Roof With Open Eves

Closed eaves with angled soffit.

Roof with open eves.

Types of eaves. A roof can come to an end in basically three ways. In an open eave design the roof rafters or joists and roof sheathing are visible. When designing an open eave with roof trusses make sure that you raise the heel of the truss and use a thicker top chord.

There are a number of different types and styles of soffit vents. From left to right. Open eaves with trusses. Soffit vents are recognizable for the narrow slits that provide open space into which air can flow.

Older homes often have an open eave with the rafters adding to the décor. Closed eaves with angled soffit closed eaves with flat soffit and no raised heel closed eaves with flat soffit and raised heel. These can be repaired or soffits can be installed to create closed eaves. An open eave has a pronounced overhang often revealing projecting roof beams or brackets.

With a soffited eave design the roof rafters and sheathing are hidden through the use of a panel or boards that extend horizontally from the edge of the roof typically being attached to the bottom of the fascia back to the exterior wall. Closed eaves may be wide or narrow depending on the roof design. Before the roof sheathing goes on the open framing provides easy access for attaching the return blocking and the nailers for the rake soffit. A box eave is enclosed with a soffit.

Some older homes have open eaves. The last pieces to go in were nailing blocks above the ledger for the back of the return and at the bottom edge of the soffit for attaching the rake 20. These homes can be left as is or soffits can be added.