The roof is the most difficult part of the house structure to construct and assemble, which consists of many interconnected elements. Inexperienced craftsmen often have the opinion that the construction of the roof ends with the covering, however, in fact, such little things as finishing overhangs and ebbs are even more important. In this article we will tell you how to hem a roof eaves with your own hands using a profiled steel sheet.
In civil engineering, the roof design is always designed so that it protrudes slightly beyond the perimeter of the building. The distance from the bottom edge of the slope to the wall of the house is called the roof overhang. According to building codes, it should be at least 40-50 cm. The roof overhang drains rain and melt water rolling off the roof to the maximum distance from the wall, protecting it from getting wet. There are 2 types of overhangs:
Important! Roof eaves are formed by lengthening the rafter legs of the frame or using fillets. Fillers are the name given to the bars used to lengthen the rafters in order to obtain a wider overhang. Since the load on the roof outside the perimeter of the house is small, the fillies are made from boards of a smaller cross-section, secured to the rafters with nails or metal strips.
In the process of arranging the roof, after laying the finishing coating, the eaves are finished with soffits, clapboard, plastic siding or corrugated sheeting. Overhangs serve decorative and practical purposes that make them one of the most important structural elements. They are assigned the following functions:
Note! The lower the roof slope, the wider the eaves should be so that the roof looks proportional and harmonious. In addition, the width of the overhang is influenced by the climatic factor. In regions with high rainfall and snowy winters, it is better to make the cornice wider.
Experienced craftsmen do not recommend leaving them uncovered, since in a strong wind or slanting rain water can flow under them, leading to the wooden rafters becoming wet and the frame gradually rotting. To hem eaves and gable overhangs, special perforated panels called soffits are used, or materials left over from the roof deck are used. It is quite possible to sew up the cornices with corrugated sheets using one of the following methods:
Professional craftsmen note that finishing overhangs with corrugated sheets has a number of advantages. Firstly, profiled steel sheet with polymer coating perfectly resists corrosion. Secondly, it has high mechanical strength. Finally, the color of the siding can be matched to the color of the roof to create a unified architectural look.
The technology for constructing a roof necessarily includes filing the eaves. This operation is performed after laying the roofing, in combination with the installation of a drainage system. To finish the overhangs, remnants of corrugated sheeting, fastening strips, wooden blocks and galvanized screws are used. The work is performed in the following sequence:
Note! The only drawback of lining the eaves with corrugated sheets is the lack of ventilation holes through which the roof rafter frame is ventilated. If the roof design requires powerful ventilation, it is better to seal the eaves using special soffits.
The overhang or eaves of the roof is the lower part of the roof, which usually protrudes from the walls by 40-80 cm.
Its main purpose is to protect the walls and foundation from rain and melt water. The design of the cornice is carried out at the final stage of construction, when the roof is installed and the finishing work on the external walls is completed.
It is recommended to hem not only the eaves overhangs, but also the ceilings of terraces and balconies, and porch canopies. A wide selection of materials allows you to choose cladding for any architectural style, taking into account the type of roofing.
There are two types - cornice overhang, another name is horizontal, and pediment overhang. Let's look at how they differ and the features of filing each.
Cornice overhang.
Formed by the lower fragment of a pitched roof. Air masses pass through it into the attic. In the case of a heated attic, air enters the under-roof space from below the slope, passes upward and is discharged through a ridge or aerator, this is how all elements of the “roofing pie” are ventilated.
To properly organize air draft, the eaves overhang lining must be ventilated, not continuous, but with inlet openings. To do this, use one of the following methods:
When finishing a horizontal overhang, two important rules must be followed:
What happens if you neglect the ventilation of the under-roof space and tightly close the eaves overhang?
Excess moisture contributes to the formation of condensation, wetting and destruction of insulation and rafters, and the formation of mold.
— Corrosion forms on metal tiles over time, and natural tiles will burst in the cold due to excess moisture.
- overheating of the premises in hot weather and icing of the roofing in cold weather is possible; such a roof will very quickly fail and major repairs will have to be carried out.
Gable overhang.
Formed by the inclined side part of the roof slope. Here the task is the opposite - you need to protect the sheathing and insulation from getting wet and blown out, and therefore prevent the penetration of wind and rain under the roof. In this case, the filing is performed in a continuous hermetically sealed manner.
Both types of overhang have open elements at the ends. On the side of the eaves overhang, this is the end of the rafter system; on the side of the gable overhang, these are the ends of the sheathing. They are closed with special components, which can often be purchased along with the tiles.
This is done not only to give a beautiful appearance, but also to preserve the roofing materials from adverse weather factors.
Sometimes the part for finishing the edge is made of wood, pre-treated with an antiseptic and painted - but this is not the best option.
Additional components are made of metal and are more durable, as they are coated with protective anti-corrosion polymer compounds.
When shaping the edge of the eaves overhang, first the rafters are cut in one line vertically at the same distance from the wall. The ends of the rafters are connected with a strapping front board.
A metal cornice strip (drip tray) is mounted on it. A drainage system is installed along the eaves overhang.
On the side of the gable overhang, the sheathing is cut along one line parallel to the wall. A metal end strip is installed along the gables, covering the edges of the sheathing.
It is also called a wind strip; in addition, it protects the roof structure from strong winds and prevents debris and insects from being blown through the ends.
Along the rafters.
The simplest technology and is mainly used for roofs with a slope of no more than 30 degrees. and a cornice extension of 40-50 cm. A sheathing of timber is built to the rafters. Sheathing panels can be mounted parallel to the wall, perpendicular to the rafters or along the end.
Horizontal filing.
Suitable for roofs with a steep slope. A box is built from the bars, which is attached to the rafters and the wall. In this case, the block on the rafters must be placed 1 cm lower than the block on the wall. This way, moisture that gets on the overhang does not linger on it.
Then the bars are nailed from the corners of the house to the corners of the roof. If the overhang protrudes more than 45 cm, another longitudinal beam is additionally installed. Next, bars are added perpendicular to the wall to strengthen the longitudinal bars. This method allows you to economically hem the overhang; installation does not take much time.
Gable overhang trim.
Regardless of the technology used to hem the eaves overhang, the pediment is always framed using sheathing. The bars are attached to it, to which the cladding strips are then fixed.
Which material to use primarily depends on the overall style of the house, taking into account the decoration of the walls and the type of tiles. An important factor is the price and, of course, the personal tastes of the homeowner. It is worth taking into account the practicality and durability of the material.
Wooden plank.
Wood requires special care. Before installation, it is treated with antiseptic and fire-fighting compounds, painted and varnished. From time to time you will have to repeat these operations, otherwise insects will appear in it, it will begin to become damp and deformed, and the appearance will noticeably deteriorate.
Coniferous species are chosen for lining the cornice. The board can be planed or edged, the permissible width is 2-25 cm, thickness 1.7-2.2 cm. When mounting the boards parallel to the wall, they are attached in increments of 1 m, perpendicularly - on both sides of the board, with a wide overhang also in the center . For ventilation, leave gaps between the boards of 1-1.5 cm.
Wooden lining.
The material has already been processed, unlike the board. But, like a board, before installation it is advisable to keep it in the air under a canopy for 1 month, otherwise the wood may be too wet or dry, which will subsequently lead to deformation. Installed in a similar way. It is possible to install ready-made ventilation grilles, which are located at a distance of 1.5 m from each other. The lining costs twice as much as the board.
OSB and plywood.
The boards must be moisture resistant. Installation is quick, since the dimensions and rigidity of the material make it possible to install large sheets at once. For installation, a box of timber is erected, to which the slabs are screwed. Ventilation is carried out by inserting grilles. This type of filing not durable and not aesthetically pleasing, definitely needs painting.
Sheet metal.
Rarely used, as it has a number of disadvantages: heavy weight, a special tool for cutting is required, and anti-corrosion treatment of steel sheets along the cut edge is mandatory. Mostly galvanized steel with a polymer coating with a thickness of 0.6 mm is used. The length of the product can reach 6 m. Rarely do they take copper or aluminum sheets. For ventilation, grilles or perforations are used.
PVC panels are installed perpendicular to the walls, screwed in several places depending on the width of the overhang. For ease of installation, various additional elements can be purchased along with the siding. To finish the edges, “U” shaped strips are placed, the junctions of the panels are fixed with corners, and there are ventilation grilles. PVC siding is not recommended for installation along the overhang; it does not have sufficient rigidity and can sag. Siding is produced mainly in light shades, its cost is low. If you choose good quality material, it will last for quite a long time.
It stands out for its ease of installation and durability. Profiled sheet C8, C10 or NS 20mm is used. When designing the cornice, you should take into account the thermal expansion of the corrugated sheet and leave a gap of 0.6-1.2 cm. Fastening is carried out in increments of 1 m. Ventilation is carried out through specially designed grilles.
Soffit is a special siding for lining an overhang. Soffits are made of vinyl or metal. They have a varied texture and a large color palette. For example, wood-look metal soffits are very popular - they accurately copy the wood texture of noble wood species, such as cedar, oak, and maple.
But in comparison with natural wood, soffit does not require maintenance, does not require processing or painting, does not dry out or swell, is not afraid of moisture and temperature changes, and costs several times less. Soffits are suitable for all types of tiles and can be easily matched to any architectural style.
The kit includes all the necessary components, profiles and strips, which greatly simplify and speed up installation. Soffit panels can be of different types: single, double, triple, perforated or solid.
You can complete the overhang with soffit yourself; the installation procedure is very simple: the planks are cut along the width of the overhang and secured with grooves perpendicular to the walls.
Soffit is undoubtedly the most reliable and fastest way to frame cornices and is very popular among owners of private cottages.
Let's look at installation using a vinyl soffit as an example. All elements are screwed to a wooden frame:
You can buy soffit for lining roof overhangs at a competitive price in Yekaterinburg at “Your Roof”. Vinyl and metal soffits from trusted manufacturers are always available. We provide warranty cards and quality certificates for all products. The service life of the soffit is from 20 to 50 years.
Single-color soffits are available in light, bright and dark shades, as well as with imitation of natural wood. You can always order professional installation of cornice soffits.
The roof performs a protective function, so all its parts must be appropriate. The construction of the roof ends with filing of the overhangs, which ensures that there is no risk of moisture getting into the under-roof space. For this purpose, you can use different materials, and do the work yourself.
Overhangs can be located both in the eaves of the roof and on the gable side. First of all, it depends on the shape of the roof.
The eaves overhang is formed by the rafter system. If desired, it can be made such that it can replace a canopy over a porch or small veranda. The gable overhang is formed by a roofing grid, so it is usually not very wide.
Cornice and gable overhangs perform a protective function
Regardless of the type, the overhangs, including their cladding, perform the following functions:
In the absence of sheathing, the overhangs are not able to fully fulfill their duties; for example, moisture can penetrate into the under-roofing layers, rendering the insulation unusable, and the wind can tear off the roofing material.
There are two techniques for cladding overhangs: along the rafters and along the frame. The choice depends solely on your architectural preferences.
This is done if the roof has a slight slope. The sheathing must have a flat plane, but the rafters do not always allow this to be achieved. Therefore, you can use small boards that need to be fixed directly to the rafters.
It is very difficult to achieve a flat surface of the rafters
The boards should be chosen such a length that it matches the gap between the walls of the cottage and the edge of the cornice. To ensure a level surface, it is recommended to first mount the outer boards, stretch twine between them, and lay all other parts relative to this level.
Used for roofs with steep slopes.
Edged boards are suitable for the box. It is better to take material about 4 cm thick. They need to be fastened between the wall of the building and the ends of the rafter legs. In this case, one edge of the box is fixed on the rafter leg, and to fasten the second you need to use a board adjacent to the wall of the house.
Binding on the box is easy to do
There is another option for arranging a box for filing an overhang. Instead of a board, you can take a beam, which is attached to the wall with dowels.
After installing the box, it is sheathed.
The material for filing can be wood, PVC lining, siding, metal soffits or metal profiles. If desired, you can choose raw materials to match the color of the roofing material, which significantly increases the aesthetic appeal. You can do the installation yourself.
For overhang lining, only moisture-resistant wood species can be used:
This material is affordable and environmentally friendly, but during operation it can be deformed under the influence of precipitation.
Wooden lining can become deformed over time. Hemming the cornice with a board.
To hem overhangs, you can use boards 17–22 mm thick, but you should pay attention to the moisture content of the material. It should not be overdried, as it may crack already at the installation stage. After purchasing lumber, it is better to store it outside. Additionally, it is recommended to treat the boards with antiseptic agents to minimize the risk of fire and rotting.
The process of filing overhangs with boards is quite simple:
Long boards are placed along the cornice, and short ones - across
Fasteners are placed in 1 m increments
There must be a ventilation gap between the boards
Wooden overhangs need to be treated with antiseptic agents every 3–5 years to extend their service life.
Both wooden and plastic lining can be used for filing overhangs. When using wooden lining, you should not skimp on the material; in particular, it is not recommended to choose thin lining (optimal thickness 2 cm), waterlogged or dry.
You can perform lining of overhangs with clapboard in the following sequence:
For filing overhangs, you can use both wooden and plastic lining
The hemming material must be laid sequentially
Siding is the same lining, but with higher strength characteristics. There are several types of material that can be equally used for hemming overhangs:
Siding is installed on the box.
The process itself is performed in the following sequence:
It is made of galvanized steel, which is coated with a polymer material. It is characterized by increased resistance to mechanical damage, temperature changes, and wind loads. In addition, it is possible to choose the material to match the color of the roof.
The sequence of actions for filing the cornice with corrugated sheets is as follows:
They can be considered the most popular lining material among roofing specialists. Soffits are panels with ventilation holes. Also in production, special UV stabilizers are used to protect the material from the negative effects of sunlight. Buyers are offered several spotlight options to choose from:
Copper soffits are reliable, but expensive
Aluminum soffits are available in white and brown colors
Galvanized soffits are very heavy
Vinyl soffits are lightweight but durable
The process of installing spotlights occurs in several stages:
Soffits can only be installed at air temperatures higher than -15.
Hemming the overhangs is a mandatory stage in roof installation. It protects the under-roof space from the negative influence of precipitation and wind. The hemming process itself is quite simple, and even a novice master can do it.
Cornice and pediment. Soffits. What kind of work? What to hem with? Methods, their features and differences.
To complete the installation work, it is necessary to carry out a number of finishing procedures. One of such works is the filing of roof overhangs. Lining overhangs not only visually improves the appearance of your home, but also performs a number of technological functions, such as removing moisture from under-roofing films or membranes, organizing air intake and ensuring the functioning of under-roof ventilation, protecting the roofing pie from the effects of atmospheric moisture and wind, collecting and draining precipitation from the surface of the roofing, and others.
What is a roof overhang? Why is it needed? What types of overhangs are there and how does it work?
The overhang of the roof is that part of it that protrudes above the walls. An overhang is needed to protect the facade of the building from precipitation, and the foundation from water flowing from the slope. The building rules do not define the filing of overhangs in any way, but without it there is a possibility that the roof covering will be torn off by a gust of wind, and rain and snow, in strong winds, falling into the under-roof space, will excessively moisten the roofing pie. , this is wet insulation, rotting, deterioration in the quality of heat, steam and roof waterproofing. And the appearance of the completed house decoration, without filing, will, to put it mildly, not be complete. Not everyone is interested in seeing pieces of rafter legs, how your walls were finished, the underside of roofing coverings, pie, and a lot of other things that the average person with no experience has no idea about. Hemming of overhangs is carried out after work on laying the roof, insulation and finishing of facades, i.e. This is a kind of finishing point in the exterior decoration of the house.
What types of roof overhangs are there? What is the difference?
A pitched roof usually has two types of overhangs. Those overhangs that are located horizontally on the lower side of the slope are usually called cornice, and the inclined overhangs located on the sides of the slope and adjacent to the pediment of the house are called pediment. Overhangs usually have a width of 0.4 to 1 m and are located along the entire perimeter of the building.
Eaves overhang- represents the lower part of the slope and serves for air flow into the attic space if the house has a cold roof, or to organize air circulation through the ventilation gaps to the ridge if the roof is attic.
In the first case, the air exchange of the attic allows you to maintain, dry and ventilate the rafter system in good condition, and in the second, it provides ventilation of the under-roof space, which removes condensation and steam from the roof covering and attic insulation.
Based on the above, it is clear that air flow must be organized when filing overhangs. If the overhangs are not hemmed, then birds, mice and other insects will harm the roofing pie, and atmospheric moisture will rot the rafter system; on the contrary, if the overhang is hemmed incorrectly and the proper air flow will not be ensured, it will not.
How to organize ventilation when filing overhangs? There are several generally accepted methods:
Among other things, there are two mandatory requirements when filing overhangs; they must be met:
Horizontal overhang trim
Front overhang- an inclined overhang of the slope, located on the side of the pediment. The gable overhang does not require ventilation, the main thing is airtightness. The gable overhang protects not only the gable of the building, but also the roofing pie, which is extremely undesirable for moisture to get into.
Gable overhang
How to finish the slopes from the end - edge?
How cornice, so gable The slope has open and unprotected elements. These are the ends of the rafter system: rafters, sheathings. These are the ones that need to be protected from atmospheric influences, giving them an aesthetic appearance. It is advisable to install it along the eaves slope to drain precipitation from the roofing. The treatment and protection of these elements is considered finishing the eaves edge. How and with what materials to perform this work depends on the type of roofing, the geometry of the overhang and other factors. As a rule, along with most roofing coverings, the Seller offers already existing standard solutions for this problem, but you, at a minimum, will need to install these elements, and sometimes modify or adjust them to your overhang.
Before starting work on hemming the roof overhangs, it is necessary to prepare, and this means cutting off all the protruding ends of the rafter legs vertically along the line so that the cutting planes are in the same plane and this plane is completely parallel to the plane of the wall. Then the ends of the rafters are tied with a board on which the front board will be attached. The frontal board can be either wooden or a standard profile metal element. Everything again depends on the type of roofing. On this board, you can mount the brackets for the drainage system.
Gable overhang, similar cornice, is prepared, the ends of the sheathing are cut into a line. This line, together with the cutting line of the second slope, must also lie in the same plane, and the plane, in turn, must be parallel to the plane of this wall of the building. Similar to the eaves overhang, a frontal board is nailed or screwed to the ends of the slope, the upper end of which, depending on the coating, can be covered with roofing material, or, on the contrary, as in the case of corrugated sheets (metal profiles, corrugated sheets), metal tiles, it can be covered with an end strip.
Methods for filing overhangs.
Various sources mention a great variety of hemming options, but they differ in material, choice of methods for attaching it, and in design, there are only two options. These two methods differ only in the angle of the hem. Namely, the plane of the cornice can be parallel to the plane of the roof (along the rafters) or can be horizontal (the sheathing is placed on the frame).
The procedure for filing overhangs along rafter legs.
This method of lining the roof is not at all complicated, especially if the ends of the rafter legs are cut straight. From experience, I would like to say that this method is especially successful in combination with flat roofs, with a small slope angle and an overhang width of no more than 0.5 m. Usually the sheathing is screwed to the rafters and, already on it, the sheathing material is attached. Using this method, the lining material can be any: metal or PVC, soffit, board or lining, etc. The material can be laid out both lengthwise and crosswise, the main thing is to prepare the sheathing for its fastening.
Eaves lining along rafters
Horizontal filing of overhangs.
Based on experience, this method of hemming is especially successful with a large angle of inclination of the slopes. Traditionally, there are no particular difficulties when carrying out work with your own hands, but, as always, there are certain nuances. To hem overhangs using this method, you need to build a box to which the hemming material will be attached. When installing such a box, you should pay attention to the fact that the resulting condensation, rain and other moisture should be removed from the walls of the building as far as possible; for this, a slope “from the wall” is usually set, i.e. To comply with this rule, the block on the wall is fixed 50 mm higher than the level of the block fastening the filing on the outside. The corners of the roof are connected to the corners of the house with boards; if the width of the overhang is more than 0.5 m, then another longitudinal block is nailed in the middle of the overhang, then using additional elements of lining material, the box is sewn up. The direction of the binding panels is not limited; you can design it yourself.
Preparing for horizontal overhang filing
Unlike a cornice overhang, a pediment overhang is always hemmed using the first method, along the roof sheathing. It will be important to construct a frame from longitudinal bars, and attach the lining material to them.
How are roof overhangs lined? Materials.
Board and wooden lining.
The boards chosen, as a rule, are coniferous and planed, preferably special linings designed for use in wet conditions, but they are more expensive and many people use coniferous ones. The board must be treated with antiseptic compounds and protected with varnish or paint.
Before installation, the board or lining must be kept outdoors for about four weeks. The wood must be equal in moisture content to the roof materials to avoid deformation. When installing boards perpendicularly - fastening along the edges, longitudinally - at intervals of 0.6-1 m. Do not forget about ventilation. When using lining, ventilation gaps are not arranged, purchased ventilation grilles are installed at intervals of 1-2 m. Minus - constantly, during operation, requires maintenance: stripping, painting, impregnation...
Siding and PVC panels.
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