Self adhering window flashing tape with multi-directional drainage plane

1. A generally planar flashing tape having a length and a width, comprising:

a water impermeable, substantially non-elongatable barrier layer comprising a sheet material having a length, a width and a thickness, the barrier layer having an exterior surface and an opposing interior surface that are each defined by the length and width of the sheet material, the exterior surface three dimensionally patterned to provide a plurality of gravity drainage paths in both a machine direction (MD) and a cross direction (CD);

a permanent, non-relocatable, pressure sensitive adhesive bonded to a portion of the interior surface, wherein the pressure sensitive adhesive can be used to bond the flashing tape to a building.

2. The flashing tape of claim 1 wherein the exterior surface three dimensional pattern comprises a plurality of arrayed channels in the MD and a plurality of arrayed channels in the CD.

3. The flashing tape of claim 1 wherein the exterior surface three dimensional pattern comprises a plurality of arrayed, sinusoidal channels in the MD and a plurality of arrayed sinusoidal channels in the CD.

4. The flashing tape of claim 1 , further comprising the release paper removably bonded to the adhesive layer.

5. The flashing tape of claim 1 wherein the adhesive is bonded to substantially all of the interior surface.

6. The flashing tape of claim 1 wherein the interior surface is three dimensionally patterned in a mirror image of the exterior surface.

7. The flashing tape of claim 1 wherein the adhesive layer comprises at least one of an acrylic adhesive, a butyl rubber adhesive or a rubberized asphalt adhesive.

8. The flashing tape of claim 1 wherein the sheet material comprises a polymer.

9. The flashing tape of claim 1 wherein the sheet material is a polymer film.

10. The flashing tape of claim 1 wherein the sheet material is a non-porous, non-fibrous, polyolefin film.

11. The flashing tape of claim 1 wherein the sheet material is a non-porous, non-fibrous, polyethylene film.

12. The flashing tape of claim 1 wherein the barrier layer comprises a metal foil.

13. The flashing tape of claim 1 consisting essentially of the barrier layer, the adhesive layer and a release paper.

14. The flashing tape of claim 1 in roll form, comprising a core and the length of flashing tape wound around a core in a plurality of overlapping convolutions.

15. A building comprising:

an outer wall structure including an exterior surface, the outer wall structure defining an opening therethrough;

a window disposed within the opening and secured to the outer wall structure; and

a flashing tape portion having a length and a width and comprising a water impermeable, substantially: non-elongatable barrier layer comprising a sheet material having a length, a width and a thickness, the barrier layer having an exterior surface and an opposing interior surface that are each defined by the length and width of the sheet material, the exterior surface having a plurality of projections to provide a plurality of gravity drainage paths in both the MD and CD and a pressure sensitive adhesive bonded to a portion of the interior surface, the pressure sensitive adhesive permanently bonding the tape between the window and outer wall exterior surface and the tape exterior surface providing the outer wall structure with a plurality of gravity drainage paths.

16. The building of claim 15 , further comprising exterior sheathing overlying the flashing tape.

17. The building of claim 15 , wherein the building exterior surface is selected from sheathing or building wrap.

18. The building of claim 15 , comprising a plurality of flashing tape portions each having their MD generally perpendicular to another, wherein each flashing tape portion provides the outer wall structure with a plurality of gravity drainage paths.

19. The building of claim 15 , comprising a first flashing tape portion selected from a length of flashing tape, the first tape portion permanently bonded adjacent the window sill forming a sill flashing and a second flashing tape portion selected from the same length of flashing tape, the second tape portion permanently bonded adjacent the window jamb forming a jamb flashing, the second tape portion overlying the first flashing tape portion and substantially perpendicular thereto, wherein each flashing tape portion provides the outer wall structure with a plurality of gravity drainage paths.

20. The building of claim 15 wherein the flashing tape portion is substantially straight in the MD.