Table of Contents
What Is a Soffit? 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 an overhang called in architecture?
The eaves are the edges of the roof which overhang the face of a wall and, normally, project beyond the side of a building. The eaves form an overhang to throw water clear of the walls and may be highly decorated as part of an architectural style, such as the Chinese dougong bracket systems.
What is the difference between an eave and an overhang?
Eaves are located at the down-slope edge of a sloped roof and serve as the transition between the roof and fascia/wall. Overhangs are extensions of the roof beyond the exterior wall (i.e., the joists, rafters, or trusses and the decking they support cantilever past the wall).
What is roof overhang called?
Eave: A roof edge that extends past the exterior wall line at the bottom of a slope.
What is the difference between an eave and a rake?
Eaves—The lower edge of a roof (often overhanging beyond the edge of the house). Rake—The slanting edge of a gable roof at the end wall of the house. Ridge—The horizontal line at the top edge of two sloping roof planes.
What is the fascia on a house?
fascia. Trim is the material used to encase windows and doors, among other features, on a home’s exterior. Fascia is a horizontal or angled board that encloses the edge or face of the projecting eaves.
What is the difference between eaves and soffits?
Eaves are usually made of wood and then covered with roofing material. Soffit materials coordinate with siding and fascia boards on the exterior walls, and generally follow the aesthetics of the residence.
What is it called where a roof meets a wall?
A headwall is a level junction where a roof meets a wall. This illustration shows proper flashing at a headwall condition. Headwall flashing should extend up behind the exterior wall covering and down over the roof-covering material, as you see here.
What are soffits on a house?
The soffit is the material beneath the eave that connects the far edge of your roof to the exterior wall of your house. They are often vented. Besides being underneath your eaves, soffits can also be on the underside of a porch roof.
What are rafters in a house?
A rafter is defined as one of a series of sloped structural pieces (typically wooden beams) that extend from the hip or ridge to eave, wall plate, or downslope perimeter. They’re designed to support the roof deck, shingles, and everything else that goes with the roof. Rafters are the traditional way to frame a roof.
What is a soffit vs fascia?
The soffit is part of the overhang where your roof meets your siding. The fascia is the attractive board along the side of the overhang and the roof that helps your roof appear finished. Your gutter sits atop the facia board. The fascia is also known as a “transition trim” between the home and the roofline.
What is the difference between fascia and flashing?
Flashing prevents leaks and protects the deck (the first layer of roofing) and underlayment, which is usually tar paper. Fascia is a flat board or band located on the front of your roof’s overhang. It is connected to the trusses or rafters of your home.
What do you call the ceiling outside the house?
An eave is the part of the roof that hangs over the side of the home. Otherwise known as an overhang, eaves are designed to push water clear of the siding.
What is a gable overhang?
Gable roof overhangs provide shading and protection from the elements and can also be considered desirable aesthetically. The gable roof overhang reduces the amount of rain that hits the exterior of the home, thus providing additional protection from water damage.
What is a valley on a roof?
A roof valley is formed where two roof slopes meet. Water collects in a valley to flow off the roof. Your choice of valley installation method is critical because, when improperly installed, valleys are risks for serious leaks. Essentially, there are three main ways to shingle a roof valley: woven, closed-cut and open.
What are the boards on a roof called?
Roof decking (or roof sheathing) is the wooden boards that make up the framing of your roof. These boards are what your shingles and other roofing components are installed on. There are 2 types of wood roof decking: plank decking and sheet decking.
What is trim on the outside of a house?
The finish materials on the exterior of a building, such as moldings applied around openings (window trim, door trim), siding, windows, exterior doors, attic vents, crawl space vents, shutters, etc. Also, the physical work of installing these materials.
Where is the soffit and fascia on a house?
An exterior soffit is located on the span beneath the rafter tails, while the fascia is the exposed horizontal band you see at the end of the rafters. These architectural elements found along the eave area do more than just add visual interest and give a finished look to your home.
