[0002] It is well known, that the work associated with installing roof windows is highly
demanding and often presents the worker with many challenges, such as working on inclined
surfaces and in strong winds. Therefore, it is desirable to simplify the installation
of such windows to avoid mistakes that might lead to incorrect mounting or building
material falling or blowing of the roof during installation.
[0003] On this background it is an object of the invention to provide an insulation member
as described above, which improves the step of insulating a roof window to ensure
correct installation and safer working conditions.
[0004] According to the invention this is accomplished by means of an insulating member
comprising a first insulating element and a second insulating element which, in a
supply condition, are interconnected at a predefined separation zone extending between
a first side of the interconnected insulating member and a second side opposite to
the first side and along the length of said insulating member, the first insulating
element being adapted for insulating a first frame piece of the window by, in an installed
condition, being arranged adjacent to the outer side of the first frame piece with
an abutment side of said first insulating element facing the frame, and the second
insulating element being adapted for insulating a second frame piece of the window,
which is opposite to the first frame piece, by, in an installed condition, being arranged
adjacent to the outer side of the second frame piece with an abutment side of said
second insulating element facing the frame.
[0005] With such an insulating member the insulating elements may remain interconnected
in one piece up until installation, meaning that fewer components have to be handled
before insulating the roof window, thereby making the installation work easier.
[0006] In the supply condition, wherein the insulating member is in one piece, each insulating
element may be connected to the other at its abutment side or a portion of its abutment
side, i.e. the abutment side is exposed by the separation, or it may be connected
at another surface, such that the abutment side forms part of the exposed surface
of the insulating member.
[0007] In some embodiments the first insulating element is adapted for insulating the top
frame piece of the window and the second insulating element is adapted for insulating
the bottom frame piece of the window. Such embodiments are advantageous because insulating
elements adapted for insulating the top and bottom frame pieces often have different
cross-sectional shapes due to the different requirements for these insulating elements,
and by having them as one insulating member it is ensured that one of each will be
available at installation.
[0008] The interconnection between the first and second insulating elements may be provided
by fusing the two insulating elements together, e.g. by chemically or thermally softening
the material at part of the surface of the insulating elements such that they can
be merged together, or by using fastening means, such as welds, adhesives, clamps,
hook-and-loop, etc., or a combination thereof. However, in a preferred embodiment
the insulating member is moulded or extruded in one piece. In such an embodiment,
the interconnection between the first and second insulating elements is provided by
a portion of the insulating member which is adapted for being cut or broken to separate
the insulating elements, thereby serving as the separation zone. Besides avoiding
the need for fastening means, simultaneous manufacturing of the first and second insulating
elements has the additional advantage that the need for an extra molding or extrusion
process is avoided, thereby lowering production costs.
[0009] The separation zone should be understood as a narrow zone or plane extending through
the insulating member to allow predetermined separation. In the simplest embodiments
it may be provided by external markings showing the worker where to cut the insulating
member to separate the first and second insulating elements. However, in some embodiments
the insulating member is provided with a weakening of the interconnection between
the first and second insulating elements at the separation zone. The weakening may
be realized by the material of the separation zone or the fastening means being weak
compared to the material of the first and second insulating elements, such that when
pulled or wringed apart the insulating member will separate at the separation zone.
This may be accomplished by using a weak adhesive, weld, foam, or similar as fastening
means or by creating a structural weakening, e.g. by making a gap, a slit, or a cavity
extending partially through the material of the insulating member at the separation
zone or by lowering the density or strength of the material of the insulating member
locally at the separation zone. Structural weakenings of the material at the separation
zone can be created either during manufacture of the insulating member by creating
the insulating member with less material at the separation zone, or subsequently by
removing or cutting part of the material at the separation zone.
[0010] In some embodiments of the invention the width between the abutment side and an opposite
side of the first and/or second insulating elements decreases over at least part of
the height of the insulating element, wherein the height of an insulating element
is defined as the direction which, when said insulating element is arranged in its
installed position, extends from the interior to the exterior side, such that said
insulating element has a maximum width at the side adapted for facing the interior.
It is noted that the heights are defined by the orientation of the insulating elements
relative to the window in the installed condition, and that in the supply condition
the height direction of each insulating element may point in different directions
depending on how the first and second insulating elements are interconnected.
[0011] By shaping the insulating elements in this way they can be made to follow the shape
of flashing- and cover members typically used on the outer and exterior sides of the
roof window. This can be advantageous as particularly the flashing might be subjected
to heavy loads during installation and subsequent work on the roof and the support
provided by the insulating element fitting closely underneath helps the flashing withstand
such pressure in addition to improving insulation by filling the cavity below the
flashing members.
[0012] The insulating member may in principle be made from any thermally insulating material,
but it is preferably made from a thermally insulating material which is also elastic
and/or compressible, such as moulded or extruded polymer foams, e.g. foams made from
polystyrene, polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, or polyurethane.
[0013] In an embodiment of the invention the first and/or second insulating elements comprise
one or more secondary separation zones. Said secondary separation zones being adapted
for allowing an adaptation of the shape of the insulating elements, e.g. according
to an installation depth and/or angle of the window. This means that the shape of
the insulating element can be easily modified to meet the requirements of certain
installation conditions, since the predefined secondary separation zones can be used
to indicate where to remove superfluous material. The secondary separation zones can
be realized in the same way as the separation zone between the first and the second
insulating elements described above, and two or more ways of realizing the separation
zones may be used in one insulating member.
[0014] In some embodiments the first and/or second insulating elements comprise an adhesive
arranged on the abutment side and/or another side of the insulating element. Such
an adhesive may further facilitate installation, as it may be used for at least temporary
fastening of the insulating element to a fixed structure, such as the stationary window
frame or the roof structure, ensuring that the insulating element will stay in place
at least during installation. In embodiments where adhesives have been used for interconnecting
the insulating elements, they may additionally fulfill the purpose as means for at
least temporary fastening to the roof structure or the frame of the roof window during
construction.
[0015] In further developments of this embodiment the adhesive is, in the supply condition,
protected by a cover strip. Besides protecting the adhesive up until installation
the cover strip may additionally serve as a surface on which the installation instructions
can be printed, ensuring that they will not be separated from the insulating member
before installation.
[0016] In an embodiment of the invention the first and/or second insulating elements comprise
a sealing element projecting out from the abutment side of the insulating element,
said sealing element being adapted for, in the installed condition, being arranged
overlapping the frame piece at the exterior side of the frame piece. The roof window
will generally further comprise an exterior cover on top of the stationary frame to
protect it from the weather. By providing a sealing element between the frame and
cover the window may gain improved thermal and sound insulation, and by attaching
it to the insulating member additional loose components may be avoided. In some embodiments
the sealing element may in itself serve as a cover, thereby further reducing the number
of individual components.
[0017] In an embodiment of the invention the first and/or second insulating elements comprise
a guide abutment projecting out in the height direction, such that it, in the installed
condition, extends away from the frame in a direction substantially perpendicular
to the frame towards the exterior. In such an embodiment, the exterior cover may be
aligned to the edge of the frame, simply by pushing it against the guide abutment,
thereby ensuring correct installation.
[0018] The object of the invention is further achieved by way of a method for insulating
a roof window comprising a stationary frame with top, bottom, and side frame pieces,
each having a length, an inner side facing the window and an opposite outer side,
and an interior side facing the structure and an opposite exterior side, wherein the
method comprises the steps of providing an insulating member which comprises a first
insulating element having an abutment side and a length corresponding substantially
to the length of a first frame piece of the window and a second insulating element
having an abutment side and a length corresponding substantially to the length of
a second frame piece, which is opposite to the first frame piece, of the window, wherein,
in a supply condition, the first and second insulating elements are interconnected
to each other; separating the interconnected first and second insulating elements;
and arranging the first insulating element adjacent to the outer side of the first
frame piece with the abutment side facing the first frame piece and the second insulating
element adjacent to the outer side of the second frame piece with the abutment side
facing the second frame piece. The method is preferably used to insulate a frame of
a roof window, wherein the first frame piece is the top frame piece and the second
frame piece is the bottom frame piece.
[0019] The method may further comprise a step of adapting the first and/or second insulating
element to an installation depth and/or installation angle of the roof window by using
a predefined secondary separation zone of the insulating element to remove superfluous
material.
[0020] The method may in some embodiments comprise a step of temporarily fixating the first
and/or second insulating element to a frame piece or to another building component,
by using and adhesive which is arranged on a surface of said first and/or second insulating
element.
[0021] The invention will be described in more detail below by means of non-limiting examples
of presently preferred embodiments and with reference to the schematic drawings, in
which:
Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of an insulating member according to the invention
from above,
Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of the insulating member in fig. 1 from below.
Fig. 3 shows the cross-section of the insulating member in fig. 1, taken at the II-line
of fig. 1,
Fig. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of a separated first insulating element,
Fig. 5 shows a cross-sectional view of a separated second insulating element,
Fig. 6 shows a sectional view of a roof window installed in a roof and insulated at
the top and bottom frame pieces by use of an insulating member according to the invention,
Fig. 7 shows a sectional view of the top frame piece of the roof window in fig. 6
insulated by a first insulating,
Fig. 8 shows a sectional view of the bottom frame piece of the roof window in fig.
6 insulated by a second insulating element according to the invention, and
Fig. 9-12 show various realizations of the separation zone.
[0022] The same reference numbers have been used throughout the entire description, even
when describing different embodiments. It should be understood that the reference
numbers relate to particular features of the invention having similar function but
which are not necessarily identical in every embodiment.
[0023] An embodiment of an insulating member 1 according to the invention is shown in fig.
1 and 2. The insulating member 1 comprise a first portion in the form of a first insulating
element 20 and a second portion in the form of a second insulating element 30, which
in the shown embodiment are adapted for insulating the top and bottom frame pieces
of a roof window.
[0024] Throughout this text the terms "top", "bottom" and "side" are used to indicate the
intended position of different parts in the installed position even though these parts
may be located differently during for example storage and transportation or during
manufacture of the insulating member 1. Likewise, the term "interior" and "exterior"
are used to indicate that something is intended to face the interior or exterior of
the building in which the insulating member and the roof window are installed, respectively,
and the terms "inner" and "outer" that something is intended for facing towards or
away from the inner opening surrounded by the frame of the window, respectively, in
the installed condition.
[0025] The insulating member 1 has an elongate shape with a length in the length direction
L corresponding to the length of the frame pieces of the roof window, which it is
adapted for insulating, and a pre-defined cross-section which is substantially uniform
along the length. While the cross-sections of the two insulating elements 20, 30 shown
in this embodiment are different from each other, they can in some embodiments be
identical.
[0026] The insulating elements 20, 30 may be made from any natural or synthetic thermally
insulating material, preferably with a thermal conductivity of less than 1 W/mK in
order to achieve good insulation properties. In a preferred embodiment less than 0.1
W/mK and in a more preferred embodiment it should be lower than 0.040 W/mK. However,
it is also preferable that the material be structurally stable, such that it can provide
support for flashing members 14 used on the exterior side or similar, while to an
extent being compressible and elastic, such that it is easy to handle and install.
[0027] If the material used to make the insulating member 1 is suitable for extrusion or
molding the insulating elements may be produced simultaneously, such that they are
interconnected by the material itself, and, particularly if extrusion is used as the
manufacturing method, many insulating members may be produced as one continuous profile
which can be cut into appropriate lengths afterwards. These manufacturing options
are advantageous as they are cost-efficient. Alternatively, the first and second insulating
elements 20, 30 may be manufactured individually and interconnected by fastening means,
such as adhesives, welds, clamps, etc. or by a combination thereof.
[0028] Fig. 3 to 5 show cross-sectional views of an insulating member 1 according to the
invention in the interconnected and separated conditions. Each insulating element
20, 30 is designed such that it has an abutment side 21, 31 adapted to abut the outer
side of a frame piece of the roof window. In the shown embodiments the insulating
member 1 is further designed such that the width between the abutment side 21, 31
and the opposing side of the first and second insulating elements 20, 30 decreases
along the height h of each insulating element, so that they may follow the shape of
the flashing members 14 as will be described with reference to fig. 6-8. As shown,
this decrease does not have to be continuous or over the entire height h of the insulating
elements.
[0029] In the shown embodiments the second insulating element 30 is connected to the first
insulating element 20 at a part of its abutment side 31, such that the abutment side
31 is only fully exposed after the separation. The first insulating element 20 is
connected to the second insulating element 30 at an interior side which is adapted
for, in the installed condition, facing the interior direction, such that the abutment
side 21 of the first insulating element 20 forms part of the surface of the interconnected
insulation member 1. In alternative embodiments the first and second insulating elements
20, 30 can be interconnected at others sides as will be readily understood by the
skilled person.
[0030] In the embodiment shown in fig. 3 the insulating member is designed with a weakening
of the interconnection at the separation zone 2, which weakening is realized by a
slit extending partially through the insulating member 1, such that the insulating
member 1 will separate at the material in extension of the slit if pulled or wringed
apart. Similar structural weakenings may be realized by a gap, a cavity, a row of
cavities, etc., or a combination thereof extending through or into the insulating
member 1 at the separation zone 2.
[0031] The embodiment of the first and second insulating elements 20, 30 of the insulating
member 1 shown in fig. 4 and 5 further comprise secondary separation zones 24, 34
on each insulating element. These secondary separation zones 24, 34 provide adaptation
options of the cross-sectional shape of each insulating element, such that an insulating
element can be adapted according to a secondary building component, the angle at which
the roof window is installed, and/or the installation depth of the roof window, by
providing the option of tearing or cutting superfluous material away if needed. Although
the shown embodiments comprise multiple secondary separation zones 24 on the first
insulating element 20 and only one secondary separation zone 34 on the second insulating
element 30, the number and positions of the secondary separation zones of each insulating
element may vary in other embodiments.
[0032] The first and second insulating elements 20, 30 shown in fig. 3-5 further comprise
adhesives 25, 35 arranged on the abutment side 21 of the first insulating element
20 and on the interior side the second insulating element 30, which adhesives are
adapted for at least temporarily fastening the insulating elements 20, 30 to the roof
structure or a frame piece of the roof window during installation. Some embodiments
may have several such adhesives arranged on the abutment and/or on other sides. In
the shown embodiments each of the adhesives 25, 35 are covered by a cover strip 26,
36 ensuring that the adhesives 25, 35 are protected up until use.
[0033] In the embodiment shown in fig. 4 the first insulating element 20 comprise a sealing
element 28, which is projecting out from the first abutment side 21 and which is adapted
to provide a sealing between a frame piece of the roof window and an outer cover.
In the shown embodiment the sealing element is molded or extruded with the insulating
member 1, it can however also be produced separately and attached, in which case it
may be produced from a material different from that of the insulating element such
as rubber or polymers. The second insulating element 30 can also be provided with
a similar sealing element.
[0034] In fig. 4 the first insulating element further comprise a guide abutment 29 projecting
out from the top of the insulating element 20, such that it in an installed condition
extends substantially perpendicularly away from the frame of the window in the exterior
direction, said guide abutment 29 being adapted to facilitate placement of a cover
for the frame of the roof window by providing an abutment which the cover can be pushed
against to ensure that it is aligned with the frame of the window. Like the sealing
element 28 the guide abutment 29 is in the shown embodiment molded or extruded in
one piece with the insulating member 1 but it can also be manufactured separately,
possibly in one integral piece with the sealing element, and attached afterwards.
The second insulating element 30 can also be manufactured with a similar guide abutment.
[0035] In the embodiment shown in fig. 5, the second insulating element 30 have a ledge
37 extending from the abutment side 31 of the insulating element. It is adapted for
extending below the interior side of a frame piece or into an indentation of the frame
piece, such that the insulating element supports the frame and fills the space below
the part of the window which projects above the roof. The first insulating element
20 can also be manufactured with a similar ledge.
[0036] It is noted that even though the adhesive 25, 35, the cover strip 26, 36, the sealing
element 28, the guide abutment 29, the secondary separation zones 24, 34, and the
ledge 37 are shown and described here in relation to one embodiment of the invention,
these features are not dependant on each other, and that one may be used without the
others.
[0037] Fig. 6-8 show an insulating member 1 in the installed condition with a roof window
structure 10 installed in a roof opening. The insulating member 1 has been separated
into the first and second insulating elements 20, 30 and used to insulate the top
and bottom frame pieces 12, 13 by arranging the insulating elements 20, 30 at their
respective frame pieces 12, 13 with the height direction of each insulating element
pointing in the exterior direction.
[0038] As shown in figures 6-8, the cross-sectional shape of the insulating elements 20,
30 allow them to substantially follow the shape of the flashing members 14, thereby
allowing the flashing members 14 to withstand external pressure which they might be
subjected to, particularly during installation of the roof window, and providing improved
insulation.
[0039] Fig. 7 further show how a sealing element 28 on the first insulating element 20 provides
a seal between the top frame cover 15 and the exterior side of the top frame piece
12 giving the roof window 10 improved sound and thermal insulating properties. The
figure also shows that the edge of the cover 15 have been pushed against a guide abutment
29 provided on the first insulating element 20, thereby assuring that the cover 15
is aligned with the frame piece 12. In the embodiment shown in fig. 7 the sealing
element 28 and guide abutment 29 have been provided by means of a separate element
attached to the insulating element during installation.
[0040] Fig. 9-12 show various examples of how the separation zone may be provided. In fig.
9 the separation zone has been defined by a portion of the insulating member wherein
the material density is reduced locally to lower the strength compared to the remaining
material. In fig. 10 the two insulating elements have been connected by using an adhesive.
In fig. 11 the separation zone have been defined by a row of cavities, each cavity
extending through the material in the length direction. In fig. 12 the insulating
elements have been connected by means of a secondary material, such as a weaker polymer.
[0041] The person skilled in the art realizes that the present invention by no means is
limited to the preferred embodiments described above. On the contrary, many modifications
and variations are possible within the scope of the appended claims.
1. An insulating member for insulating a roof window comprising a stationary rectangular
frame with top, bottom, and side frame pieces surrounding an opening, each frame piece
having a length, an inner side facing the opening, an outer side opposite the inner
side, an interior side, and an exterior side opposite the interior side,
said insulating member having an elongate shape with a length corresponding substantially
to the length of said top and bottom frame pieces or to the length of said side pieces,
and a pre-defined cross-section,
characterized in that said insulating member comprises:
a first insulating element and a second insulating element which, in a supply condition,
are interconnected at a predefined separation zone extending between a first side
of the interconnected insulating member and a second side opposite to the first side
and along the length of said insulating member,
the first insulating element being adapted for insulating a first frame piece of the
window by, in an installed condition, being arranged adjacent to the outer side of
the first frame piece with an abutment side of said first insulating element facing
the frame, and
the second insulating element being adapted for insulating a second frame piece of
the window, which is opposite to the first frame piece, by, in an installed condition,
being arranged adjacent to the outer side of the second frame piece with an abutment
side of said second insulating element facing the frame.
2. The insulating member of claim 1 wherein the first insulating element is adapted for
insulating the top frame piece of the window and the second insulating element is
adapted for insulating the bottom frame piece of the window.
3. The insulating member of claim 1 or 2, wherein the width between the abutment side
and an opposite side of the first and/or second insulating elements decreases over
at least part of the height of the insulating element, wherein the height of an insulating
element is defined as the direction which, when said insulating element is arranged
in its installed position, extends from the interior to the exterior side.
4. The insulating member of any of the previous claims, wherein the insulating member
is moulded or extruded in one piece.
5. The insulating member of any of the previous claims, wherein the insulating member
is provided with a weakening of the interconnection between the first and second insulating
elements at the separation zone.
6. The insulating member of any of the preceding claims wherein the insulating elements
are made from a thermally insulating material, such as polystyrene, polyethylene,
polyvinyl chloride, polyurethane, or any other suitable material.
7. The insulating member of any of the preceding claims wherein the first and/or second
insulating elements comprise one or more secondary separation zones.
8. The insulating member of any of the preceding claims wherein the first and/or second
insulating elements comprise an adhesive arranged on the abutment side and/or another
side of the insulating element.
9. The insulating member of claim 8, wherein the adhesive is, in the supply condition,
protected by a cover strip.
10. The insulating member of any of the preceding claims wherein the first and/or second
insulating elements comprise a sealing element projecting out from the abutment side
of the insulating element, said sealing element being adapted for, in the installed
condition, being arranged overlapping the frame piece at the exterior side of the
frame piece.
11. The insulating member of any of the preceding claims wherein the first and/or second
insulating elements comprise a guide abutment projecting out in the height direction,
such that it, in the installed condition, extends away from the frame in a direction
substantially perpendicular to the frame.
12. A roof window for installation in a load-bearing roof structure, said roof window
comprising a stationary frame with top, bottom, and side frame pieces, each having
a length, an inner side facing the window and an opposite outer side, and an interior
side facing the structure and an opposite exterior side, said roof window further
comprising an insulation member according to any of the previous claims wherein, after
separation, the first insulating element is arranged adjacent to the outer side of
a first frame piece and the second insulating element is arranged adjacent to the
outer side of the second frame piece, which is opposite to the first frame piece.
13. A method for insulating a roof window, comprising a stationary rectangular frame with
top, bottom, and side frame pieces, each having a length, an inner side facing the
window and an opposite outer side, and an interior side facing the structure and an
opposite exterior side, said method comprising the steps of:
(a) providing an insulating member which comprises
a first insulating element having an abutment side and a length corresponding substantially
to the length of a first frame piece of the window; and
a second insulating element having an abutment side and a length corresponding substantially
to the length of a second frame piece, which is opposite to the first frame piece,
of the window,
wherein, in a supply condition, the first and second insulating elements are interconnected
to each other,
(b) separating the interconnected first and second insulating elements, and
(c) arranging the first insulating element adjacent to the outer side of the first
frame piece with the abutment side facing the first frame piece, and the second insulating
element adjacent to the outer side of the second frame piece with the abutment side
facing the second frame piece.
14. The method of claim 13, wherein the first frame piece is the top frame piece and the
second frame piece is the bottom frame piece.
15. The method of claim 13 or 14 further comprising the step of adapting the first and/or
second insulating element to an installation depth and/or installation angle of the
roof window by using a predefined secondary separation zone of the insulating element
to remove superfluous material.
16. The method according to any of claim 13 to 15 further comprising the step of temporarily
fixating the first and/or second insulating element to a frame piece or to a secondary
building component, by using and adhesive which is arranged on a surface of said first
and/or second insulating element.