This overhang is AWESOME!
What is my biggest design regret? Since I’ve now designed several 100’s or likely in the 1000’s of projects, I’ve got a pretty good sense of what works well and what does not. And, I’m not talking about things that are a matter of preference or opinion, but rather, things that are universally better in all applications - things that I know work better. Are you ready for it? What do I regret in past projects I’ve designed? OVERHANGS. Yes, that’s right, overhangs. I regret projects where we did not account for more roof overhangs. I wish I had made them extend out further - bigger IS better.
Overhangs allow for so many benefits:
Rain protection: obviously, with a longer overhang, you can shield the walls, windows, and doors from the rainy weather. With enough wind, the smaller overhangs don’t offer any protection. A large overhang provides adequate protection for the walls, and better yet, it keeps more rain away from your foundation. When water goes underground, it makes the soil wet, and this can cause settling of the foundation if the underground drainage is not adequate. Also, underground water can leak through basement walls.
Sun protection: as I’m writing this in the middle of the summer, I’m noticing how the 8’ long overhangs in my home help to shield the high, summer sun long into the afternoon, and this helps to keep my home cool. Once the early evening comes around, the sun does get low enough that it makes its way under the overhang, and that direct sunlight makes the house really hot (so we shut the shades). Imagine if the overhangs were not there, the sun would bake the house the entire day. In the winter, the sun stays quite low in the sky - even at noon. So, the big overhangs don’t block the sunlight in the time of year when we need it most.
They look freaking awesome: overhangs give a building depth which make them look more interesting. Flat facades are boring. The contrast between a very noticeable horizontal overhang and vertical wall makes a delightful impact on the aesthetic.
They provide a usable “outdoor room”: with a big enough overhang, you can arrange some outdoor furniture below it and enjoy the outdoor environment with just enough protection from the climate to make it comfortable. Below the 8’ overhangs at my house, we have some outdoor couches on our porch. I really enjoy sitting under these overhangs in the rain and even sleeping under them in the warmer months.
Let’s (over)hang out sometime and talk about overhangs :)
If you’d like to learn more about our design process, visit www.josharch.com/process, and if you’d like to get us started on your project with a feasibility report, please visit www.josharch.com/help