Undoubtedly, doors, windows, and siding are essential features of every house. However, most homeowners focus on something other than the small details like soffit and fascia. As a professional, you should clearly understand these features to help your clients. What are fascia and soffit? What role do they play? The most important thing is that both the soffit and fascia protect a house from different damages. Besides, they provide a stylish and finished look.
However, like other components of a building, soffit, and fascia have a risk of damage.
Know about soffit and fascia
Being a constructor or a qualified contractor, you have to be familiar with these terms. It is also essential to know the minor differences between them. In most houses, there are both soffit and fascia working together for efficient roof protection from moisture. The home has a perfectly finished appearance.
Though fascia may not always be essential to the performance and installation of a roof, soffits protect the building from damage. Ensure that you have chosen a durable soffit for installation. Some professionals also choose fibre cement soffits for consistent performance for a long period.
Fascia is always parallel to the wall and is close to the rain gutters. On the other hand, soffits run just underneath the roof’s overhang. The roofline’s bottom board is ventilated, though vents are on the top portion of the sideboard.
As you need to deal with soffit and fascia, it is vital to understand the eaves. The eave comprises both soffits and fascia, and it is the part of the roof extending up to the wall. An eave is also a significant part of the roofing structure.
How to install fascia
Installing a fascia board involves a few steps:
- The first step is to place the board properly at the front of the soffits.
- Attach it to the roof’s rafters using stainless steel nails. Make sure that nails for rafters have consistent spacing to secure the fascia in a proper place.
- The fascia should not be very wide, as it may obstruct the opening of the windows. You have to secure it in place to ensure that it can hold the weight of the gutter and roof tiles.
- The fascia is at the end of the cover box.
- You can use trims and fascia corners for better finishes.
How to install soffit
Determine the amount of soffit you need for the project. So, calculate the square footage that needs a soffit. The length of most panels is around 12 feet, while the width is 12 to 16 inches.
- The surface where you will install the soffit should be uniform.
- Reattach the loose boards that affect the installation process.
- Remove the old trim and find potential barriers like electric lines.
- Gutters must be removed without damage.
- Install J or F channels as the receiving channels. Use nails for attaching them.
- Cut the soffit panels appropriately to the right length. Use a circular saw for this purpose.
- Cut the soffit panels to the right length to ensure you can cover the desired area.
- The first step is to measure from the fascia to the wall. You can then deduct ½ inch to allow movement.
- The panels must be cut appropriately using a circular saw. You may cut 2 panels at a time to accomplish the process.
- You are now ready to install the soffit.
Materials used for making fascia
While buying fascia boards, you will find several material options.
You can make the right choice depending on whether it is a residential or commercial building.
Wooden
Wooden fascia is a traditional choice and is available at a reasonable price. However, priming is essential for wooden fascia. But, one disadvantage of the material is that it may get damaged by water and rot over time. Repainting is essential for protecting the wooden fascia. You can choose the wooden fascia's colour based on the latest trends and the house colour.
uPVC
It is another popular material for fascia. Because of its durability, this material does not have warping and rotting problems. Besides, uPVC fascia boards provide you with a maintenance-free solution. Available in a range of styles, colours, and shapes, uPVC fascia is best for modern houses.
Aluminium
Aluminium fascia provides long-lasting value, although it is slightly costly. You can use aluminium soffit and fascia for industrial buildings and houses.
Due to the low maintenance costs and high resilience, aluminium fascia has gained popularity.
Common issues with soffit and fascia
Rotting problems
Rainwater is unavoidable, and it mainly affects wooden fascia and soffits. Due to water, these elements get rotten. You can minimise the risk by applying primer on the wood.
Broken systems
Broken parts must be replaced to prevent further problems with the soffit and fascia boards.
Bird nests
Many birds build their nests in unused chimneys and rafters. They also target the gutter interiors to create their nests. Thus, you have to check for bird nests and other issues.
You have now understood the basic concept of soffit and fascia.
Buy the best fascia or soffit boards from a store to serve your customers. Most commonly, homeowners like to install these components while remodelling their houses. You should undergo training to know the right way to install fascia and soffit flawlessly.