When it comes to a home’s exterior, soffit and fascia don’t get the attention they deserve. Instead, we see the house’s size and color, the placement of its doors and windows, and curb-appeal aspects like landscaping and lighting. But for all they add to a home’s style and longevity, soffit and fascia deserve a second look.
What are soffit and fascia?
Soffit and fascia are architectural elements of a roof that are key players in regulating your home’s temperature and moisture levels, as well as protecting it against pests. A soffit is the horizontal underside of your roofline’s overhang, while fascia is the vertical part that runs along the edge of the roof. Both pieces define your home’s roofline, but fascia is the more visible of the two. It provides the uppermost expression of craftsmanship as it defines the structural lines of your home against the sky. When the fascia isn’t right, the home’s curb appeal drops significantly. When crisp, straight fascia lines are paired with a well-considered soffit, the home’s exterior can be truly elevated.
Soffit
VENTILATION:
Though it looks like unassuming trim work more than anything else, soffits are an integral part of your home’s ventilation system. Soffit venting intakes air to make up for the expelled hot air at the continuous ridge vent or roof vents. This allows for proper ventilation between your roof and attic, providing the air circulation that is integral to preventing mold formation.
INSECT & WILDLIFE BARRIER:
Exterior soffits are crucial to keeping animals and insects out of your home. Well-maintained soffits free of cracks and holes prevent bees, wasps, bats, birds, and rodents from nesting under your roof or entering your attic. It’s worth noting some soffit material choices do a better job than others; see “Protected Boards” below.
Fascia
TRIM AT THE ROOFLINE:
Front-facing fascia construction (composed of framing and trim board wrap) is the last line of structural integrity for the bottom row of shingles or tiles on your roof. Since fascias are also where gutters are installed, The fascia construction as a whole needs to be strong and sturdy to withstand the weight of rain and snow loads. Keeping your gutters clean is a simple and effective way to prolong the life of your fascia boards.
AESTHETICS:
Though it may seem like a somewhat inconsequential aspect of a home’s curb appeal, anyone who’s gone from white to black soffit and fascia or vice versa will tell you these choices can make a major difference. The scale, the design and execution is critical to delivering a quality build. See the above example, here the bold fascia lines define the exterior of the home. Fascia can also be multistep or layered, with a smaller 1×2 or perhaps with a protected molding on top of the trim board.
Vinyl vs. Wood Soffits and Fascias
Choosing the right material to finish your roof can help you avoid having to repair or replace your soffit and fascia unnecessarily. Be selective about the material you pick. Though some manufacturers use vinyl, plastic, aluminum, or composite material to make their products, wood is considered the gold standard for its versatility, affordability, aesthetics, not to mention it’s durability. Properly designed and installed wood fascia in combination with gutters and downspouts to manage water can provide decades of trouble-free performance with proper maintenance.
WOOD SOFFITS:
- VERSATILE FOR DIFFERENT HOME STYLES:
- Aesthetically, wood fascia and soffit boards add to the architectural style of the home by adding character and depth, as is common in a Craftsman-style exterior. Wood is also easy to customize, allowing installers to create unique designs, as with this woven wood soffit.
- INSULATION FACTOR:
- In addition to their visual appeal, wood soffits and fascia provide additional natural insulation over other types, increasing your home’s energy efficiency. Wood acts as a natural barrier against heat transfer, reducing heat loss in the winter and minimizing heat gain in the summer.
- NEW TECHNOLOGY WITH TRU-CORE PROTECTION:
- It’s extremely durable, and with regular maintenance, it’s also quite moisture-resistant and unlikely to warp or crack. WindsorONE’s Protected trim boards have a 30-year warranty against rot, insects, and mold, to ensure your soffits and fascia stay solid straight and looking good. The advanced Weather Resistance System adds extra protection against the elements.
VINYL SOFFITS:
In contrast, vinyl soffit and fascia can become brittle and discolored from sun and hot temperatures. If not properly vented, it is likely to grow mold. Additionally, many homeowners don’t like the look of vinyl, as even the wood grain options often appear as a cheap imitation of the real thing.
ALUMINUM SOFFITS:
Aluminum is also far less aesthetically pleasing than wood. Although aluminum soffits and fascia are resistant to rotting and cracking, they’re much more likely to get dented than other options. Also, aluminum is a subpar insulator — 1,770 times less effective than wood. Aluminum absorbs heat, making your roof and attic unnecessarily hot, which decreases your home’s energy efficiency.
ALL HOMES REQUIRE MAINTENANCE:
To avoid unnecessary soffit and fascia repair, check it regularly for cracks, holes, mildew, and mold. By cleaning these boards every couple of years and painting or staining wood fascia and soffits as needed, they’ll remain an excellent and intelligent addition to your home.
Tongue and Groove & Shiplap for Soffits
Tongue and groove joints are one of the most commonly used joints by woodworkers due to their strength and sturdiness. You’re likely familiar with seeing this connection style used in flooring, for example, since it holds the boards together tightly with minimal adhesive and nailing while allowing for normal expansion and contraction. Protected tongue and groove boards help make your soffit water-tight and are thus well-suited to climates that receive a lot of rain or snow, as well as regions prone to hurricanes or tropical storms.
Deep soffits can be achieved with tongue & groove and shiplap boards. For example here’s shiplap soffits giving a home a bold, contemporary look. And this Craftsman exterior features a very pronounced tongue & groove soffit that ties together the design of the home.
Soffit and Fascia from WindsorONE
Now that you know what soffit and fascia are, we bet you notice some houses on your block (maybe even your own) that would benefit from fascia and soffit repair. With some basic soffit, fascia, and trim repair alongside ongoing routine maintenance, these architectural elements will not only keep looking good but will also continue protecting your home against unnecessary energy expenses, unwanted pests and excess moisture that can lead to rot and mold.
If you’re interested in learning more about soffit and fascia installation or fascia and soffit replacement, locate a WindsorONE dealer in your area.
Craftsmanship Pays! Know the proper installation techniques for Fascia & Soffits:
