Definition: In the field of home renovation, a soffit is an informal term for any kind of “boxed-in” area that hides structural elements (beams, etc.) or services. Services can include HVAC ductwork, electrical wires, and plumbing pipes.
A soffit has no structural purpose itself. Because soffits almost always contain services, great care should be taken whenever you consider drilling or cutting into soffits.
Soffits are considered the “next best thing” when you have such obstructions hanging from ceilings or protruding from walls. The best thing, of course, would be to enclose those obstructions within the ceiling or walls.
Soffits are typically built with 1”x1” or 2”x2” lumber and drywall. If the soffit will carry loads (for example, recessed lights are sometimes built into soffits), it is recommended that 2”x4”s be used for the soffit framework.
Note: As is applied to the subject of roofs, soffits are the undersides of the projecting parts of the eaves.
Pronunciation: SOFF-it
Also Known As: Bump out, bulkhead, drop-down
Common Misspellings: soffitt, sofitt, soffitts, sofitts
Examples:
In order to hide the HVAC ductwork, the carpenters constructed a soffit made of 2x4's and Sheetrock.
