What Is a Good Way to Trim Out an Overhang?

Removal

• When trimming out an overhang, you have to properly integrate the overhang into the existing carpentry and trim of the home. To do so, you will have to remove the existing fascia and any other trim that might stand in the way. Adding lumber to create attic extensions will provide you with a basic frame from which you can work. The difficulty in installing one of these overhangs is in getting into the attic and finding enough room to hammer in any extensions.

Fascia

• Once the basic frame for the overhang is in place, you can turn your attention to integrating the subfascia and the fascia with the rest of your home. These can be nailed to your newly installed rafter tails. The trick in installing and trimming this part of the overhang is in finding material that either matches or nearly matches the existing siding or trim on your home. The Fine Home Building website recommends finding material within 1/8 inch of the size of your existing trim. Matching the color is not always the easiest thing to do either, but if you are close in size and color, it shouldn't matter.

Roofing

• Getting the right look with your roofing can be even more difficult since the existing shingles are likely to be weather-worn and faded due to the ultraviolet pelting they have received from the sun. Integrating the roof of the overhang to your existing roof either involves replacing the shingles on your existing roof or trying to match the existing shingles by just covering the overhang with new shingles. If you choose the latter scenario, you're likely to see some discoloration between the two sections of the roof.

Considerations

• Trimming out a new overhang will always be difficult when it comes to matching new materials to existing materials. Before you begin your project, consider the cost of replacing your existing exterior trim, both on the walls and ceiling. It is not uncommon to get most of the way through a project before realizing that the new trim and roofing simply won't match the old trim well enough to make it work. Also, a little investment in some additional paint may also make the project worthwhile and help you avoid having to engage in whole replacement of your materials.