What is an eave on a house?

An eave is the overhanging lower edge of a roof that extends beyond the supporting walls of a building. Eaves serve both a functional and aesthetic purpose on a house.

Functionally, eaves help to direct water away from the walls of the building, preventing water damage to the exterior and foundation. They also provide shade and protection from the elements, helping to keep the building cooler in the summer and drier in the winter. Additionally, eaves can help to improve energy efficiency by reducing heat gain and loss through the roof.

Aesthetically, eaves can add visual interest to the exterior of a house, helping to break up the height of the facade and create a more inviting and cohesive look. Eaves can be simple or decorative, depending on the architectural style of the house.

Eaves are typically constructed using a combination of rafters, fascia boards, soffits, and gutters. Different styles of eaves, such as open eaves, enclosed eaves, or boxed eaves, can be used to achieve different looks and functionality. Maintenance of eaves may involve cleaning out gutters, repairing damaged fascia or soffits, and inspecting for signs of water damage or rot.