The eaves are the roof edges that overhang the face of a wall and, in most cases, extend over the side of a structure. The eaves provide an overhang to keep water away from the walls and can be elaborately adorned as part of an architectural style, such as the Chinese dougong bracket systems. Eaves may also be used to shed snow and provide shade or protection from the sun for buildings without internal windows. They may also be used to hide plumbing and wiring projects.
In architecture, an overhang is the portion of a building's exterior above a window or door opening. It often includes decorative elements such as dentils, finials, and other projections. In general, it is considered good design practice to include some form of overhang to protect people from inclement weather and to help direct rainwater away from the foundation.
Decorative overhangs are common on houses built before the advent of air-conditioning. They provide a place for occupants to store their shoes and hats, and act as a shelter from the sun for any furniture placed under them. A gable end with a half-timbering is a common feature of English and Welsh houses dating back hundreds of years. The overhang protects the interior of the house from the weather, but still allows light into the room through small openings near the top.
An attic is the space above a floor or ceiling that functions as storage.
What exactly are eaves? Eaves are the roof edges that extend over a building's side and overhang the face of the wall. They provide protection from the elements for buildings that would otherwise be exposed to rain, snow, and heat/cold air. The overhanging portion of an eave is called the drip line. It contains openings (often called "eavesdrops") through which water can drain away from the house.
There are three main types of eaves: flat, scalloped, and coved. A flat eavestructure does not have any curving lines, while a scalloped one has some slight indentations in its edge. A coved eave has a small peaked section at the top where the ends of the boards overlap each other.
The term "eaves" also refers to the decorative woodwork at their base. This is usually constructed of two by fours or similar standard timber framing members set into footings and covered with sheathing and siding to form the exterior surface of the building. The eaves protect the roof deck from weather-related damage or deterioration.
Overhangs on roof eaves must be large and broad to shield windows from the sun and rain while also providing shade and minimizing glare. Large windows and air vents on the roof or walls provide a comparable effect, but designs must also keep rain out. Overhanging roofs are common in tropical climates because they help reduce heat loss during hot summers and retain heat for cold winters.
In cold climates, an overhang is used to protect windows from snow and ice. It also provides a degree of insulation from outside temperatures.
Roofs with overhangs are also called hip roofs because they have a curved edge rather than a straight one. Hip roofs are most commonly found on houses in warmer climates because they can be built with thinner material and still remain strong. They are less common in colder climates because thick layers of shingles are needed to withstand weather conditions.
Houses with flat roofs are not recommended for areas that experience heavy rainfall because it can lead to flooding. Also, if there are any chemicals being stored on the roof they could cause damage to your home if they leak into the surrounding area.
Flat roofs are also not recommended for areas where there is a risk of fire because they cannot be put out with water.
The ridge is the highest point on your roof. On a sloping roof, it is the highest point. Eaves: The eaves are the lower borders of the roof that overhang the outer walls of the house. The gable is the A-shaped side wall of a house that creates the roof's apex. It may be flat or have a cross-gable configuration. Gables can be decorative and serve a functional role as well. They protect roofs from heavy rain and snow loads. The purpose of the gable is to allow hot air to escape from inside the building during cold weather, and to prevent ice from forming on the roof during winter months.
The dormer is a small turret that extends out from the side of a roof. Most commonly, it is found on churches, but they are also seen on homes with steeply pitched roofs. Dormers are used either to provide more headroom by extending up higher than the main roofline, or to shed sunlight into dark interior spaces. Dormers can also be used for ventilation by opening windows within the body of the structure when needed.
The parapet is a low wall around the edge of a roof, usually made of stone or brick. It serves to contain any water that does get onto the roof, to keep birds away from dangerous areas, and to provide decoration. Parapets may also contain lighting fixtures, radio antennas, or other features.
Eaves are the vertical edges of a roof. They're usually made of wood or steel and attached to the house at intervals along their length. Eaves provide protection from the elements for areas of the roof that would be difficult or impossible to reach otherwise. They also act as an extension of the wall above them, helping to prevent water under pressure from leaking through small holes or cracks in the surface.
The word "eave" comes from Old English eafu which means "edge". It's probably why eaves are sometimes called "roof edges".
There are several different types of eaves including plain, scalloped, coved, and dentiled. Each type of eavestructures effectively seals off sections of the roof that wouldn't otherwise be accessible. This prevents water from collecting in low-lying areas of the roof where it could cause damage over time.
Plain eaves consist only of the protective wall and no decorative features are added. These are the easiest type of eaves to construct and install. They're also the least expensive to purchase because there's no extra material needed for decoration.
Finials, or spires, are what they're called. They are essentially ornamental caps at the tip or termination of a roof. Finials are any distinguishing ornaments found at the top, end, or corner of a building or structure. For example, the finial on Saint Paul's Cathedral in London is an ancient tree that stood in the grounds of Christ Church, Oxford. It was blown down during a storm in 1772 and used as firewood to heat homes during the English winter. The cathedral was being built at the time and its architects took advantage of its timber being readily available to them.
The word "finial" comes from the Latin for "little fork." This refers to the shape of the object itself - like a tiny copy of the church steeple it resembles. Finials were very popular in Europe and America during the late 18th century and early 19th century. They are still made today, but mostly for decoration purposes rather than as part of building construction materials.
Finns or finniches are small decorative objects such as balls, plates, or figurines used as finials. They are usually made of silver or gold and worn as necklaces by men or tied to bags for women. In medieval times, these items were used instead.
A bishop would wear a golden finch on his chest to show that he was ordained to lead Christians.