Things you should know about fascia & soffit
If you’re like many homeowners, you’re aware that you have a roof on your home but not really sure about all of the parts that make up that roof. It is commonly said that the roof is one part of the home that no one thinks about until it is causing a problem and needs to be fixed or replaced. The goal of this article is to help you feel more knowledgeable about what precisely the soffit and fascia are and why these integral parts of the roof are so crucial to your home’s structure, safety, and aesthetic.
What Is Fascia?
Fascia can be thought of as the finishing piece to a roof installation. The fascia board is a piece of trim that can be a variety of sizes, colors, textures, and materials, depending on the home’s desired style.
The fascia board is installed underneath the line of the gutters and runs along the side of the roof’s overhanging portion. Not only does it provide curb appeal, but the fascia also works to seal the home from water, animals, and insects entering the house.
What Is Soffit?
The word soffit translates directly to mean “fixed underneath.” The soffit of a roof is an architectural piece attached underneath the overhang of the roof. While it is similar to the fascia, the soffit is not as clearly visible as the fascia, but it plays just as important a role.
The number one job of the soffit is to provide adequate ventilation from the roof and attic of the home. Soffits can be made of wood or vinyl and are also available in various styles to match the house’s aesthetic. Soffits not only work hard in creating a ventilated space, but they also protect the roof from weather elements, animals, and anything else unwanted underneath the roof’s overhang.
What is the Purpose of Fascia and Soffit?
The fascia and soffit on a home serve two primary purposes. The most superficial one is that they provide curb appeal and help a house to look great from the street. When a home’s roof hasn’t been adequately maintained, it lessens the home’s value and can lead to it becoming the neighborhood eyesore.
The most important job that fascia and soffit have is to protect the home. Water damage is a huge threat and having properly installed and functioning fascia and soffit is the best way to keep water out of the home. The other level of protection is keeping wildlife out in the wild where they belong. Birds, raccoons, bats, and critters of all kinds love to find tiny entrances in the roofline where they can enter the home and get cozy at all times of the year. To prevent these unwanted houseguests, correctly fitted fascia and soffit are essential.
How to Properly Maintain Your Home’s Fascia and Soffit
Fascia and soffit come in a variety of materials. Older styles were primarily constructed of wood, but modern installations are finding success with vinyl and PVC options. Wood should be checked regularly for dry rot, water damage and insect infestations. Synthetic materials should be checked for mold, being sure to remove any as soon as it is noticed.
Checking the home’s fascia joints and soffit should be done seasonally and caulk can be reapplied as needed to keep the lines tight and sealed. If the boards are painted, keep an eye out for peeling paint and refresh as needed.
Since soffits play such an important role in ventilation, it is imperative to check them closely for any signs of humidity build-up. Also, if you begin to notice a change in the average temperature in the attic, it would be wise to look at the soffits and make sure that nothing is damaged or blocking the flow of air.
Curb Appeal
We all want our homes to look beautiful, both on the inside and outside. Curb appeal plays a significant role in increasing a home’s value and providing enjoyment to the people lucky enough to live there.
Focusing on a home’s roofline with beautifully made fascia and soffit is a quick way to get great curb appeal while also improving the structure and safety of the home. Soffit and fascia are available in a wide variety of styles, sizes, shapes and colors to fit any kind of style and design. It can also play a part in disguising parts of the home that are necessary but may not be visually appealing, such as ventilation to the attic.
How to Find a Reliable Fascia and Soffit Contractor
It is imperative to work with a qualified, licensed and recommended contractor when it comes to Fascia and Soffit repairs and replacements. This is not the time to scrimp and save and give an unlicensed handyperson a chance.
Making a quick call to a reputable company like Alba Home Services will answer all of your questions. They will also likely be able to come out and inspect your entire roofline, including the fascia and soffit.
When to Replace Your Fascia and Soffit
If you have fascia and soffit that are many years old, it’s a good idea to keep a close eye on them. If they are older, they are likely made of wood, which is prone to rot and water damage. Catching problems when they are small will make a world of difference, and you won’t be scrambling to find help when there is a major leak or infestation in your attic.
There is no set time guarantee that a set of fascia and soffit will last. Their lifespan will be dependent on the location of the home, the weather conditions, and the maintenance and upkeep done to them. When purchasing a new home, a good home inspector will take a close look at the fascia and soffit and recommend whether or not they believe they will need replacement soon or not.
