What is a gable end return?

It is where the line of roof eave on a gable end comes down to a point, then doubles back a short way. There is a classical version and poorer substitutes. Contrast to a full pediment, which is in effect where the return goes back the whole way to the other side of the gable.

What is a gable cornice return?

A cornice return is an architectural detail that occurs where the horizontal cornice of a roof connects to the rake of a gable. It is a short horizontal extension of the cornice that occurs on each side of the gable end of the building (see picture of the Härnösands rådhus with two of these).

Is a gable overhang necessary?

Gable roof overhangs provide shading and protection from the elements and can also be considered desirable aesthetically. The gable roof overhang reduces the amount of rain that hits the exterior of the home, thus providing additional protection from water damage.

What is a gable cornice return laminated?

Also called an eave return, a cornice return is a graceful way to transition the eave and the main fascia board around the gable end of a house. Anchoring the ledger and subfascia several feet into the length of the eave is key.

What are the dimensions of a gable end without a return?

When designing a gable-end eave without a return, the dimensions to look at are the width of the trim (set between 6 in. and 8 in. thick) and the overhang from the side wall (set between 12 in. to 18 in., depending on the style of the building). avoid gable ends that are over 8 in. wide, especially when the eave overhang is less than 12 in.

Do you put a return on a gable roof?

More refined details will have the return on the gable end smaller than the eave overhang, but there still needs to be a return. The final step is putting the “roof” on the eave and addressing what happens in the gable itself.

How do you design eaves that don’t return to the gable?

Learn how to detail exterior trim with harmonious proportions on eaves that don’t return onto the gable. The three primary variables to consider when designing the eaves for a gable roof are the width of the gable trim, the projection of the eaves, and the details at the corner of the gable ends.

Do the eaves return to the gable?

This first installment of a two-part series focuses on eaves that do not return onto the gable. The second looks at the details of boxed-eave gable-end returns. Eave design starts with looking at the overall building composition and proportion.