How to hem the veranda roof from below. What is the best way to hem the roof eaves? What is soffit

Arranging the roof of a house consists of several sequential processes. The initial work on creating the frame is more extensive than the final stages of design - installation of gutters, snow blowers, hemming of protrusions. Moreover, it is these roofing elements that protect the building facade from destruction.

Hemming of roof overhangs is carried out not only to create protection, but also for the purpose of decorative design of the building.

The advantages that this method of roof design provides:

• completeness of the appearance of the structure
• regulation of the level of thermal insulation indoors
• preventing the constant impact of precipitation on all external elements of the building structure
• regulation of a favorable indoor microclimate.

Important! It is recommended to hem all existing roof overhangs, regardless of the type of roof structure, angle of inclination and size of the overhangs.

How to make roof overhangs yourself?

The process of directly filing an overhang is extremely simple and can be done by hand. But, in order to create a truly appropriate level of protection, preparatory work will be required in the process of creating the roof frame. Therefore, if you decide to hem the roof overhangs with your own hands, take care of all the necessary work responsibly.

Sequence of processes

All types of work can be divided into two stages:

Types of preparatory work

The process of preliminary work is quite lengthy and includes several concepts of different directions.

Let's highlight the main groups:

1. Choice of material.
2. Choice of binding technology.
3. Selecting the type of ventilation.
4. Preparing the walls.
5. Preparing the rafters.
6. Preparing tools.

How to choose material?

Often the main selection criterion is the material used to create the roofing. The price of roof overhang lining directly depends on the type of material and size of the roof. In addition, strength characteristics and service life are taken into account.

Lining

Lining roof overhangs with clapboard is the most popular design option using lumber. It is also used for arranging ledges of wooden houses and when using other materials.

When choosing a lining, be sure to pay attention to the following details:

1. Wood quality. Be sure to check all boards for defects such as knots and cracks - this material is not suitable.

Important! It is better to purchase “Extra-lining”; it is produced with a careful process of rejecting unsuitable material and is subjected to proper drying.

1. Humidity. The standard figure should vary in the range of 30-40%. Check the level with a special device - a moisture meter, which is usually available from lumber sellers.

Important! Since the operation process will take place in external environmental conditions, before installation, leave all the pieces of wood outdoors for at least a month. This will level the moisture level of the boards to the most optimal level and help prevent their deformation.

1. Wood species. Opt for more durable types with high rot resistance. Larch and spruce would be an excellent option. More economical, but with good performance - pine.
2. Board sizes. Give preference to lumber whose thickness is at least 15 mm; the length is adjusted by the length of the overhang.

Important! Considering the need for planks, the length of which typically varies from 5 to 25 cm, consider purchasing short planks of the appropriate parameters. This approach often allows you to save money.

Profiled sheet

Sheet profile material will be an excellent option for increased requirements for the strength of overhangs. Most often, corrugated steel sheets, galvanized or treated with polymers, are used for this purpose.

When choosing this material, pay attention to:

Important! When choosing corrugated sheeting, keep in mind that you will have to cut the material yourself, which will require additional time and special equipment.

OSB and plywood

This type of lumber is very affordable financially, and in addition has high strength characteristics. Such advantages make it popular when choosing a material for roofing.

Important! Please note that during the production of particle board lumber, manufacturers may use formaldehyde glue to join the layers, which subsequently leads to the evaporation of harmful compounds.

What should you pay attention to?

1. Type of wood. Choose sheets made from coniferous trees; they are most resistant to any environmental influences. Their main advantage is moisture resistance.
2. Quality of slabs. Please note that there are no material defects in the form of delamination, chips, other damage or deformation of shape.
3. Brand. When choosing plywood, use only the FSF brand, which is intended for use in the fresh air.
4. Material thickness. To carry out roofing work, slabs with a thickness of 9-10 mm are most often used. It is these parameters that ensure the reliability of the design.

Important! As with the use of corrugated sheeting, if you choose this material for the design of the hemming of the protrusions, you will have to independently cut the parts with the required parameters, which, in principle, is easy to do.

Soffits

We will separate soffits into a separate group. This is a ready-made set of necessary parts for decorating protrusions from different materials: metal, plastic, copper and even wood.

This material is very convenient, since preparation and installation are extremely simple.
Main selection criteria:

Selection of filing technology

There are two main technology options:

The main selection criterion is the angle of the roof. For a flat roof, the first option is used, and for a hip roof or if there is a steep slope, the second option is used. Carefully review the diagrams and photos of the roof overhang lining to more clearly imagine the process of decorating the overhangs.

Preparing the rafters

Depending on the chosen method of future construction of the ledge, prepare the rafters during the process of cutting wood and installing the frame.

To do this, do the following:

1. Plan the length of the rafters to be 30-50 cm longer.
2. During installation, form a protrusion corresponding to the selected size in step 1.
3. When cutting the material, process the ends of the rafters accordingly:

1. Align the overhang line.

Preparing the walls

A prerequisite for arranging roof overhangs is the presence of insulated walls. The fundamental difference in pre-finishing is the absence of gaps after filing that will allow moisture and air to pass through. If you insulate the walls afterward, regardless of the type of material, you will not be able to achieve the desired result due to the availability of free space.

Selecting the type of ventilation

A prerequisite when designing protrusions is to create a ventilated space under the cladding material. This is necessary in order to prevent the accumulation of moisture and subsequent rotting of the main load-bearing elements of the roof structure. The choice of technology largely depends on the type of material.

There are two ways:

Important! When choosing spotlights, this issue is resolved much faster and easier, since there are models with ready-made perforations, as mentioned above.

Tools and materials

Prepare all the tools by checking the following list:

Hemming Technology

Rafter installation

Sequence of actions:

Creating a binder box

Sequence of actions:

Important! When installing long boards, make at least 3 fastenings to prevent deformation.

1. To form corners, install parts on both sides of the rafters or mount them flat.

Soffit installation technology

The process of installing spotlights is very simple, but, nevertheless, carefully study the instructions in advance to ensure the creation of a reliable coating.
Sequence of actions:

1. Prepare the material by cutting according to the width of the overhang.

Important! If the width of the ledge exceeds 45 cm, install an additional bar horizontally in the middle.

1. Mark the mounting line on the wall.
2. In order to ensure the evenness of the fastening and the strength of the structure, attach the board along the length of the ledge on the wall.
3. Also attach rafter beams to the rafters along a horizontal line, to which the soffit panels will be attached.

Important! To install the soffits, cut the rafters vertically and horizontally during the preparatory work.

Important! If there is an additional strip in the middle with a large overhang width, perform additional fastening by connecting the beam to the soffits with screws.

Video

Watch a video of lining roof eaves with soffits to understand the entire process more clearly.

Conclusion

Regardless of the chosen material and technology, follow the installation rules. This will ensure the appropriate level of structural strength and an attractive appearance not only of the roof, but of the entire building as a whole.

The procedure for arranging a roof is not only the manufacture of the rafter structure, the direct laying of the roof covering material and the installation of gutters, but also the process of filing its cornice. To do this, the overhangs of the gables and cornices are lined with wooden lining, planed boards, vinyl or metal siding. But today there is a more convenient material on sale for lining the roof called roof soffits.

The need for roofing

A properly built house requires that its roof extend from the wall at a distance of at least 50-70 centimeters to ensure protection of the façade walls from rainwater. In this case, an overhang is formed in the roofing plane, which is covered with roofing material on top and hemmed underneath. Hemming the roof will not only help give the house a finished aesthetic appearance, but also solve the issue of roof ventilation in the space under the roof or between the insulation and the roofing material. This is especially true when installing the roof of an attic floor.

In suburban housing construction, currently, the majority of roofs are built of two types - mansard and attic. Thermal insulation in the case of a cold attic roof is placed in the attic of the house, in an insulated attic - between the rafters. Since the house is able to “breathe,” moisture vapor from the premises will pass through the insulation, although it should not linger in the thermal insulation layer. In this case, condensation forms and the properties of the insulation deteriorate.

In addition to reducing the quality of the material, the elements of the subsystem will also suffer from moisture - wooden beams begin to rot, metal parts begin to corrode. Various waterproofing films play an important role in solving this problem, but it is important not to neglect the creation of ventilated roof overhangs and the provision of draft for ventilation from the eaves to the ridge.

When lining the roof, the soffits are installed with a gap of approximately 10 - 15 millimeters. This will create a draft of air flow, which enters from the lower eaves into the space under the roof, heats up gradually and rises to the ridge, after which it exits through the ventilation holes. This ensures continuous air circulation and effective removal of moisture, which allows the roof to remain dry. Good ventilation can extend the life of the roof, preventing the appearance of fungus and mold.

It is customary to hem overhangs not only for practical reasons to ensure good traction in the under-roof space. This is also necessary to protect the roofing pie from the settlement of insects, birds and rodents, because no one would like to observe such a picture.

Traditionally, roof lining was done using wooden lining. However, you should think about the disadvantages of wood - it needs to be periodically treated with a special solution against rotting and fungus, and tinted. In addition, the lining can absorb moisture and turn black over time, so it is not the best option for lining the roof.

Vinyl siding, which is intended for facade walls, looks unattractive after hemming the roof, and its appearance will only worsen when holes are made for ventilation, which were not provided initially. Galvanized metal siding is not protected from corrosion, and since it is placed on the overhang of the eaves, where condensation often accumulates, it has a fairly short service life. Brown rust spots appear on this material very quickly, which is especially noticeable if the color of the roof lining is white or quite light.

Fortunately, progress has not stood still for a long time, and now there is a more practical material for roofing - roof soffits, which are distinguished by good visual compatibility with the roof, facade materials and drainage system, and are also characterized by an affordable price. In addition, the price of roof soffits is affordable.

The concept of soffit for roof lining

In the construction industry, soffits are panels designed to cover various horizontal surfaces that face downwards. Soffits are the same siding or lining, but with a special structure that allows air to pass through and does not interfere with its free circulation, which helps protect the roof from dampness, mildew and mold. It is the presence of perforation that is the main difference between soffits that are used outdoors and other decorative panels.

These panels are attached to the box along the edge of the roof. The panels are joined together with a locking connection, which makes it possible to hide their fastenings. The length of the spotlights is most often 3 - 3.6 meters, and the width is 22 - 30.5 centimeters. Specific roof soffit sizes vary by manufacturer. American and Canadian manufacturers often make a triple profile with a width of 30 centimeters and a length of 3.6 linear meters, which is considered the most optimal size for lining the roof. Soffits from domestic manufacturers may vary in size.

Before you hem the roof, you need to choose one of three types of soffits:

• Solid. This material is perfect for covering the ceiling of your open veranda, porch or garden gazebo. Thanks to constant access to all internal surfaces of the roof, all open structures will not require repairs for a long period and will retain their excellent appearance.
• Fully perforated, which are recommended for use on roofs that are covered with non-profiled materials, for example, seam or bitumen shingles. Perforated soffits are indispensable for lining protruding parts of the roof: overhangs, cornices, ridges, gables and canopies.
• With perforation in the center, which ensures effective ventilation of the space under the roof. In this case, a composition is formed on the overhang of the cornice with alternating two solid strips and one perforated strip. Regardless of the presence or absence of perforation, the cost of the soffit is the same.

Advantages of soffits for roofing

The undeniable advantages of spotlights over traditional materials are their following properties:

1. Mechanical strength - resistance to damage, shock and precipitation. At the same time, the unchanged appearance of the house is ensured throughout the entire period of use. They do not change their color and do not fade under the influence of sunlight and high humidity, and also do not rot.
2. Versatility. Soffits can be used to cover indoor ceilings and under-roof space. The wide range of colors of the product allows them to be combined with various types of finishing and roofing materials, as in the photo of roof soffits.
3. Easy to care for. Soffits do not require updating or painting throughout the entire period of operation. To recreate the appearance, they should be washed periodically with water and detergent.
4. Impeccable appearance. Soffits can easily hide wiring and various communications, and the locking connection allows you to hide the joints of panel fastenings and facade components.
5. Resistance to biological factors. Soffits, unlike facing materials made of wood, are not affected by fungus and do not become moldy.
6. Ease and convenience of installation. Thanks to the use of spotlights, installation work can be carried out at any time and over a wide temperature range. The products do not crack or corrode at temperatures from minus 60 to plus 120 degrees Celsius.
7. Environmental and fire safety. All spotlights are made from non-toxic and non-flammable materials, which allows them to be used in special construction with increased requirements for fire safety and resistance to aggressive influences.

Types of soffits for roof lining

Let's look at what types of soffits exist for roof lining today.

Plastic soffits

The most common type of soffit is plastic, as its price is low. Vinyl soffits have good characteristics - they are wear-resistant, elastic, do not fade, are resistant to sudden temperature changes, are easy to install, finishing the roof with plastic soffits is done with almost no waste. Such products come in white, brown and colored. White soffit is an elegant, calm vinyl material that costs less than colored and brown soffit.

Brown soffits emphasize the character and individuality of the house, because they often match the color of the roof, and are characterized by increased resistance to ultraviolet rays, since the sun has a stronger effect on dark surfaces. Colored vinyl soffits occupy the golden mean between white and brown products in terms of cost. It is often customary to use soffits in combination with siding so that the cornice lining does not stand out against the background of the facade.

Steel soffits

Metal soffits are the most stable material used for overhanging and have a huge selection of colors. They can withstand mechanical loads very well and are often supplied complete with roofing, as they are made from polymers together with metal tiles. The guarantee of such a product, of course, surpasses all its competitors.

These soffits come in perforated and non-perforated types; the lining with metal soffit guarantees your home high-quality anti-corrosion protection for many years. White, colored or brown products can be used on open verandas and gazebos in the country. The cost of a metal roof soffit is reasonable for a material of this quality.

Aluminum soffits

Aluminum soffit today occupies a leading position in sales and hemming of eaves overhangs, as it has established itself as a high-tech and practical material at a reasonable price. Soffit panels of this type are used in private construction and original architectural projects.

The light weight of aluminum soffits is a big advantage, which means they are easy to install, allowing even high-rise buildings to be soffited. If you have started renovations or decided to give the facade its original appearance and hide defects, then perforated brown aluminum soffits are best suited for this. In addition, aluminum soffit panels do not have the ability to expand at temperature, like plastic.

Copper soffits

A roof covering, the backing of which is made of copper, will last longer than other materials due to the auto-attenuation of copper sheet corrosion and exemplary resistance to aggressive environments - more than 100 years. Such spotlights are connected to each other with a lock that hides the fastening points. Perforated copper soffits cover horizontal spaces on the street, and without perforation they are usually installed indoors.

Copper soffits quickly become covered in air with an oxide film, which gives them a characteristic yellowish-red tint. During use, they gradually become brown, and then become covered with a patina due to weathering and acquire a malachite-green hue. Therefore, true connoisseurs of antiquities buy only copper.

The procedure for lining a roof with soffits

Before lining the roof with soffits, it is necessary to insulate the outside walls of the house. This is most relevant for the most common boxes, which are sewn not directly along the rafters, but in a horizontal direction. The key to successful lining of roof overhangs and eaves with soffits is correct measurements, so before you begin lining the roof with soffits, make a high-quality drawing that will help you navigate the general information and sequence of actions.

The procedure for installing spotlights itself is considered quite simple, but remember that they must necessarily fit into the overall appearance of the house. The design of the box itself can be individual, depending on the specific roof structure, but there are two most popular options, which include common filing elements:

1. Hemming along rafters, when an angle is selected for hemming that coincides with the angle of the slope. This technique is intended mainly for roofs that have a small angle of inclination; the installation of soffits is carried out on the rafters parallel to the plane of the walls. If the bottom plane of the rafters is not level, it must be leveled to ensure high-quality roofing. To do this, you can screw onto the sides of the rafters scraps of boards no less than 4 centimeters thick and at least 10 centimeters long. First, screw the first and last boards, between which the threads are pulled and the remaining boards are fastened. In areas where the slopes converge on all sides of the corner rafters, boards are fastened.
2. The most common solution is when a horizontal box is installed up to the wall from the edge of the rafters; the frame for lining the roof with soffits is made of boards. One edge is attached to the bottom of the rafters, the second - to an additional board, which must be lowered and attached at the point where the rafters and the wall touch. The board at the corners of the convergence of the slopes should be laid flat, because in this place there will be a joint at which the ends of the boards are fastened. Such a joint must extend to the angle of convergence of the walls from the angle of convergence of the slopes, as a result of which a rigid structure is formed, independent of the wall. It is recommended to pay due attention to the reliability of the created fastening; it can be done using screws, but it is better to use metal plates and corners.

The installation of soffit panels is carried out on such a sheathing. To secure the spotlight parts to it, you should use self-tapping screws that are equipped with a press washer. To install the first soffit strip, you need to determine the starting point of installation, step back about 77 centimeters from it and horizontally mark a line along the entire perimeter of your house.

The starting strip should be installed directly below it. To make corner elements and arrange edging, installation of external and internal soffit elements is required. Make sure the bottom end is below the edge of the starting strip. It is recommended to fasten corner parts to a self-tapping screw with the upper groove, other self-tapping screws should be installed in the middle part of the grooves. In this case, the openings should be surrounded by edging or platband.

The parts should be joined at right angles. The soffits are installed to the top of the original strip. Soffit parts need to be joined into a lock. Before installing the last panel, install the finishing strip. Trim the wall panel to the desired length and, holding the cut end in the last strip, mount the wall panel. All that remains is to hem the eaves and roof overhangs.

For high-quality installation of roof soffits, it is necessary to use nails: start hammering them from the middle part of the soffit panels towards the edges, but not all the way to avoid gaps. Finally, trim the panels using a circular saw. The action is carried out at low temperatures. Special metal scissors are most suitable for cutting small parts.

Thus, after erecting the roof frame, it is necessary to cover it with soffits. Since this area of ​​the roof is exposed to rain, snow, cold, wind, insects, birds and rodents, it is recommended to choose the covering material very carefully. Thanks to the emergence of such material as soffits, roof lining allows not only protection from bad weather and its harmful effects, but also solving the issue of high-quality ventilation in the space between the insulation and the roof.

When building houses and repairing roofs, special attention is paid to overhangs. Their task is to protect the facade of the house from weather precipitation. Overhangs represent the lower level of the roof, which overlaps the edge of the wall by several tens of centimeters. To strengthen the foundation of the house and maintain the structure of the walls, it is necessary to pay attention to the roof lining. The strength of the wind and the climatic features of the region should be taken into account to ensure a strong roof structure. By adhering to the established rules, you can increase the service life of the premises by several years.

In this article

Essence

Overhangs serve not only a protective function. This element helps improve the appearance and control the indoor environment. The main advantages of building overhangs include:

• The ability to decorate the facade without reducing its functional properties;
• Regulation of heat level inside;
• Preventing precipitation from getting onto the walls of the house or into open windows;
• Monitoring the indoor climate.

It is customary to distinguish two types of overhangs: cornice and pediment. Each type has its own characteristic features.

Pediment ones are formed due to the side slope of the roof. Due to their location, such elements are exposed to strong winds and precipitation. In unfavorable weather, there is a possibility that the internal components of the roofing “pie” may become wet.

Do-it-yourself roof lining is carried out on roofs of various types and angles of inclination. The durability and reliability of the roofing structure depends on the correct implementation of the hemming technology and the quality of the material chosen for the base.

Materials for production

The development of the technical process contributes to the emergence of new building substances. There is a wide range of products used in the hemming process. The most popular include:

• Sheets of spotlights - steel, aluminum, copper strips, with rich colors to suit every taste. The material is mounted strictly perpendicular to the surface. The optimal temperature for working with building materials should exceed 15 degrees Celsius. When laying, it is necessary to set the pitch at a distance of about 35-40 cm. During installation, cut sheets of soffit for lining the roof are bent in advance and placed in the profiles.
• Corrugated sheeting, which is considered the best option for hemming.
• Wooden lining. In this case, before hemming the untreated roof, you should leave the material in the open air. During installation, the lining is applied tightly, ventilation is maintained due to the presence of special grilles.
• Plywood: ensures quick and high-quality completion of the necessary work due to ease of processing.
• PVC siding. The main advantage is the provision of protection against water. It is not particularly rigid and is capable of bending under heavy loads.
• Ordinary board. It is advisable to use coniferous species. Standard board parameters: thickness varies from 1.7 cm to 2.2 cm, and width - from 5 cm to 25 cm. Ventilation is ensured by the presence of narrow gaps.

Each building material has individual properties that will protect the internal structure of the roof.

Roof flashing technology

There are various filing methods: you can choose any one to suit your taste. Some involve the application of auxiliary material along the facade of the building. Others are based on the use of various additional means. In general, there are two standard methods for lining a roof.

Option #1

This method involves flashing along the rafters, provided that the angle of the roof does not exceed 30 degrees and the overhang length is less than 40 cm. The method is quite simple: it is enough to build a sheathing lying on the rafters from boards and logs. Planks of building material are superimposed on the elements of this structure along the wall. In some cases, the planks are fixed perpendicular to the building. It all depends on the individual desires and needs of the home owner.

Method No. 2

Suitable for protecting steep slope roofs. The procedure requires compliance with the following actions:

1. Wooden boards are attached to the wall and rafters, which form a kind of box. They are fixed on the side and bottom of the sheathing beams.
2. The roof is hemmed with boards, moving from the corners of the roof to the corners of the building.
3. If there are long overhangs, it is recommended to fix a strong beam in the middle of the structure, which will give additional stability to the entire structure. The remaining material is fixed perpendicular to the building.

The gable overhang is always sheathed along the sheathing. Wooden blocks are attached to the rafters, and the base material is placed on top of them.

Standard option

Roofing consists of two stages of work:

1. Preparing the surface for installation
2. Carrying out the installation of the material itself.

At the first stage, rafters and walls are prepared, material and ventilation system are selected. To hem the projections, the beams are cut vertically. The frame box will be formed from rafters with horizontal and vertical cuts.

The length of the overhangs can be adjusted at will using special tools - fillies. At the end, it is advisable to trim the length of the overhangs to one line.

Before filing, it is also important to insulate the walls. Otherwise, it will be difficult to adjust the material used to the space left. The home owner must decide what type of ventilation should be used: limit it to the gaps between the boards or use special grilles. The amount of lining material spent depends on the choice.

After preparation, proceed to the main process. You can treat wooden protrusions with special protective agents, which will increase their overall service life. The rafters are leveled by fixing additional boards. Laying the material begins from the outermost plank along the eaves line. For accurate work, you can pull a rope, which is used to adjust the length of building materials. Often, 0.5-1 cm of free space is left between the panels. This allows the material to expand freely under the influence of warm temperatures.

Sometimes a special wooden box is used for filing. In this case, the work process is formed as follows:

1. Boards are fitted under the rafters to lengthen the overhangs.
2. The remaining bars are attached along the wall at the same level.
3. Using screws, corners, and building plates, the boards are mounted to the resulting sheathing. The ventilation system is supported by a 2 mm gap between the sheets of material.

In general, it is customary to use individual hemming technology for each material. For example, when working with plastic products, it is recommended to fasten the panels together like a puzzle, leaving a ventilation hole or grille every two sheets. If the boards can trim the overhangs parallel to the wall of the house, then the siding, corrugated sheet or soffit must be fixed perpendicular to the surface. This practice will prevent the occurrence of sagging and deformation of the material.

Before you begin lining the roof, you should carefully select the appropriate material. Particular attention is paid to the following criteria:

1. Quality level. The sheets and panels used must be solid, without damage, deformation, or delamination. Often, a brand is an indicator of reliability, so whenever possible it is recommended to purchase products from trusted manufacturers.
2. Physical parameters. The standard thickness of the plank should not exceed 1.5-2 cm. Compliance with the established standards will allow you to build a durable hem.
3. Weight. It is advisable to choose a durable but lightweight material. This will avoid firmware sag and reduce the level of changes in shape.
4. The chosen products must be waterproof. The ability to keep water out will increase their service life and protect the internal structure of the sheathing from moisture and steam.

In general, the type of building material depends on the individual preferences of the home owner and the architectural style of the building. Plastic panels will not be appropriate for a wooden roof. Modern building materials stores or specialized centers have a lot of useful information that will be useful during the repair process.

Conclusion

The process of flashing a roof is not considered too complicated. Repair work, depending on the size of the house, can last a maximum of 24 hours. Before the procedure, it is necessary to carefully treat the surface of the overhangs and sheathing with special substances. This practice will protect the structure from the harmful effects of water, the appearance of fungus and mold.

When installing the material, you should monitor the tightness of the fastening. For work, it is better to use treated nails, screws and strips that are resistant to corrosion. Subject to the basic rules of roof flashing and careful installation, the home owner can personally protect the inner surface of the roof from weather precipitation and ensure a functioning ventilation system.

Everyone dreams of building their own home. But the construction of a residential building is a complex process that requires certain skills. The final stage of building a house is considered to be the installation of the roof; considerable skills and knowledge are also required here - in order for the roof not to leak, to be properly ventilated and to last for a long time, it is necessary to carefully calculate all its parameters and select high-quality materials.

But you can arrange the roof eaves with your own hands - this is quite possible. In order to understand how to do this correctly, you need to familiarize yourself with the types of cornices and choose the material for covering the overhang.

Types of cornices

Most modern houses have gable roofs. With this design, the building has two side walls and two front walls. Moreover, the side ones are located on those sides where the roof rafters descend, while the front ones do not have overhangs.

It is necessary to install cornices both on the side walls and above the front ones too. After all, overhangs perform a number of functions:

• decorate the house by covering the rafter structure;
• protect the roof from wind, cold and humidity penetrating through the open ends of the rafters;
• are part of the ventilation system of the under-roof space: through holes in the eaves, air penetrates under the roof, ventilates the layers of thermal and waterproofing, and then is discharged through the ridge;
• cover the upper part of the walls from winds and slanting rains, preventing the house from getting wet.

Important! There are roof designs that do not include eaves, and there are also shortened versions of overhangs. However, for greater heat conservation inside the house and to protect it from moisture, it is still better to equip the roof with eaves.

Hip roofs have no frontal cornice, because here the rafters extend onto all four walls of the house. In gable roofs, the front cornice is the side slope of the sloping roof. Such an overhang is made by attaching load-bearing crossbars to the rafters that protrude above the walls.

You can often find a design in which the overhang is a continuation of the sheathing, which is pressed onto the vapor barrier layer. Then the cornice board is attached directly to the sheathing boards.

The side cornice is formed by rafters protruding beyond the walls. All pitched roofs have such overhangs; their sizes can be different; the norm is a cornice from 40 to 70 cm. To create an overhang, the lower parts of the rafters are cut to the same size and connected by a board to which the cornice sheathing will subsequently be attached.

It is very important to observe the roof ventilation mode during the process of filing the eaves. If this is not done, warm air will begin to condense into water, thereby damaging the materials of the “roofing cake” and the walls of the house.

Attention! Ventilation holes should only be at the side eaves, while the front eaves should be hemmed tightly.

How to file a roof eaves

You can hem the roof eaves with your own hands using several materials - today their range is quite large. When choosing cladding, you need to be guided not only by the aesthetic factor, but also by the long service life of the material - it should be approximately equal to the service life of the roof itself.

The most commonly used materials for hemming overhangs include:

Options for lining roof eaves

There are two popular methods for lining eaves among roofers:

• along the rafters;
• on a wooden frame (box).

Hemming the cornice along the rafters

This option is applicable only for roofs with a small slope angle. The biggest difficulty with this method is the uneven size of the rafter legs. To make the cornice smooth and neat, the edges of all rafters must form one plane.

If it is not possible to cut the rafters to the same size, you need to use an additional board, which is attached to the lower edge of the rafters, perpendicular to the wall of the house. The length of the board should correspond to the distance from the wall to the protruding edge of the rafter.

First, the boards are attached to the outer rafters of one slope, then a rope is pulled between them and the boards are mounted relative to it to the remaining rafters. Such a frame is sheathed using metal corners and screws.

Framing the roof eaves along the frame

This option is ideal for roofs with a large slope. To create an overhang, a board about four centimeters wide must be secured to the lower edge of the rafters. The other side of the board is fixed to the wall of the house, or rather to a vertical strip pre-installed there. Instead of this supporting strip, you can use a beam, which is horizontally fixed to the wall with dowels.

The result should be a frame of triangular cross-section, which after covering will resemble a box closed on all sides. You can look at the finished design options in the photo or video.

An important part of laying the roof covering is the filing of the roof overhangs (eaves). The protection of the walls and attic from the penetration of moisture, dust, and insects depends on the accuracy and precision of the work. Simultaneously with the filing of overhangs, such necessary procedures as ventilation of the under-roof space and organization of drains are carried out.

Hemming is often carried out immediately after installation of the rafter system, before the installation of sheathing under the roof begins. Before starting, you need to saw off the rafter legs so that their cuts form a straight line parallel to the wall of the house.

Material selection

How to hem the roof overhang depends on the overall style of the house, the required width of the material and the amount you are counting on. For wide eaves, lining or edged boards are usually chosen, for narrow eaves - siding.

1. Lining. Material very sensitive to humidity. To hem the roof overhang, the lining is selected with the same level of humidity as the environment. To do this, the boards are kept for some time in the room or space where they will be used. In particular, to install overhangs, it is necessary to store the lining outdoors for about a month.

In addition, it (like any wood material) must be treated with an antiseptic, water-repellent compound and fire retardant.

Attention! When making a gable roof overhang from clapboard, ventilation holes must be arranged in increments of one and a half meters and immediately covered with gratings.

2. Edged boards. The preferred thickness is one and a half to two centimeters. The requirements for pre-treatment are the same as for lining: fire retardant, water repellent, antiseptic. In addition, it is advisable to regularly tint the boards: this will provide additional protection for the material and provide the cornice with a neat appearance and stylistic unity with the house.

When creating an eave overhang for the roof, ventilation gaps should be left at the joints of adjacent boards at the bottom of the boards, a centimeter to one and a half wide.

3. Ready soffit. They come in metal and plastic varieties. Both are durable, do not rot, are not subject to corrosion and biological damage. They contain UV stabilizers to protect the surface from sunlight.

Typically, soffits already have perforated holes for both fastening and ventilation, as well as locks for connecting the parts together. Based on color and texture, you can choose a product that will best match the appearance of your home.

4. As an option for treating the cornice with metal or PVC - vinyl or metal siding, as well as strips of corrugated board. Unlike ready-made soffits, this method of filing is not very popular, but can be used when installing narrow overhangs.

Types of spotlights

Roof overhangs can be covered with various materials:

1. Copper. High strength, fire resistance. They look beautiful and stylish. They are expensive.

2. Aluminum. Durable, fire resistant, light weight. Easy to install and repair. Durable paints. Reasonable price. Among the disadvantages are color restrictions; only white and brown are found.

3. Galvanized steel. Anti-corrosion properties, mechanical strength, fire resistance, durability. Disadvantage: heavy weight.

4. Three-strip vinyl, three types: without holes for ventilation (for front overhangs), perforated entirely or only along the central strip. Pros: strength, resistance to water, rot, and corrosion. Easy to install. The cheapest material. Disadvantage: thermal expansion.

How to sew up a roof eaves

Attention: if internal insulation of the roof is planned, it should be carried out before installing the cornice.

Roof lining is possible in two ways:

1. Along the rafters. The board is placed from below on the rafter legs, its angle of inclination is the same as theirs. This method is used for roofs with a slight slope or flat.

Before hemming the roof eaves, the rafters are trimmed from below so that the surface is level. If necessary, you can additionally strengthen fragments of boards 10 centimeters wide and 4 centimeters thick.

2. Sheathing the roof of the house with the installation of a frame (horizontal box). Used on roofs with a large slope.

Thin boards are used for the frame; they are attached between the sections of the rafters and the wall of the house. In the ridge part, where the slopes connect, the board is placed flat on the wall, end-to-end. Fastening is usually done with screws; metal corners can be used for reinforcement.

Sheet boards or soffits are attached to the frame.

Unlike wooden materials, lining the roof eaves is possible only in one position - perpendicular to the wall. The need for a frame is compensated by the simplicity of joining the elements themselves: they are equipped with special locks for fastening to each other and ready-made ventilation holes.

Important: the side overhangs of the roof should be made with perforated elements. Frontal ones, open to precipitation, make them deaf.

If the roof overhang lining is made of vinyl: the self-tapping screws are not screwed in tightly, leaving a gap between their heads and the material for thermal expansion.

Sheathing the roof eaves: how and how to sheathe them

Hemming the roof eaves with your own hands allows you to protect the roofing pie from external influences and give the roof an attractive appearance. Currently, there are many cladding options. We will focus on the most popular ones in this article.

Features of the binder

It is recommended to carry out work on covering the roof overhang after installing the rafter structure, but before installing the sheathing for laying the roof covering. Before filing the eaves, the roof waterproofing should be laid and it is advisable to insulate the roof from the attic side. In addition, it should be taken into account that it is preferable to sew up the roof overhang before the external insulation of the walls of the house begins, so as not to damage the wall covering while working with the cornice.

At the first stage of work, the protruding parts of the rafters should be sawed off along one line, which should be parallel to the adjacent wall of the building.

The overhangs of the pitched roof are sewn up in such a way that gutters can be installed and ventilation of the roofing pie can be ensured. For these purposes, various materials and installation technologies can be used.

Selection of materials

Traditionally, roof eaves sheathing is done using edged and planed boards. To make the roof look aesthetically pleasing, you should use boards that are the same in thickness and width. In addition to boards, various materials are widely used today, which should:

• provide reliable protection of the eaves of the roof from moisture, frost, and precipitation;
• provide the necessary roof ventilation;
• be resistant to external influences and durable;
• have aesthetic appeal.

Popular materials for arranging eaves overhang include:

• lining (wooden and PVC);
• soffit (vinyl and aluminum);
• corrugated sheeting

Edged and planed boards 1.5-2 cm thick are a practical material for installing sheathing, which makes it possible to ensure high-quality and uniform roof ventilation. To do this, the elements should be stuffed with a gap of 1-1.5 cm.

Wooden lining. This material should be selected with special care: the roof eaves lining is used outdoors, therefore, the lining must be made of high-quality wood of medium humidity and have a sufficiently large thickness - this will avoid warping.

PVC lining. This is an inexpensive and easy-to-install material. Moisture-resistant lining is designed for a long service life. To install this material, you should immediately purchase U-shaped plastic strips for covering the edges and special corners for fastening the joints.

Soffit. This is a special aluminum or plastic panel with which the roof eaves are hemmed. Externally, the soffit resembles siding, but it is made of thicker plastic and is equipped with perforations, which allows you to create the necessary air ventilation under the roof. The advantages of aluminum and plastic soffit include high weather resistance and durability. UV stabilizers are added to plastic for making spotlights.

The soffit panels are cut to the length of the eaves overhang and installed perpendicular to the wall.

Corrugated sheet. Profiled sheets of galvanized steel with colored polymer coating are usually used for lining roofs made of the same material. The corrugated sheet has a fairly high rigidity and is resistant to external influences and extreme temperatures. Corrugated panels are cut according to the size of the eaves overhang. The ventilation gap of such a filing is equal to the wave height of the corrugated sheet.

Cornice sheathing frame

Hemming the roof eaves is done after installing the roof frame and adjusting the protruding edges of the rafters to size. After sawing off the rafter legs, the first sheathing board is installed along the line, which then serves as a guide for work in the next stages. Next, you should cover the overhangs, choosing the appropriate type of structure:

Do-it-yourself roof eaves lining involves creating a roof eaves box. In both versions of the sheathing device, it is performed in the same way: a board is placed on the sheathing along the pediment, and it is required to measure the distance, which should correspond to the width of the overhang. The board is then nailed parallel to the gable wall.

Installation of the binder

Sheathing a roof eave with a soffit requires the use of a J-shaped strip that is secured with self-tapping screws along the eave and along the wall. The soffit sheets are mounted between the slats. The length of each panel should be equal to the distance between the mounted strips minus 6 mm for thermal expansion of the material. If the roof overhang exceeds 900 mm, 12 mm should be deducted. The frontal plate is closed with a special frontal strip. The use of soffit and special elements allows you to create a durable, functional and attractive roof overhang.

Before sheathing the roof eaves with edged boards or wooden clapboards, the material cut to size should be impregnated with antiseptic, fire-resistant and water-repellent compounds. This allows you to extend the life of the binder.

The width of the edged board is adjusted depending on the size of the overhang. The elements should be mounted in 10 mm increments, creating ventilation gaps. If the eaves overhang is covered with clapboard, the planks are laid with a tongue-and-groove connection, and special ventilation grilles should be installed every 1.5 meters.

To cover roof overhangs with corrugated sheets, you need to screw pre-cut sheets to the frame parallel to the wall and along the eaves. Self-tapping screws are used as fasteners. The junction of the wall and the sheet material is closed with an internal corner and a front strip. The inner corner should be attached to the profiled sheet, the front strip to the front board. The outer corner is fastened along the external joints of the profiled sheet.

Along the pediment, corrugated sheeting is mounted along the wall, along the outer edge of the roof overhang. Then the corners and end strip are installed. To ensure air access for roof ventilation, the width of the corrugated sheet should be 2 cm less than the width of the overhang. It is important to consider that the lining, made of metal sheets, is prone to corrosion in places where moisture accumulates and its service life is inferior to other options for finishing the eaves overhang.

How and with what to sheathe the roof eaves

The installation of a pitched roof is always accompanied by a process such as finishing the roof eaves. These works may not seem so significant, but the further operation of the roof depends on how correctly they are performed.

Typically, corrugated sheeting, lining or panels specially designed for this are used as materials for covering cornices.

What are roof overhangs and why are they needed?

The roof overhang is the surface at the bottom of the roof, which is distinguished by its protrusion beyond the walls themselves. It is needed to protect the walls and foundation of the house from moisture getting on them during heavy rainfall. As a rule, the width of this part varies within one meter. Construction rules allow not to line this part of the roof.

But still, it is best if the overhangs are treated, since a strong wind entering through the holes in them can easily tear the roof off the building. In addition to the practical function, overhang sheathing also has a decorative function, since it is always better to remove the underside of the roof and aesthetically treat its edge.

Before making cornices under the roof, you need to complete the roofing work, finish the house and install the finishing material on the cornices last.

Types of overhangs

If you look at the roof, you can see overhangs on all sides. two of them are cornice, two are pediment.

Eaves overhang

This is the lower surface through which air enters the roof structure and ventilation occurs. On roofs with an attic, the air passes directly there, and on attic roofs into the roof structure itself, where the air cavity is located. After the air passes throughout the roof, it exits through the ridge.

If the overhang is boarded up, ventilation will not occur, but birds, mice and insects will be able to get into the roof structure. Thus, the overhangs are formed. But not close, but with a small gap for air to pass through.

Usually the issue of leaving a gap is resolved by similar actions:

• Leaving a gap between the sheathing and the wall of the house. For hemming made of corrugated sheets, the gap is left small, from half to one centimeter. When using lining, you need to leave from a centimeter to one and a half.
• If the overhangs are decorated with metal, then you need to install ready-made metal grilles that are mounted on the finish.
• If the sheathing is carried out using boards, then you need to leave gaps of up to 1 cm between them.
• If you decide to use soffits, then perforated material is used, which is created for ventilation purposes.

Gable overhang

This is the side part of the roof slope, which is adjacent to the walls of the house. Ventilation is not important in this case; the main thing here is protection from environmental influences. If there is a strong wind and rain outside, then it is necessary that the gable-type overhang does not allow moisture to pass through with the wind, since there is a risk of the roof insulation becoming wet, which will cease to perform its main function. That is why tightness is in the foreground when designing this part.

Sheathing methods

Roof overhangs can be designed in various ways, for example, in perpendicular and parallel directions from the overhang. Various solid materials or their elements can also be used. Let's consider methods of fastening the material:

Hemming along the rafters

If the roof has a slope of no more than 30 degrees and a small part of the offset, approximately 50 cm or less, then this cladding method can be used. To begin with, a sheathing is formed, which is attached to the rafters; the material is already mounted on it parallel, perpendicularly or along the end of the rafters.

Horizontal type binder

This design method is very good with a strong roof slope. To carry out cladding work, you need to build a kind of box that is attached to the rafters and the wall. To quickly drain water that gets onto the overhang, it is necessary to mount the beam on the rafters a little lower than the one that is attached to the wall.

All beams are reinforced with boards that are nailed perpendicular to the wall.

Materials for covering cornices

When choosing a material for a roof eaves, you need to pay attention not only to its functional side, but also to its decorative side, since cladding that is inappropriate in style will look extremely unattractive.

Board finishing

Boards must be taken only from coniferous species and of certain dimensions. The width should be at least 5 cm and no more than 25, and the thickness should be about 2 cm. In order to prevent damage to the wood in the future, the boards need to lie under a canopy for about a month before installation. It is also necessary to carry out treatment with an antiseptic and decorative coating with varnish or paint as necessary.

When the boards are perpendicular, their fastening points are located on each side; in the case of a long overhang, additionally in the middle. If the board is attached parallel to the wall, then fasteners are installed every meter. Be sure to leave a gap of about a centimeter between the boards to allow natural ventilation of the roof.

Clapboard finishing

Unlike ordinary boards, lining is a material completely ready for installation and processed. Before installation, the lining must also be left under a canopy for one month. Installation is carried out in the same way as in the first case. The only exception is that there is no need to leave gaps between the elements. Special metal grilles for ventilation are then attached to the lining.

PVC siding finishing

To finish the roof eaves with siding, only those panels that have a special moisture-resistant coating are used. Additionally, you will need to purchase all additional decorative elements - special finishing strips for finishing the edges, corners for masking joints, grilles for ventilation. The panels are attached perpendicular to the wall using three or four fasteners. It is better not to fasten panels along the overhang, as they can break due to the fact that they are not highly rigid, for example, like wooden boards.

Finishing with corrugated sheets

This material can be laid in such a way that a large area is hidden at once. Be sure to leave small gaps of about a centimeter between the sheets of corrugated sheets so that the panels do not bend due to temperature changes. Ventilation is carried out by installing ventilation grilles over the entire finishing surface.

Sheet type metal trim

For cladding the eaves of a house, copper, aluminum or galvanized or polymer steel can be used. The length of the sheets used can be up to 6 meters, and the thickness from 0.6 to 0.8 cm. Ventilation can be carried out by installing additional grilles or by installing perforated sheets. Steel sheets must be treated at the cutting line with special means to prevent metal corrosion.

Plywood finishing

Such material for overhangs can be used, but only on condition that it is water-repellent. Plywood has rigid sheets, so it is easy to attach; the result is a reliable coating, but it must be painted, since without treatment it does not look particularly attractive. Ventilation is carried out using special grilles.

Soffit finishing

Soffits are strips made of various materials that are made for processing roof eaves. Thanks to a wide range of colors and materials, you can choose those soffit panels that will fit into the overall design of the exterior in appearance.

In addition, the kits contain a variety of additional parts that speed up and simplify the cladding of the cornice with your own hands. There is no particular difficulty in installation; you just need to cut the planks to size and secure them according to the existing grooves.

Additional finishing of the cornice edge

Any type of overhang has parts of the structure that are not covered. For a cornice overhang, such elements are the ends of the rafters, and for a pediment overhang, these elements are the ends of the sheathing. They, just like the overhang made, need to be decorated, while protecting them from atmospheric influences.

These elements can also be decorated with different materials, depending on what type of material was used. Usually, along with a kit for processing the overhang itself, material for finishing the edge is also offered.

Before decorating the eaves overhang, all rafters must be cut vertically at the same level. The ends are then joined together using a strapping board onto which the front is attached. A gutter will subsequently be installed on the latter.

A gable-type overhang is processed by initially cutting off the ends of the sheathing that extend beyond the walls so that they are parallel to the wall. An end board is nailed to these ends. It is covered with roofing material.

Conclusion

A properly finished eave part of the roof looks much nicer than one that is not decorated. But it’s not only decorative qualities that push builders to take this step. Overhangs that are sheathed do not allow animals, wind and moisture into the roof structure, the presence of which can have a detrimental effect on the entire structure.