Roofing Supplies Guides & Resources

What are Eaves?

The eave is the projecting part of the roof. It overhangs the face of a wall beyond the side of a structure. The roof eaves is an overhang located where the roof meets the wall. It protects the exterior walls from rainwater damage or snow. It is also installed to provide shade. Eaves allow light into a living space from overhead while protecting it from direct sunlight. Eaves are often protected by parapets or other elements for safety purposes. Like all other architectural details of the building, eaves are not always of the same design or style as the remainder of the building. An eave is also called a "bracket," especially when it projects outward from upper stories on an outbuilding such as a barn. A specialised architectural element of this type is an eave spout or eavestrough, which directs rainwater clear of the windows, walls, and foundations. As part of an exterior wall, large overhangs protect windows and exterior doors during storms and heavy rains. This drip edge can be functional (i.e., built into the structure), cantilevered beyond its support (i.e., projecting), or simply decorative with protruding flat boards underneath to catch water droplets before they fall. ## What is the purpose of eaves? Eaves are sometimes used purely for decoration that improves the architectural style of the building. For instance, decoration was the main idea in Dutch colonial houses that had the flared eaves curved upwards at the outer edge to reflect the concept behind Dutch hats. Eaves may also be used to divert water away from the walls, protect walls and windows. Wide eaves are great at providing shade to the sidings, especially in hot weather conditions. They provide additional space under the roof surface area, which can be used for storage or habitable space like an attic conversion/loft conversion in a building. This arrangement is especially helpful when buildings have spiral staircases so that users can exit through a window in the staircase. You can employ the versatility of roof eaves to modify the architectural design of your house. A case in point is deep eaves to beautify ranch style homes. The rafters of the eave are also the location where the fascia board is attached. Further, the fascia is the part of the roof where [gutters are attached](/guides/roofing-supplies/what-are-gutter-guards). When a building is on a slope, eaves may be used to redirect rain water away from the lowest side of the structure. House eaves may also be used for other purposes, such as air conditioning systems to maintain a comfortable temperature during winter or summer. Roof eaves are also used to access the roof space to install accessories for solar panels. ### Exposed eaves The exposed rafters on the underside of the building, the roof tiles, or the roof itself are visible. These are also called open eaves. ### Closed eave These house eaves have a soffit that hides the underside of the house. The wood used to make a closed eave runs along the supporting rafters. ### Boxed in eaves These eaves are made in such a way that they extend from one edge of the roof to the other at the same angle as the roof pitch, "boxing in" the underside of the roof and the rafters. ## Are soffits and eaves the same thing? Soffits are usually found along the underside of the eaves. They hide the roof rafters. They contain wiring, plumbing vents, and other undesirable elements that do not require easy access from inside a home. It is recommended to have soffit vents installed if an air conditioning unit or furnace is present to ensure proper removal of fumes, heat, moisture, etc. Sometimes soffits are used to house walls of cabinets for storage or to enclose beams. It is also possible to cover the edges of eaves with foliage like aloe vera plants. ## What are some signs that my eaves need repair? Some of the most common signs that your home’s eaves may need maintenance or replacement include leaks, rot, and buckles in your exterior walls near the eave line, discolouration on the siding; mildewing or peeling paint, cracks between boards; warped shingles, missing sheathing or roof vents, loose caulk around windows and doors, mould or moisture stains on soffit panels, cracked drywall along with bathroom ceilings near plumbing stacks. ## What are eaves made of? Eaves are made from a variety of different materials. Wood is the most common material used for eaves, as it is usually affordable and easy to work with. Stone or brick may also be used as long as they have been adequately waterproofed. Metal might be used on industrial buildings but may not work for smaller residential homes due to its rigidity. ## How do I know how much my roof should overhang? There are many factors that can determine how much your roof should overhang along your home's exterior walls. Determining the appropriate angle for a new roof, or [specific type of roof](/guides/roofing-supplies/what-is-a-skillion-roof), will ensure proper drainage during storms and maximise effective water management. The pitch of a given structure can change depending on several variables such as climate. ## What do eves look like? Eaves look like weathered pieces of wood that hang over the edge of a roof and down against the wall. Eaves can be made from wooden planks, terracotta tiles, or even stone. Eaves are the overhanging portion of a roof, usually found along the perimeter of a building. Eaves can serve multiple purposes, such as rainwater runoff control and fade protection. They may also serve an aesthetic purpose or provide extra space for storage or even loft conversion. Most houses have eaves on the front and rear elevation and some on either side. The amount of overhang varies from project to project depending on design, climate, and client requirements. Eaves can also be decorative pieces that add character to a building's facade/frontage. They take on a multitude of shapes and designs, ranging from a flat board to an ornate piece with multiple levels. Houses in the tropics tend to have very large eaves, while houses in drier climates have smaller or no eves at all. ## Can I get different styles of eaves? Yes, there are different styles of eaves that you can choose from when remodelling your house. There is a flat board eave and a multi-tiered type with multiple levels. The multi-tiered style of eaves is more decorative and aesthetically pleasing. It has an added value to any type of structure. They come in different designs and shapes. You can choose the one that best matches your siding, suits the architecture of your property, and satisfies your taste. ## What are architectural soffits? Architectural soffits are used instead of recessed lighting or chandeliers to cover the edge of ceiling trim boards. This is usually done for aesthetic reasons, as it hides the underside of the ceiling board and protects them from dust that tends to accumulate there over time. What's more, it provides additional headroom for tall people; who don't like stooping when walking through doorways or passageways. An architectural soffit might be made of plasterboard, plywood, drywall, or even brick. It is often finished in the same material as the ceiling to make it seem part of the original design. ## How do I clean my eaves? Cleaning your eaves is easy. All you need are simple materials that you probably already have at home. You will need a bucket, some water, and coarse sandpaper. The first thing you want to do is fill your bucket with warm water and add a little bit of detergent into the mix. Next, rough up your eaves by sanding them with coarse sandpaper. You can either use hand tools or power tools, whatever works best for you. Finally, rinse the eaves with a garden hose to remove any debris and dirt particles. ## How can I repair my eaves? It is important to take care of your eaves as they provide structural stability to your roof, along with protecting its underbelly from erosion, mould growth, and rusting. It also controls the amount of water that accumulates on a rooftop which can be a dangerous hazard during a storm or heavy rain for those living in areas that receive regular precipitation. When it comes time for repairs, you want to make sure that you use an experienced professional who specialises in fixing one's eaves. That way, they'll do it correctly and reduce potential damage caused by shoddy workmanship. ## What are eave troughs? Eave troughs serve two purposes: collecting water and diverting it away from your house's structure. Eaves troughs are long, shallow boxes that mimic the shape of a gutter. They usually feature an overflow weir that carries excess water into the next adjacent eave trough or downspout and away from the foundation of your home. ## Do eaves need roof plumbing? Yes. Eaves plumbing is where your roofing system captures, diverts, and eliminates excess water away from the foundation of your home. It helps prevent erosion, mould growth, and rust that can permanently damage your rooftop or building's structural integrity. There are different types of eaves plumbing depending on whether you live in a wet or dry climate zone. ### Wet climates These are areas where there is consistent rainfall throughout the year, which means you'll need an eave drainage system that facilitates the regular elimination of rainwater, so it doesn't accumulate over time. Your drainpipe should have no less than 2 inches in diameter to help increase water flow during these times. ### Dry climates Dry climates feature little to no rainfall throughout the year. This means that your roofing system doesn't run the risk of getting clogged by debris, which is why you won't need eave drainage or downspouts at all. Eves can play an important role in passive home shading, according the Australian government's [YourHome website](https://www.yourhome.gov.au/passive-design/shading). ## What are eave troughs used for? Eave troughs not only divert excess water away from your home and are well suited to most roof styles [such as a truss roof](/guides/roofing-supplies/what-is-a-truss-roof). They can be cut to any length or shape, depending on how you like them. You can purchase pre-made eaves troughs or have them custom made based on your specific needs.