Different Kinds of Roof Overhangs

Roof overhangs are projecting edges of a roof that extend beyond the exterior walls of a building. They serve important functional and aesthetic purposes in home design.

There are several major types of roof overhangs to consider when building or renovating a home.

Closed Overhangs

Closed overhangs are roof edges that are boxed in with soffits or ceilings underneath. This creates an enclosed appearance that helps protect the home's interior from outdoor elements.

Closed overhangs come in a few main styles:

Basic Closed Overhang

The most common type of closed overhang features rafter tails and fascia boards enclosing the underside. Plywood or wood decking often covers the surface. This structure shields the home from rain, snow, and sun exposure while also concealing insulation, wiring, and other utilities from view.

Homeowners can customize details like adding vents for airflow or recessed lighting for illumination during evening hours. But the basic components involve rafters, decking, and trim for a clean finish.

Box Closed Overhang

Some closed overhangs have additional framing around the edges to create a boxed-in aesthetic. The enclosed area can then feature a more finished look, such as with added molding, lighting, or decorative architectural touches.

Box overhangs also help integrate drainage elements like gutters and downspouts. Keeping these functional features hidden preserves the home's curb appeal for a more high-end impression.

Decorative Closed Overhang

For those wanting to elevate the overhang as a major architectural feature, decorative treatments take the design even further. Some ideas include:

• Exposed rafter tails and beams with ornamental brackets
• Accent lighting such as sconces or spotlights
• Elaborate millwork like corbels, dentils, crown molding and more
• Tongue and groove wood paneling showcasing beautiful grain patterns
• Colorful or patterned soffits for a playful pop of personality

Decorative closed overhangs blend function with impressive aesthetics that can help define the home's character and style.

Open Overhangs

Unlike closed overhangs, open styles leave structural elements visible. This creates an airier feel with multilayered dimension.

Basic Open Overhang

Open overhangs at their most fundamental involve exposed rafter tails along the edge of the roofline. The rafter ends remain visible and provide architectural interest.

Open overhangs tend to suit modern and contemporary home plans that emphasize clean lines over ornate details. They have a minimalist, geometric quality with strong linear framing patterns.

Exposed Rafter Overhang

Some open overhangs take the concept further by revealing the entire rafter framing network underneath the roof. This shows depth and intricacy for added visual appeal.

Exposed rafter overhangs complement architectural styles like craftsman bungalows and rustic cabins. The visible structural system provides textural contrast to the flat expanses of exterior walls and roof planes.

Beam Overhang

Rather than standard rafter tails, some open overhangs incorporate thick supporting beams made of heavy wood, steel, or engineered lumber. The thick long beams provide ample load-bearing capacity. They also become an impactful architectural feature with striking linear designs.

Oversize beams work well on modern flat-roofed structures that rely more on strong geometric forms for appeal. The thick horizontal beams balance vertical elements like walls and columns.

Combination Overhangs

Homeowners also have the option to mix both open and closed overhang styles. Tailoring different types of overhangs on each side of a roofline allows customizing both aesthetic appeal as well as functional performance.

Closed/Open Combo

A popular version of a combination overhang is to have a closed overhang with soffits and framing along one roof edge while the opposite edge remains open with exposed rafters and structure.

For instance, a closed overhang makes sense for the main walkway entrance side of a home. This better protects guests from the elements while upholding curb appeal. Meanwhile, an open overhang along the backyard patio side saves costs while allowing beautiful architectural accents around the outdoor lifestyle space.

Decorative Open/Closed

Along a single roof edge, homeowners can also alternate between short segments of open and closed overhang. The contract creates an eye-catching profile with visual rhythm.

Using decorative treatments in both the open and closed sections helps accentuate this diversity. For example, a long stretch of closed overhang with soffits and concealed lights can have intermittent sections with exposed beams and rustic wood details for pockets of contrast.

Overhang Materials & Features

Overhang construction involves several physical elements homeowners must select, along with desired finishes and accessories:

Structural Supports

Key framework under roof overhangs includes:

• Rafters: Sloped beams supporting roof edges.
• Fascia boards: Vertical trim covering rafter tail ends.
• Soffits: Horizontal underside surfaces of overhangs.
• Brackets/Corbels: Decorative supports anchoring overhangs.

Materials

Overhang construction uses typical home building materials:

• Wood: Versatile, affordable option for structural bones and decorative touches.
• Composites: Blend plastic and wood fibers resistant to moisture and decay over time.
• Aluminum: Lightweight metal material easy to cut and form for custom shapes.
• Vinyl and PVC: Waterproof plastic options work well for soffits and trim.
• Concrete: Heavy material creates thick overhangs on some modern builds.
• Steel: Rust-resistant metal beams make a dramatic impact.

Accessories

Optional add-ons impact aesthetics and performance:

• Molding/Millwork: Embellish overhangs with ornamental woodwork and romantic era Renaissance Revival details.
• Lighting: Install recessed spotlights or hanging pendants to illuminate overhang areas.
• Color: Use vibrant tones for bold and funky distinction from typical white.
• Gutters and Downspouts: Carry rainwater safely away from the home's foundation.

Overhang Design Factors

Crucial considerations guide appropriate overhang selection for individual homes:

Local Climate & Geography

Overhang width and coverage should respond to the surrounding environment. In consistently wet climates like the Pacific Northwest, broad overhangs reaching 4+ feet divert sheets of rain away from walls and windows. Drier areas like the Southwest may only need modest 1-2 feet overhangs primarily for aesthetic enhancement and minimal weather protection.

Also assess sun exposure based on latitude position and landscape barriers like trees or slopes potentially blocking sunlight. Overhangs must effectively shade vulnerable glass windows and doors during intense summer months while allowing beneficial warmth from low winter sunlight.