The many benefits of adding eaves onto your house

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The House of Yellow Shadows, Studio An-V-Thot Architects Pvt. Ltd. Studio An-V-Thot Architects Pvt. Ltd. Moderne Häuser
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For those of you who are not very well-versed with the nuances of architecture, a discussion on eaves may at first seem a little intimidating! So let’s clear up first things first. The edges of the roof, extending beyond the side of the building, are called eaves and they serve the dual purpose of being decorative as well as protective in nature. They have been used for centuries by home owners to not just define the architecture of their abodes, but to also protect the sides of the building from direct rain and sunlight.

Not only do they prevent the rain water from running directly over the walls of your home, but they also help in maintaining the temperature of the house by shading the window from direct sunlight. Eaves that are well planned will not just provide shading to the windows during summers, but will also ensure the entry of sufficient sunlight through the window in winters. Besides these advantages, eaves can bring you more benefits which you may not have thought of before.

With Malaysia receiving plenty of rainfall throughout the year, eaves have become quite common here, too. If you too are considering including eaves in your Malaysian home, then we have some great tips which can help you in your decision.

Prevent rain from getting to you

One very important reason for including eaves is to prevent damage caused to the outer walls of your home by rainwater. Eaves help protect your outer walls and doors and windows from the onslaught of light to heavy rains. 

If you are someone who loves opening the windows even while it pours down during monsoon season, then eaves are the ideal solution for you. Not only will they keep rain water from entering your room, but they will also let you enjoy nature at its best.

Keep excess sunlight at bay – especially in summer

Another reason for having eaves built onto a house is to control the amount of sunlight entering the interiors. If your home is located in an area of Malaysia which experiences harsh sunlight during the hottest months of the year, then eaves would be perfect for shading your home and preventing the entry of sunlight. 

Since most of the heat that enters and leaves the house goes through the windows, eaves will serve to control the amount of sunlight entering into your home and hence lower the temperature of the home by a degree or two.

Keep your walls clean with eaves

You surely don’t like the ugly marks that rain water leaves on the outside walls of your home? Or maybe you found it difficult to keep that coat of paint on the outer wall of your home fresh for long, because of the absence of eaves? If yes, then opt for getting eaves built particularly if you are going for a new home, and see the difference it makes to the outer walls.

Including eaves in the design of your home will help you reduce the maintenance cost of outer walls of your home in the long run, and help you keep the exterior of your home fresh and clean for a long time to come.

Use the space under eaves for growing a garden… and more

Having eaves around your home gives you more space that you could use in any way you prefer. From using it for parking your bicycles to building a garden under it, or making storage shed for your tools, the space under the eaves can offer many possibilities. 

It can simply provide enough room for your guests to take shelter from unrelenting rains or scorching sun while you make your way to the door. There is no dearth of options when it comes to utilizing the space under eaves, depending on how scarce or spacious it is. If the eave is as large as the one shown above, then you can conveniently create an outdoor seating area for the times when the weather becomes favourable. Such a spot can be perfectly suited for unwinding quietly or getting together with friends.

Eaves can prevent deterioration of furniture from strong sunlight

As we have already discussed before, eaves prevent unnecessary entry of sunlight inside your home. So if your living room or bedroom receives harsh sunlight which can quicken the deterioration of furniture in your room, then having eaves outside your room is a blessing in disguise. Eaves are also especially good for rooms having windows and doors made of timber, which are susceptible to damage by long exposure to sunlight. 

By cutting off the amount of sunlight reaching the timber doors and windows, eaves help prolong their life and thus help cut down on your maintenance cost. Even if you have some outdoor furniture lying around, eaves can protect them from natural elements.

Open windows and feel openness with eaves

Having eaves around your home will help you to open your window without wondering about the effect that pouring rain or sunlight might have on your door or window frames or even on the outer walls of your home.  So throw open that window and enjoy the drops of rain falling on your hands. Get inspired by this beautiful outdoor entertainment space designed by Bender Arquitetura, architects from Curitiba, Brazil. Here, the transparent glass and wood eave shelters the terrace space, and lets you enjoy the lushness of nature in an unhindered way. Seating arrangements, floral decorations and curtains complete the look.

Some other benefits of having eaves around your home include prevention of rainwater from reaching the foundation of your home, protecting the sidings of a house, and reducing the amount of splashing on the wall amongst others.

Here is another ideabook to quench your creative thirst further – Six of the best ways to collect precious rainwater at home.

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