5 Types of Roof Overhangs To Consider For Your Upcoming Roof Reconstruction
Did you know that a roof overhang isn’t just for aesthetics? Despite adding an almost vintage style to modern houses, overhang has more to it, it is an important structural element that architects in the past knew how to implement into the house and made them last long.
An overhang is a part of the roof that goes beyond the wall. The roof edges that stick out of the home walls can be designed differently. If you ask any roofing contractor in Pensacola, they will agree that it was one of the popular, and still used building elements in the past. The popularity goes beyond Florida, and you can see different overhang designs across the USA, especially in warm climates.
Experienced roofing contractor in Pensacola and elsewhere will recommend typical roof overhangs for homes that face south, because they need structural shading components.
Here is what you need to know about types of overhangs and their purpose.
Eave Overhang
Eave overhangs are stylish and protect part of roofs. They provide a distinctive home appearance and cover other roof elements, including soffit, corbels, and fascia. They are primarily designed so the water slides of the building away from walls and windows, keeping them dry and long-lasting.
The protruding part of the roof can be designed differently to match various style needs and purposes.
Therefore, you can come across the following eave overhangs:
- Open – Underside is completely exposed, looking like the construction isn’t finished
- Closed – A soffit covers the overhang, which gives the building a traditional and polished look
- Exposed rafters – This eave type is almost completely closed, except for the rafters’ ends, which are left visible.
Gable Overhang
Gable overhangs on houses are common in wind and storm-prone coastal areas, because of their exceptional performance in heavy winds.
This type of overhang features a triangular shape with pointed or rounded ends, and they can go up to two feet beyond the walls, providing enough shading and protection for a porch or smaller patio. One of their greatest benefits is the lack of additional support beams because these overhangs are incorporated into the roof itself. Wider overhangs are typical on the traditional farmhouse, while modern buildings feature narrower models.
One of the potential downsides of gable overhang is its susceptibility to contribute to roof deterioration. If the overhang is too wide, the wind can cause uplift and slowly detach roofing materials.
In colder climates wider gable overhangs provide exceptional protection from water and melting ice, but they add too much shade, which may lead to a colder interior and increased humidity inside. However, a skilled contractor should be able to calculate the ideal width.
Hip Overhang
A hip overhang is part of a hip roof, with several sloping sides united at a ridge. That way, the hip overhang protects every side of the home so it is suitable for sun, rain, and melting ice protection year-round. In addition, the hip overhang looks aesthetically pleasing and elegant.
Because of their functionality and good looks, hip overhangs are universal overhangs. You can find some beautiful examples of hip overhang in Mediterranean architecture with low-pitched symmetrical sloped roofs and modern and futuristic architecture with flat roofs.
Shed Overhang
A shed overhang is one of the most practical types of roof overhangs for homeowners looking to add extra space to their property. When designed well, this overhang is a significant stylish element to your home, which can transform the building, increase its value, and add to the curb appeal.
The shed overhang has long sides because it should provide storage for outdoor tools and garden equipment. It is a typical overhang on shed roofs and lean-on structures, which tends to minimize waste and increase the functionality of all roof elements.
Next, people install shed overhangs on garages as a simple, and cost-effective solution to the lack of storage space. They are also popular as entrance covers.
Shed overhangs are used on both commercial and residential homes equally, and they can be installed whenever you want to your home, as long as the new design matches the look of your home.
Modern homes with sheds look similar to the traditional gable overhangs, except for the size. Modern shed overhangs are half the size of gable ones, and they spread across the entire building. They allow architects to come up with unique window placement solutions.
Eyebrow Overhang
This particular overhang type differs from others because it isn’t one structure. Instead, eyebrow overhang is a set of structures designed to protect the building sides and windows, but they aren’t necessarily connected to the roof or each other.
You can spot eyebrow overhangs on houses with sloped roofs or pole barns across Florida countryside. It has the same purpose as the rest of the overhang types – to protect the walls, doors, and windows from rain, direct sunlight, and other weather elements. Some benefits include cost-effectiveness, small size, and relatively simple installation.
In addition, adding an eyebrow overhang is a quick, simple way to add more charm to your home and increase protection. However, it might not be as powerful against heavy rain, snow, and wind as other wholesome overhangs.
Modern takeout on eyebrow overhangs includes different ornamental add-ons and structural variations, and you can find eyebrow overhangs that spread across the entire home. In the past, it was more used on residential buildings, while nowadays it is often seen on barns and garden cabins.
Conclusion
Choosing overhangs on buildings depends on different factors, but the climate is the most important one. The most common weather conditions, the amount of rainwater and direct sunlight, dictate the overhang size for houses and outdoor spaces protection.
From eye-catching designs and increased home value, roof overhangs are still in use and are much-needed and loved roof elements. If you are considering a roof reconstruction for your private or business property, think about overhang as a structural, aesthetic, and functional roof element.
It takes a skilled, experienced, and innovative roof contractor to design this element, maximize the protection, and add to the curb appeal.
Which overhang do you prefer? Do you lean towards traditional gable overhangs, or are you ready to experiment with various shed overhang designs? Share your ideas!