Does roof need overhang?
By James Holden
Does roof need overhang?
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.
What do you call the overhang of a roof?
The eaves are the edges of the roof which overhang the face of a wall and, normally, project beyond the side of a building. The eaves form an overhang to throw water clear of the walls and may be highly decorated as part of an architectural style, such as the Chinese dougong bracket systems.
Why are roof overhangs important in the summer?
If left unprotected by roof overhangs, rain will soak the bricks or other elements of the walls with obvious negative impacts. Overhangs are also very effective at blocking sunlight during the summer months, when the sun – in non-equatorial regions – is higher in the sky and shade.
Why are overhangs important in an energy efficient home?
They are important in energy efficient homes, to control solar heat gains. But they are also instrumental for keeping water away from the walls and the foundation of the house, and to protect windows and doors from rain-water. It makes sense to protect walls from the rain, in most climates.
What to do if roof overhang is not big enough?
If the roof overhang is not big enough, then the only way to protect these windows, doors and entryways is by recessing them into the thick exterior wall, or by installing special casing and flashing for each door or entryway.
When to use overhang or solar control in a building?
In the winter, the building receives full sun. The overhang or solar control, is used to keep the building’s thermal mass in the shade. This will help keep the house cooler in the summertime. In order to better illustrate this principle in action: Think of how cool, shaded tile or marble can feel on bare feet on a hot summer day.
If left unprotected by roof overhangs, rain will soak the bricks or other elements of the walls with obvious negative impacts. Overhangs are also very effective at blocking sunlight during the summer months, when the sun – in non-equatorial regions – is higher in the sky and shade.
In the winter, the building receives full sun. The overhang or solar control, is used to keep the building’s thermal mass in the shade. This will help keep the house cooler in the summertime. In order to better illustrate this principle in action: Think of how cool, shaded tile or marble can feel on bare feet on a hot summer day.
They are important in energy efficient homes, to control solar heat gains. But they are also instrumental for keeping water away from the walls and the foundation of the house, and to protect windows and doors from rain-water. It makes sense to protect walls from the rain, in most climates.
How does a cool roof keep your house cool?
Cool Roofs are ones that reflect sunlight. Cool roofs stay cool, and reduce the amount of heat transferred to the home. According to the CRRC (Cool Roof Rating Council) if you do not have air conditioning, Cool Roofs can drastically reduce a home’s internal temperature.
