Soffit

Soffit

Soffit (from French "soffite", Italian "soffitto", formed as a ceiling; directly from "suffictus" for "suffixus", Latin "suffigere", to fix underneath), in architecture, describes the underside of any construction element. Examples of soffits include:
* the underside of an arch or architrave (whether supported by piers or columns),
* the underside of a flight of stairs, under the classical entablature,
* the underside of a projecting cornice, or
* the underside of a ceiling to fill the space above the kitchen cabinets, at the corner of the ceiling and wall.

In popular use, "soffit" most often refers to the material forming a ceiling from the top of an exterior house wall to the outer edge of the roof, i.e., bridging the gap between a home's siding and the roofline, otherwise known as the eaves.

Soffit exposure profile (from wall to fascia) on a buildings' exterior can vary from a few centimetres (2-3 inches) to well beyond a meter (3 feet) depending on construction. It can be non-ventilated or ventilated for cooling non livable attic space.

ee also

*Rafter
*Fascia (architecture)
*Truss

References

*1911


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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Soffit — Sof fit, n. [It. soffitta, soffitto, fr. soffiggere to hide, properly, to fix or fasten under, L. suffigere to fasten beneath or below; sub under, beneath + figere to fix, faste: cf. F. soffite.] (Arch.) The under side of the subordinate parts… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • soffit — 1610s, from It. soffita, fem. of soffitto ceiling, originally fixed beneath, from L. sub under (see SUB (Cf. sub )) + pp. of figere to fix, fasten (see FIX (Cf. fix)) …   Etymology dictionary

  • soffit — [säf′it] n. [Fr soffite < It soffitto < VL * suffictus, for L suffixus: see SUFFIX] 1. the horizontal underside of an eave, cornice, etc. 2. the intrados of an arch or vault …   English World dictionary

  • soffit — noun /ˈsɒf.ɪt,ˈsɑ.fɪt/ a) The visible underside of an arch, balcony, beam, cornice, staircase, vault or any other architectural element. If the soff …   Wiktionary

  • Soffit Cusp — ♦ Cusp springing from the flat soffit of an arched head, not from the chamfered side or edge (chamfer cusp). (Wood, Margaret. The English Medieval House, 414) …   Medieval glossary

  • soffit — noun Etymology: French soffite, from Italian soffitto, from Vulgar Latin *suffictus, past participle of Latin suffigere to fasten underneath more at suffix Date: 1592 the underside of a part or member of a building (as of an overhang or… …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • soffit — /sof it/, n. Archit. the underside of an architectural feature, as a beam, arch, ceiling, vault, or cornice. [1605 15; < F soffite < It soffitto < VL *suffictus, for L suffixus; see SUFFIX] * * * …   Universalium

  • Soffit — Hængende kulisse …   Danske encyklopædi

  • soffit — sof·fit || sÉ‘fɪt / sÉ’f n. (Architecture) bottom side of a component of a building (staircase, arch, a balcony, overhanging eaves etc.) …   English contemporary dictionary

  • soffit —    The underside of an architectural member such as an arch, lintel, cornice, or stairway. (pr. sah fit) Also see intrados …   Glossary of Art Terms

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