Installation of the roof is an important stage in the construction of a house, where it is important to comply with all technological rules and requirements. One of the required steps is the filing of overhangs that protrude beyond the perimeter of the building and parts of the roof. This allows you to hide the unaesthetic internal structures of the roofing “pie” from view, and protect them from precipitation and strong winds, which can tear off the covering sheets and destroy them.
Properly executed lining improves under-roof ventilation and prevents condensation, mildew, and mold from accumulating inside. This design additionally protects the walls and foundation of the building from moisture falling on them from the roof and extends the service life of the house. Therefore, it is necessary to hem the roof overhangs, having selected the materials and technology in advance. Due to the general complexity and responsibility of roofing work, the operation, as well as the installation of the roof, should be trusted only by proven professional installers.
What Types of Overhangs Are There?
Finishing the overhangs is the final stage of roof installation, which begins after finishing the building and cladding the roof. It is made using different materials, taking into account the style of the house, the design of the roofing system, and other factors.
Overhangs, protruding parts along the perimeter of the roof, can have different sizes, but, as a rule, their width does not exceed a meter. According to GOST and SNiP, the optimal characteristic is 0.4-0.6 meters, but the final decision depends on the architecture of the house. These elements protect the walls from rain, snow, and dirt flowing from the roof. For each type of overhang, there is an accepted filing technology, so you need to study them before purchasing materials.
Protruding Elements are:
- eaves – horizontal, such overhangs are divided into simple and remote;
- pediment to protect the walls from precipitation – it is more difficult to hem such overhangs due to their vertical location.
Eaves provide roof ventilation, without which the insulation can become moldy, wet, and ineffective. Simple elements are easier to install, but with every gust of wind they “buzz” and the sound is quite strong. When using an overhang with a stem and a hem, this problem does not exist.
The remote system does not interfere with ventilation – if it is designed correctly, taking into account the features of the lining and the type of roof at a preliminary stage. For example, if the roof is flat or has four slopes, there will be no gables on it – only the cornices need to be hemmed. These and other points are taken into account when drawing up the project.
Basic Filing Methods
Sewing can be done:
- parallel to the roof line, with padding directly on the rafters – this is the simplest method, which is suitable for slopes with an angle of up to 30 degrees and overhangs protruding beyond the wall by 40-50 cm;
- with bars that are nailed to the rafter structures – “triangles” are created under the overhangs, which are lined with the selected material (this is the most common technology);
- along the sheathing – a beam is attached to it, and then the resulting frame is sheathed; this technology is also suitable for gable overhangs.
When hemming directly along the rafters, you need to make additional sheathing – plank or timber. It is screwed to the “legs”, parallel to the wall. You can fasten the sheathing perpendicularly, but this requires skill and experience. The overhangs must be in the same plane – then it will be easy to hem the corner elements and behind them all the rest.
If the roof slopes are steep, make horizontal cladding. This is a box that is nailed along the eaves and edged with boards so that the appearance of the roof and the building is neat and complete, and precipitation does not get inside. Overhangs wider than 45 cm must be additionally reinforced with beams that are installed in the middle of the box. This measure helps protect the hem from the wind, so if it is strong in the region, additional fastening becomes necessary. Beams placed perpendicular to the wall help reduce the load.
The first two methods are suitable for eaves overhangs, but in the case of gable overhangs, they are ineffective. The gables are subject to heavy loads from side winds; they have a special shape, so they are hemmed along the sheathing. A beam is attached to it, forming a frame, and sheathing boards are fixed to it. If the pediment protrudes strongly beyond the line of the wall, it must be hemmed from below, and a gutter is fixed there to drain water.
How to Hem Overhangs
There are many materials for hemming, and you can get confused when choosing them. For it to be correct, the general style of the building, the service life of the sheathing (preferably, it should be comparable to the service life of the roof itself), the complexity of installation, and other factors are taken into account. Let us list the main types of materials used for lining overhangs.
Wooden Plank
Natural material is the leader among materials for hemming overhangs. It is cheap, easy to use, and maintains a healthy microclimate under the roof. If roof ventilation is done correctly, the interior space will not become damp and there will be no excess moisture there. When filing with boards you need:
treat wood with compounds against fungus, mold, and other biological hazards, impregnations for moisture resistance;
- leave compensation gaps (about 2 mm), since wood contracts and expands under the influence of temperature;
- choose a coniferous tree up to 25 cm wide and, with a large overhang, fasten it perpendicularly on both sides and in the center.
Lining
Another natural material that differs from boards in its high-quality processing and reduced width is the narrow lining. Not all planks are suitable for hemming: the optimal thickness for them is 2-5 mm, and the humidity should be average. If the lining is dry, it will crack under the overhang, and wet boards will quickly swell.
For hemming there are moisture-resistant strips treated with a special compound. You can buy a regular lining and varnish it, but then before installing it, you will have to leave it in the open air for about a month so that it does not warp. The material is easier to install than a board, but about 2.5 times more expensive – you need to compare the cost of effort and money.
Plywood
As with other wood materials, only moisture-resistant sheets are suitable for filing. You won’t be able to process plywood yourself—you need to buy special types. Moisture-resistant sheets are rigid, they can be attached in solid sheets to a frame made of beams.
Ventilation for such a filing is arranged in advance – you will need special grilles. To make plywood look more attractive, it is painted. This is a lightweight, strong material, the lining is environmentally friendly and durable.
PVC Siding
PVC, in principle, is not intended for lining overhangs, but siding made from it can be “modified.” To do this, you will need additional strips to cover the edges, and corners for the joints and ventilation grilles. PVC is not used for gable overhangs – it does not have enough rigidity for all loads. This is a cheap material with a wide choice of colors, but it has several disadvantages – instability to UV radiation, uneven material fading, fragility, etc.
Corrugated Sheet
The advantage of profiled sheets is a simple installation. The material is easy to cut, even a beginner can work with it. Other advantages of corrugated steel sheet:
- protection against corrosion – corrugated sheeting is specially treated;
- reliability and strength – the filing will serve for a long time without much maintenance;
- a wide selection of colors – not only the standard white, dark green, and brown but also many others;
- affordability.
The corrugated sheet is cut with circular saws for metal work, and secured to the overhangs with self-tapping screws into specially drilled holes. Slots and gaps can be closed with corners made of the same material. Ventilation is ensured thanks to the relief of the profiled sheets.
Soffits
A material reminiscent of PVC siding, but designed specifically for hemming overhangs. It has ventilation holes, perforations, and a special coating that protects the sheets from ultraviolet radiation and fading. Soffits come in copper, steel, aluminum, and vinyl (plastic). The last type is the most common, it is cheap and easy to work with. The soffits are supplied with fasteners and connectors, which speed up installation. The disadvantage of the material is the inability to use it on roofs.
The specialists of the Shermath Gutters company will help you choose the material for the eaves of your house and will take care of the lining. We are responsible for the quality of all work and provide a guarantee for up to three years.
