A roof overhang is a protruding edge of the roof outwards to protect the doors, windows, and the home’s foundation from harsh weather. Overhangs are slowly becoming a modern design feature for more beauty, but they can also damage your home’s design.
To ensure that the roof overhang protects the house and adds aesthetics, homeowners should choose a suitable material, size, and design that fits their home’s architectural design and the roof’s structure.
Before allowing the contractor to add a roof overhang to your structure, first find out its benefits in this guide. We will also mention the other tips on choosing the right roof overhang and give examples where necessary.
Tips On Choosing The Best Roofing Overhang
Here are the tips to help you pick the best roofing overhang for your house design.
Check The Benefits Of The Roof Overhang
Roof overhangs are expensive. As the homeowner, you need the best material to withstand harsh climates, a suitable overhang design, and a qualified installer. Luckily, some of the benefits you will get from this structure are
Foundation And Basement Protection
The house’s foundation is as essential as the roof and the walls because it supports the entire building, requiring maximum protection. Unfortunately, when it rains, water drops directly next to the house’s foundation, causing erosion around the place.
The foundation will start cracking with time, which is a bad sign because it weakens the entire house. Also, the water could make depressions around which make small pools. The walls become damp, and mold starts to grow. A roof overhang directs the water further away from the house’s foundation.
Clean Walls On The Sides
Rainwater also hits the sidewalls of the house and causes fading and discolorations. The walls also become damp, and mold grows, leading to permanent stains. A roof overhang reduces the amount of rainwater hitting the walls, leaving them clean.
Increase Energy Efficiency
Roof overhangs block sun rays from entering the house. More extended overhangs ensure no sun rays hit the windows and doors, resulting in less heat gain. This keeps the right temperatures in the room, reducing the work of cooling systems, hence fewer energy bills.
Choose Roof Overhang Type Depending On Your House’s Design
There are many types of roof overhangs, but to maintain your home’s functionality and aesthetics, buy a style that matches your home’s design. Some of the options available are:
Gable
The gable roof overhangs are triangular-shaped and protrude from the eave. You can adjust the triangle into a shape and size of your liking. The overhang ensures there is a good runoff of rainwater.
Awning
Awning overhangs mainly protect the home’s deck or patio. You can remove these overhangs because they are not permanently attached to the roofline. Awning overhangs also protect windows from UV rays, allowing homeowners to keep their windows open.
Canopy
Canopy overhangs are installed on the entry doors in homes with limited space. They also have posts to provide a sitting area. When buying, choose materials that match your home’s colors and materials.
Screen-In Porch
Screened-in porches are enclosed to provide a sitting area with fresh air and a cool breeze. They also keep unwanted visitors on the other side of the house, and you can choose to install them at the front or back deck of the home.
Choose Long-Lasting Materials
While looking at the aesthetics, benefits, and roof overhang designs, you should also choose a material wisely. The overhangs are exposed to harsh climatic conditions, so the chosen material should be sturdy and durable. Some of the best materials are
PVC
Vinyl is a common material that makes solid doors and windows, and homeowners prefer it because of its energy efficiency. Besides, the material is durable and can withstand harsh climatic conditions. However, ensure you buy your most desired color because you can’t repaint this material.
Wood
If your house has a traditional design, wood is the most suitable material for your roof overhang. The material is aesthetically appealing because of the natural wood stains. Besides, it has a high R-value to provide energy efficiency and reduce energy bills.
However, wood has disadvantages that homeowners should not ignore. It is expensive to buy and maintain because it requires the homeowner to repaint. Besides, insects like termites feed on the wood and destroy it.
Choose Material According To the Area’s Climate
Although most materials are aesthetically appealing, always ensure their characteristics fit the area’s climatic conditions. For example, besides wood’s beauty and high energy efficiency, it swells and rots when exposed to wet climates.
Also, aluminum is aesthetically appealing, can be repainted, and is easy to install. However, the roof overhang material cannot withstand the coastal humidity and salt concentration in the atmosphere because it rusts.
PVC and fiberglass materials are suitable in any climate. The two materials are solid and durable, do not fade when exposed to direct sunlight, and are easy to clean. They are also energy efficient, meaning homeowners pay fewer energy bills.
Consider The Roof’s Shape
Roofs come in a variety of shapes, and each roof shape corresponds to a specific type of overhang. If you are unsure about the shape of your roof, consult with a Roof Masters installer. They have better knowledge of different roofs and their suitable overhangs.
For example, the flat roof overhang fits nicely on a two-story home with a flat roof. The installers ensure flat overhangs at the entrance are installed at a certain angle from the house’s wall to protect the wall from water splashes.
The roof’s shape is also essential to support the overhang, and it also determines the size of the overhang to install. Also, some roof types, like hip roofs, lack gable eaves, reducing overhang options.
Final Words
Choosing the roof overhang to install looks simple and easy, but there are many things to consider before buying. Your roof shape, climatic conditions, and home’s architectural design will determine the best roof overhang to install. Also, a roofing professional can help you choose the correct overhang for your roof.
