The document discusses different methods of framing and finishing eaves, including boxed level eaves, lined on-the-rake eaves, and eaves lined on top of rafters. It notes that level framing members running between the wall and fascia are called soffit bearers or eaves sprockets. When using timber framing over face brick walls, at least 12mm of clearance must be provided between the underside of the eaves soffit bearer and the top of the brickwork to allow for shrinkage of the timber as it dries. Failure to provide adequate clearance can cause cracking or displacement of the top course of bricks.

1. Basic Roof and
Ceiling Fr aming
EAVES FINISHES

2. EAVES FINISHES

3. EAVES FINISHES
 There are a number of ways to frame and
finish eaves.
 Types include simple boxed level eaves, lined
on-the-rake eaves, eaves lined on top of rafters
or combinations of these.
 The level framing members, running between
the wall and fascia, are referred to as soffit
bearers or eaves sprockets.
 They are spaced at 450 to 600 mm centres to
provide fixing for the eaves soffit lining, which
may be timber boarding or more commonly 4.5
mm thick fibre cement sheeting joined with a
PVC

4. Soffit bearers
Fascia
Lining to eaves soffit

5. Barge board
Fibrous cement strip
Trimmer
Trimmer
Tile batten
Anti-ponding
strip
Fascia
Soffit bearer
Eaves
soffit

7. Eaves soffit clearance
 Where timber eaves framing passes over face
brick walls, as in brick veneer construction, an
allowance for frame shrinkage must be
provided.
 If no clearance is allowed, the top course/s of
brickwork may be cracked or even dislodged
when the timber shrinks causing the eaves
framing to drop, which will allow the roof load
to bear directly onto the brickwork.

8. Eaves soffit clearance
 When unseasoned, or partly seasoned, timber is used
it will continue to dry out causing a reduction in its
section size.
 Timber shrinks in width, thickness and to a much lesser
extent, its length. Unseasoned timber with a width of
more than 175 mm will shrink excessively, i.e. up to 10
mm for every additional 25 mm of width in some cases.
 This shrinkage usually occurs in the width of bearers,
joists, lintels and in the thickness of the top and bottom
plates. (Stud length is relatively unaffected)
 Therefore, a clearance of 12 mm minimum is to be
allowed between the underside of the eaves soffit
bearer and the top of the brickwork.

9. Eaves soffit clearance
 Note: No clearance is required for cavity-
brick construction or where timber frame
construction is used on its own or when
the timber framing is fully

10. Eaves soffit clearance
Material shrinkage
causes frame to
drop
End of soffit 12 mm min to allow
Result of no bearer drops for shrinkage of
clearance. with frame Brick veneer framing
Top course
tilts under
load

11. QUESTIONS