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HomeFactsIs The Soffit Part Of The Roof

Is The Soffit Part Of The Roof

What Is Fascia And Soffit

6 Parts of a Roof Explained: Fascia, Soffit, Flashing, Drip Edge, Valley and Exhaust Venting

The fascia of a home structure is used to create a barrier between the edge of the roof from weather damage. It creates a smooth appearance to the edge of the roof and provides a point for where drainpipes and gutters can attach to. The soffit will usually be underneath the fascia and will be seen the most at the street level. It extends from the side of the structure to the edges of the eaves.

When To Replace Your Roof Fascia

When does a fascia board need to be repaired? Its up to you! You may want to get your fascia board replaced if it detracts from the look of your home due to staining, bowing or chipping. You should trust your roofers advice as to when your fascia board is too damaged or weak to continue doing its job.

Types of damage that may merit replacing your fascia board include:

  • Moisture damage: If your fascia board was left unsealed or without trim, it might be damaged by exposure to moisture. Roof leaks, gutter clogs and other roof issues may also allow the fascia to be exposed to moisture consistently. If it is exposed to moisture, it may develop wood rot over time and become unstable. A fascia board with wood rot may give out and harm the gutters.
  • Mold, fungus and algae: These three growths can infect fascia boards that are routinely wet. As well, severe mold and fungus infections on the top of the roof may spread down to the fascia board. Black stains from algae may do the same.

Sometimes you can repair a section of your fascia instead of replacing the entire board. For example, if only a few feet of the board have been exposed to water, your roofers may be able to cut out just that section of fascia, so long as it spans two rafters and can be safely resecured. If the board has two contact points with the rafters, it should be strong enough to mount your gutters too.

Asking Professionals For Help

When it comes to both installation and maintenance, having your roofs soffit handled by a professional roofing contractor is the best way to keep it in good shape. A trained professional can help you avoid issues like poorly-fitted panels, and they can spot signs of trouble well before the problem causes any meaningful damage.

Have your roof fixed by our team of certified specialists. Empire Roofing & More is the most trusted roofing contractor in Township and Pittsburgh, PA. Call us at 414-1570 or fill out this contact form to request an estimate.

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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 months article.

Should Fascia Be Replaced Before Roof

InterNACHI Inspection Graphics Library: Roofing » Flashing » soffits ...

While it’s always a good idea to replace damaged fascia as soon as possible, it is essential to ensure it is in good shape before a new roof is installed. Metal eaves drip is an important component in a quality roof installation project. … Decayed areas in fascia boards are often an indication of a more serious problem.

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Soffit And Fascia: The Forgotten Parts Of Your Roof

Do you know what soffit and fascia are? Do you know why homeowners generally have them on their houses? Its not unusual if you dont understand the terms. When most people talk about residential roofing, they tend to talk about options for materials, colors, etc., and the purpose of the soffit and fascia are not the most interesting part of the conversation. But your soffit and fascia are integral parts of your roof, and they deserve a bit of attention and credit for what they do!

Spaced Sheathings Is The Roof Members Resemble Ladder Pattern

The other essential roof parts are the spaced sheathings. It is a system of installing the flat wooden panels arranged sequentially to form a ladder pattern.

Moreover, this part of the truss is mounted above the lookout and is usually referred to as skipped decking.

Also, it is where the solid decking will be nailed. If this section is not installed firmly and regularly, then your roofing system will quickly fall.

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What Part Of The House Is The Soffit

The soffit is part of the overhang where your roof meets your siding. When rain or snow hits your roof, it runs down, and the overhang allows the water to flow away from your house. The soffit is underneath the overhang, between the roofs edge and side of your homethe bottom of the triangle, if you will.

Why Roof Fascia Is Important

HOW TO | Roofing Basics (Part 3 of 3)

The roof fascia plays several roles, one being to protect the soffit from the elements. The fascia is also important because it supports the edge of the bottom row of tiles.

Your gutters are installed on the fascia, making it important they are in excellent condition to hold them up. If water or debris weakens the fascia, it may not support the gutters during heavy rainfall. This can cause water damage to your homes interior, resulting in costly repairs.

Lastly, the fascia plays an aesthetic role. Because it is visible, maintenance will enhance the overall look of your home.

Also Check: Does My Home Warranty Cover Roof Leaks

What Is The Difference Between Soffit And Fascia

Whenever you hear about roofs and roof repair, you may hear about soffits and fascia. All too frequently overlooked, the soffit and fascia are an important part of having a functional roof. Often mentioned together, it can be confusing when they are then distinguished from each other in regards to function and what part of the roof they are. Why always pair them together in a sentence if they do different things? What is the difference between soffit and fascia?

What Are Soffits And Fascias Fixed To

Ring shank nails, often known as poly top pins, are typically used for the job in hand. There are three sizes available: 65mm nails are usually best for the job, but you can also use 50mm nails. Anything short of 40mm should not be used, as this will not provide enough support for the job.

The fascia can be attached to the after legs of your roof, as long as they are completely straight and free of any potential problems. If the rafter legs are damaged or cooked, a plastic bracing or some form of timber noggin should be screwed to them to provide a high-strength fixing for the fascia in question. This fix will bring the fascia board a new, cost-effective, strength without replacing the entire unit, and subsequently provide a solid fixing point for the soffit board too.

Also Check: How Much To Replace Roof On Garage

The Soffit Is A Vital Part Of Your Roof Heres Why

19 Jan 2021 by Joe Speicher

When it comes to residential and commercial roofing, youve probably come across the term soffit. The word itself comes from the Italian word soffito, which in turn comes from the old Latin suffixus, or to insert below. While the modern word is mainly used as a home improvement term referring to a specific part installed under your roof, is it really needed? The answer is yes, and Easton Roofing is here to explain why.

Do You Really Need A Soffit

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Why does my home need soffit? … Air from the soffit cycles to the vents to draw heat and moisture away from the house. Moisture is mold’s breading ground and the cause of roof rot and poor air quality. The soffit also helps keep pests from slipping into your home through the roofline or gutters and nesting in your attic.

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What Are Soffits And Fascias

To locate soffit on a house, you need to look at the area that spans beneath the rafter tails. Fascia, on the other hand, is the area that is exposed at the end of the rafters. Since soffit and fascia are part of the aesthetics of your homes exterior, many people want the color and material to compliment the rest of their homes exterior. Both parts are usually made of materials like aluminum and wood. However, UPVC and vinyl are becoming more popular options because they are easy to care for and hold up well to the elements.

Benefits of Soffits and Fascias

While most people think that the sole purpose of soffits and fascias is to give your homes exterior a more finished look, their use goes beyond just visual appeal. In fact, these roof parts are just as functional as they are fashionable. Both components play an integral role in keeping pests out of your home. With proper installation, you can protect your home from nesting birds, bats, and squirrels. Soffits and fascia also provide a stylish way of hiding your attics ventilation. Lastly, they prevent moisture from coming into your house when the wind blows rain under its eaves.

Proper Care

If you are ready to install beautiful, new soffits and fascia in your home, contact the experts of My WindowWorks. You can give us a call or fill out our online form to request a free quote.

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What Is A Soffit Board Soffit Meanings Explained

The soffit definition, on a roofing system, is that the soffit serves a dual purpose to protect the rafters, the roofs support beams, from the elements, and to change the look of your roof. If a soffit is not in place, then over time the rafters would rot and could allow mould into your house. Both of these are very serious problems which would cost exponentially more to fix than installing a soffit. Once mould invades your property, it becomes almost impossible to completely eliminate without the assistance of a remedial company.

A soffit board is found tucked underneath the fascia board. It is typically the board you see the most from street level. They are most commonly used in the main roofing area, but also under porches and even under flights of stairs.

For the most popular choice for home improvements on the south coast, contact us today for a free quote.

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Learn More About Soffits

HOW TO | Hang Soffit and Fascia (Part 1 of 2)

Its important to become familiar with the parts of your roof that dont generally come to mind when working on repairs or new installation. Your roof is comprised of different areas that all connect and work together to provide protection to your property. The soffit is one part of a roofing system that will work to block out the weather from exposed beams of a home. Not only is a soffit there to provide protection, but its also there to provide an aesthetic appeal to the home. They can incorporate venting to help with the air circulation of your roof and also come without it if theyre not needed. If you feel that you may need an update on your roofing system or would like to know more about soffits be sure to get in touch with a professional roofing company for more information. In order to assist you, here is some general information regarding soffits for your convenience.

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Choosing Your Soffit Material

You have a lot of options for what material to use when installing a new soffit. While sometimes homeowners will wait and install a soffit that matches their siding, other times it may be beneficial to install a new soffit on its own, such as when you have a new roof put on, or if the old soffit becomes damaged in some way.

Because of how important this area is to your homes appearance and function, the type of soffit you choose should be of equal importance. While wood and vinyl are two of the more commonly used materials, both have several drawbacks.

Wood requires frequent scraping and painting, as well as periodic replacement of rotting or warped panels. Vinyl can easily discolor in this area and may also warp in hot weather. In both cases, you may find that the soffit needs a lot more maintenance that you may desire.

Using a fiber cement soffit can help you keep the aesthetics of your home without the maintenance or other issues. Fiber cement soffits come in both smooth and wood grain finishes, vented and unvented, so you can choose which option works best for your home. They come in a wide range of colors as well, so you can easily coordinate with your siding and trim to get a cohesive look that will complete your curb appeal.

Do Soffits Lead To Attic

Soffit vents are roof ventilation devices installed underneath the eaves of a roof that extend past the warm wall line. When properly combined with other roof ventilation devices, soffit vents allow fresh air to enter into an attic creating air flow. … There are two types of soffit vents: Continuous and individual.

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Common Materials And Maintenance

The most common soffit and fascia materials are aluminum and vinyl. Aluminum is a great option due to its malleability and durability that make it easier to install and maintain. This material is also non-combustible, easy to clean, and water-resistant making it ideal for wet regions or conditions. Aluminum soffit and fascia boards are lightweight, easy to repaint and last longer than other materials. However, compared to the vinyl soffit, aluminum tends to be more expensive if covering a large area and is not as insulating. Vinyl is more customizable because it comes in a variety of textures and grains, while also being easy to clean and water-resistant. However, vinyl soffit is more easily impacted by heat and can become discoloured and brittle if exposed to regular sunlight.

No matter the type of material you choose for your soffit and fascia, all face issues with rot, warping, or peeling paint. Your homes soffit and fascia are vulnerable to the elements as both can be exposed to flowing water, damaged or rusted flashing, malfunctioning gutters, gravity which leads to sagging, and even bird and squirrel nesting. At Empire Roofing & Exteriors, we recommend regular maintenance to keep your soffit and fascia well-sealed and prevent any further damage to your home. Sometimes, when the damage is showing signs of holes, splits, and severe rotting, replacement is more beneficial and cost-efficient than trying to repair the damage.

What Materials Are Used To Make A Fascia

Fascia &  Soffit Repair

There are three main types of fascia material: wood, uPVC and aluminium. Wood and uPVC are most commonly used on domestic properties whereas aluminium will more likely be found on industrial or commercial buildings.

Wooden fascia

Wooden fascia board is commonly used because its an affordable and traditional building material. It is important to note that wooden fascia needs to be primed before use. Wood is not water-resistant and as a result, can rot over time if not protected. You will also need to re-paint it to replace paintwork that will peel off over time. View this as a benefit as youre able to easily change the colour of wooden fascia to suit trends or to change the façade of a property.

uPVC fascia

A uPVC fascia has become an admirable asset for many properties in recent years. Due to its durability, uPVC will not experience rotting or warping over the time of its use. This makes it much more likely to exist maintenance-free, unlike wooden fascias. There are also a wide variety of shapes, colours and styles to ensure you can have the ideal parts without compromising on property appearance.

Aluminium fascia

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What Material Is Used For The Soffit And Fascia

There are many different materials used to create different types of fascia board, including fibres, cement, steel, UPVC and wood. The UPVC option is usually the most cost-effective choice out of the others listed above due to its high durability against rotting or warping, strong weather conditions, and the lack of needing to be repainted unlike their wooden counterparts. They also assist in the airflow of a house as they come in vented varieties. They allow air circulation around the house, but limit the moisture that can get through, preventing damp problems.

Including vents in your soffits should be seen as an essential feature due to the moisture created on a daily basis. Simple activities such as cooking, showering and washing clothes creates airborne moisture, and if this moisture is unable to escape through any vents, itll settle as condensation inside your home which will eventually lead to damp and mould related issues forming.

UPVC is the favoured material to make soffits with due to its affordability over metals, such as aluminium and steel. UPVC also has better insulating properties and doesnt rot. It also comes in a range of finishes and colours which allows the customisation of the house to fit in with any style that youre going for. UPVC is also water-resistant, meaning that, for high moisture areas, it is the perfect material whilst also being far easier to clean.

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