Tag: eaves

Architecture & Building

How to add roof a overhang

A roof overhang also known as eaves protects the building under it from rain and weather. The overhanging edge of the roof also gives extra shade to the windows, preventing glare and heat from entering the home. Adding an overhang isn’t a very difficult job. However, blending the new overhang into the existing roof requires some expertise.  

Accessing the roof –  

Firstly, start by taking off the existing fascia and any other trim that covers the rafter tails. Once the rafter tails and top of the wall plate are exposed, you should be able to see into the loft.  

Extending the rafters –  

Secondly, cut the rafter extensions three times the length of the overhang you want to add. Then, position the rafter extension against the existing rafter. Make sure that two-thirds of their length overlap’s the rafters, defining the overhang. You should nail an extension to each rafter spaced 6 to 8 inches apart. The overhang should be 2 feet or less to ensure it would be stable.  

Installing fascia’s and soffits –  

Once the new overhang is on you can then start the fascia and soffit installation. Attach a new two-by-four sub-fascia board along the ends of the new rafter tails. The fascia board is nailed it the rafter and usually has a lip for the soffit boards to slot into. To build a soffit, attach a two by four nailer board to the wall of the building, making it level with the bottom of the fascia.  

Adding the roof to the overhang –  

Once the overhangs are framed, you need to cover the rafter extensions with a fresh layer of plywood sheathing. The best way to integrate the new overhang into the roof is to remove the underlay and shingles from the entire roof and put new ones on. If you use new shingles, the new overhangs will disappear into the roof. If you don’t want to reroof, then you’ll have to settle for a less than perfect blend. Your biggest problem may be finding roof shingles to match the ones on your house.   

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Architecture & Building

Understanding All Of The Details Of A Roof

When it comes to the roof of your home, there are quite a few components. Here you can gain an understanding of all of the details that make up a roof.  

What is a ridge?  

Firstly, the ridge is defined as the highest point on a roof, often referred to as the peak. It is a horizontal line running the length of the roof where the two planes meet. 

A ridge beam is a necessary structural member that carries half of the roof load and must be used when building roofs with slopes less than 3/12.  

 If you are thinking of installing a loft conversion, you must measure from the floor to the ridge height to see if you have a minimum head height of 2.2 m.  

What is a hip?  

A hip roof has no vertical ends. It is sloped on all sides, with the slopes meeting in a peak. The hip is the external angle at which adjacent sloping sides of a roof meets.  

The hip provides the ideal protection from the weather, like heavy rain, snow, and high winds. This is because the sides are sloped towards the ground so the weather can slide off and makes the building more stable.  

Rafters –  

A rafter is a structural component that is used as a part of the construction. Typically, it runs from the ridge or hip of the roof to the wall plate of the external wall. Rafters contain two main outer beams which support the structure. In addition, they are usually laid side-by-side, providing a base to support roof decks and coverings. 

Valley –  

A valley is a gutter-like valley that runs between two sloped sections. They are used so that the rainwater has somewhere to escape.  

Although just like gutters, valleys undergo a fair amount of wear over time. They can leak, rust, and get blocked up; however, the repairs are a common situation and easy to fix.  

They are typically made of lead, concrete, or fiberglass. Although, aluminum is now growing in popularity, as a lightweight and rust-resistant alternative to older iron/ steel valleys.  

Rakes –  

The rake refers to the slanting edge of a gable roof at the end wall of the house. This f is most common in colder climates and consists of two sections sloping in opposite directions from the peak to allow for the best flow of water off the roof.  

They are important because they help keep your roof dry and they serve the important function of preventing water from getting into the fascia.  

Shingles –  

Finally, shingles are coverings consisting of individual overlapping elements. These elements are typically flat, rectangular shapes laid in courses from the bottom edge of the roof up. With each course overlapping the joints below.  

Roofing Terms | Brothers Roofing NJ

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Architecture & Building

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.  

17,507 Eaves Stock Photos, Pictures & Royalty-Free Images - iStock

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