Fascia and Soffit: what are they and why do I need them?

Fascia and Soffit. Two parts of the roof build up that many may have never heard of, but both can play an important part in reducing your roof / home maintenance. Also known as eaves or rafters, essentially they are the underside below your roof overhang. Your Fascia and Soffit are located at the base of your roof overhang, normally forming the front and underside of what looks like a box. The Soffit is the underside and the Fascia is the front section, both providing that seal between your walls and roof. Why are they so important? We explore the reasons why in this month’s article.

Ventilation

As air is heated from your home, it rises and will eventually reach your attic space to meet the air in there that is being heated by the hot sun beating down from above. Your Fascia and Soffit can have vent systems installed allowing for that hot air to escape and be replaced by cooler fresh air. Having a lot of hot air building up inside your home can eventually lead to your roof overheating, which in turn can potentially lead to condensation damage to your home. A lack of ventilation can also lead to mould and mildew building up inside your attic space, or even wood rot to your wooden beams.

Sealing your roof

As well as offering good ventilation for your attic, your fascia and soffits act as that final seal between the inside of your home and the external elements. A well-installed fascia and soffit will help to protect the feet of your roof rafters from the external elements. In turn, this will ensure that you are not facing moisture-related problems such as wood rot and mould. It also prevents birds, vermin, and insects from finding their way into your attic or roof void and building their nests. If you are an avid reader of this blog you will know that getting pests out of your roof once they have found their way in is not a straightforward process – here is the article again if you want a reminder. Also, being at the base of your roof, the Fascia provides easier fixing points for your guttering to be attached, so you can ensure all areas of your guttering are correctly supported and secure.

Aesthetics

Fascia and Soffits present that finished look to your roof so that you are not looking at the feet of your roof rafters. However, do not be alarmed if your home does not have any Fascia or Soffits, as older style homes used exposed rafter feet as part of the properties character and style. Fascia and Soffits can be finished in a wide range of finishes and colours to match the architectural design of your home or can simply be painted white for a more neutral effect. The most common material used for Fascia and Soffit in the UK is uPVC, due to being virtually maintenance free, but they are also available in other materials such as wood if you like the more traditional looking home.

uPVC Fascia and Soffits require minimal maintenance. In fact, if you are in the good habit of checking and clearing out your gutters once or twice a year, all you need to do is a visual inspection of your Fascia and Soffit at the same time. Look out for any cracks or gaps or any separation of materials, and if you do spot any get them resealed as soon as possible. Otherwise, a quick wipe with a damp cloth will keep them clean and looking as good as new! Timber Fascia and Soffits will require protecting of some kind, whether that be a timber treatment or paint, every few years.

If you have any questions regarding Fascia, Soffits or general roofing, just get in touch with our team of specialists at Roof Rescue. All you need to do is give us a call on 020 3189 1618 for an informal chat or to schedule an appointment.