To summarise the difference between the two in a construction context, the eave is an area of the roof which overhangs the walls , whereas the soffit is the underside component of this area only.
What is the eaves of a roof?
The area where a roof extends a small way past the wall of a building is usually referred to as the eaves. ... Eaves are formed as the rafters of the roof extend past the side of the building to distribute and support the load of the roof more evenly.
What are eaves and soffits on a house?
Your roof by necessity, will often times extend over the walls of your home. This overhang can go by a few names, such as the house eaves or the rafters of your roof. The underside of this overhang, when given a finished appearance, is known as the soffit, which means “ something fixed underneath ”.
What is the purpose of soffits?
Why does my home need soffit? Soffit acts as a passive ventilation unit for your attic. It keeps warm moisture in the air from entering the attic air and condensing and creating mold . Before soffit became a popular method of circulating air though a roof area, homes used gable vents or a hood vent to create air flow.
What is difference between eaves and soffit?
The underside of the eaves is referred to as the soffit. The difference between the two is that the underside of the soffit is the only part of the roof that overhangs the wall .
Do roofers fix soffits?
Qualified roofers, carpenters, gutter companies, or skilled maintenance people may all be qualified to work on your soffit repair project. ... The average fascia or soffit repair job costs $2,300 . Most jobs range between $600 and $6,000.
Why do roofs have eaves?
Function. The primary function of the eaves is to keep rain water off the walls and to prevent the ingress of water at the junction where the roof meets the wall .
What is the purpose of eaves?
What are eaves? Eaves are an extension of the roof that overhangs the walls of your house. Both functional and decorative, having eaves can optimise sunlight exposure and protect from moisture , while also accentuating the overall feel of your home.
Do all houses have eaves?
Contemporary homes may have narrow roof eaves or no eaves at all for a minimal, streamlined look. Buildings with flat roofs usually do not have eaves, but some can have eaves that stick straight out to protect the exterior walls. A home with shallow or no eaves leaves the home vulnerable to water damage and leaks.
Are eaves and fascia the same?
Eaves— The lower edge of a roof (often overhanging beyond the edge of the house). Fascia—A decorative board extending down from the roof edge either at the eave or at the rake.
Where are the eaves of a house?
Eaves are the underside of your roof – specifically the part of the roof that attaches to and juts out from the house. They not only make your house look more aligned to rest of the Atherstone streetscape – they can also save you money.
Do soffits lead to attic?
A soffit vent is simply a vent installed into the underside of your home’s eaves (called the soffit) that permits fresh outside air to be drawn up into the attic . ... Cooler fresh air is drawn up through the soffit at the base of your roof and hot and humid air is expelled through the roof vents at the top.
Are vented soffits necessary?
A roof may need soffit vents if there is no other ventilation allowing for adequate air movement . However, if the attic space is properly sealed and insulated, there is no need for this type of ventilation. ... Soffit vents are an easy, aesthetically pleasing way to vent the attic space.
Should soffits be sealed?
Soffit allows air to circulate in and out of the attic through the rafters and is available in both aluminum or vinyl. ... After soffit is installed, it is important to properly seal it from the many outdoor elements it can come across .
What do soffits and fascias do?
Sealing your roof
As well as offering good ventilation for your attic , your fascia and soffits act as that final seal between the inside of your home and the external elements. A well-installed fascia and soffit will help to protect the feet of your roof rafters from the external elements.
