Roof spotlights how to do it right with your own hands. Roof overhang filing - available options and methods. The device of roof overhangs, their use and purpose

The construction of the roof of the building is one of the stages of its construction. The correctness of the performance of these works depends on how comfortable the atmosphere in the room will be, as well as its protection from various atmospheric phenomena - rain, wind or cold. The emergence of new solutions, tools and materials on the construction market has greatly simplified this process.

One of the devices that facilitate the construction of the roof are soffits, which are panels that are used to file the cornice.

The device of spotlights and their types

Soffits are panels that have full or partial perforation. Sometimes the question arises, what are spotlights. Outwardly, they have the same appearance as conventional siding, however, they have a wider width, due to which their installation time is significantly reduced. These panels are made from different materials A: galvanized iron, aluminum, plastic. In the construction markets, you can see the following types of soffits:

If the work on the installation of spotlights is carried out by an inexperienced builder or with their own hands, it is better to purchase panels of the maximum width. Such panels are easier to cut, and the installation process is faster. The price of all roofing products is affordable, which is important.

Soffit installation options

Installation of soffits on the roof eaves does not require any special knowledge, and even an inexperienced builder can cope with it, the price of which is low. To perform these works you will need:

  • fixing profiles for the roof;
  • hacksaw with fine teeth or sharp knife;
  • drill or screwdriver;
  • pencil (marker) and ruler;
  • self-tapping screws;
  • stairs.

There are two ways to carry out the filing of the roof eaves with soffit panels:

If you wish, you can watch the installation of spotlights video. On it you can visually see the weight of the workflow with plastic panels on the roof.

Installation of soffit panels

The procedure for installing spotlights begins after completing roofing works, before installing the gutters, in order to facilitate the process of fixing the panels. This process takes place in this order:

When installing spotlights on the roof, it should be remembered that a material such as vinyl slightly changes dimensions with temperature fluctuations. Therefore, when fixing the panels it is necessary to leave a small (1-2mm) gap. This will help prevent deformation of the spotlights during temperature changes. This means that you will be able to save money, and you will not need to repeat your repair again.

The price for installing spotlights on the roof is quite affordable. That is why, if desired, work can be entrusted to specialists who will perform everything extremely quickly and efficiently.

Roof soffits are cladding panels, which are intended for horizontal surfaces. The front side is directed downwards. These products are used in the construction industry recently, but have already gained considerable popularity.

Soffits perform two tasks: they give the building a more aesthetic appearance and provide a ventilation effect, which prolongs the life of the roof. The perforated structure of these products allows air to circulate freely.

Ventilation of the house allows you to achieve the correct functioning of the insulation. in the rooftops attic type it is located in the attic attic structures, where it fills the space between the elements of the truss system. insulation material passes through itself steam, which comes from the internal and outer side building.

Soffits are divided into varieties depending on the material used for their manufacture and the method of operation. Let's first look at the types separated according to the first criterion:

  1. Copper products have the longest service life. They keep their performance for 150 years. Also among the advantages of spotlights of this type can be distinguished environmental safety, ease of care and protection from negative atmospheric factors.
  2. Metal products are also practical and durable material. However, they can be purchased at a very reasonable cost. For the production of such spotlights, galvanized steel is used.
  3. The most popular today are aluminum spotlights. They gained their popularity due to a number of advantages. These models are easy to install, do not lend themselves to thermal expansion, are resistant to corrosion and fire, and also retain appearance under exposure to ultraviolet rays.
  4. Vinyl soffits are manufactured in PVC based. These products are available in a wide range, which allows you to choose them for any interior design. Finishing with PVC spotlights has become widespread today. They are affordable, resistant to mold and fungal growths, have a small mass, withstand temperature fluctuations in the range from +60°C to -50°C.

Depending on the features of operation, the following types of soffits are distinguished:

  1. Solid non-perforated panels. With their help, a continuous filing of the eaves with a soffit is performed.
  2. Products with partial perforation, where the holes are located in the center of the panels. These spotlights can be called universal, because. they are used for sheathing all areas. Their main advantage is effective ventilation, due to which these spotlights are able to prevent the formation of mold.
  3. Fully perforated panels. They are used to design protruding parts. The installation of these products will allow you to ventilate all internal elements roofs.

How to calculate the number of panels

Before installing spotlights, you need to determine the amount of material that will be required for work:

  1. Ventilation openings should occupy 1/150 of the surface of the entire ventilated space. The area that needs ventilation is divided by the number 150.
  2. Further, the existing indicators are subtracted from the obtained indicator. ventilation elements. It can be tiles with holes for ventilation or dormer window openings. The result obtained must be compared with perforated soffits.
  3. Then the area that one panel will occupy as a result of installation is determined. After that, the required number of products is calculated.

Criterias of choice

Soffits are used in the construction of new buildings, as well as in the process of restoration and renovation of an already built house. If there are protruding parts of the roof, such as fronts, visors, ridges, overhangs or cornices, perforated soffits should be chosen, photos of which can be studied in construction magazines. They will transform the structure, give it a finished look and protect it from aggressive influence. external factors.

For finishing works indoors, products without perforation are selected. Concerning colors here you can rely on your own preferences. According to experts, spotlights that contrast with the color of the house look the most attractive.

Do-it-yourself spotlight installation

Installation involves fastening two parallel profiles, one of them is fixed to the wall, the second - on the roof overhang. Three types of profile guides are used during installation:

  1. H-profile element is used when fastening panels in corner parts.
  2. Using the F-profile, the spotlights are attached to the wall.
  3. Profile J has universal qualities.

Roof overhang can be open or closed. Distinctive feature The first option is no coverage. The task of the overhang is to lengthen the truss element. They are fixed to the rafter leg and rest against the wall, as a result of which a triangle is formed. A cornice filing is attached to it.

Overhang closed type trimmed at the bottom wooden planks. When using vinyl soffits, it is recommended to use vinyl instead of wood. But this is possible if the panels are installed at the construction stage. If the house has already been built, when installing the spotlights, they are attached to the boards.

Products are recommended to be installed at the final stage of siding installation. The most suitable moment is before the last panel with hooks is fastened. This will allow you to correctly determine the parameters of the final board and corner profile. Further actions are performed in the following order:

  1. Installation starts with cutting required size spotlights. This leaves two gaps. Used for cutting circular saw or metal shears. This work cannot be started without protective glasses. Cutting starts in the area of ​​the fastener.
  2. Before mounting, first determine the starting point. Then 77 mm recede from this place and mark a horizontal line along the perimeter of the building.
  3. Under it, the first panel is installed. One edge of the soffit is placed in the receiving profile on the wall, the second one is inserted into the opposite profile element.
  4. To facilitate the procedure for placing the panel in the gutters, it is shortened, for this purpose the gaps were provided.
  5. Then the second soffit is inserted into the receiving part and combined with the first element into a lock.

During this process, you can, if necessary, bend the outer strips of the profiles. But don't put too much effort into it. Since the profile may not return to its original position. There is another option for installing spotlights, which does not provide for their attachment to the receiving profile. Soffit panels are first inserted into it and snapped into place. Only after that the profile element is fixed.

Before you hem the spotlights, you should decide on the method. There are two options:

  • at an oblique angle;
  • at a right angle.

The first method involves installing the H-profile diagonally in the corner area. To do this, you can use two J-profiles, but they need to be positioned side by side to each other. To achieve the most attractive aesthetic effect, the spotlights are cut in such a way as to place the central gutters in one line.

When connected at a right angle, the profiles that are near the wall are extended to the intersection of the outer corners. J-profiles are installed on adjacent spotlights. In the absence of an F-profile, it can be made from a profile element J. The nail strip is cut and bent every 30 cm.

In some cases, the laying of soffits is carried out in the direction of the floor beams of the structure. In this situation, it is necessary to install a crate frame across the beam parts. For this purpose, use edged board or bars. With perpendicular laying, spotlights can be fixed directly to the beams, but on condition that the distance separating them does not exceed 50 cm. Otherwise, it will be required pre-installation crates, the elements of which are installed perpendicular to the beams. After that, a counter crate is attached to it parallel to the beam elements. The panels are fixed to the frame elements with self-tapping screws.

In order for the installation of spotlights to be performed efficiently, you should follow some rules:

  1. In the process of storing spotlights, sun exposure should be avoided.
  2. When transporting the packaging with the material must be on a flat surface.
  3. When fastening, do not exert excessive pressure on the locks. The soffit should not tightly adjoin the fastener; a gap must be left between them.
  4. Corners should not be treated with a sealant.
  5. To work with spotlights, only anti-corrosion screws or nails are used.
  6. Installation is carried out with fasteners of a certain size. The diameter of the cap should be 8 mm or more, the legs should be 3 mm.
  7. The staples are selected wide, as the panels need to create conditions for free movement.
  8. A space of 1 mm is left between the surface of the soffit and the fasteners.
  9. The fixing elements are located at a distance of 40 cm from each other. The fastening is carried out at a right angle.

Conclusion

The purpose of the spotlights is to decorative trim certain parts of the roof, as well as to ensure ventilation of the house. Their use allows you to increase the life of the building. Soffits differ from siding panels in their scope. With the help of these elements, surfaces are formed, front side which are facing downwards.

Soffit installation. Video:

If we consider the device of any roof in detail, we can see that it is quite multi-layered and complex structure. It is on how accurately it is designed and thought out that its reliability will depend. Mounting modern roofing is significantly different from the process that was carried out earlier - even 50 years ago, roofs were built differently. Now commonly used modern materials, as well as elements that were not previously heard of, now they are an unchanged part of the design. Installing spotlights on the roof eaves is a simple job, but these elements will increase the protection of the house from wind and precipitation, and give a finished look to the entire structure.

Soffits are elements that are hemmed to the bottom of the roof. They are located between its edge and the wall of the house, where, as a rule, after the completion of work there is a gap into which birds can easily penetrate, debris can get in, and the wind also blows. They can be made from various materials, have perforation or be made without it.

Roof soffits - what is it

Soffit - a small panel that just closes the gap between the wall of the building and the roof. Factory options are usually quite easy to install. They are durable, lightweight, can be installed at any time of the year and perform the required protection function 100%.

Types of spotlights

All spotlights for sale, as well as those that are made by hand, can be classified according to a certain type. For example, by the type of material used for the manufacture or by structure.

Factory soffits often resemble siding elements in appearance. But they may be slightly different from each other. So, the following options for elements for filing roof structures are distinguished.


Advice! When choosing spotlights, an important factor is the width of the slats. It can vary from 30 to 80 cm. This allows you to choose the most suitable option in each case.

Soffits can also be made from various materials. Depending on this, they will have certain properties.

Table. What materials are soffits made from?

MaterialDescription

Frequently used option. For the manufacture of such soffits, polyvinyl chloride is used. Advantages of the option - resistance to moisture, the ability to choose any color, ease of installation, low cost. Also, mold and fungus do not appear on such spotlights, they do not rust. Products perfectly cope with temperature extremes in the range of -50 - +60 degrees.

This version of spotlights is durable and practical, it is relatively inexpensive. Elements are made of steel with galvanization, due to which the material is not subject to corrosion. But if protective covering damage, then the steel spotlights will quickly rust and become unusable. But they are more durable than plastic ones.

Soffits having a maximum long term services. Copper is able to withstand the impact of external factors for 150 years. She is not afraid of water, wind, environmentally friendly, easy to care for. However, the cost of such spotlights is very high - not everyone can afford them.

One of the lightest soffit options. Now aluminum products are the most demanded on the market. They are easy to install, are not afraid of exposure to temperature and moisture, do not burn or fade under the influence of ultraviolet radiation, and therefore are very popular.

On a note! There are also spotlights made of wood. But usually they are made by hand.

Calculation of the required quantity and selection criteria

Before you go to the store for spotlights, you should calculate how many elements of this type will be needed, taking into account the ventilation and size of the building. So, ventilation should occupy approximately 1/150 of the entire ventilated space. This means that the entire area that will need ventilation is divided by 150. Then the ventilation elements are subtracted from the obtained value (for example, dormer windows etc.). Next, the result is compared with perforated soffits. Based on the value of the area that one soffit panel will occupy, and total number elements required for work.

Important! Cover with a solid cover cornice overhangs it is forbidden. Ventilation in any case should be. The best option- buy perforated spotlights and calculate how many you need to cover the entire space between the wall and the eaves along each wall of the house.

As for the selection criteria, it is only important to take into account that it is recommended to install spotlights with perforations on the street, and indoors you can use spotlights without holes. Regarding the color - here you can choose to your taste, but in any case, it is important to first evaluate how the chosen color will look in the overall harmony of the house.

Mounting options

Soffit panels can be installed in two ways - diagonal and horizontal. In the first case, the elements are placed parallel to the overhang of the structure. Mounting profile mounted on rafters. The method is optimal for decorating a roof with a slope angle of not more than 25 degrees. At the same time, the length of the overhang cannot exceed 5-6 m. Diagonal - not the most convenient way, since you will have to install fasteners for spotlights in places that are difficult to access. And the consumption of materials increases significantly.

The horizontal method is much easier to implement and saves time and material. In this case, the soffit strips will be mounted parallel to the base. Here, a kind of box is mounted from the bars, on which the soffit elements are attached. Roofing in this way is done quite quickly.

Installation of soffit elements

To work with PVC elements you will need a screwdriver, a writing instrument, a tape measure, a stepladder, self-tapping screws, a sharp knife. You will also have to purchase the spotlights themselves and profiles (H, F, J), due to which the fastening will be carried out.

Step 1. Installation of spotlights is impossible without processed wooden slats measuring 3x5 cm. Before starting work, they are processed various formulations, preventing rotting and damage to wooden material.

Rail dimensions - 3x5 cm

Step 2 Via building level on the wall of the house markings are applied to fasten the rails. First, the places located closer to the corners of the building are marked, then all the marks are connected by a single line, along which the rails will be mounted. When marking, the building level is applied to the roof eaves - relative to it, markings are applied to the walls.

Step 3 Reiki are attached to the wall with the help of so-called pegs. quick installation. Their length will depend on the thickness of the wall, as well as insulation. The pegs are screwed with a screwdriver.

Step 4 Also, rails are mounted along the entire length of the gutter belt. Here they are fastened with wood screws, taking into account the parameters of the J-profile.

Step 5 If necessary, additional wooden slats are installed, which are fixed on the undergrowth belt and rafter legs, as well as on rails fixed on the wall of the house. They will serve as an additional support for the spotlights.

Step 6 A long wooden rail is mounted in the center of the installed crossbars, which will also act as an additional fulcrum.

Step 7 Fixing strips S-25 (J-profile) are being installed. But before that, the individual elements are interconnected in order to achieve the required length. To do this, a small piece of the mounting element is cut off from one of the strips and this edge is inserted into another strip. Thanks to this, if necessary, the slats will be able to expand linearly.

Step 8 The slats are fastened under the slats mounted on the wall of the building using flat head screws.

Step 9 In the corner of the building, the planks should be joined at an angle corresponding to the corner of the building. The corner is formed end-to-end.

Step 10 The entire building is finished with these strips in those places where the soffit panels will be installed.

Step 11 In order for the soffit strips to be subjected to thermal expansion, they need to be trimmed. Work can be performed using any tools - a jigsaw, metal shears, etc.

Step 12 The prepared soffit panel is inserted with one edge into the previously installed profile, and then with the other edge into the profile from the opposite side.

Step 13 Two adjacent planks should lock together in the lock, and a distinct click is heard. It means that the slats have risen correctly.

Step 14 Each soffit strip is secured with flat head screws at the mounting holes.

Fixing the soffit panel with screws

Step 15 Next, an angular H-profile is mounted. The corners of the building are different, so it is important to start by cutting the planks correctly. To do this, one H-profile is taken, it is divided in half from the edge - a mark is made with a pencil. Further, this edge is installed in the corner where the previously installed profiles are joined. The second edge of the bar is placed exactly in the middle of the corner of the girdle.

Step 16 The bar is temporarily fixed on the supports. With the help of the building level, the contour of the facade of the building is transferred to the bar. Marking is done with a pencil.

Step 17 The resulting element in the shape of a triangle is cut out.

Step 18 After that, the bar is tried on to the corner. Next, the required marking is applied on the other side of the plank - the shape of the angle of connection of the roof joints is also noted. Excess planks are cut off.

Installation of the cut H-profile

Step 20 Next, the installation of soffit strips continues. Only now they need pruning. The edge of the plank with the lock is inserted into the lock earlier set bar. Next, markings are applied to the soffit along the angle of the H-profile. The resulting excess is cut off.

Step 21 The trimmed panel is mounted in its place. Similar actions are repeated until the very corner, until the gap is completely hidden.

Step 22 Installation of herringbone panels starts from installation right angle between the edge of the panel and the edge of the corner of the profile fixed under the eaves.

Step 23 Direct mounting of the planks ends like this - its locking part is cut off from the extreme panel. It is mounted at the previously installed bar S-25 (the one that was mounted at the beginning of work). Further installed right size piece of soffit panel. The installed lock will not allow the bar to walk in the wind.

Video - Filing spotlights

As soffits, you can use pieces of profiled sheet and hem the roof with them. To do this, sheets of material are cut into pieces equal in width to the gap between the wall of the house and the roof eaves. In the same way as when installing plastic spotlights, support bars are installed along the walls and cornices, and additional supports are also mounted. Further, the sections of the profiled sheet are fixed on them with the help of self-tapping screws.

Important! The cut sheet must be processed at the cut point. protective compounds, otherwise it will quickly become unusable due to developing corrosion.

The entire roof is hemmed in the same way. To design the joint between the spotlights and the walls, you can use metal profiles or plastic rails.

Before you start working with spotlights, you should familiarize yourself with a number of recommendations.

Installation of spotlights is not as difficult as it seems at first glance. But it will allow you to make the roof and the structure as a whole beautiful, neat, complete. It is worth spending a day of free time and still doing these finishing work.

The roof is one of the most complex and time-consuming stages of building a house. And if with a roof and truss system everything is more or less clear, then the cornice remains, which also requires finishing and at the same time must perform the function of natural ventilation.

For a long time, there was no special material for finishing the cornice, so it was hemmed with clapboard or siding, but neither material satisfied the owners of the house and the builders. The lining, absorbing dirt, quickly lost its appearance, and the siding, due to its density, created a greenhouse and destroyed the rafters.

Fortunately, today this problem is completely solved, thanks to roof soffits.

Roof ventilation

The roof structure can be of two types:

  1. Attic
  2. Attic

In the first case, the ceiling is insulated, but if a living space is planned under the roof, then the insulation is laid directly between the rafters. In this case, the air heated by the house rises and settles in the form of condensate on the insulation and roof beams, which significantly reduces their service life.

That is why the finishing of roof eaves with soffit is so important. Thanks to perforation, or more simply, small holes, the soffit does not prevent the penetration of air under the roof. Thus, constant ventilation is obtained, which does not allow moisture to accumulate.

What is a soffit

From Italian, this word is translated as - "facing down." In fact, this is a kind of siding, as it has the same locking connection that hides the fasteners. After installation, the soffit looks like a solid panel without fasteners and joints.

The dimensions of the roof spotlights have a clear standard, but differ depending on the country of manufacture:

  • American standard - 3.6 m by 0.3 m
  • Russian standard - 3 m by 0.22 m

In addition, spotlights differ in the frequency of perforation, and each option is usually used in certain conditions:

  • Central perforation, when the holes are located only in the middle of the panel. The most common and frequently used type of spotlights. Suitable for any type of roof.
  • Full perforation, when the holes are located throughout the panel. Such soffits are more often used with bituminous or seam roofing, which have a high degree heating and require more ventilation.
  • Rare perforation, used for filing the roofs of verandas, gazebos or attic roofs.

Interesting ! The price of spotlights depends only on the manufacturer. The frequency of perforation is not reflected in the cost.

Benefits of soffits

  1. Unlike lining, spotlights do not require additional processing, and even over time do not need to be painted. It is enough to simply wash them with a hose from time to time.
  2. Aesthetic appearance. Thanks to the locking connection, the spotlights look like a solid panel.
  3. Strength and durability. Soffits are resistant to mechanical influences and do not fade over time.
  4. Security. Even vinyl spotlights for a roof, are made of special plastic steady against open fire.
  5. Soffits for filing the roof can also be used for finishing the ceiling in open spaces and on verandas.
  6. The materials from which the spotlights are made do not form mold and fungus on their surface, which means they are environmentally friendly.
  7. Ease of installation. Roof eaves filing with soffit takes place in the shortest possible time and does not require big cost forces.

Varieties

Apart from the fact that soffits differ in frequency of perforation and manufacturer, they can also be made from various materials. The price and durability directly depend on this, but on the other hand, everyone can pick up spotlights “affordable”.

Aluminum

To date, this material can rightly be called the most popular. Aluminum has all the necessary material characteristics for exterior finish, and at the same time is in the middle price category.

Such a product is not afraid of any vagaries of nature. And even accidental scratches or bumps during installation will not leave the slightest trace on it.

In addition, aluminum is very light, and therefore does not create additional load on the roof.

  • There is no variety of colors.
  • The price is slightly higher than that of metal or plastic.

Metal

In addition to the strength inherent in any steel product, metal roof soffits are painted in the same colors as the roof. Such a soffit is organically combined with the rest of the roof. Thanks to polymer paints, metal it is not subject to corrosion.

  • Very afraid of scratches. During installation, it is very easy to damage the paint layer, and subsequently corrosion will begin in this place.
  • Enough heavy material compared to aluminum and plastic.

Plastic

Almost everything is made from vinyl today. Roof soffits are no exception. Of the most obvious advantages is the variety of colors and low price. In addition, the plastic is very light.

  • Although the panels are made of fire-resistant plastic, when melted, it emits acrid, toxic fumes.
  • Vinyl of low quality, quickly fades in the sun.
  • When heated, it has the ability to expand. This quality must be taken into account during installation.

Copper

The most durable and quality material but that's why it's the most expensive. Copper has a unique property - it becomes stronger over the years. When interacting with environment, it is covered thin layer patina to prevent corrosion.

Over time, copper soffit will take on a complex greenish pattern that will look very rich on any roof.

  • Very high price.
  • Copper soffit weighs more than competitors, this must be taken into account when building a truss system.
  • Color uniformity.

Mounting on the eaves

Sheathing of roof eaves with soffit occurs at the very last stage of construction, when the roof is fully completed and insulated. There are two ways to finish overhangs. There is no fundamental difference here, it all depends on the desire of the owner.

Important ! Depending on the method of attaching the spotlights to the roof eaves, the amount of material depends. Therefore, before starting work and purchasing, it is necessary to make a calculation. It is best to make a drawing on paper, then the calculation of the spotlights will be more accurate.

Hemming to rafters

The simplest and most economical type of finish. The panels are sewn directly onto the rafters, while maintaining the same slope as that of the roof.

Advice ! It is advisable to file to the rafters if the roof has a slight slope. Otherwise, you will need more material, and it will not look very attractive.

In order to sheathe the rafters, you need to cut their edge at an angle parallel to the horizon. Further, boards are attached along the entire length of the eaves, to which the panels are sewn.

You can more clearly see the method of attaching spotlights to rafters in the video. It is clearly seen here that the entire installation process does not take much time and does not require any special tool.

Attachment to the box

A more complex and time-consuming way to finish the cornice. The panels are attached to a specially made horizontal box, which is made from the edge of the rafters to the wall of the house.

To do this, you need to draw a straight line on the wall, the height of which will coincide with extreme point rafters. Along this line, with the help of dowels, a wooden plank or a metal guide profile is sewn to the wall.

The horizontal guide is connected to the rafters, and spotlights are sewn onto the resulting box.

The main advantage of this method is that for any roof slope, the spotlights will be parallel to the ground. This is especially true for mansard roofs, which have a very large angle of inclination.