Eaves protection
Just had all the fascia, guttering and soffits done. But the adjoined porch and bay window do not have guttering and the eaves protection is just hanging over the facia, what should be done when there is no guttering for it to hang into? Should they cut it up to the tile depth? It looks like a wiggly mess at the moment
Advice from 5 local tradespeople
What the eaves protection tray is for
The eaves tray (felt support tray) has two functions:
1. Support the roofing underfelt
2. Direct water into a gutter
If there is no gutter, the tray must not be left hanging loose.
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What should NOT be done ?
• ? Leaving it overhanging the fascia
• ? Letting it wave or sag
• ? Hoping water will “just drip off”
• ? Cutting it randomly or unevenly
This leads to:
• Unsightly appearance (what you’re seeing now)
• Water tracking back onto fascia/soffit
• Rotting timber behind new plastics
• Staining and algae on walls below
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Correct solutions (there are only 2 acceptable ones)
? Option 1: Trim it back correctly (most common)
Yes — it should be cut back neatly to tile depth.
Correct method:
• Remove the first course of tiles (or lift them)
• Cut the eaves tray flush with the back of the fascia / tile line
• Ensure underfelt still has support
• Re-lay tiles
This is the standard approach when:
• No gutter is installed
• Porch/bay is decorative or shallow
• Water is intended to drip free
Done properly, it looks clean and straight, not wavy.
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? Option 2: Install a discreet gutter (best technically, not always wanted)
If water runoff is an issue (heavy roof, splashback, staining):
• Fit small ogee or mini gutter
• Tie into main downpipe or add a short drop
• Leave eaves tray running into the gutter as designed
This is technically best but often rejected for aesthetic reasons on bays/porches.
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Why it looks like a “wiggly mess”
That happens when:
• The tray was installed assuming a gutter
• Fascia/soffit was replaced later
• No one finished the edge detail
• Tray wasn’t trimmed after gutter decision changed
It’s a finish failure, not a materials problem.
I would cut the breathable roof membrane and install. I would then install plastic eve trays to the area where the felt is moving about.
I would install some guttering in these places
Your contractor should have installed guttering . I would ask them to return and do the job properly or give you a refund
Put small shallow guttering up its designed for bay windows
