Fascia and Soffit Explained: What They Are and Why Your Home Needs Them

Fascia and soffits may be two of the lesser-known parts of a roof, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t important. In fact, they can save you a great deal of time, money, and hassle. Let’s take a look at what they are, how they differ, common issues you should be aware of, and tips for maintaining and replacing your home’s fascia boards and soffits.

What are fascia and soffits?

Fascias and soffits can enhance your roof's lifespan by preventing damp, mould, and other problems in the roof cavity.

Fascia Boards

Fascia or fascia boards are attached vertically to the entire length of the roofline, which is your roof’s bottom edge. These boards keep the bottom of the roof tiles in place and provide a base for guttering. They also protect the ends of the rafters from rain, ice, and snow, helping to prevent damp that could lead to your rafters rotting.

Fascia boards are available in various materials, and the most common are aluminium, uPVC, and wood. Aluminium fascia tends to be used mostly on commercial and industrial properties, while uPVC and wood are preferred for home use.

Here are a few points to remember about the different options:

●       Aluminium fascia: While it is more expensive, aluminium fascia offers excellent longevity, durability, and lower maintenance costs. 

●       uPVC fascia: Available in a range of colours, shapes, and styles, uPVC fascia boards offer versatility and durability. These boards require almost no maintenance and do not warp or rot over time.

●       Wooden fascia: Wood is the traditional material used for fascia boards. It is affordable and lends itself to different styles and designs. However, you need to prime wooden fascia before using it, as the material isn’t water-resistant. If it gets damp, it could warp, rot, or go mouldy over time. You also need to perform regular maintenance, such as repainting the boards from time to time.

Soffits

Soffits are fitted horizontally under the roof’s overhang, between your home’s exterior wall and the fascia boards fitted to the bottom of the roofline. These boards seal your roof’s eaves, keeping pests out of the roof cavity and covering up imperfections. They usually have small gaps so air can circulate in the roof cavity to help prevent mould and rot.

The most common materials used to make soffits include uPVC and wood, but they’re also available in aluminium, fibre cement, and steel. Aluminium, uPVC, and wood fascia and soffits have similar properties and requirements. Here’s what you need to know about fibre cement and steel soffits:

●       Fibre cement soffits: Affordable, durable, lightweight, and waterproof, fibre cement soffits are a popular and versatile choice. They are available in a variety of colours and don’t require much maintenance.

●       Steel soffits: Durable and long-lasting, steel soffits are weather-resistant and available in a range of colours.

The Difference Between Fascia Boards and Soffits

Soffits and fascia are made from similar materials and have similar purposes, but the biggest difference between them is where they are fitted.

Fascia boards are fitted to the front of the roof, where they provide a finished look and a base for guttering, hold tiles in place, and prevent water from entering the roof cavity. Soffits are fitted under the roof overhang, where they protect the ends of the rafters from damp and rot and prevent pests from entering the roof cavity. Another difference between fascia boards and soffits is that soffits have small gaps in them for ventilation.

Fascia and Soffits: Common Issues

Almost every element of your home is bound to give problems sooner or later, and fascia and soffits are no exception. Some of the common issues you might face include asbestos, bird nests, breakage, and rot.

Even though asbestos stopped being used in construction due to its toxicity before the year 2000, it is still present in roofing elements in some older buildings. If you suspect that your fascia, soffits, or other roofing material contains asbestos, ask a professional to check them.

Despite the protection offered by soffits and fascia boards, some birds may still be able to get into your home’s roof cavity, especially if some of your boards are broken or damaged. If birds start nesting in your roof cavity, ask a professional to remove them.

Rain, ice, snow, and strong winds can damage your fascia boards and soffits over time. If this happens, it’s essential to replace them as soon as possible, or you risk moisture and pests getting into the roof cavity.

Lastly, wood fascia and soffits that aren’t maintained or replaced from time to time can absorb moisture and become damp. This can lead to your roof eaves rotting and other structural damage. Reduce the risk of this happening by priming wood soffits and fascias before installation.

Fascia and Soffit Replacement and Maintenance Tips

Here are our top tips for replacing and maintaining fascia and soffits:

Replacement Tips:

●       Prep your roof: Before replacing your soffits and fascias, remove one or two rows of tiles from the bottom of the roof using a pry bar and claw hammer. Then, remove the guttering, bargeboards, and old fascia boards and soffits.

●       Inspect the felt on the rafters: Check the felt on the rafters for damage. Replace damaged felt with new felt or with eaves protectors (also known as eaves support trays).

●       Install new soffit supports: Ensure there’s enough support for the new soffits. You can use the rafters for support, or you can install hangers on the rafter boards or attach a noggin to the wall.

●       Fit and attach the new fascia boards: Make sure the rafters are level before attaching the fascia boards and the soffits using stainless steel fixing nails and a hammer. Cut the fascia boards back by 5mm on the edges to allow for expansion. Glue one side of the trims to secure them.

●       Reattach guttering: Reattach the guttering to every third rafter.

Maintenance Tips

●        Inspect your fascia boards and soffits at least once a year (every six months is best), checking for cracks, holes, and other damage, as well as boards separating from each other.

●        Seal or replace damaged or separated soffits and fascia boards as soon as possible.

●        Treat wood fascia and soffits with a timber treatment every three to five years.

●        Wipe your soffits and fascias with a damp cloth to keep them clean when inspecting them for damage.

Protect Your Roof with Fascia and Soffits

Fascia boards and soffits might not be the most obvious components of your roof, but they offer a significant amount of protection and value. Ensure that you keep your soffits and fascias in good condition to extend your roof’s lifespan and to spare yourself the hassle of dealing with damp, mould, rot, and pests.

If you need more information about fascias and soffits, contact the Home Improvement Supplies team. We’re always happy to help.