Etymology and Usage:
– ‘Eaves’ is derived from Old English ‘efes’ meaning edge
– The word is of Germanic origin, related to the German dialect ‘Obsen’
– The Merriam-Webster dictionary lists the word as ‘eave’
– It forms both the singular and plural of the word
– The word is usually used in plural
Function:
– Eaves keep rainwater off walls and prevent water ingress at roof-wall junction
– They protect pathways around buildings from rain and reduce splatter on walls
– Eaves control solar penetration for passive solar building design
– They may shelter openings for roof space ventilation
– Eaves overhang can be designed to adjust buildings’ solar gain based on climate
Design:
– Eaves can be aesthetically, traditionally, or purely decoratively designed
– Eaves may terminate in a fascia to protect exposed rafter ends and fix gutters
– The underside of eaves may have a decorative or sealing soffit
– Eaves must be designed for local wind speeds to handle wind loading
– The eavesdrip defines the extent of the building and property boundary oversail limit
Related Architectural Elements:
– Chhajja
– Gargoyle
– Leader head
– Lookout (architecture)
– Overhang (architecture)
References:
– Eaves definition in the Oxford English Dictionary
– Definition of Eaves by Oxford Dictionary on Lexico.com
– Eave in Merriam-Webster Online
– Guide to using the risk matrix for external moisture
– Articles on eaves inspection and hurricane-resistant home shapes
The eaves are the edges of the roof which overhang the face of a wall and, normally, project beyond the side of a building. The eaves form an overhang to throw water clear of the walls and may be highly decorated as part of an architectural style, such as the Chinese dougong bracket systems.
