If you have decided to install a porch roof to your existing home, you need to know how much porch overhang there should be. The minimum requirement for an overhang on a porch roof should be at least 12 inches long. However, some models can range up to two feet, depending on the style and climate.
Determining your needs can help you decide how much of a porch roof overhang your home will require.
Why Do You Need a Porch Roof Overhang?
Porch overhangs are not just for aesthetics, but they can help increase the overall value of your house. Over the years, porches have been an outdoor meeting place for family and friends. It is a transition space that welcomes visitors to your home.
These essential pieces of the home’s exterior provide several necessary functions. The overhang on a porch roof will help provide crucial coverage from the elements.
If you live in an area with continuous sunny weather, this added extension can provide the necessary shade to minimize UV damage to your home and keep your place from becoming too hot. For homeowners in windy or extreme weather climates, your porch roof overhang will provide coverage from snow, wind, and rain as you enter the home.
An adequate overhang will prevent water from coming in contact with the siding on your house, helping to avoid significant water damage. In addition, more extended overhangs can provide additional security for keeping water runoff away from the foundation, leading to costly leaks.
Homes in areas that do not have extreme weather may only sport porch overhangs of a minimum length of 12 inches, while houses that require significant coverage can include styles up to two feet or more. As long as there is the proper support for extended overhangs, they can be safe and practical additions to the home.
Standard Porch Overhang Styles
Of course, your porch roof overhang style should match the entire roof of your home. There are many angles of roof pitches, so if you are adding a porch roof after your home construction is complete, it is vital that you choose the same style and materials for continuity.
The overhang style of your porch roof can be as individual as you wish. Some of the popular varieties include:
- Bonnet
- Canopy
- Curved
- Flat
- Gable
- Hexagonal
- Hip
- Shed
Bonnet
This style has a steep upper slope, while the lower pitch is more muted. A bonnet model provides excellent coverage for entranceways and is quite common in homes from the 1700s.
Canopy
Also known as an awning, the canopy porch roof will typically have a gentle slope away from the side of the house to keep rain and snow off the front entrance. Although many homes will have a small entrance-focused canopy that provides coverage for the door only, other styles may extend along the side of the house for broader protection.
Curved
A curved porch roof overhang provides exceptional wind resistance, along with giving your home a more modern curb appeal. They are terrific for areas with significant rainfall or snowy climates.
Flat
This overhang style is typical in two-story homes, so the porch roof will not obstruct the view from windows on the second floor. However, the flat overhang is not ideal in areas that receive large amounts of snow.
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Gable
Gable porch roof styles are typically in line with the front entrance, giving a home a more modern look. The pitch can range from moderate to steep, depending on the house’s current roof style, making them ideal for areas with rain and snow.
Hexagonal
Like a gazebo, the hexagonal porch roof includes six identical sides that slope from the center point. This porch roof can add character to a home while providing ample coverage from the elements in all weather conditions.
Hip
This porch roof style is completely symmetrical from the center point. It is a quite popular choice for many modern homes with its gentle slopes and aesthetics. The hip porch overhang will work well for areas with various elements, including rain and snow.
Shed
Like the flat style, the shed porch roof is a simple overhang but offers a shallow angle. This pitch allows water and snow to run off, making it better than the alternative to flat styles in some locations.
Which Overhang Is Best For Your Home?
With all the options to choose from, it can be challenging to decide which overhang is best for your home. Some considerations when selecting a porch overhang should include:
- Your current roofing system style
- How much coverage does your front entrance or porch need
- Your budget
- The local climate conditions
Keep in mind that the smaller the overhang measures, the less protection it will provide. If you do not need a significant amount of shelter, you can select any style that ranges around 12 to 18 inches in length. Extreme weather conditions will require steep pitches or extended coverage of two feet or more to provide the protection your home needs.
FAQs
Does My Home Need a Porch Overhang?
It may not be necessary to have a porch roof overhang on your home. It will depend on your local climate and if you prefer to have one for protection. If you live in an area with extreme weather conditions, it can save you money now from water damage to your home that could happen later.
Can I Install a Porch Roof Later?
Of course, the porch roof can attach to your home anytime after the construction is complete. Therefore, it should follow your current building codes not to cause costly damage to your existing roofing system.
In Conclusion
The porch overhang can be an attractive and functional part of your home. These pieces can range in size from 12 inches up to over two feet, depending on the style you choose and what type of coverage you want for your entrance.
Choosing the correct porch roof overhang will help increase your home’s aesthetics and help protect your home from the elements.
