The Importance of Eaves: What They Do for You

If you're building a new home, you've probably heard the word "eaves" thrown around. Here's what they are, what they do, and why you should think twice before leaving them off.

Eaves are the part of the roof that overhangs the outside walls. They sit at the bottom edge of the roof and in most project homes extend up to 600mm past the wall. You'll find them on all sorts of roofs, from traditional gables to modern skillions.

C20 - What You Should Know When You Design Your New Home

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The video below shows how eaves are framed out from external brickwork.

Eave Framing - YouTube

Eaves do several jobs. First, they protect the outside walls from rain.

Without eaves, walls, window heads and the junction between wall and roof take the full weather, so the flashings and sealants have to be perfect. Leaks at window heads on eaveless homes are a common defect.

Eaves also shade your windows and walls. In summer, when the sun is high, they keep direct sun off the glass, keeping the house cooler and cutting your air-conditioning bill. In South East Queensland, eaves of around 450 to 600mm over north-facing windows block most summer sun; your designer can size them to suit your window heights.

In winter, when the sun is lower, the same eaves let sunlight in to warm the house.

Eaves push the roof's drip line out past the wall, so less rain hits your walls, windows and the ground right against the slab. Gutters and downpipes then take it to the stormwater.

Eaves also shape the look of a house, from traditional and cosy to modern and sleek. Many project home facades now offer "eaveless" or minimal-eave options. They can look sharp and may cost a little less, but you trade away shade and weather protection, which means more heat gain and more reliance on perfect flashings. If you want the look, at least keep eaves on the north and west sides.

Eaves make a home more comfortable to live in. They keep the heat down in summer, cut cooling costs, and protect outdoor areas like patios and decks so you can use them more of the year.

Eaves are a small detail with a big job. Use our C20 What You Should Know When You Design Your New Home checklist when you're making your eave and shading decisions.