U.S. patent application number 10/945123 was filed with the patent office on 2005-03-31 for roofing underlayment.
Invention is credited to Haas, Christine, Moras, Guy.
Application Number | 20050066593 10/945123 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34140482 |
Filed Date | 2005-03-31 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050066593 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Haas, Christine ; et
al. |
March 31, 2005 |
Roofing underlayment
Abstract
A roofing underlayment for placement over a roof substrate prior
to the application of shingles, tiles or other roofing materials.
The underlayment comprises a sheeting material having an upper
surface and a lower surface. The underlayment contains a grid that
is visually identifiable from above the underlayment when the
underlayment is received over the roof substrate with its lower
surface adjacent to the roof substrate. The grid assists in the
alignment of the underlayment with the roofing substrate during
application of the underlayment to the substrate and further
assists in the alignment of roofing materials applied over the
underlayment.
Inventors: |
Haas, Christine; (North Bay,
CA) ; Moras, Guy; (Repentigny, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WOOD, PHILLIPS, KATZ, CLARK & MORTIMER
500 W. MADISON STREET
SUITE 3800
CHICAGO
IL
60661
US
|
Family ID: |
34140482 |
Appl. No.: |
10/945123 |
Filed: |
September 20, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
52/198 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04D 15/02 20130101;
E04D 12/002 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
052/198 |
International
Class: |
E04B 007/00; E04C
001/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 26, 2003 |
CA |
2,443,143 |
Claims
We claim:
1. A roofing underlayment for placement over a roof substrate prior
to the application of shingles, tiles or other roofing materials,
the underlayment comprising a sheeting material having an upper
surface and a lower surface, said underlayment containing a grid
that is visually identifiable from above said underlayment when
said underlayment is received over said roof substrate with said
lower surface of said underlayment adjacent to said roof substrate,
said grid assisting in the alignment of said underlayment with said
roofing substrate during application of said underlayment to said
substrate and further assisting in the alignment of roofing
materials applied over said underlayment.
2. The underlayment as claimed in claim 1 wherein said underlayment
is a thin rolled material.
3. The underlayment as claimed in claim 1 wherein said grid is
printed on said upper surface of said underlayment.
4. The underlayment as claimed in claim 1 wherein said grid is
embossed on said upper surface of said underlayment.
5. The underlayment as claimed in claim 1 wherein said grid is
comprised of a series of equally spaced apart lines that are
parallel to the longitudinal axis of said underlayment.
6. The underlayment as claimed in claim 1 wherein said grid is
comprised of a series of equally spaced apart lines that are
perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said underlayment.
7. The underlayment as claimed in claim 1 wherein grid is comprised
of a series of equally spaced apart lines that are parallel to the
longitudinal axis of said underlayment and a series of equally
spaced apart lines that are perpendicular to the longitudinal axis
of said underlayment.
8. The underlayment as claimed in claim 5 wherein adjacent lines
alternate in colour between a first colour and a second colour.
9. The underlayment as claimed in claim 6 wherein adjacent lines
alternate in colour between a first colour and a second colour.
10. The underlayment as claimed in claim 7 wherein said lines that
are parallel to said longitudinal axis of said underlayment are of
a first colour and said lines that are perpendicular to said
longitudinal axis of said underlayment are of a second colour.
11. The underlayment as claimed in claim 1 wherein said sheeting
material is tar paper, roofing felt, rubber, extruded plastic,
woven or extruded polyolefin or PVC.
12. The underlayment as claimed in claim 1 wherein said sheeting
material is rigid.
13. The underlayment as claimed in claim 1 wherein said grid is
comprised of a series of yarns, tapes or filaments.
14. The underlayment as claimed in claim 13 wherein said
underlayment is a first colour and said yarns, tapes or filaments
are a contrasting colour.
15. The underlayment as claimed in claim 14 wherein said
underlayment is a woven scrim and said yarns, tapes or filaments
are woven into said scrim.
16. The underlayment as claimed in claim 14 wherein said yarns,
tapes or filaments are adhered to said upper surface of said
scrim.
17. The underlayment as claimed in claim 14 wherein at least said
upper surface of said sheeting material is coated, said yarns,
tapes or filaments embedded within said coating on said upper
surface.
18. The underlayment as claimed in claim 1 wherein said grid is
comprised of a series of solid, broken or patterned lines.
19. A roofing underlayment for placement over a roof substrate
prior to the application of shingles, tiles or other roofing
materials, the underlayment comprising a sheeting material having
an upper surface and a lower surface, said underlayment containing
a grid that is visually identifiable from above said underlayment
when said underlayment is received over said roof substrate with
said lower surface of said underlayment adjacent to said roof
substrate, said grid comprised of a series of equally spaced apart
lines that are parallel to the longitudinal axis of said
underlayment and a series of equally spaced apart lines that are
perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said underlayment, said
grid assisting in the alignment of said underlayment with said
roofing substrate during application of said underlayment to said
substrate and further assisting in the alignment of roofing
materials applied over said underlayment.
20. The underlayment as claimed in claim 19 wherein said lines that
are parallel to said longitudinal axis of said underlayment are of
a first colour, said lines that are perpendicular to said
longitudinal axis of said underlayment are of a second colour, and
said sheeting material is of a third colour.
21. A roofing underlayment for placement over a roof substrate
prior to the application of shingles, tiles or other roofing
materials, the underlayment comprising a sheeting material having
an upper surface and a lower surface, said underlayment containing
a grid that is visually identifiable from above said underlayment
when said underlayment is received over said roof substrate with
said lower surface of said underlayment adjacent to said roof
substrate, said grid comprised of a series of spaced apart and
parallel lines extending over at least a portion of said upper
surface of said underlayment, said grid assisting in the alignment
of said underlayment with said roofing substrate during application
of said underlayment to said substrate and further assisting in the
alignment of roofing materials applied over said underlayment.
22. A roofing underlayment for placement over a roof substrate
prior to the application of shingles, tiles or other roofing
materials, the underlayment comprising a sheeting material having
an upper surface and a lower surface, said underlayment containing
a grid that is visually identifiable when said underlayment is
received over said roofing substrate with said lower surface of
said underlayment adjacent to said substrate, said grid comprised
of a series of spaced apart longitudinal lines that are parallel to
the longitudinal axis of said underlayment and a series of spaced
apart perpendicular lines that are perpendicular to the
longitudinal axis of said underlayment, said longitudinal and said
perpendicular lines coloured to distinguish said lines from said
sheeting material.
23. The underlayment as claimed in claim 22 wherein said
longitudinal lines are spaced apart in pre-defined increments and
arranged in blocks of lines of like colour, said grid including a
plurality of said blocks of longitudinal lines with adjacent blocks
of longitudinal lines alternating in colour.
24. The underlayment as claimed in claim 22 wherein said
perpendicular lines are spaced apart in pre-defined increments and
arranged in blocks of lines of like colour, said grid including a
plurality of said blocks of perpendicular lines with adjacent
blocks of perpendicular lines alternating in colour.
25. The underlayment as claimed in claim 22 wherein said
longitudinal lines are spaced apart in pre-defined increments and
arranged in blocks of lines of like colour and said perpendicular
lines are spaced apart in pre-defined increments and arranged in
blocks of lines of like colour, said grid including a plurality of
said blocks of longitudinal lines and a plurality of said blocks of
perpendicular lines, said adjacent blocks of longitudinal lines
alternating in colour and said adjacent blocks of perpendicular
lines alternating in colour.
26. A roofing underlayment for placement over a roof substrate
prior to the application of shingles, tiles or other roofing
materials, the underlayment comprising a sheeting material having
an upper surface and a lower surface, said underlayment containing
a grid that is visually identifiable when said underlayment is
received over said roofing substrate with said lower surface of
said underlayment adjacent to said substrate, said grid comprised
of a series of spaced apart longitudinal lines that are parallel to
the longitudinal axis of said underlayment and a series of spaced
apart perpendicular lines that are perpendicular to the
longitudinal axis of said underlayment, said longitudinal lines
being of at least a first colour contrasting to the colour of said
underlayment, said perpendicular lines being of at least a second
colour contrasting to the colour of said underlayment.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates generally to the field of roofing
materials, and in particular to a new and improved roofing
underlayment.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] In the construction of a pitched roof, it is highly
desirable from both an aesthetic and a functional stand point to
ensure that roofing materials are applied in a manner so that they
are "square" with the ridge of the roof, and so that they are
arranged in a generally parallel or "straight" configuration. For
example, where asphalt shingles are to be applied to a roof,
alignment of the shingles in equally spaced rows that are generally
horizontal and parallel to the ridge of the roof ensures an
aesthetically pleasing appearance and allows the shingles to
function in the manner in which they were designed; namely, to shed
water and prevent leakage. Misalignment of shingles creates both an
unattractive finished product and presents the potential for water
to penetrate through the roof and into the building. Whether the
exterior roofing material is comprised of asphalt shingles, tiles,
galvanized or other metallic sheeting, wooden shakes, slate or any
one of a wide variety of other commonly used roofing materials,
there exists a need to apply the roofing material in an aligned and
"square" fashion.
[0003] To ensure the alignment of roofing materials when applied to
a roof substrate, installation personnel typically resort to one of
a variety of common construction methods that enable subsequent
rows of roofing materials to be aligned with previously applied
rows. For example, carpenters and roofers will often mark parallel
lines across the roofing substrate (which in wooden construction is
typically plywood, exterior wooden sheeting, or roofing boards)
through the use of a pencil, marker or chalk line. In other
instances the installer may use a tape measure to physically
measure the distance between respective rows of roofing materials
as each row is laid down. While both of these methods may be
effective, they are also labour intensive and introduce the
potential for error as there is a constant requirement for
individuals to take measurements and mark the position for
subsequent rows of roofing materials. Failure to measure or mark
accurately can result in an alignment problem.
[0004] The alignment of roofing materials can be further
complicated by the fact that a liner or underlayment is commonly
applied to the roof substrate prior to the application of shingles,
shakes, tiles or other roofing materials. Such underlayments may be
comprised of a wide variety of products including roofing paper
(generally comprised of a petroleum coated cellulose product and
often referred to as tar paper), roofing felt (comprised generally
of asphalt saturated organic felt which may be coated or uncoated),
rubber or rubberized membranes, and an equally wide variety of
synthetic underlayments (both woven and extruded). Regardless of
the particular form of underlayment that is utilized, its function
is essentially the same; to provide a secondary barrier to water
and moisture beneath the shingles, tiles or other roofing materials
and next to the roof substrate. Commonly the underlayment is
applied to the roof substrate in a series of horizontal rows and is
secured to the roof through the use of nails, staples or an
adhesive. Once applied, the underlayment obscures the roof
substrate from view making it even more difficult for a roofer to
properly align the overlying roofing materials.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The invention therefore provides a product and a method that
allows for the installation of shingles and other roofing materials
in an aligned pattern that is "square" with the roof structure,
that is cost effective, and that minimizes the potential for human
error and the misalignment of roofing materials.
[0006] Accordingly, in one embodiment of the invention there is
provided a roofing underlayment for placement over a roof substrate
prior to the application of shingles, tiles or other roofing
materials, the underlayment comprising a sheeting material having
an upper surface and a lower surface, said underlayment containing
a grid that is visually identifiable from above said underlayment
when said underlayment is received over said roof substrate with
said lower surface of said underlayment adjacent to said roof
substrate, said grid assisting in the alignment of said
underlayment with said roofing substrate during application of said
underlayment to said substrate and further assisting in the
alignment of roofing materials applied over said underlayment.
[0007] In a further aspect the invention provides a roofing
underlayment for placement over a roof substrate prior to the
application of shingles, tiles or other roofing materials, the
underlayment comprising a sheeting material having an upper surface
and a lower surface, said underlayment containing a grid that is
visually identifiable from above said underlayment when said
underlayment is received over said roof substrate with said lower
surface of said underlayment adjacent to said roof substrate, said
grid comprised of a series of equally spaced apart lines that are
parallel to the longitudinal axis of said underlayment and a series
of equally spaced apart lines that are perpendicular to the
longitudinal axis of said underlayment, said grid assisting in the
alignment of said underlayment with said roofing substrate during
application of said underlayment to said substrate and further
assisting in the alignment of roofing materials applied over said
underlayment.
[0008] In yet a further aspect the invention provides a roofing
underlayment for placement over a roof substrate prior to the
application of shingles, tiles or other roofing materials, the
underlayment comprising a sheeting material having an upper surface
and a lower surface, said underlayment containing a grid that is
visually identifiable from above said underlayment when said
underlayment is received over said roof substrate with said lower
surface of said underlayment adjacent to said roof substrate, said
grid comprised of a series of spaced apart and parallel lines
extending over at least a portion of said upper surface of said
underlayment, said grid assisting in the alignment of said
underlayment with said roofing substrate during application of said
underlayment to said substrate and further assisting in the
alignment of roofing materials applied over said underlayment.
[0009] The invention also provides a roofing underlayment for
placement over a roof substrate prior to the application of
shingles, tiles or other roofing materials, the underlayment
comprising a sheeting material having an upper surface and a lower
surface, said underlayment containing a grid that is visually
identifiable when said underlayment is received over said roofing
substrate with said lower surface of said underlayment adjacent to
said substrate, said grid comprised of a series of spaced apart
longitudinal lines that are parallel to the longitudinal axis of
said underlayment and a series of spaced apart perpendicular lines
that are perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said
underlayment, said longitudinal and said perpendicular lines
coloured to distinguish said lines from said sheeting material.
[0010] In a further aspect the invention concerns a roofing
underlayment for placement over a roof substrate prior to the
application of shingles, tiles or other roofing materials, the
underlayment comprising a sheeting material having an upper surface
and a lower surface, said underlayment containing a grid that is
visually identifiable when said underlayment is received over said
roofing substrate with said lower surface of said underlayment
adjacent to said substrate, said grid comprised of a series of
spaced apart longitudinal lines that are parallel to the
longitudinal axis of said underlayment and a series of spaced apart
perpendicular lines that are perpendicular to the longitudinal axis
of said underlayment, said longitudinal lines being of at least a
first colour contrasting to the colour of said underlayment, said
perpendicular lines being of at least a second colour contrasting
to the colour of said underlayment.
[0011] Further aspects and advantages of the invention will become
apparent from the following description taken together with the
accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] For a better understanding of the present invention, and to
show more clearly how it may be carried into effect, reference will
now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings which
show the preferred embodiments of the present invention in
which:
[0013] FIG. 1 is a side sectional view through a portion of a
typical pitched roof showing one embodiment of the present
invention;
[0014] FIG. 2 is an upper side perspective view of a pitched roof
having a series of horizontal rows of a roof underlayment applied
thereto;
[0015] FIG. 3 is an upper perspective view of a roll of roofing
underlayment according to one embodiment of the present
invention;
[0016] FIG. 4 is an upper perspective view of a roll of roofing
underlayment according to a second embodiment of the present
invention;
[0017] FIGS. 5A, 5B and 5C are upper perspective views of rolls of
roofing underlayment according to a third, forth and fifth
embodiment of the present invention;
[0018] FIG. 6 is a front view of a portion of a pitched roof
showing the application of a roofing underlayment in accordance
with a preferred embodiment of the present invention and as used in
association with asphalt shingles;
[0019] FIG. 7 is a magnified detail view of a portion of a roofing
underlayment according to an embodiment of the present invention
where the underlayment is formed from a woven scrim;
[0020] FIG. 8 is a magnified detail side sectional view of a
portion of a roofing underlayment according to an embodiment of the
present invention where the upper surface of the underlayment has a
grid pattern embossed thereon;
[0021] FIG. 9 is a magnified detail side sectional view of a
portion of a roofing underlayment according to an embodiment of the
present invention where the upper surface of the underlayment
includes a grid pattern formed from a series of tapes, yarns or
filaments.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0022] The present invention may be embodied in a number of
different forms. However, the specification and drawings that
follow describe and disclose only some of the specific forms of the
invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention
as defined in the claims that follow herein.
[0023] The typical structure of a standard pitched roof (as
constructed in wood framed buildings) is shown in cross section in
FIG. 1. In general such roofs are comprised of a wooden substrate 1
fastened to a series of trusses or rafters 2. A roofing
underlayment 3 is commonly laid over substrate 1. Thereafter
roofing materials 4 are applied to form the finished roof. In most
instances substrate 1 would be comprised of plywood, exterior
sheeting, or a series of wooden boards. However, it will be
appreciated that the scope and application of the present invention
will not be limited to a particular form of substrate. Similarly,
while roofing materials 4 may be comprised of asphalt shingles as
shown in FIG. 1, the roofing material may equally be any one of a
wide variety of exterior roofing products, including clay or cement
tiles, wooden shakes, metal roofing materials, slate, etc. As in
the case of substrate 1, the scope of the present invention is not
limited to any particular roofing material.
[0024] It is expected that in most cases underlayment 3 will be
comprised of a relatively thin and flexible material formed into
rolls (see FIGS. 3, 4 and 5) that may be cut to length as
necessary. While underlayment 3 may be manufactured to practically
any desired dimension, for handling and transportation purposes
rolls of a width of between 30 and 80 inches are most desirable.
Where rolls of this size range are utilized a series of
horizontally oriented rows of underlayment will be applied to the
roof in order to fully cover substrate 1. Preferably the rows of
underlayment material are applied beginning along the lower edge of
the roof working toward the top such that each subsequent row that
is higher up on the roof overlaps the adjacent lower row to allow
any moisture that may come into contact with the underlayment to be
shed as it flows downwardly along the pitch of the roof. In other
embodiments of the invention substantially larger rolls of material
could be manufactured such that a single sheet of underlayment is
capable of covering the entire exterior surface of substrate 1.
Alternatively, the substrate could be formed into a rigid or
semi-rigid sheeting material that is applied to the roof in a
manner similar to the application of the substrate material.
[0025] The composition and structure of underlayment 3 may vary
substantially depending upon the particular application in
question. The underlayment may range from a common tar paper or
roofing felt structure, to a plastic or rubberized or PVC ice and
water shield, to a single ply thermoplastic (for example
polyolefin) membrane, to a high strength woven product comprised of
a series of woven tapes, yarns and/or filaments (identified
generally as 12 in FIG. 7). The underlayment may also be coated on
one or both sides to enhance abrasion resistence, to increase
strength and water resistance, and/or to present a slip resistant
surface. Depending upon the environment within which the roof
structure is located, the type of roofing material to be applied
over the underlayment, the required useful life of the roof, and
considering differences in costs, it may be desirable to use one
particular composition and structure of underlayment over and above
the others. It will be appreciated from a complete understanding of
the present invention that the preferred embodiment of the
invention is not limited to one form of underlayment or a
particular method of manufacture.
[0026] In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention
underlayment 3 is comprised of a sheeting or sheet-like material
having an upper surface 5 and a lower surface 6 that is received
over roof substrate 1. Typically underlayment 3 is secured to
substrate 1 through the use of nails, staples or an adhesive. Of
particular importance to the invention is the fact that at least
the upper surface 6 of underlayment 3 contains a visually
identifiable grid 7. Grid 7 assists in both the alignment of the
underlayment with the roof substrate (and with subsequent rows of
underlayment) during application of the underlayment to the roof,
and also assists in the subsequent alignment of roofing materials
that are applied over the underlayment. It will be understood that
there are a variety of manners in which grid 7 may be applied or
adhered to underlayment 3, including printing or embossing the grid
upon upper surface 6 of the underlayment. Where grid 7 is embossed
on the surface of underlayment 3 the effect may be the formation of
small linear indentations 11 across the surface of the underlayment
(see FIG. 8). Grid 7 may also be printed, embossed or otherwise
applied to both upper surface 5 and lower surface 6 allowing either
of the outer surfaces of the underlayment to be placed adjacent to
roof substrate 1. Where grid 7 is embossed on underlayment 3 the
embossed surface will also tend to exhibit anti-skid
characteristics further enhancing the characteristics of the
product.
[0027] In alternate embodiments of the invention, grid 7 may be
comprised of a series of yarns, tapes and/or filaments 10 that are
woven into the underlayment where the underlayment is a woven scrim
(See generally FIG. 7). The yarns, tapes and/or filaments 10 are
preferably coloured a contrasting colour to the scrim and may be
superimposed or adjacent to the yarns, tapes and/or filaments 12 of
the scrim. Alternatively yarns, tapes and/or filaments 10 may be
otherwise adhered to either the upper and/or the lower surface of
the underlayment (for example see FIG. 9) through the use of an
adhesive, or during a coating process where the underlayment is a
coated product.
[0028] In one of the preferred embodiments of the invention grid 7
is comprised of a series of equally spaced apart lines 8 that are
parallel to the longitudinal axis of the sheeting material from
which the underlayment is made (see FIG. 3). Alternately, grid 7
may be comprised of a series of equally spaced apart lines 9 that
are perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the sheeting material
(see FIG. 4). In yet a third embodiment grid 7 may be comprised of
both a series of equally spaced apart lines 8 that are parallel to
the longitudinal axis of the sheeting material, and a series of
equally spaced apart lines 9 that are perpendicular to the
longitudinal axis of the sheeting material (see FIGS. 5A, 5B and
5C).
[0029] Regardless of the particular grid structure that is used,
the lines that comprise grid 7 must be visually identifiable, and
to that extent they are preferably of a colour other than that of
the sheeting material from which the underlayment is constructed
(or other than the coating material where the underlayment is a
coated product). For example, where the sheeting material of
underlayment 3 is white or a light colour, grid 7 may be black,
green, red or some other contrasting colour making the lines of the
grid clearly identifiable upon the surface of the product. In
addition, the lines comprising grid 7 may in some fashion alternate
in colour between a first colour and a second colour to present a
further visual identification and distinction between adjacent or
groups of lines. In these regards, one variation of grid 7 that
could be utilized comprises a one inch spacing between lines that
are parallel to the longitudinal axis of the underlayment with the
lines alternating in colour between green and black. In another
variation, grid 7 may be comprised of lines that are parallel to
the longitudinal axis of the underlayment and that are spaced apart
by one inch increments, and lines that are perpendicular to the
longitudinal axis of the underlayment and also spaced apart in one
inch increments. The longitudinally oriented lines may be black
with the perpendicular lines green, presenting a visual distinction
between the rows of lines that will effectively be oriented
vertically and horizontally when underlayment 3 is placed in a
generally horizontal configuration across roof substrate 1. The
alternating colours of the lines forming in grid 7 helps to present
a visual distinction between adjacent lines and assists in the
alignment of underlayment 3 and roofing materials 4.
[0030] Further possible variations of grid 7 are shown in FIGS. 5A
and 5B. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5A grid 7 is comprised of
lines that are parallel to the longitudinal axis of the
underlayment with adjacent parallel lines alternating in colour.
The grid is further comprised of lines that are perpendicular to
the longitudinal axis of the underlayment with adjacent
perpendicular lines alternating in colour.
[0031] In FIG. 5B, an embodiment is shown wherein grid 7 is
comprised of a series of lines parallel to the longitudinal axis of
the underlayment and equally spaced apart in one inch increments.
The longitudinally oriented lines alternate in colour in six inch
blocks creating groups of lines of like colours that alternate
every six inches. The grid further comprises a series of lines
perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the underlayment and also
spaced apart in one inch increments. As in the case of the
longitudinally oriented lines, the perpendicular lines alternate in
colour in six inch blocks. The grouping of the perpendicular and
parallel lines in six inch blocks, and the further subdividing of
those six inch blocks into one inch segments, has been found to
provide the roofing installer with a visually identifiable grid
that allows for the measurement of larger distances through
counting six inch blocks, while at the same time providing for
relatively precise measurement and alignment through reference to
individual lines spaced apart in one inch increments.
[0032] It will of course be appreciated that while the embodiment
depicted in FIG. 5B contemplates a line spacing of one inch with
six inch groupings in both the longitudinal and perpendicular
directions, the individual line spacing, and/or the grouping of
lines of a common colour, could vary depending upon the particular
end use of the product. For example, when applying particular types
of roofing materials it may be desirable to use an alternate line
spacing and/or an alternate grouping of lines of different colours
to more closely conform to the physical dimensions of the
particular roofing materials in question. In some cases the line
spacing may be as low as {fraction (1/8)} inch while in other cases
a spacing as high as 24 inches may be desirable. Further, where
both vertical and horizontal lines are utilized, the spacing of the
horizontal lines maybe different than that of the vertical lines.
For example, it may be advantageous for the horizontal lines to
have an incremental spacing of one inch whereas the vertically
oriented lines may be spaced apart at intervals of 12 inches. It
should also be noted that grid 7 may be comprised of lines that are
solid, broken or patterned (for example small dots, squares,
etc.).
[0033] Through the utilization of a roofing underlayment as
described herein, it will be appreciated that a roofer is provided
with a means by which the underlayment itself can be easily aligned
with the roof substrate, and in particular the ridge of the roof.
Where the underlayment is applied in a series of horizontal rows,
the roofing installer is able to quickly and easily align adjacent
rows with one another so that they maintain their horizontal
attitude and to ensure that each subsequent row positioned higher
up on the roof is both parallel to the lower adjacent row and over
laps the lower row by sufficient degree. Once the underlayment has
been applied to the roof the grid pattern that is visually
identifiable thereon presents the roofer with an ability to quickly
and accurately align shingles or other roofing materials with both
one another and with the roof. An example showing how underlayment
3 may be used to assist in the alignment of shingles is shown in
FIG. 6.
[0034] It will thus be appreciated that utilization of underlayment
3 will remove the necessity for roofers to use chalk lines,
straight edges, measuring tapes and other implements to ensure
alignment of roofing materials as they are applied. The invention
also removes the need for measuring, and the associated potential
for error in either failing to measure properly or failing to mark
a measurement properly upon the roof. The roofer need only align
the shingles or the roofing materials with the grid pattern upon
underlayment 3 to ensure that the roofing materials are installed
in a horizontal and parallel configuration with adequate overlap.
Where the underlayment exhibits anti-skid characteristics its
application over a roof substrate will also present an inherently
safer work surface for roofing installers.
[0035] It is to be understood that what has been described are the
preferred embodiments of the invention and that it may be possible
to make variations to these embodiments while staying within the
broad scope of the invention. Some of these variations have been
discussed while others will be readily apparent to those skilled in
the art. For example, while the grid patterns discussed and shown
in the attached Figures represent what are believed to be some of
the most likely practical embodiments of the invention, a variety
of other grid patterns could equally be utilized, including grid
patterns that are comprised of non-uniformly spaced apart
lines.
* * * * *