Building & Home Renovations Guides & Resources

Localsearch>Information & Cost Guides in Australia>Building & Home Renovations Guides & Resources

What Size Dowel to Use?

Dowel is a wood that has been made into a cylinder shape, commonly used in woodworking. There are many [kinds of dowel](/guides/building-home-renovations/what-is-a-dowel) and a range of sizes to suit any purpose. In furniture making, for example, dowels are often used as connectors between pieces of wood. The most common dowel size is 1/4 inch in diameter. If you need to drill a hole in a piece of wood and you don't have a dowel of the right size, you can always use a drill bit that is slightly smaller in diameter than the dowel you need. This will give you a snug fit when you insert the dowel into the hole. First, determine the thickest dowel that will fit into the space that you have made. You can do this by taking a 1/2 inch dowel and putting it over the hole. Next, get a 1/4 inch drill bit (or even smaller) and put it through the 1/2 inch dowel covering the 1/2 inch dowel with tape on either side of where you are going to drill. Drill out or make holes in both sides of the tape so that when you push up on one side of tape while pulling down on the other, the dowel slides thru leaving just enough room for your smaller drill bit. Now take the drill bit and try to slide it through the dowel. If it is too tight, use a larger drill bit till you get one that slides easily into the hole. This new dowel will be your 1/4 inch dowel. You can use a doweling jig for drilling dowel holes; doweling jigs make getting your holes drilled much easier and more accurately through the guiding bushings. Now that you know the size dowel to use, it is important to choose the right type of wood. Softwoods like pine tend to warp and twist over time. A hardwood like oak or cherry is a better choice for furniture projects. If you are not sure which type of wood to use, ask your local hardware store for help. They will be able to recommend the best type of wood for your project. ## What wood would I use for a dowel? Various woods work fine. However, denser woods are actually better since they don't expand as much with the moisture in the wood glue. Also, hardwood denser types are better for furniture projects. [Wooden dowels](/guides/building-home-renovations/what-is-a-wooden-dowel) for frame construction often have a small hole drilled down the middle to receive some sort of pin that pulls it tight against another piece of wood for strength. With this said, some people make their own dowels, and some use a dowel that has already been made. Australian woods typically used for wooden dowels include Rosewood, Blackbutt and Messmate. ## What size dowel to use? If you're not sure, ask your local hardware store for advice. Generally, a dowel size of 3/8 inch or 1/2 inch is a good starting point. You can always go up or down in size depending on your needs and the thickness of the wood you are working on. ## How long should a dowel rod be? A general rule of thumb is to make the dowel rod about 2 inches longer than the finished project requires. This will give you some room for error when it comes to cutting and sanding it to the correct size. ## How do I cut a dowel rod? There are a few ways to do this. One way is to use a handsaw or mitre saw. You will need to use a wood that's hard enough to cut through, but not too dense. Oak is a good choice for this. To make the dowel, first mark the desired length on the wood, then clamp the wood to your workbench. Make sure the blade of your saw is aligned with the mark and cut through the dowel. Be very careful when doing this as it's easy to lose control of the saw, and it's also easy to cut yourself. ## How do I sand a dowel rod? One way is to use a belt sander. Another way is to use an orbital sander. You will need to use sandpaper that's coarse enough to remove the marks from the saw, but not so coarse that it takes off too much material. Start by sanding in one direction, then switch to the other direction. Do this until the dowel is the desired size and shape. ## How do I finish a dowel rod? This will depend on what you're using the dowel for. If you're going to paint it, you might want to sand it down a bit more so that the paint will adhere better. If you're going to use a wood finish, you might want to apply a coat of sealer before finishing it with a wood stain or oil. Again, this will depend on the project you're working on. If you're not sure, ask your local hardware store for advice. ## How to use dowels in woodworking? - To create dowel joinery, start with two boards. Use at least 2 dowels in edge joints. The more dowels used, the stronger the dowel joints. - Mark the holes locations. Through the dowel jig, drill the hole till the drill stop. - Make sure of the alignment of holes in both boards. - Add a little glue to the dowel hole and insert the dowels on one board. - Install the second board and align it with the dowels. Tighten with a woodworking clamp. ## What can I make with a dowel? Wooden dowels are used in various woodworking activities, a dowel joint can connect two boards that are perpendicular. Another type is wood dowel pins, which are fluted dowels that have grooves for better glue adhesion, which makes them a perfect fit for furniture joinery work. Some of the more common projects include: - Picture frames - Shelves - Birdhouses - Toys - Kitchen utensils - Yard games - Musical instruments - All sorts of other crafts and stuff ## What is a dowel lock? A dowel lock is a device that holds two pieces of wood together after gluing them. It's not uncommon for dowels to become loose after time due to the swelling and shrinking of the wood. If you're using some sort of dowel in your project, consider using one of these locks to help ensure that it stays in place. Dowel locks work by inserting a small metal plate into the hole drilled in the middle of the dowel. This plate has a screw thread that goes through it, and when it's tightened down, it pulls the dowel tight against the other piece of wood. Interested in a career in woodworking? JobOutlook has an outline of the training involved in using [woodworking machines](https://training.gov.au/Training/Details/MSFFM1002).

What is a Wooden Dowel?

A wooden dowel is a cylindrical piece of wood that is used as a spacer, an axle, or a fastener. Dowels can be made from a range of wood. They are typically about 1/2 inch in diameter and range in length. Wood dowels are often used in woodworking and construction projects, as well as in crafts and home improvement projects. Dowels can be used to make simple furniture, such as chairs and tables, or they can be incorporated into more complex designs. In addition to being functional, dowels can also be decorative and you can use them to create inlaid designs or to add accents to a project. Make sure the [dowel is correctly sized](/guides/building-home-renovations/what-size-dowel-to-use) for the project you're working on. You don't want it to be too big or too small otherwise, it will be difficult to work with and could cause problems. Second, always use a sharp knife or saw to cut the dowel. Dull tools can cause the wood to splinter, which can be dangerous. When drilling dowel holes, make them slightly smaller than the dowel itself. ## What kind of wood can you use for a dowel? You can use just about any type of wood [for a dowel](/guides/building-home-renovations/what-is-a-dowel), as long as it's sturdy and durable. Popular types include oak, maple, birch, and poplar. ## What tools do I need to cut dowel rods? There are a few different tools you can use to cut a dowel rod, including a band saw, jigsaw and mitre saw. However, if you don't have access to any of these tools or the pieces aren't turning out how you want them to, try using a bench vice instead. Just place the dowel inside and tighten it down so that the wood is secure. Then use your hand saw or reciprocating saw to get nice clean cuts. ## How do I cut a dowel? Cutting a wood dowel is simple. Using a fine-toothed saw or another sharp tool, cut the dowel to the desired length. Sanding the ends of the dowel is important after cutting it. ## What tools do you need to make a wooden dowel? For making dowels, you'll need several tools. - Saw - Sharp knife - Measuring tape - Ruler - Sandpaper - Pen - Drill and drill bits - Clamps - Dowel plate ## How do I use a wooden dowel? There are plenty of ways to use wooden dowel rods. ### Spacer When you need to space two pieces of wood evenly, insert a dowel between them and then clamp them into place. ### Axle If you need to create a rotational dowel joint, use a dowel as the axle. ### Fastener Use a dowel to fasten two pieces of wood together by drilling holes in both pieces and then inserting the dowel into the holes. ### Inlay Create an inlay pattern on a piece of wood by attaching thin strips of wood to the surface using dowels. ## How do I cut a hole in the wood for a dowel? To cut a hole for a dowel, use your drill to make several shallow holes in the wood, each slightly smaller than the diameter of the dowel itself. Then slowly remove the material between these holes until they meet in the middle and you have one large hole that is the perfect size. To create marks to drill holes for corresponding blind holes, you can use dowel centres. Using doweling jigs is another way to create a dowel hole easier and more accurate. You can place a doweling jig on the spot where you want to create a hole, a metal bushing with different sizes guides the jig to cut till the drill stop. ## How do I use a dowel to make furniture? Wooden dowels are a great choice for making simple but sturdy furniture, such as chairs and tables. Dowels can be used to connect the legs of a table or chair to the centre beam, providing the support necessary to keep it upright. Drill matching holes on each piece of wood and then snap the dowel into place when they're aligned. A wooden dowel pin has a groove on its surface which gives stronger adhesion, they are often used in interlocking joints. You could even extend them from [roof eaves](/guides/building-home-renovations/what-is-a-roof-eave) for extra storage. ## How do you attach wooden dowels? There are several ways to attach wooden dowels. - Nail the dowel to a wood surface - Drill matching holes on two pieces of wood and then snap the dowel into place - Use glue to fix the dowel in place - Insert screws into pre-drilled holes and then tighten them down. ## Should I use wooden dowels or steel rods? Both can be used for a variety of purposes. Wooden dowels are better for the below applications. - Small projects. - Lightweight items such as wands and brooms. - Inlays in wooden furniture where they won't be seen. - Seating. - Structural integrity when being inserted into pre-drilled holes in a surface such as a table or a chair leg. Steel dowel pins are better for: - Large objects that require more strength and support. - Heavy-duty applications such as structural beams and pillars. - Building furniture with thin legs such as stools. If you need to secure two boards together, you can do so with the help of a dowel. Simply drill matching holes in each piece of wood and then insert your wooden dowel into them when they're aligned. Once it's inserted all the way, cut it out and remove one board before cutting it back in and removing the second board. This should create a tight fit. Ensure the dowels and the boards are glued together and wipe out any excess glue. It is preferred to create a small groove on the wood dowel using a groove screw, to allow any excess glue and air to get out. ## What do you use a dowel joint for? A dowel joint is a type of mechanical joinery, the basic idea being to drill a hole through aligned elements and join them by inserting a dowel into both holes - often with glue. A correctly fit dowel will provide enough slop for alignment at the mating surfaces while keeping the parts in compression. The strength of a well-fit dowel is proportional to the material they're made from and their diameter, the narrower dowel will not provide enough strength. This is why woodworkers prefer dowels in joinery, as they're able to provide a lot of strength for their size. Dowel joints have the advantage of being very forgiving if they're not perfectly aligned, much more so than other mechanical joints like mortise and tenon or dovetail. Interested in a career in woodworking? JobOutlook has an outline of the training involved in using [woodwork machines](https://training.gov.au/Training/Details/MSFFM1002).

What is a Dowel?

A dowel is a cylindrical piece of wood, metal or plastic that is used to join two components of wood together. Dowels are inserted into holes in the two pieces of wood and then glued in place. Dowels can also be used to reinforce joints or to attach pieces of flat wood together. There are many different types of dowels available, including wooden dowels, metal dowels and plastic dowels. Wooden dowels are the most popular type of dowel and are supplied in a variety of precise diameters and required length. Dowels are easily found in old wooden children's toys. [Wooden dowels](/guides/building-home-renovations/what-is-a-wooden-dowel) may also be found in making furniture such as dining room tables and chairs, shelves, where they provide reinforcement or structural integrity. Metal dowel pins can be made from steel or aluminium and are available in a variety of precise diameters and required length Plastic dowels can be made from various types of nylon plastic material, including high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and acetal copolymer (POM). Plastic dowels come in custom colours and precise sizes so they can match any decor. ## What is a dowel joint? holes drilled in the parts to be joined. Dowels are usually round and tapered from their ends up towards the middle, but square-shaped, blunt-nosed 'peg' dowels are also available as well as dowels with heads on them. Dowel equipment can produce accurate multi-spaced sets of corresponding holes at accurate depths within a workpiece. A typical use for dowel is joining together two sections of flat wood for added strength and support. Depending on the application, either hardwood or softwood may be used as a base for this type of joinery. ## What are the common types of doweling? There are three common types of dowels: ### Through doweling This type joins two boards perpendicularly. The dowel pin is inserted all the way through them and then glued in accurate places to maintain proper alignment. ### Blind doweling This type of alignment joins two boards at an angle. The one side of the dowel is inserted into one board, and the end is glued in place. Then, the second board is pasted to the first board, sandwiching the steel dowel pins in between. ### Bridle joint This type of alignment joins two boards at a 90-degree angle. The dowel is the insertion into one board, and the end is glued to another piece. Then, a dowel hole is drilled through the other board into which the other end of the dowel is slotted. Then, the board with both dowels in it is pasted to the other plate. ## What are the advantages of using dowel? Dowel provides several advantages for woodworkers: - It can strengthen a butt joint by providing extra support between parts. - It can be used as an interlocking joint instead of nails or screw. - A lot less effort and the cost is required to use dowel pins compared with using fasteners or nails, especially when joining large pieces of wood together. - Dowel joints are typically stronger than screws or pins because the glue adds additional strength. - When you lathe dowel holes to locate dowels, they're often perfectly spaced from each other which creates a very durable bond that won't easily fall apart over time. ## How do you use dowels? There are a few simple steps you need to follow in order to use dowels: - Decide where you want to place the dowel joint and mark the position with a knife or pencil on both pieces of planed wood. - Drill a hole into each piece of wood that is the same diameter as your dowel. - Insert the dowel into one hole and make sure it's all the way in. - Glue the two sections of wood together and let them dry. - Once the glue has dried, cut off any excess dowel that is sticking out from the joint. If you're not comfortable drilling your own blind holes, there are also many pre-drilled dowel sets for the same purpose that you can purchase which will make the process a lot easier. ## What is a dowel used for? Dowels are frequently used as structural reinforcement in forms of woodworking and cabinetry. Some common other uses of dowelling are to reinforce mortise and tenon joints, as well as half-lap joints. In addition, some musical instruments such as the pipe organ utilise long rows of dowels Dowel joints have many advantages over both face-frame and box constructions. This material tends to be stronger than a face frame because there is continuous straight grain across each joint instead of grain which changes direction at the edge of the frame members. This reduces the tendency for splitting along these grain lines which occurs with a face frame construction. The panels end up being more stable since the chamfered ends of dowels hold them in place rather than the fasteners used in box construction. Dowel joints are also easier to make, requiring less work at the table saw or jointer. Dowelling is advantageous for shelves and chair making because there is no exposure of screws or nails on the surface of the finished work. This reduces marring and wear caused by chairs rubbing against table edge during everyday use, extending the life of your furniture and maintaining the attractiveness of your piece. ## What is a dowel jig? A dowel jig is a tool used to help create evenly spaced hole for steel dowel pins. A dowel jig typically has two or more arms that can be adjusted to different distances apart. You then clamp your workpiece in between the arms and use a drill bit of the same diam as your dowel for drilling the holes. This ensures that each hole is drilled at the same distance from the other, measuring and creating an accurate joint alignment when you use dowels. ## What is a dowel pin? A dowel pin is a small, cylindrical piece of metal that is inserted into holes in wood in order to join two pieces of wood together. Dowel pins are typically used when a durable joint is required, such as in furniture construction. The chamfered ends of the pins are inserted into the holes and then clamped in place. After the glue has dried, the excess pins can be cut off flush with the surface of the wood. ## Why use dowels? There are several reasons why you might want to use dowels in your woodworking projects. - They provide extra strength and stability to a joint. - They can be used as an interlocking joint instead of nails or screws. - Less likely to split the wood than other types of joints. - Easy to make and don't require any special tools. - They create a clean, finished look on the surface of your project. ## Can I make a dowel rod myself? You can make a custom dowel rod yourself pretty easily using pieces of dowel, you just need to know [what size dowel you need](/guides/building-home-renovations/what-size-dowel-to-use). All you need to do is glue two matching pieces together to make the size dowel rod that you want. For example, if you wanted a 1/2" diameter dowel rod, then first find two pieces of dowel that are already 1/2" in diameter and glue them together. If you didn't have any pre-cut dowels lying around to use as the base for your homemade dowel rods, then all you would have to do is buy a piece of dowel plate from your local dowel centres and cut it down into smaller custom sizes. When cutting dowels, it is important to choose wood with straight grain patterns in to ensure a strong joint alignment. If you don't want to go through the hassle of making your own dowel rods, then you can also buy the material pre-made from a variety of online stores. Interested in a career in woodwork? Take a look at the Australian Government's JobOutlook website for some some [specialised woodworking trades](https://joboutlook.gov.au/occupations/wood-machinists-and-other-wood-trades-workers?occupationCode=3942).

What is a Cavity Wall?

The main purpose of a typical cavity wall construction is to enhance insulation and safety. A cavity wall also known as a hollow wall is a wall constructed with an air space or cavity between two separate walls called the outer wall and inner wall. The air space provides insulation against energy loss (thermal conductivity). Cavity walls are built for many reasons, but the chief advantages of cavity walls are that they provide protection from extremes of weather such as heat and moisture as the cavity insulation with the damp proof course makes a building warm in winter and cool in summer. They act as fire breaks to prevent the spread of fire across the building and they are relatively cheap to build. Cavity walls were developed in the early 20th century, and they became common in the UK from the 1920s. A cavity wall is made up of two leaves: an outer wall called outer leaf and an inner wall called inner leaf. The space between the internal leaf and external leaf is called a cavity. The brick thickness of the cavity can be any size, but it is usually around 50–75 mm (2-3 inches). Metal ties and concrete slabs are used to hold the inner and outer brick leaf together. ## What is the purpose of the cavity wall? The main purpose of a typical cavity wall construction is to enhance insulation. Generally, exterior walls also known as the outer leaf of the wall provides all-around weather protection, you can expect your home to be warm in winter and cool in summer, no matter how severe or extreme the conditions are outside. And the vertical damp proof course within the cavity wall thickness protects the internal and external walls against moisture as well. The inner wall surface also protects against fire, which means that you will gain peace of mind knowing your property will be safe if there were a house fire. You can often [use dowel](/guides/building-home-renovations/what-is-a-dowel) to extend the use of the cavity wall. ## What are the disadvantages of a cavity wall? The disadvantages of a cavity wall include the below. - Generally, there is more air leakage and heat loss in a cavity wall than in an equivalent solid wall. - Cavity insulation makes the outer brick leaf colder and damper which can lead to metal wall tie corrosion. - Without a proper damp proof course, cavity walls are more prone to moisture due to the cavity separating the two leaves of the wall. - Cavity walls are difficult to insulate, which means you may need professional help when applying cavity walls insulation. - Installation of fixtures such as electric sockets inside the cavity can be tricky. Because of these factors, it’s important to understand exactly what's involved in building a cavity wall before you go ahead with your project. Unless you have plenty of time and patience and demand good insulation from your home, then we recommend that you consider other types of walls for your property. ## Can a cavity wall be used for storage? Cavity walls can be used for storage, but care should always be taken to ensure that the cavities are left open whenever possible. Leaving vents in a wall means you get excellent ventilation and improve air circulation within the cavity. You may be able to insert some [wooden dowel](/guides/building-home-renovations/what-is-a-wooden-dowel) for hanging storage space. ## Can I install an electric socket on a cavity wall? Yes, electric sockets can be installed in cavity walls. However, it is important to note that the installation process can be tricky and it’s often best left to a professional electrician. Make sure you consult with an expert before attempting this type of installation. ## Are there any other benefits to having a cavity wall? In addition to enhanced insulation and protection advantages of cavity walls, cavity wall construction also provide a degree of acoustic and thermal insulation. This means that if you have a cavity wall, your home will be warmer, quieter and less prone to sound transmission from outside with an additional benefit of reduced cooling cost. A solid brick wall has the tendency to slowly draw rainwater into the wall. In a cavity wall, the cavity acts as a medium to drain out rainwater through weep holes. Weep holes are strategically placed holes at the bottom of the wall system that helps drain any water or humidity that can damage the wall. If you’re thinking of building or renovating your home, it’s important to understand the benefits and disadvantages of different types of walls. ## How do I know if I have a cavity wall? The easiest way to find out if your home has a cavity wall is to look for the presence of an air gap between the interior walls and outer walls. This space is usually around 50–75 mm wide (2-3 inches) and the maximum vertical spacing is around 450mm. If you can’t see the air gap, it doesn’t mean that your home doesn’t have a cavity wall as it may just be hidden behind plasterboard or another type of finish. To find out for sure, you can use a metal detector to locate the presence of metal ties (the metal plates that hold the two masonry walls together). ## Can I build a cavity wall myself? Cavity wall construction is a job for a professional. Unless you have plenty of time, patience and experience, it’s best to leave this type of project to the experts. Cavity wall insulation can be expensive to build, so it’s important to make sure you get the job done properly the first time around. ## How is cavity wall construction done? Cavity wall construction details includes building two dry-stacked or masonry walls separated with an air space or cavity between the outer leaf (exterior wall facing the outside of the building structure) and the inner leaf (interior wall). Brick cavity wall consists of metal ties that are then inserted across the gap to hold the outer leaf and inner leaf together. A reinforced concrete foundation slab of structural steel is placed beneath the internal and external leaves before they are joined using various types of construction adhesive and plasterboard, fire breaker, insulation material. Finishing materials are applied to each side of the cavity wall. It's important to ensure that a flexible vertical damp proof course is provided at the doors and windows reveals to prevent moisture from entering. ## Where are cavity walls usually installed? Cavity walls are mostly installed in older homes, as modern construction methods tend to favour other types of wall assembly. Cavity wall insulation is typically found in brick veneer homes, non-loadbearing cavity brick homes, concrete slab on ground homes and timber frame homes that have been constructed with a cavity between the inner and outer leaves. ## How do I fill the empty space of my cavity wall? If you’re installing an insulation material to your cavity walls, it’s best to leave the air gap alone as a continuous cavity as this is actually what provides the insulation value for your home. If you really want to fill your cavity, use plasterboard or another type of fireproof finish material instead. Other materials such as mineral wool or cellulose can also be used to fill the cavity, but they’re not as effective at preventing a fire from spreading. It's also important to provide a damp proof environment within the cavity to protect the wall against moisture. ## Can I put sound insulation in a cavity wall? Yes, in addition to the many advantages of cavity walls, sound insulation can also be installed in them, generally to the external face of the internal wall. This type of insulation is usually made from mineral wool or cellulose and it helps to prevent sound transmission from one room to another. If you’re thinking of installing acoustic insulation in your home, make sure you consult with an expert to find out which type of cavity wall insulation will work best for your needs. Sound insulation materials may use a mineral wool insulation made from natural rock. Take a look at YourHome for more information on [brickwork and cavity walls](https://www.yourhome.gov.au/materials/brickwork-and-blockwork).

What is a Roof Eave?

A roof eave is the overhanging part of a rooftop. It is typically part of the roof that sticks out past the exterior walls of a home or building. It's constructed where the wall and roof meets. The purpose of this is to protect the walls from weather damage and to provide shelter for people and animals. Roofing eaves and soffits can be decorative, as well as functional in lowering cooling bills. The edges are often decorated with moulding, corbels or supporting rafters. As per the widest sense, the house eaves might be of same angle. The most common type is the gabled eave. This type has two sloping rooflines that meet at a edge or peak. The gabled eaves are the most common type of eaves because it is both attractive and functional. It helps to protect the walls from weather damage. Hipped rooftop eaves have four sloping rooftop sections that meet at a flat top with close proximity to that of a pyramid. It is the least common type of edge, but its design can be very attractive and it provides significant protection for exterior walls. The pediment rooftop eave is often used in classical architectural style. It has a triangular shape and is designed to be decorative. The pediment is not very common, but when it is used it can add a lot of elegance to a property. There are also a few different types of flared eaves drainage. The most common is a box gutter. This type of rafters have gutters that are installed into the space between the top surface of the wall and the bottom edge of the rooftop. Box gutters provide a lot of protection from weather damage, winter sun, especially when they are made from durable materials such as copper or aluminium. The second type of rooftop eaves drainage is the open gutter. This type of gutter is installed on the siding of the house and it relies on precipitation to flow into it. It is not as durable as a box gutter, but it is much less expensive to install. A final type of rooftop eaves drainage is the concealed gutter. This type of gutter is built right into the rooftop eave and it is a more advanced, but aesthetically pleasing design. Finally, a rooftop overhanging part can be a very functional feature of rooftop eaves. The exposed rafters may provide shelter from and keep rain or other elements away from the walls of a house. ## What is the difference between a soffit and an eave? A soffit is a term used to describe the underside of eaves. Eaves are a small part that projects from the exterior wall or rooftop of a house, and their purpose is to provide shelter from the elements In most cases, soffits will be designed with decorative features such as long boards or fascia. Fascia are made throughout the building horizontally. Soffits are also often used to conceal the underside of rooftop rafters or beams They are not the same thing. The term soffit can also be used to describe the entire underside of rooftop eaves, not just the small overhanging. However, it is more common form to use the term soffits to describe the underside of a small overhang, and eave to describe the entire rooftop eave. ## What are roof eaves made from? Rooftop eaves can be made from a variety of materials, including wood, metal, and plastic. The most common material used for eaves or soffits is wood, occasionally [connected with a dowel](/guides/building-home-renovations/what-is-a-dowel), because it is both durable and attractive. Metal eaves are also popular because they are very durable and can withstand weather damage better than wooden eaves. Plastic roofing eaves are not as common as the other two types, but they are very durable and can be made to look like wood or metal. ## What is the purpose of roof eaves? The purpose of roofing eaves is to protect the walls of a house from weather damage. They are often decorated with moulding or corbels, and they can have a decorative structure such as soffit or fascia overhanging. Soffited eaves provide shelter near exterior walls and can be used for ventilation purposes and a comfortable temperature in ranch style homes. ## What are the alternatives to roof eaves? There are a few alternatives to rooftop eaves, including rooftop overhangs, gables, and rooftop dormers. Rooftop overhangs are types of eaves that project from the exterior walls of a building. They are often used to provide shade from the elements for people or animals near the exterior walls. Gables are triangular sections that are added to the top of a building in order to increase the amount of headroom inside. They are often used in conjunction with house eaves or soffits to create a more attractive and functional rooftop. Rooftop dormers are small sections that project from the roofing of a house and provide additional space inside the building. They are often used by homeowners to create more bedrooms or bathrooms. ## What is the difference between a roof overhang and an eave? A roof overhang is a type of structure that projects from the exterior walls of a house. It is often used to provide shade from the elements for people or animals near the exterior walls. They are used for a variety of different functions, including ventilation, decoration, and weatherproofing. ## Do roof eaves need guttering? Guttering is not always necessary for eaves, but it is often used to collect rainwater and move it away from the building. If you have a gutter system installed on your rooftop, it is important to make sure that the eaves are extended far enough so that the gutter can catch the water. If you do not have a gutter system, the eaves can be designed to direct the water away from the building windows using downspouts or other methods. ## What are some common problems with roof eaves? The most common problem with roof eaves is water damage. If they are not properly designed or installed, they can allow water to leak into the walls of the building or windows - possibly accumulating [in a cavity wall](/guides/building-home-renovations/what-is-a-cavity-wall). This can cause extensive damage over time and can be expensive to repair. Another common problem with roof space is insulation If the eaves are not properly insulated, they can allow ice and snow to accumulate on the roof pitch. This can cause the ice and snow to melt and run down the sides of the windows, leading to water damage. ## How can I prevent problems with my roof eaves? There are a few things that you can do to prevent problems with your roofing eaves, including proper insulation, ground gutter installation, and rooftop maintenance. It is also important to make sure that your gutter system is installed correctly and is working properly. Rooftop maintenance is essential for keeping all parts of the rooftop in good condition, including the eaves and fascia. They are great for passive shading, as outlined on the [YourHome website](https://www.yourhome.gov.au/passive-design/shading).

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I engage a builder?

A builder can give advice throughout the entire construction process. Check with your preferred builder if they can provide design and labour.

Can I approach a builder without a design?

It depends on the builder. Some builders will help design a home with you as part of their services.

What is a building contract?

A building contract is an agreement of terms between a land owner and a builder.

What is the difference between commercial and home building contracts?

Commercial building contracts outline a non-residential property development. Residential building contracts outline a private, home development.

What does a builder do?

A residential or commercial builder is responsible for organising, managing and supervising all the components related to the build.

Is a builder the same as a carpenter?

Definitely not. A builder is responsible for almost the whole project while a carpenter works on the wood structures.

What are site costs?

Before building can commence, the block of land needs to be prepared for construction, including setting up power, water, gas etc.

Can a builder do electrical, plumbing, cooling or heating work?

Most likely not, however, most builders may be able to arrange these services for you.

Download Our App

Localsearch App

Find local businesses - anywhere, anytime.

Localsearch For Business App

Manage your business - anywhere, anytime.