What Are Fascias and Soffits and Why Are They Important?

You know that your roof is an essential element of your home. It protects you and all your stuff so problems with the roof can be devastating if not caught before an epic storm rips through your neighborhood. But there are other parts of the roof you may not be familiar with. For instance, what are fascias and soffits? We’ve found that many homeowners don’t know about and understand some of the peripheral elements of their home’s roof.

These architectural elements help protect your roof so your roof can keep on protecting you.

What on earth are soffits and fascias? And why are they important to your roof?

Keep reading to find out!

What Are Fascias and Soffits?

If you’re a homeowner, then you know there are always repairs and updates to be made. Whether your home is brand new or you’ve been living in it for years, there are always things that need to be fixed or improved.

One part of the house that often goes overlooked is the roofline. This area includes the fascias and soffits, and if you’re not familiar with them, it’s time to learn more! So here is what fascias and soffits are, why they matter, and how to take care of them.

1. What Are Soffits?

Soffits are the part of the roofline that runs along the edge of the roof, and they play an important role in protecting the home. The soffit adds the finishing touch under your eaves. If there weren’t soffits, the bottom part of the eave would be open and exposed to the elements.

You can’t see the soffits unless you’re standing right under the eave and looking up, so they don’t really affect the curb appeal of your home as much as your roof or siding.

- Why Are Soffits Important?

It’s not often that rain travels upward on your siding (thankfully), so you may be wondering why soffits are so necessary since they’re largely hidden underneath the eaves.

It’s true that water won’t be pouring into your home without the soffits, but over time splashback and other sources of water can get up into the roof. Moisture in the roof is a recipe for disaster. If it occurs frequently and is there long enough you’ll have a rotting roof.

The soffits also help keep rodents, bees, and other unwelcome critters out of your home.

Completely sealing off the eaves isn’t a good idea either. The attic needs proper ventilation. Without it, moisture in the air can condensate and build up, causing mold in the attic and other problems.

That’s why you have soffits vents to help provide adequate air circulation. They also offer another way for hot air to escape from the attic during the summer months.

- Soffit Materials

Soffits can be made from the same material as the siding on your home. They are also commonly made from aluminum, wood, composite material, and vinyl.

- Soffit Replacement

Soffit replacement and repair is an important part of home maintenance, and it’s something that every homeowner should be familiar with. Soffit replacement is necessary when they become damaged or worn out, so here’s what you need to know:

replacing soffit is an ordinary and necessary part of home maintenance
soffits play an important role in protecting the home
soffit replacement is typically done by roofing companies, siding contractors, and carpenters

2. Fascias: What is fascia on a house?

Fascia are the flat boards perpendicular to the roof that finish off the edges.

Gutters, if you have them, will be installed along the fascia.

Fascia on a house do affect your home’s curb appeal so you’ll want to keep them in good shape.

It’s important to choose a material that is easy to maintain and you won’t have to worry about them as often.

- Why Are Fascias Important?

In addition to protecting the ends of your rafters, house fascia support the last line of shingles on your roof. Without them, the shingles could bend and even snap off during strong winds.

They also provide a sturdy anchor point for mounting the gutters. Be sure to keep your gutters clean at all times to avoid water pooling along the house fascia. This could lead to rot and mold if left for too long. (Read more here on the importance of fascia.)

- Roof Fascia Materials

The fascia board is the part of the roof that provides the facing trim above the soffit. It’s an important part of the roofline, and it’s made out of a variety of materials. Here are some of the most common house fascia materials:

wood
aluminum
vinyl
composite material
copper
steel

Each material has its own benefits and drawbacks, so it’s important to choose one that will work best for your home. Talk to a contractor to learn more about which material is best for your roofline.

- Fascia Repair

Due to the proximity of fascia boards to the roofline and the house gutters, they are prone to become damaged over time. When this happens, it’s important to repair or replace them as soon as possible.

Here are a few tips on how to repair or replace fascia:

If the fascia is only slightly damaged, you may be able to repair it with a sealant or caulk.
When the fascia is severely damaged, you’ll need to replace it entirely.
In most cases, you will need to remove the gutters in order to work on the house fascia.
Always use caution when working on the roofline, as it can be dangerous.
If you’re not comfortable doing the repairs yourself, contact a professional contractor for help.

Each method has its own benefits and drawbacks, so it’s important to choose one that will work best for your home. Talk to a gutter and roofing contractor to learn more about which fascia repair method is best for your home.

Choosing Soffits and Fascias

So now whenever someone asks, “What are fascias and soffits?” you know the answer! Because of their importance as structural and style elements of your roof, you need to choose the materials for your soffits and fascias with care. Talk to your roofer about the look you want and find out what they would recommend for your home.

Looking for someone who can help you with all your roofing needs? Contact us here at Roof Lux for a free inspection or estimate today!