What are eaves in architecture?
What are eaves in a house?
The area where a roof extends a small way past the wall of a building is usually referred to as the eaves. The term ‘eaves’ typically refers to the combination of soffit and fascia that adorn the overhang of a roof.
Types of eaves –
There are four basic types:
- Exposed – the finished underside of the roof and supporting rafters are visible from the underneath.
- Soffit – includes a soffit – the panelling which forms the underside of the eaves, connecting the bottom tip of the eave with the side of the building at a 90-degree angle.
- Boxed in – encases the roof rafters but meets the side of the building at the same angle as the roof pitch.
- Abbreviated – cut off almost perpendicular with the side of the building.
Are eaves the same as soffits?
To summarise the difference between the two, the eave is an area of the roof which overhangs the walls, whereas the soffit is the underside component of this area. In the widest sense, soffits can refer to the underside of almost anything that’s constructed, including arches and porches. An eave is part of a roof system and a soffit is part of the eave. In simple terms, eaves and soffits are two different parts of the same structure.
Why do you need them?
They can define the style of a home, and they also have a major function. They can protect the siding and foundation of a structure. A roof’s eaves sticking out beyond the sides allow snow and rain to fall from the roof away from the sides and to the ground. This can prevent leakage-related damage to the building façade.
Eaves can also provide shading to windows, helping to maintain comfortable internal conditions. In the winter the low sun is able to enter through the windows to warm the interior. Whereas, in summer, they prevent direct sunlight from entering your home.
How much does it cost to replace eaves on a house?
The average cost to repair roof eave damage can be anywhere between £345 – £1000. However, most people pay around £675 to have a carpenter repair a 30 linear feet section of the soffits and fascia damaged by moisture or insects. The maximum cost of roof eaves can go up to £3,100.
