Eaves and Associated Trim

Eaves and Associated Trim

The eaves are the extension of the rafters beyond the exterior wall of the house. Eaves are desirable because they provide a partial shield from solar radiation, and because they help divert water away from the exterior walls. Eaves are not required, and are not often present on houses a with low slope roof.

When the rafters are exposed, the eaves are called open eaves. When the rafters are enclosed, the eaves are called boxed eaves, closed eaves, or a boxed cornice.

A boxed cornice (eaves) consists of several trim components. The fascia is the vertical trim at the rafter end. The fascia is usually wood or a composite material. Wood, especially where vinyl or aluminum siding has been installed, may be covered by vinyl or aluminum. The soffit is the horizontal trim that encloses the rafter bottoms between the fascia and the house wall. The soffit is usually wood or plywood. When the wall covering is aluminum or vinyl, the wood soffit may be covered by aluminum or vinyl, or the soffit may be the made from aluminum or vinyl. The intersection of the soffit and house wall is often trimmed with bed molding or various styles of crown molding. With some wall coverings, such as brick, an additional vertical trim component, the frieze, may be installed between the building wall and the fascia to hide where the wall covering ends. A boxed cornice that changes direction at a gable roof end is called a cornice return, or a return.

Typical Defects Typical defects that home inspectors should report include:

1. water stains and water damage,
2. absent, loose, damaged, and warped trim,
3. absent and deteriorated paint or other coating,
4. absent, damaged, and blocked ventilation screens,
5. openings that allow vermin entry,
6. trim penetrates wall covering creating a water entry point.

Standards (1) IRC 2018 R703.1 (soffit installation), R806 (attic ventilation); (2) manufacturer’s instructions (for vinyl and aluminum).