What is a typical characteristic of butt joints with overlap compared to staggered butt joints?

Butt joints with overlap are designed to have overlapping panels, which enhances the overall strength and integrity of the joint. This characteristic is significant because the overlapping design allows for greater surface area contact between the two panels, which helps distribute stress more evenly and increase resistance to tearing or bending forces. The added material from the overlap contributes to the structural strength of the assembly, making it particularly advantageous in scenarios where durability is required.

In contrast, staggered butt joints do not utilize overlapping; instead, they involve aligning the ends of the panels in a staggered formation which can be beneficial for certain structural applications but does not inherently provide the same level of reinforcement as an overlap. The idea of a seamless finish or application in high-heat situations is not specific to butt joints with overlap, and usage on flat surfaces is not a limitation tied to this type of joint. Hence, the characteristic of overlapping for additional strength is what makes this answer the most accurate description.