Roof Eaves Overview
You may have heard the term “roof eave” before but aren’t sure exactly what it means. In this overview, All American Roof Pros will tell you what it is, describe the types of roof eaves there could be, and go over why they’re important.
If you are looking for some information or help with a roof eave, don't hesitate to reach out to All American Roof Pros today.
What is a Roof Eave?
A roof eave is the part of a roof that extends over the exterior siding. It can provide protection from the weather, and this can be really important given our climate in Northern Ohio. An eave allows snow and rain to fall off from the roof and down to the ground, away from the home. Some people like the idea of having larger eaves in order to provide more protection and funnel more precipitation away from the basement. An eave can offer shade as well. When the sun is at a certain angle, an eave may block that sunlight from entering through windows.
Roof eaves also serve a decorative purpose. Some homes in our area have eaves over their windows and front doors, and others have eaves that extend further. The length of an eave can depend on the style of the home. For instance, homes that have a Victorian style may look great with wide eaves, stately residences may have decorative eaves, and cape-style homes may have very minimal eaves. In our modern era, whether a home has eaves and how big those eaves are depends a lot on the homeowner’s personal preference.
There are a few different components that make up an eave. The soffit is the underside of the eave. Soffits can be made using a variety of materials, including wood or fiber cement. A soffit can protect the underside of the roof from moisture, and it can also play a key role in helping your roof breathe. Soffits can either be perforated or vented to encourage the movement of air throughout your attic. This can regulate the temperature in your attic and reduce the possibility of the formation of mold and mildew. Another component of the roof eave is the fascia, which is the vertical part that’s right underneath the overhang. Fascia helps with curb appeal, and it’s typically made out of wood. It could, alternatively, be made with:
PVC, fiber cement, aluminum, or vinyl. In addition, fascia plays a role in protecting your roof and your home from water damage.
What are the Types of Eaves?
There are three main types of eaves:
- Closed eave
- Open eave
- Box eave
A closed eave is an overhang that has a soffit to fully enclose the underside of the roof. An open eave doesn’t have that fully enclosed soffit. Instead, the roof rafters are exposed. Open eaves might not offer as much protection as closed eaves, but some people prefer this style because of its architectural aspect. Finally, there are box eaves. Box eaves are a form of closed eaves that have extra ornamental pieces. Those pieces create a box-like structure underneath the eave.
Roof Eave Factors to Watch Out For
Roof eaves are very practical and can add a lot to a home, both in terms of function and appearance. However, there are some things that homeowners need to be aware of. The main thing is that animals are attracted to them. Birds, wasps, and spiders can all easily make homes under eaves. After all, eaves do such a good job of protecting your home from the elements. It makes sense that they’d be perfect places in which animals can settle down. Sometimes, larger creatures like raccoons and squirrels can find ways to get into nooks and crannies underneath eaves, and this would be a major problem.
Keep an eye on your eaves and clean them up periodically. There are some ways to deter pests that you can consider. Further, if any part of your fascia or soffit seems damaged, it’s important to address that right away. Moisture can seep inside, and so can critters that can cause more damage once they’re inside your attic or behind your soffits.
Have Questions? Reach Out to Our Team
We’re here to help people in our local area. If you are located in the Mansfield, OH region and need any type of assistance with a roof eave, just give All American Roof Pros a call. We’re fully licensed and insured, and we work with precision, care, and efficiency. We install,repair, and replace roofs, including metal or shingled roofs, and we also offer services related to gutter repair.
Need help with a roof eave? Contact us for more information today.