Eaves and Soffits

What Are Eaves And Soffits?

An eave is an extension of the existing roof that protrudes beyond the top. It acts as a deterrent for rainwater that might come into the house. It can also act as a shade from sunlight if made that way.

Four different types of roof eaves can be installed in a home in New Zealand:

• Exposed: Eaves that form the roof's underside and its supporting rafters can be seen when looking up at them
• Abbreviated: These eaves sit flush with the side of the building, barely sticking out from the sides.
• Soffited: Connecting the bottom of the eave with a building, they make use of a soffit
• Boxed-in: Like a soffited eave, these are encased. However, with these, the roof pitch and the side of the building are met at the same angle.

A soffit is anything that makes up the underside of a home. Of course, it could be made of wood, but there are also instances when materials like steel, aluminium, cement, vinyl, UPVC, or even recycled materials are used. 

Benefits Of Eaves 

Installing eaves into a home in New Zealand has several advantages. These include:

Regulating Temperature

Eaves lining protect a building from the sun and other weather elements. In addition, the shade that they provide makes it easier to leave the windows open to reduce reliance on cooling systems – saving energy and money.

Leakage Protection

By using house eaves, water is directed away from a property. This protects it from issues such as seepage and mould.

Looks Good

In New Zealand, eaves give a home a nicer look while also protecting the house. Having eaves that go well with the fascia can make it look a lot better.  

Soffits and Cladding

The fascia of a house in New Zealand can be made from a variety of different materials. This fascia, like other parts of the home, is made of cladding. However, these might not include all exterior decorative mouldings, which could be of a different material. 

Cladding is the material that the home is 'wrapped' in. Different types of cladding include:

• Composite cladding
• Bricks cladding
• Concrete cladding
• Metal cladding
• Timber cladding
• Fibre cement cladding
• uPVC cladding 

These materials are the most common choice for cladding in New Zealand because they offer the best defence against the sun and other elements.  

Installation, Cleaning, And Maintenance – How Does It Work?

The outside of a property is up against a lot in New Zealand, namely extreme temperature fluctuations and inclement weather. It also plays a role in ensuring that the inside stays safe and clean. 

Soffit Installation

• Determine how much soffit lining is needed. Use a tape measure to see how much of it needs to be bought. But get at least 10% more since some will be wasted after trimming is done during installation
• Prep the area. Remove an old trim that might be there. Check all surfaces to make sure they are even and things such as shingles are in place
• Attach the receiving channels. The soffit lining needs to be fit into a channel that will hold it in place
• Cut soffit panels. Get measurements from the wall to the fascia, start cutting. Leave half an inch of space for any movement required
• Install each panel. Slide the board into the channels, make sure the panels are at a 90-degree angle with the wall and nail them into place. Keep repeating this process for all the panels
• Finish It up. After installing all of the panels in place, start to apply utility trim, and fasten things into place using trim nails

Bonus tip: Try working with render plaster systems for application over concrete blocks.

Cleaning And Maintenance

Unfortunately, soffits tend to collect dust and grime in New Zealand due to continuous exposure. It’s easy to see the caked-up dirt if the cladding and facades aren’t cleaned regularly. 

Use a pressure washer to wash off any excess dirt or debris. Make sure that the water pressure is set to low so that the soffit isn’t damaged in the process or the water doesn’t fly off where it isn’t supposed to be. 

Next, use detergent to loosen any stubborn debris. Start by spraying a layer of soaped-up water and let it sit for a few minutes. Then, use high-pressure water again to spray it down for optimal results. 

If pressure washing equipment is unavailable, a bucket of warm water, some detergent, and a bit of elbow grease can do the job just fine. First, use a sponge or hard-bristle brush to scrub any dirt or debris off. Then use a hose to wash it all away, leaving the soffits clean and pristine. 

Soffit Maintenance 

In New Zealand, there isn't much required to maintain soffit boards other than keeping them clean. However, avoid using water to clean vented soffits and instead use compressed once or twice a year.