A Beginner’s Guide To Fascia & Soffits

There are so many important components that make up our homes, one of which is a strong and sturdy roofline. For the style and functionality of your roof and the safety of your property, you need to choose the right fascias and soffits.

These need to protect your property from the weather, wildlife and debris, but they also need to look good from the outside. This is why there are many different styles, materials and finishes available for fascias and soffits.

But just in case you’re not familiar with these terms, or you need to do some work on your roofline, and you’re not sure where to start, this guide is for you. Below, we’ll share all the key information you need to know about what fascias and soffits are and how they function.

What is a fascia?

Let’s first get to grips with what fascia and soffits are, starting with fascias. These are the boards that run around the edge of your roof, parallel to the walls.

The main purpose of fascia boards is to close the gap between your roof and walls. However, these are not just functional; they can also be attractive and add to the aesthetic of the building.

What are fascias used for?

OK, so we’ve already said that fascias bridge the gap between the roof and walls, but why do they need to do this?

Well, from a functional perspective, they are there to protect your roof and loft space from the environment. They stop water and wildlife from getting into the roof. It is also the fascias that hold up the guttering, diverting water away from your home.

As such, they need to be strong, sturdy and fitted properly. Otherwise, you could find yourself facing multiple issues further down the line.

Of course, these are also important for the overall appearance of your property, smoothing out the edges. This is why there are lots of different styles and finishes for fascias.

What are fascias made from?

The three main materials fascias are made from are wood, uPVC and aluminium. The material you choose will depend on the type of property you have; for example, if it’s a period property, domestic, industrial or commercial.

Typically, wood and uPVC are used for domestic buildings, and aluminium is better suited to industrial or commercial buildings.

What are soffits?

Similar to fascias, soffits are boards that are used on the roofline. However, these are put in at a 90-degree angle to the walls rather than being installed horizontally like fascias. They are also installed under the fascia boards as a means of closing the gap between the fascia and the wall.

So really, the two work in harmony to close the gap between the roof and walls, helping to protect your property.

What is the function of soffits?

As well as adding to the smooth finish and aesthetics of the building, Soffits help to hide rafter ends and, as we said, work in conjunction with fascias to block the gap between the roof and the walls.

Using these on the roofline also helps with improved ventilation inside the property, as well as keeping out the weather and wildlife.

What are soffits made from?

As they work with fascias, soffits are typically made from similar materials, the most popular being wood, uPVC and sometimes aluminium. That said, there are also some other options when it comes to soffits, including steel and fibre cement.

Four common problems with fascias and soffits

As with the rest of your property, your fascias and soffits might need maintenance, repairs or changing from time to time. Some of the most common issues that you might find with these two components include:

Rotting due to water damage
Broken systems – often due to harsh weather like snow or wind
Bird nests and other wildlife
Asbestos – some older properties might have used materials that contain harmful asbestos and need to be removed and replaced

If you are facing any of these issues, you need to repair or replace your fascias and/or soffits right away. This can vary in price depending on the size of your property and the material you choose, but it’s not worth ignoring these issues.

If you do, you could face much bigger challenges down the road, and your property could become damaged.