Questions about eaves on metal buildings?

[ryan112ryan]

So planning out my new shop. One of the question that came up was do I want eaves or not. It will be a 40x60 metal building, 16 feet tall. I don't plan to store anything under them, just considering them for aesthetics and keep the water off the walls/foundation. So questions to those of you who've built metal buildings

1. Do you recommend eaves or wish you had, if so why?
   
2. Recommendations on how to proportion them to the size of your building?
   
3. For those who don't have them and are in average to rainy climates, any issues?

 

[MrSurly]

I went with eaves on my recent building because I simply think it looks much better. It looks “like a house” rather than like a shed.
I did it to make it look more like the house, which is 30’ away and in a residential neighborhood setting.
I did not match the dimensions on the house eaves, instead just went with 1’ eaves on the building.

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[MEngineer]

I love big eves. I live in rainy Washington and have 4ft eves on my house. It is the greatest thing ever. The siding is approaching 70years old and has no rot and is original.

As far as proportions go, it is personal preference. Most trusses that are standard have 24" eves.

 

[MrSurly]

The change up increased the cost of the trusses and roof, added soffit material and facia. I don’t recall the real numbers but it was over a grand. It changes the ceiling height relative to the wall tin as well if you do soffits.



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[My Old Tools]

They make a great place for wasp nests. Gutters serve the same purpose for me.

 

[lakeroadster]

They make a great place for wasp nests. Gutters serve the same purpose for me.

Gutters don't work on the gable ends.....
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Where are you located Ryan? What works in Texas may not be preferred in Michigan, Colorado, etc.

I went with 2 foot all around on my 30' x 44' x 10', 5/12 Pitch, Barn

Roof overhangs...

• Help to keep rain / snow off the sides and ends of the building. That's crucial on a pole building to ensure the slab and buried poles don't end up having issues due to water infiltration.
  
• allow you to have large soffit vents to help with air circulation.
  
• make the building look less industrial.
  
• provide shade and keeps the building cooler.

If you have your doors open they help to keep splash back from rain out of the building.

 

[kbs2244]

I would go with them for the reasons you gave.
It softens the "tin box" look

That is a big, tall building.
Anything you can do to enhance the horizontal will help the look.
Think about a 2 tone pant job as well.
Check out some of the builders "gallery" sites for ideas.

 

[My Old Tools]

I do like the look, but cost is a driver. We don't deal with snow here.

 

[finn]

I have them.

Water run off and especially snow shedding falls further from the bottom plate.

Without the eaves, the lower four feet of steel wall would take a tremendous beating every time snow slid off the roof.

(Mine are both stick built)

 

[readhead]

When I am pricing a metal building I always ask if they would like eaves. Most people like the idea but not the price. It is about the most expensive option to add to a metal building. It's not complicated but it adds a lot more labor.

 

[stm317]

Eaves make proper attic venting much easier.

 

[metschers]

I also agree with all the previous posts.
I incorporated 12" eaves on my building more for looks. I installed guttering later to take care off any erosion. If I remember right, mine was about thousand dollar option too.

 

[bullnerd]

Yes and Yes. Soffit and eaves.

I did 1 foot all the way around, 30x40.

I think the metal buildings look cheap without them, Like was said earlier.

Lakeroadster- that looks really nice!

 

[gnpenning]

I like at least 2' eaves.

This is one of my buildings the PO put up with out eaves. This is a yearly thing. Plus the rain run off.

 

[Mikeske]

The steel pole building that was on the property when I bought in 1998 had 2" eaves and gutters and downspouts.

When I had another pole building built I specified 2 foot eaves best thing I ever did for function and weather protection for the building.

 

[MikeF2316]

I'm a fan of eaves on all buildings. It keeps rain off your doors and snow off your sills, so they all last longer. It keeps the rain and snow off you while you're unlocking the doors. And I think buildings look better with them too.

 

[manwithtools]

When I rebuilt my pole building, I added eaves to the gable ends that it did not have before. I think it makes it look more like a garage than a pole building. I used to same color siding as the house and added matching stone veneer as well. Completely changed the look of the building.

Eaves do help with keeping rain and splash back off the walls and doors as well.

 

[Skunkape]

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I went with 16" on mine.