What is the purpose of a roof overhang?

Purpose. The main purpose of an overhang is to give the house protection against strong winds and heavy rain. Aside from preventing water from running over the edge of the house, snow and other debris are also caught by this extended edge.

Is a roof overhang necessary?

A roof overhang is an essential part of your roofing system to protect your house. If you are simply adding function and protection, or if you want to incorporate a new style to update the exterior of your home, a new roof overhang is a good idea.

Why do homes in warm climates generally have wide overhangs?

But overhangs have several important functions: they can protect exterior doors, windows, and exterior walls from rain and snow; they can shade windows from hot summertime sun rays; and they can help keep basements and crawl spaces dry by directing rainwater away from the main structure of the house.

Why houses in tropical areas should have overhanging eaves?

Answer: The eaves may also protect a pathway around the building from the rain, prevent erosion of the footings, and reduce splatter on the wall from rain as it hits the ground. The eaves overhang may also shelter openings to ventilate the roof space.

How much should a house overhang?

Two feet is the general maximum length for a typical roof overhang. This will protect a roof from most types of damage. Roof overhangs can extend farther than 2 feet, but beyond this length, they begin to lose structural integrity and require external support.

What is overhang house?

In architecture, an overhang is a protruding structure that may provide protection for lower levels. An overhanging eave is the edge of a roof, protruding outwards, beyond the side of the building generally to provide weather protection.

Why do new houses not have eaves?

Having a house without eaves is a poor compromise if you are looking for extra area – the extra costs of energy to keep the home cooler in summer and warmer in winter will be an extra forever. Eaves protect the home from excessive weather, give protection to paint work, windows and timbers from constant UV rays.

What is overhang on a house?

What is a roof overhang called?

What Is a Soffit? Your roof by necessity, will often times extend over the walls of your home. This overhang can go by a few names, such as the house eaves or the rafters of your roof. The underside of this overhang, when given a finished appearance, is known as the soffit, which means “something fixed underneath”.

What is roof overhang called?

What is the purpose of eaves on a house?

Eaves define the style of a home, but they also have a major function. Eaves can protect the siding and foundation of a structure. A roof’s eaves protruding beyond the sides allow snow and rain to fall from the roof away from the siding and to the ground.

How far can roof overhang without support?

Why do houses have roof overhangs?

They can also protect people at the door from wind, rain and snow as well as save doors and windows from bad weather, and protect a house’s exterior and foundation from water runoff. So large roof overhangs are functional and they also look good!

Does roof overhang matter on June 21?

Roof overhang size matters most on the south side of a house. Most people follow traditional passive solar design principles, meaning they have the roof overhang sized so that south-facing windows are fully shaded at noon on June 21st. June 21st is when the sun is highest in the sky (solstice).

What happens if the roof is hidden?

If the roof is hidden, if its presence cannot be felt around the building, or if it cannot be used, then people will lack a fundamental sense of shelter.” We had really debated about doing a house without overhangs, which when scouring design sites, we had seen a lot.

Should I shorten my roof overhangs to get less shading?

If you live in a cold climate, you can shorten your roof overhangs to get less shading throughout the year. In part 2 of this mini lesson, we’ll go over whether north, east and west windows will benefit from wide roof overhangs for shading.