What Are Soffit And Fascia & Why Are They Important?

Soffit and fascia are two crucial parts of a home’s exterior, and most people don’t even know what they are. They’re the flat boards that you see on the bottom of, and between eaves, respectively. Although they usually blend in with the rest of a house and do little to attract attention, they actually play an important role in protecting your home from moisture damage by covering your rafters and venting them. Soffit’s help improve attic airflow and keep pests out, while fascia’s protect soffits from rain.

We have written the following blog to help you know more about these, so that you can ensure that your roof system is working properly. Below, we will help you understand what soffit and fascia are, and the role they each play in keeping your home and roof protected.

What Is Soffit

The majority of residential roofs have an overhang. For those who do not know, an overhang is the additional area that your roof extends out from your home’s siding. These are common, but they may come in different sizes. The soffit is the part of the exterior that is used on the underside of a roof overhang, and this is why it is not often visible.

A soffit can be either ventilated or non-ventilated. When it’s ventilated, the soffit creates an opening for air to flow into and out of your attic, which helps regulate temperature. If you don’t have enough ventilation in your attic, you could end up with mold growth or ice dams on your roof during the winter months when the temperatures drop.

On the other hand, solid or non-ventilated soffits do not promote ventilation. This is because there are no air pockets present in non-ventilates soffits. However, they are very cost-effective.

What Is Fascia Boards 

Also known as the fascia boards, Fascia is the type of vertical trim that runs along the edge of your roof. The contractor attaches the fascia board to the rafters with nails or screws so that it gives a finished appearance to your roofline.

A contractor will typically install fascia boards along the edge of a roof to protect it from water damage, and to help keep the roof standing strong.

Because fascia boards play a crucial role, it’s important to make sure they’re in good condition.

Types Of Fascia Boards

Both soffit and fascia boards can be made of similar materials such as fiberglass, wood, or cement fiber. Fascia boards serve as a protective layer between your home and the elements. Here are some common types of fascia boards:

Fiberglass: Fiberglass fascia boards are made from recycled glass fibers and sand, etc. These have similar properties as cement-based boards, however, these boards tend to be lighter.

Wood: Wood fascia boards are among the most common. It’s a natural product and is made from softwood such as redwood, fir, or cedar.

PVC: PVC fascia boards are made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC), which is a synthetic plastic manufactured from hydrocarbons such as propylene or ethylene. Soffit and fascia made from these do not rot like wood.

Why Are Soffit And Fascia Important?

Soffit and Fascia are two of the most common terms used by roofing contractors, but they are often overlooked by homeowners. The fascia is the wooden trim on a home that hides the rafter tails, while the soffit is attached to its underside. Although these components make up only a small portion of your home’s exterior, they provide important benefits. Let’s take a look at some of the most important benefits.

Helps Prevent Water Damage

When rain or snow hits your house, it can seep into cracks in your walls or between boards on your roof deck. This can cause mold to grow indoors, and make it harder for you to breathe if there is too much moisture in the air. Soffit and fascia help keep water out by covering the areas of your home where water may leak through from below ground level all the way up to where it meets the roofline!

Aid In Ventilation

Soffits are critical for ventilation in your home’s attic. Vents allow air to circulate throughout your attic, which allows heat and moisture to escape and reduces the chance of mold, rot, and ice dams. Soffits also direct water away from the foundation of your home. If soffits aren’t installed properly, or they’re damaged, they can cause water infiltration problems around windows or doors.

Keeps Pests Away

Soffits and fascia protect your home from the elements. They also keep out pests and insects, like squirrels and rodents, preventing them from nesting in your attic. If the soffit and fascia boards are missing or damaged, your exterior can be damaged by these animals or insects/pests.

Fascia Boards Provide An Area To Attach Gutters

Fascia boards provide an area to attach gutters. Gutters are long, shallow channels that drain water away from your house. They’re usually made of metal or plastic and are attached to the fascia board of your roof by screws. The best way to manage water runoff on your roof is by directing it into gutters, which can be easily cleaned out as needed.

They Make The Home Energy Efficient

Soffits and fascia are important building elements that help keep your home energy efficient. Properly maintained soffits and fascia provide an effective protection layer between your home and the weather outside. This layer helps fight strong weather conditions which helps in maintaining the internal temperature of your home. This means that your HVAC systems will not have to work hard, reducing your energy bills. 

Get The Best Roofing Services In Mayville, WI.

We hope now you understand more about soffit and fascia and how they can help your home look great. They are an important part of any roofing project, and they will help keep insects and pests out of your attic while adding the perfect finishing touch to your home.

If you require any service regarding soffit and fascia then be sure to connect with our highly professional team at BRH Enterprises. We provide the best soffit and fascia services in Mayville, WI. Our team will help you achieve your home improvement goals by providing quality roofing services.

Let our expert roofing contractors help upgrade your roof system. Contact us today at (920) 249-4228 to talk with one of our experts.