What are roof eaves?
Short answer. Roof eaves are the lower, horizontal edges of a roof that extend past the exterior walls. The overhang throws rainwater away from the siding and foundation, shades windows, and houses the soffit vents that let air into the attic.
The parts of an eave
- Rafter or truss tails: the framing that extends past the wall.
- Fascia: the vertical board at the outer edge where gutters attach.
- Soffit: the underside panel that closes the overhang, often vented.
- Drip edge: the metal at the roof edge that directs water into the gutter.
- Gutter: catches the runoff along the eave line.
Eaves vs rakes
Eaves are the level edges where water runs off. Rakes are the sloped edges on the gable ends. Because water does not run off a rake, the two are detailed differently; the residential code, for example, has underlayment lapping over the drip edge at eaves but tucked under it at rakes.
Why eaves matter in Georgia
Every drop of rain leaves the roof at an eave, so problems show up there first:
- Rotten fascia and decking from overflowing gutters or missing drip edge.
- Blocked soffit vents, often from insulation pushed to the edge, which cut off attic airflow and cook shingles from below.
- Animal entry through gaps where soffit meets fascia.
- Occasional ice dams in the North Georgia mountains, which is why roofers there often run leak barrier along the eaves.
Overhang size
Overhangs on Georgia homes commonly run about a foot to two feet, though some modern designs have almost none. Short overhangs put more water against walls and windows, which makes gutters and flashing more important. See roof anatomy explained and roof ventilation basics for how eaves fit the whole system.