A roof overhang might be the simplest and most cost-effective home improvement you can make right now. It protects the sides of your home, increases your home’s value, and improves curb appeal. However, many homeowners don’t know which type of overhang will work best for their home, so we are here to help you understand everything there is to know about roof overhangs.
At Trusted Roofing, we’ve been sharing our roofing knowledge with homeowners for years. It’s an excellent way for you to make more informed decisions about your home improvement and maintenance projects.
In this blog post, we’ll explain the following points:
- What roof overhangs are
- How they benefit you
- Different types of overhangs
- How to get started
Let’s begin with the basics, so you have an easier time picking the best roof overhang for your home.
What Are Roof Overhangs?
Roof overhangs are a standard feature found on many homes, especially ones in areas prone to rain, wind, and snow. Overhangs are the extension of a roof beyond the exterior wall. Also known as eaves, roof overhangs are a simple way to protect your siding, doors, and windows from the elements while increasing the curb appeal of your home. These extensions of the roof serve different purposes – functional and aesthetic.
How Do Overhangs Benefit You?
The most common types of overhangs are built to work like a shield for windows and doors, keeping rainwater and flying debris away from the side of your house. Another reason people choose roof overhangs is that they want more space on their property without having to worry about building an addition to their home or buying a new outdoor structure with similar features.
Let’s take a closer look at how roof overhangs can be an excellent feature for most homes.
#1 Great Comfort For Kids And Grandparents
A roof overhang is a customized choice to add privacy to your outdoors by creating a semi-sheltered space that’s outside the home but within the yard. This is extremely helpful for kids and grandparents who want to play or relax outdoors in a comfortable open space.
#2 Provides Shelter From Rain And Hail
When it rains, the overhang allows water to drain off the roof and away from the walls of the building, helping to prevent water damage. Additionally, roof overhangs keep rainwater away from the sides of your home by aiding the drip edge in channeling it away from the house, avoiding puddles on the porch, and plants around it. Similarly, the overhangs also protect the siding, door, and windows of your home from getting hit by hailstones.
#3 Protect Your Home from Wind & Flying debris
Roof overhangs provide a buffer zone between the outside elements and your home’s walls and windows. During a storm, high winds can create significant pressure on the sides of a house. The overhangs act as an “airfoil,” directing the wind upward and around the house rather than allowing it to hit the walls directly. This helps to reduce pressure on your home and minimize the risk of wind damage.
The eaves also help protect your home from flying debris, such as leaves, insects, dirt, branches, and other objects that can be tossed around during high winds or a seasonal storm. The overhangs add an extra layer of protection by deflecting these objects away from the house and reducing the risk of debris infiltration and impact damage.
#4 Get Extra Shade On Sunny Days
You can use the overhang to cover a porch or patio. This is great for those who want to sit outside and enjoy a warm summer day but don’t want to bake in the sun. A roof overhang offers shade while letting the breeze pass through. You can use it as a shaded extension to keep a side table and a pair of chairs or beanbags.
#5 Keep Your Home Cooler In The Summer Months
One of the most important reasons to add a roof overhang is to protect your home from the sun. As you know, sunlight can be hot and can bleach your home’s exterior paint or siding if it’s left exposed for too long. By installing a roof overhang, you can reduce the impact of UV rays on your home during the summer months.
A rooftop overhang also acts as a shield from the sun and wind for your home by keeping out some of the warm air and reducing cooling costs during the summer months. Without them, your air conditioning units will need to run more often.
#6 Protect Your Front Door From Harsh Weather
When your home has a roof overhang, rain and snow will not accumulate at the front door. This will help keep the area dry and non-slippery, as well as protected from water damage. The same applies to the ice during wintertime, so consider adding this feature if you live in a state with harsh winters!
#7 Utilize The Outdoor Space Smartly
Roof overhangs can provide shade to your outdoor space effectively. A typical porch or deck takes up a considerable amount of land, so it makes sense that adding an overhang would protect your outdoor space from direct sunlight and heat.
Take a look at some of the most convenient eaves or overhangs. These seven styles are the most popular choices among homeowners across the country.
Types Of Roof Overhangs Useful For Most Homes
There are lots of overhang roof designs that are well-ventilated, spacious, and beautiful. Most of them extend past a pitched roof, but there are others that come out of a door or window. Here’s a list of the most popular types of roof overhangs for homes:
#1 Eave Overhang
When the overhang has a particular function, length, or design, it gets a specific name. Otherwise, all overhangs that extend beyond the exterior wall are called eaves. They are built using extended joist beams long enough to hold soffits under them. Soffits are a part of the roof and attic ventilation system. Fresh air moves in the attic through soffit vents while the stale and humid air moves out through the ridge vents.
#2 Eyebrow Overhang
An eyebrow roof overhang is an architectural design that can be found in many buildings. Eyebrow overhangs are found on a type of house with a sloped roof, but the overhang is not located at the end of the slope. Instead, the overhang acts more like an eyebrow located above the doors and windows of a home to keep away direct sunlight, rainwater, and snow.
Eyebrow roof overhangs are also used to frame other architectural elements of a home, such as columns and pilasters. This type of roof overhang is sometimes referred to as a lintel or architrave and includes features like cornices and string courses.
Eyebrow overhangs are available in many types of rigid and flexible materials with or without adjustable angles.
#3 Porch Overhang
A porch overhang is another type of extension that features a covered area (porch, gallery, portico) outside your home’s main entrance or garage bay doors. They’re notable for having columns or enclosed walls that support the overhang. If you are looking to add one to your home, there are many types available at different price points depending on how elaborate you want it to be!
#4 Gable Overhang
A gable roof overhang is very common across the states. A gable is a triangular area on the top of your house, which can be either pointed or rounded. Gable overhangs are typically used on single-story homes and usually extend 2 feet past the walls. They typically accommodate a small porch or outdoor sitting area like a patio where you can enjoy some fresh air. These types of roofs do not require additional support beams because they depend on their parental roof structure to overhang gracefully.
#5 Shed Roof Overhang
The shed overhang provides extra space to store your garden equipment and protect them from the elements when you’re working outside. It’s also an attractive addition to your curb appeal that can add value when you sell it later on. This type of eave is longer than most because it is generally designed to cover a section of your lawn to accommodate a small area for storage, such as keeping stacked wood. It can also provide good shelter for your pets to eat and rest in the yard. Shed overhangs mostly have low or flat roofs, and they’re made from the same material as the adjacent roof. This ensures that water, snow, and ice don’t damage the shed.
#6 Foldable Overhangs
This type of overhang is also known as an awning. There are different types of awnings on the market, some with motorized controls, or others you manually have to attach and remove from the roof. This type of overhang is easy to store, install and carry. Foldable overhangs are ideal for those who want extra protection from rain, sun, or wind without needing permanent roof overhangs on their homes.
Foldable overhangs come in many profiles and designs, but many come made of an acrylic-synthetic fabric. However, they all serve the same primary function, which is protecting you and your home from the weather while allowing the air to flow through them. This helps ensure that these small structures don’t get too hot or stuffy underneath.
#7 Arch Overhang
This is a curved overhang that’s supported by columns and is usually located at the front of a home. It functions to cover a pathway or entranceway. Arch overhangs can be used as standalone structures or combined with other types of roof overhangs to create more elaborate designs.
Arched overhangs are versatile because they can be customized according to your home’s architectural style, size, and budget requirements. The most basic arch can consist of two columns supporting an arched beam at the top, and down below, there will be nothing but air! However, if you want something more elaborate, you can add more features, such as brackets or pillars beneath each column, for extra support and architectural details.
You may also choose from multiple materials, such as brickwork (which will cost considerably more than standard framing). Still, the choice ultimately depends on what aesthetic effect you’re trying to achieve.
If you are wondering how to get started and who you should call to discuss this project, here’s what you need to know.
Who Builds Roof Overhangs?
Overhangs are typically constructed by a roofing contractor as part of a new roof installation project. You can also retrofit some interesting overhang designs onto your existing structure as part of a roof replacement or home renovation project.
- Constructing roof overhangs typically involves cutting and installing additional framing members and attaching the overhang to the existing roof structure. The overhangs may be built with the same roofing material or with a different product, such as metal panels, wood logs, or asphalt shingles.
- Depending on the size and design of the project, you may also want to hire a designer or architect along with the roofing contractors. Hiring a licensed and experienced contractor to build roof overhangs is necessary to ensure you get the best solution that will last for years.
- If you hire a handyman with no license and insurance, you won’t be able to claim product warranties, insurance claims, and other benefits that may come with a new construction or home improvement project.
If you live in Hendersonville, Tennesee, our team be happy to guide you and offer our services!
Do You Need A Roof Overhang?
If you are looking to enhance your home’s curb appeal and protection, we can build customized and convenient roof overhangs. Our experts at Trusted Roofing will expertly design and install durable overhangs that add a touch of style to your home and provide crucial protection from heat, rain, hail, wind, and flying debris.
We are proud to be among the most reliable roofing contractors in Hendersonville, TN. If you have a home in Mid-Tennessee, you can trust our honest and skilled team to deliver the highest quality workmanship with complete honesty and efficiency. Contact us at, (615) 714-4300, for a free consultation and estimate.
