Roofing component
What is an eave?
The bottom edge of the roof — the part that overhangs the wall, holds the gutter and takes the worst of the weather.
Updated September 12, 2026 · Every figure links to its source · Sources
DefinitionComponentAlso called: roof overhang, eaves
Eave — the lower edge of a sloped roof, running horizontally, which usually projects beyond the exterior wall to form the overhang; the NRCA glossary defines the eave as that edge, and the 2021 IRC hangs several requirements on it — the drip edge, the ice barrier and the intake vents.
What it is
Stand at the corner of a house and look up: the horizontal edge of the roof above the wall is the eave; the sloped edge running up the gable is the rake. The eave is where the rafters or trusses end, and their ends — the rafter tails — are what the overhang is built on. A vertical board, the fascia, is nailed across the tails and carries the gutter; the underside of the overhang is closed with a soffit, usually vented; the drip edge sits on the top edge of the fascia under the first course of shingles.
Several code rules concentrate here. The IRC, Section R905.2.8.5 requires a drip edge at the eaves; Section R905.1.2 requires an ice barrier extending from the eave to at least 24 inches inside the exterior wall line in areas with a history of ice damming; and Section R806 treats eave and cornice vents as the intake half of attic ventilation, requiring a clear one-inch air space above the insulation where they are used.
Why it matters
The overhang is the house's umbrella. A generous eave keeps rain off the walls, windows and foundation, shades the upper windows in summer, and gives the gutter something to hang from. It is also the roof's most exposed edge: wind gets under it, ice forms on it, gutters overflow onto it, and wood in it stays wet longer than wood anywhere else on the house. The IBHS FORTIFIED standard directs its edge requirements — the wider drip edge and adhered starter strip — at the eave for exactly that reason.
Most "roof" rot is eave rot: soft fascia behind a gutter that pulled loose, a soffit stained by an overflowing gutter or a failed drip edge, the outer foot of decking gone punky. It is visible from the ground with binoculars, which makes the eave the easiest part of the roof to keep an eye on.
What it costs and who does it
Eave repairs are priced by the linear foot: replacing fascia and sub-fascia, re-covering or replacing soffit, adding drip edge, cutting back and sistering rotted rafter tails, and rehanging the gutter afterwards. Roofing contractors do the roof-side work; many also do fascia and soffit, and gutter contractors do the gutter. On a re-roof, the eave is opened anyway, so it is the cheapest moment to fix all of it. The directory's roof repair cost guide explains how such line items are built up, and its guide to roof repair covers what a repair visit should include.
Frequently asked questions
Short answers; the sections above carry the detail and the sources.
What is the difference between an eave and a rake?
What is the underside of the eave called?
Why is my eave rotting?
Next step
Find a roofer who does this
Eave repairs are small jobs that are easy to do badly. The directory lists roofing contractors by state and city, with licence details to check first.
Sources
- Roofing glossary — National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA)
- 2021 International Residential Code, Chapter 9: Roof Assemblies — International Code Council (ICC)
- 2021 International Residential Code, Chapter 8: Roof-Ceiling Construction — International Code Council (ICC)
- FORTIFIED Roof: requirements and rated roof covers — Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS)