Soffit
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![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/af/Eaves-lining.jpg/200px-Eaves-lining.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/fb/View_Of_Soffit.jpg/200px-View_Of_Soffit.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/49/Soffit_box_example_with_kitchen_vent_hoods.jpg/200px-Soffit_box_example_with_kitchen_vent_hoods.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/60/Improvised_interior_soffit_to_hide_a_vent_duct.jpg/200px-Improvised_interior_soffit_to_hide_a_vent_duct.jpg)
A soffit is an exterior or interior architectural feature, generally the horizontal, aloft underside of any construction element. Its archetypal form, sometimes incorporating or implying the projection of
Etymology
The term soffit is from
Soffits in homes and offices
In architecture, soffit is the underside (but not base) of any construction element.
Examples include:
Description | More precise synonym |
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undersurface or under-face of any overhanging section of a roof eave | |
underside of a cornice | |
underside of a flight of stairs, under the classical entablature | |
framework-filled area beneath kink of a chimney | undercroft of chimney |
wall into which loudspeakers are mounted in a recording studio | wall with speaker recesses |
curvature of e.g. plasterwork to fill the space above the kitchen cabinets, at the corner of the ceiling and wall | coving (interior design)
|
underside of office ceiling of tiles (often gypsum) suspended, fastened or bonded to a grid system attached to the walls and/or ceiling | false/suspended ceiling (tiles/grid) or dropped ceiling |
underside of an arch or architrave (whether supported by piers or columns) | underarches |
lower (usually false) ceiling area to mask and allow egress of upper end of ventilation hood(s)/flues[1] | false ceiling/lower ceiling beneath (multi-light/surround) lantern/raised skylight/dome/sloped upper ceiling |
Under the eaves of a roof
In foremost use soffit is the first definition in the table above. In spatial analysis, it is one of the two necessary planes of any (3-dimensional) optionally built area, eaves, which projects, for such area to be within the building's space.
In two-dimensional face analysis it is a discrete face almost always parallel with the ground that bridges the gap(s) between a building's
Soffit exposure profile (from wall to fascia) on a building's exterior can vary from a few centimetres (2–3 inches) to 3 feet or more, depending on construction. It can be non-ventilated or ventilated, to prevent condensation. A grill that covers the venting opening on the bottom of the soffit is called a soffit vent. A soffit joist can be added to the framework instead of or in addition to lookouts.
See also
References
- ^ "Range Hood Installation Under Sloped / High Ceiling". Futuro Futuro. Retrieved 15 November 2012.
This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Soffit". Encyclopædia Britannica (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press.
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