A roof overhang is the portion of the roof that extends previous the outside partitions of your own home. It’s also called a roof eave. The realm below the roof eave known as the soffit and will get coated by a protecting materials resembling vinyl, fiberglass, or aluminum.
Most properties have roof overhangs, however the size of the overhang varies by roof model and design. Right here’s a have a look at why your roof has an overhang and the different sorts.
Advantages of Roof Overhangs
Roof overhangs serve two functions: safety from climate and aesthetics.
The first goal of roof overhangs is to protect towards rainfall, snow, and extra warmth. Your roof overhang can present shade to your home windows, preserving your own home cool in the summertime and stopping heavy snowfall and rain from reaching your own home’s siding. And in excessive wind storms, an overhang can stop wind harm to your siding.
Roof overhangs are available sizes that vary from 0 to 24 inches. Properties in dry, desert-like climates could have minimal or no roof overhangs. Properties in milder areas have typical overhangs of 12-18 inches, whereas 18-24 inches if extra widespread in moist or excessive climates.
Kinds of Roof Overhang Designs
In case your roof has an overhang, it would have one in all these three designs: open, closed, or boxed. Right here’s what every means.
- Open overhang – An open overhang options uncovered rafters reasonably than a soffit materials.
- Closed overhang – A closed overhang has a soffit, giving the roof eave a extra completed look and providing safety.
- Boxed overhang – A boxed overhang is probably the most ornamental model, that includes a soffit and molding.
13 Kinds of Overhang Roofs
Except for location, the model of your own home and its roof kind performs a big half within the size and design of your roof overhang. For instance, minimal properties with flat roofs could haven’t any overhang, whereas a mid-century trendy dwelling with a butterfly roof can have extra prolonged eaves.
Gable
A gable roof is among the commonest sorts. It has two slopes that meet at a ridge and resembles a triangle. The steep pitch of gable roofs permits water and snow to shed. A gable roof has customizable overhangs that contractors can modify primarily based on preferences and local weather.
Gambrel
Gambrel roofs, typically referred to as barn roofs, function two units of slopes on both sides. They’re extra ornamental than gable roofs however present the identical advantages. Gambrel roofs are typical of Dutch colonial properties and a few older farmhouses.
Bonnett
A bonnet roof is right in case you’re searching for one thing that gives most overhangs and shade. The bonnet roof will get its title as a result of it resembles a bonnet. It extends previous the aspect of the house equally on all 4 sides, making it a well-liked possibility for homes with wraparound porches.
A-Body
A-frame roofs run from the bottom as much as the height of the roof. The overhangs are solely on the back and front of the house and may be small or giant, relying on the design.
Hip
A hip roof options sloping sides that meet at a peak or ridge. This model has many variations, together with the usual hipped roof, hip and valley, and pyramid roof. A hip roof gives an overhang on all 4 sides, which may be minimal or prolonged, relying on the home-owner’s wants.
A hip roof is one other nice possibility for anybody needing to shade their wraparound porch.
Skillion
A skillion roof has a single, sloped floor. These roofs are typical in minimal and trendy structure and are customizable, to allow them to have giant or small roof eaves.
Butterfly
The butterfly roof was a well-liked possibility through the mid-century trendy period however will not be an ordinary kind of roof at the moment. It’s the reverse of a gable model, that includes two sides that meet at a ridge and slope upward, giving the looks of butterfly wings. A typical butterfly roof has an prolonged roof overhang.
Dutch Gable
A dutch gable roof options 4 sloping sides with a gable-style roof within the middle. These roofs are widespread in nation properties, lodge-style homes, and Dutch colonial homes. They function a roof overhang on all 4 sides.
Shed Roof
A shed roof has one sloping aspect. Architects typically use this model in minimal and trendy structure. Whereas the overhang size is adjustable, shed roofs are inclined to function brief roof eaves.
Lean-To
A lean-to roof is a flat sloping roof used as well as. Just like the shed roof, the overhang is adjustable however often small.
Mansard
A mansard roof options 4 sloping sides which might be steeper on the backside than on the high. It’s a cross between the hip roof and the gambrel-style roof. A typical mansard roof gives a spacious roof eave on all 4 sides of the house.
Jerkinhead Roof
The jerkinhead roof is a gable model with clipped ends on the edges that assist higher shield properties from excessive wind harm. These are typical of Tudor model, Queen Anne, and a few craftsman properties. A jerkinhead roof gives the identical kind of overhang as a gable roof.
Flat Roof
Many flat roofs solely have an overhang the place the gutter system is hooked up, selling water to empty away from the construction. Whereas flat roofs don’t require an overhang (besides on the gutter edge), you’ll be able to construct one with a roof eave in case you’d like.
