Roof Cornice Return

This article has some good snobbish info about how cornice returns are supposed to look.

Roof cornice return.

If the overhang is 24 then it normally get s returned double that at the 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. But there are ways to ensure they are sound. Heres some terminology for you click to enlarge.

They are more properly called cornice returns i think but i d rather call them eave returns. A cornice return is an architectural detail that occurs where the horizontal cornice of a roof connects to the rake of a gable. 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. Many old victorian style homes have a very elegant cornice return that has been carved and painted.

This can be challenging because the returns are located outside the corner boards which means they require additional structural support. Done properly this is hip cut back to the wall and the eavestrough runs all the way around back to the wall. The greek revival roof return s tyle emulated the temple forms of ancient greece resulting in the creation of straightforward box like buildings we see in historic towns of america. Most greek revival buildings have substantial cornices that extended into gable ends as returns below picture.

This house had rotted roof rake returns.