Open Eaves Roof

Types of eaves.

Open eaves roof.

I recently built a small outbuilding with a 6 in 12 pitch roof that offers a perfect example for showing the process i use to build eaves and rakes. 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. In an open eave design the roof rafters or joists and roof sheathing are visible. Doing so raises the eave which prevents it from conflicting with the window head height.

Fortunately repairing rotten or weathered eaves is a relatively simple project that you can do yourself without ever having to climb onto your roof. A roof can come to an end in basically three ways. An open eave has a pronounced overhang often revealing projecting roof beams or brackets. Eaves are the edges of the roof which extend over the side of a building and overhang the face of the wall.

The overhang keeps any rainfall away from the walls whilst the junction where the roof meets the wall is also protected from water ingress. Open eaves with trusses. Over time exposure to the elements and damage created by nesting animals can rob your home s eaves the overhanging edges of the roof of their attractive appearance and structural strength. Eaves that are not closed off and that do not have proper insulation can cause energy bills to rise due to heated or cooled air leaking out of the house.

With a soffited eave design the roof rafters and sheathing are hidden through the use of a panel or boards that extend horizontally from the edge of the roof typically being attached to the bottom of the fascia back to the exterior wall. Start with the rafter tails the main component of any eaves detail is the rafter tail the part of the rafter that extends beyond the exterior wall. Open eaves provide access for the effects of weather. Closed eaves with angled soffit closed eaves with flat soffit and no raised heel.

A box eave is enclosed with a soffit. Eaves also provide shade to a building helping them to maintain a comfortable. When designing an open eave with roof trusses make sure that you raise the heel of the truss and use a thicker top chord. From left to right.

Closing off the eaves in your home can be easily done with a little preparation and understanding about how your eaves are built.