Fascias and soffits are two important parts of your roof, protecting the house against water damage, while also making your house look great. When you’re planning on re-roofing your property, it’s a good to have a think about what kind of fascia or soffit type you want. If you have questions or need advice on fascia replacement, contact fascias and soffits Leicester and consult with their 20 years roofing and UPVC expertise.
Soffit board‘s explained
Soffits protect the roof from harsh weather and can change the exterior appearance of your home too. It serves a dual purpose. A soffit protects your roof from water damage and offers protection for your home and belongings. If you don’t install a soffit, as time goes by, the roof rafters will rot and let rain in, leading to expensive repair costs or even mould. Once mould sets up camp at your property, you’re going to have a really difficult time getting rid of it without the help of experts.
Soffit boards are most prominently seen in the home from down on the ground. These boards are found just below the roof and under porches. They can also be found under staircases and they may be strategically placed to cover gaps and protect other boards.
What are soffits and Fascias made from?
Varying materials are used to construct fascia boards for different purposes. UPVC is the cheapest option in comparison to the rest. Although wooden doors are cheaper and less expensive to paint, they can warp or rot as well and need a lot more maintenance.
They can help to circulate air inside your house by providing ventilated features. This is a good thing as it prevents the dampness from getting in which could be damaging.
Adding vents to your soffits are a critical addition that stop moisture being created. Daily tasks like cooking, taking a shower, and laundry activities create moisture in the air. If heat can’t escape through your vents or windows, it will turn into condensation in your home which may lead to dampness and mould-related problems
UPVC has been a popular material for soffit exterior decorating because of its cost-effectiveness over metals. It also has excellent insulation and will not rot like other materials. The impact-resistant and water-resistant qualities of UPVC make it the perfect material for indoor and outdoor projects. UPVC can offer many different colours and finishes, meaning you can choose to fit your house with any look that you’d like.
What part of the house does the soffit board go?
Fascia boards, sometimes called the “roof-line” are long boards which attach to the roof truss poles and are fixed to the lower part of the roof. Fascia boards work to strengthen this lower row of the roof. Fascias have 2 different purposes – either to look nice, or to protect the inside from adverse weather.
Wood is the most popular and value for money material for fascia boards. It also needs to be repaired or replaced periodically, but because of how long it lasts (i.e. longer than other materials), it’s well worth the investment.
Soffit and fascia materials
Manufacturers now make a lot of fascias which match your roof in both look and feel. They don’t cost any more to buy than the traditional wood versions, they’re also easier to maintain and last much longer.
Composite woods are also available, which use recycled materials bound using an epoxy resin. While this option is more expensive, it’s also more durable and longer lasting. This can be a good tradeoff when facing the challenge of finding affordable materials that will last.
Where to fix a soffit or fascia to?
Ring shanks are good for the job and are typically 65 or 50mm. Anything lower than 40mm is not recommended, as it will likely have issues with adhesion.
When installing the fascia on your roof, make sure that the rafter ends are level. If a rafter leg is damaged or crooked, it should be braced with some form of wooden or plastic separator. This will provide high-strength support for the eaves. This quick fix will immediately strengthen the fascia board and low maintenance way to maintain the fascia board. This thereby also creates an excellent place for the soffit board to be fixed.
Should I also replace the guttering?
If you your gutters are more than 10 years old, then understand that it will cost less to replace them right now. In fact, you’ll spend a lot of time and money removing and refitting the original ones. Remember, a professional gutter replacement shouldn’t cost too much more if you’ve chosen to replace the the fascias and soffits. It can actually be cheaper because you don’t need to pay someone to remove and dispose of the old ones.