The eaves are a part of the roof that many people tend to overlook. However, they are crucial in improving a building’s appearance and protecting it from the elements. Eaves are a feature of traditional architecture. That’s why you may find no eaves or narrow ones in modern buildings.
In this article, we will discuss the role and importance of roof eaves, their different designs, pros and cons. So, make sure you keep reading.
What Are Roof Eaves?
You know that part of the roof that extends the exterior siding? That’s the roof eave. It protects the interior of a building and elevates its visual appeal on the outside. What eaves do to buildings is that they form their outline and make room for things like brackets, fascia, soffit, and corbels, which make the building a little different.
Aside from defining a home’s style, eaves guards its foundation and siding. Some roof eaves extend from the outer walls more than others. The more extended an eave is, the more protection it offers to the structure.
Types of Eaves
- Boxed eaves: Boxed eaves are formed when they extend beyond the outer walls, and a fascia and soffit surround the open ends. They give an immaculate final appearance to a building and safeguard the roof structure beneath.
- Open eaves: Open eaves do not have fascia and soffit. With open eaves, you can see the roof decking and uncovered rafters from beneath. They are mostly on buildings for the sole purpose of aesthetic improvement or improved ventilation to the space in the roof rather than protection.
- Soffit eaves: These eaves have a soffit board placed horizontally, concealing the bottom of the eaves. You can vent soffit eaves to distribute air through the roof space or attic. This helps to lower moisture accumulation and control temperature.
- Curved eaves: They are an outstanding architectural component of a roof. You will typically find them in modern building designs. Rather than extend directly from the walls, curved eaves bend downward or upward, forming a curve that creates a unique and alluring profile.
- Fly eaves: You will typically find this type of eave on houses with gable roofs. Fly eaves are the type that spreads out from the gable stop of the roof. They add extra shade and protection from rainfall, snow, and other elements. Fly eaves also make your roofline more visually appealing.
Pros and Cons of Roof Eaves
Pros
- Improved curb appeal: Eaves undeniably contribute to a building’s elegance. You can customize them with several finishes and ornamental features. In addition, you can add soffits to them to further improve your home’s visual appeal.
- Shelter from elements: Eaves are like an additional umbrella that redirects snow, water, and even ice away from a building. They save the exterior of a building’s foundation and walls from moisture absorption and erosion.
- Extra shade: When a roof eave is broad, it shadows interior areas by forming an overhang. This helps to keep your home’s interior cool, a benefit you will appreciate more in hot climes.
- Lower cooling costs: They help lower a home’s cooling costs by offering extra protection against sunlight getting into your home.
- Aid safety practices: Eaves fixed to soffits provide hidden spots, which are ideal for installing security lights and cameras.
Cons
- Attract insects and pests: Open eaves attract pests. Another point of attraction for creatures like birds is ventilation holes in the soffits of eaves. The more extended an overhang, the more shielded room it creates for pests and insects, including birds, wasps, squirrels, and more.
- Extra cost on roofing: Adding eaves to your roof will definitely increase the overall cost of installing your roof because of the use of extra materials and labor.
- Low wind resistance: Eaves are prone to damage when exposed to high winds.
- Requires regular upkeep: Having a roof eave demands that you inspect and perform frequent maintenance routines on your roof.
Tips for Maintaining Your Eaves
As a homeowner with a building with eaves, you should be ready to inspect them frequently and properly maintain them to keep them in good shape. Here’s how to maintain your roof eaves:
- Always keep them clean by using a long brush or broom to take out nests, cobwebs, and other debris.
- Clean your gutters. Ensure that they are free from anything that may cause clogging, including fallen branches, leaves, and rocks. When your gutters have many deposits, they may get overfilled and divert water down the soffit and fascia, putting it at risk of damage.
- Whenever you detect or spot any decline in appearance, like chipping or peeling, don’t hesitate to repaint. You can also repaint every five years to keep its allure.
- Get a professional to fix any damage to your eaves as soon as you spot it. When you do not attend to such damages early, they worsen and make you spend more money on repairs.
Eaves vs. Fascia and Soffit: What Are Their Differences?
Eaves are not the same as fascia and soffit. However, they are situated in the exact widespread location.
Fascia is the material used for finishing and is placed in a vertical position on the eave’s exterior edge to cover the rafters’ ends. They shield the rafters’ ends and help keep pests from gaining entry. Fascia is also applied in installing gutters.
On the other hand, a soffit is a finishing material placed in a horizontal position to conceal the bottom of the eaves extension underneath the rafters. Soffits give a complete look to the bottom of the eave, impacting the overall appearance of a building. They also keep the bottom of the roof and the attic safe. Additionally, there are many vented soffits.
Conclusion
By now, we believe you have a clear picture of what a roof eave looks like and what it does. Eaves are more than just an architectural addition with no significant purpose. They are an interesting addition to your home for aesthetic and protection purposes. Beyond those functions, they contribute to your home’s energy efficiency. How cool is that? We bet that’s enough reason to include them in your next building or renovation project.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is replacing eaves on the house easy?
As a homeowner with experience in DIY, you will find replacing your roof eaves a direct and easy process. However, if you have no experience, you will need guidance and some patience to get it done successfully.
Why don’t some houses have eaves?
There are several possible reasons why some houses do not have eaves. It could be due to the extra cost they incur, aesthetic preference, or an absence of roof pitch.
What is the location beneath the roof eaves called?
For a finished eave, the area below it is the soffit. An unfinished eave has no soffit and is called an open eave.
