Fascia & Soffit

What is a Soffit?

When a sloped roof descends from the peak to the exterior walls of a structure, the roof will overhang the structure by 1 to 2 feet. Where you have tiles, shingles or metal roofing on the topside. The soffit is the component underneath the overhang that protects the rafters, attic space, and roof substrate or decking from excess moisture, severe weather infiltration, potential mold growth and helps your roofing system last for the duration of its intended lifespan.

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The difference between soffit and fascia

The difference between soffit and fascia is that fascia boards lay vertically and are visible when looking directly at the house, while soffit boards lay horizontally right under fascia boards. Another difference is that vents can be put in soffit but not in fascia board. Both protect the home from water and sit at the edge of a roof overhang. Collectively known as "trim", soffit and fascia have a few similarities and differences.

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Similarities

• Both sit below the roof line (below your gutters).

• Both protect your home from water, weather and critters.

• Both can either be "capped" or completely replaced, depending on your needs and the existing material's condition.

• If the original material is wood, soffit and fascia board are both prone to wood rot.

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Differences

• Fascia board lays vertically and is most visible when you're looking at the home.

• Soffit board lays horizontally, directly under the fascia board.

• Soffit can be vented, while fascia board cannot.

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Soffits and fascia are installed together, forming a barrier between external elements and the attic space created by your sloping roofing system. Looking at a structure at street level, you may say the trim around the foot of the roof looks well-done. This “trim” is the fascia. With the soffit underneath the overhang and the fascia closing the gap between the soffit and the roof, the barrier, as mentioned earlier, is formed. These roofing components:

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• Deter bee, hornet, and other insect infestations

• Stop wildlife (squirrels, raccoons, cats, etc.) from nesting in your attic

• Prevent water from getting in your attic

• Keep your attic ventilated, preventing a buildup of moist/humid air that could lead to mold, mildew, and rotting problems

• Prevent premature aging of your roofing system

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Soffits and fascia, when well-installed, can add to the visual “completeness” of the structure. Thus, adding curb appeal and potentially increasing the property’s overall value.

Note: Gutter systems installed around the foot of a sloped roofing system are typically affixed to the fascia. This is done in a manner that guides water runoff away from the roofing system, doorways, windows, and other vulnerable areas.

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Fascia Capping and Replacement Options

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Metal Fascia Capping

With all fascia capping projects, it is optional to replace your existing fascia with new wooden boards. If the fascia board is original to the home or appears to be rotting, we recommend new wood before capping your fascia. Doing so will prevent unnecessary headaches down the road.

If your current fascia board does not need replacing, we'll cap it with custom-bent metal. The metal will be customized to the shape of your current fascia, so the original look and feel is maintained.

The benefits of metal fascia capping are that it is maintenance and prevents the underneath wood from rotting. You can choose from a wide variety of colors and once it's installed, the material does not need to be painted.

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Composite Fascia Replacement

Composite fascia replacement differs from metal capping because the original wood fascia boards are removed. Instead, the entire fascia board will be a composite material. Much like the metal capping, the composite fascia is completely maintenance-free.

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Soffit Capping & Replacement Options

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Vinyl Soffit Capping (Optional Wood Replacement)

Capping your soffit with vinyl has a similar effect to capping your fascia with metal. The capping process is done with different materials, but it accomplishes the same goal-- protecting your home from water and wood rot. It is important to note that you can only cap your soffits if your fascia is also being capped.

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When installing vinyl soffit capping, you have the option to replace the wood boards or simply cap them. If the wood is rotting or showing signs of wear and tear, we recommend replacing them so your home has a tight seal.

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Once the soffit wood is replaced, it's time to cap them with vinyl. You have a few styles to choose from: solid, vented, or alternating vented. Which to choose depends on your home's roof and attic ventilation needs needs.

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Composite Soffit Replacement

The most maintenance-free option for upgrading your soffit is to completely replace them with composite soffit material. If you choose this route, the wood soffit boards will be removed and replaced with composite, which can either be vented or solid depending on the needs of your roof.

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Soffit and Fascia Materials

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To complement the construction of your home or type of roofing system, you can find soffit panels and fascia boards made from many different materials and finished in a wide variety of colors and textures.

Soffits and fascia are typically made from materials like:

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Aluminum: Lasts 20+ years with colors and texture baked in to prevent fading.

Wood: Depending on the wood and maintenance, lasts 5 to 15 years.

UPVC (Un-Plasticised Polyvinyl Chloride): Lasts 10 to 20 years and comes in multiple colors and textures but may fade or become brittle over time.

Vinyl: Similar to uPVC, lasts 10 to 20 years, is available in multiple colors and textures, and can become faded and/or brittle over time.

Steel: Lasts 25+ years with multiple colors and textures that resist fading.

Fibre Cement Board: Lasts 30+ years when properly installed and will never peel, chip, or rot.

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Why Your Home Needs Soffits

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Keeping your soffits well-maintained allows them to properly ventilate your home’s attic while keeping moisture, severe weather, and destructive animal or insect infestations from taking years off the life of your roofing system.

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Allowing your soffits to deteriorate or go without proper maintenance will lead to severe weather events, animals, insects, and humidity causing sere and costly damage to your roofing system and building structure.

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If you’re looking for quality shingles for your home, you can rely on First Class Roofing to cover the job. Contact us today for more information. 613-769-1400