Overhangs: Brimming with Purpose

Let’s talk about hats.

All hats have one thing in common: they protect heads.

A firefighter's hat is hard, to protect against falling objects. The very wide brim is worn on the back of the head to divert water away from the first responder's head and onto the back of a rubber coat. The front has no brim to maximize vision.

A baseball cap, on the other hand, sports a wide brim on the front to shade the eyes from summer sun.

And a classic Stetson does it all. The deep front brim shades the eyes; the smaller rear brim sheds water on the back. The side brims turn up to shed the elements toward the back, and are the smallest brim, enabling optimal hearing.

So it is with roof overhangs; brimming with purpose.

Roof overhangs protect the body of a house from falling rain and snow in wet climates, reducing maintenance by keeping the exterior walls clean and dry.

Properly positioned and proportioned overhangs shade window walls. Ideally, they let the sun in on south and west elevations during the winter but are deep enough to keep the burning summer sun out during those times of the year when the sun is highest in the sky.  And frankly, they serve little purpose in that regard on the north side of a building where the direct sun never shines.

Deep overhangs can transform decks into all-weather porches or provide cover under which guests can wait for you to greet them at the door.

As the above suggests, the proper location and depth of roof (and floor) overhangs on any house is site and function-dependent. The flexible Lindal building system enables us to vary the depth of overhangs based on the climate, the path of the sun, and function. The overhangs on any house may vary from area to area, adding architectural interest at the same time as providing protection. In contrast, modular pre-fabs typically have very small or no overhangs (highway width restrictions) or add on overhangs that are limited in use and scale.

Lindal overhangs follow the pitch of a roof from flat to very steep. Like the ceilings on the interior, we often extend the wood liner through the window walls to the exterior, adding beauty and enhancing the sense of transparency to the natural environment. This effect is furthered by the fact that the post and beam system enables the glass to hug the underside of the roof.

At Lindal and warmmodern living, overhangs are brimming with purpose.

The deep roof overhangs on this Altius design protect a large all-weather deck

The extended roof overhangs on this Elements design provide protected outdoor space for every room and a large covered entertaining area off of the great room

The Taliesin 2060 features overhangs and sunshades that are placed on the client’s home based on its specific orientation

Extended roof overhangs provide shelter for decks and create a covered walkway to the carriage house

Deep roof overhangs protect the siding from the elements and form a welcoming cover at the front entry

The roof overhang on this Lindal Farmhouse is slightly shallower than the house roof creating a deep covered porch.

The ceiling and beams of this Elements great room extend through the glass wall enhancing the sense of transparency while shading the glass from summer sun. 

The cedar-lined ceiling and beams extend through the glass wall, enhancing the connection to the natural environment and shading the glass wall.

Lindal overhangs are beautiful as well as practical

The roof overhangs in this Turkel Design protect the bedroom balcony, and the floor overhangs provide a protected entry.

A simple roof extension, lined with cedar, creates an elegant porch on this country retreat

Deep overhangs shade the exterior walls and windows from the harsh summer sun, reducing the need for cooling and extending the life of the exterior finish