Soffit, Fascia, eaves, trusses- the world of home improvement often includes sophisticated terms that take on a new learning curve. From understanding pricing by linear foot vs. square foot, the role of a vent in an attic, or figuring out the different styles of roof shingles you can buy, you’re probably feeling overwhelmed if you’re a new home owner.
When you get a roof inspection, things may check out well or you may have a few issues to remedy. What do you do if your contractor mentions a problem with the soffit or fascia? What are they, where are they, and what roles do they play in keeping your home safe and livable?
What are those parts under my roof? The soffit and fascia explained in actual English.
The Fascia
Take a look at your roof and focus on where it extends from your house. The vertical board that hangs down from the edges is called the “fascia board”.
The Fascia, which derives from the same word in Latin (meaning doorframe), serves as a finishing edge that serves both as a decoration and protector for your roof. You’ll see it extending from various structures like the rafter tail, trusses, or under your gutters. The fascia board may also be given extra protection in the form of a fascia cover!
What does the fascia do?
Its main role is to protect your roof’s edge from moisture and other elements like insects and bad weather. Keeping the fascia board intact will guard your roof against rot, mold, or wood-destroying insects. Bonus: It also makes your house look more attractive.
The Soffit
The soffit is a horizontal piece of material that meets the end of the fascia and connects to your house.
Soffit is French for an item that is positioned underneath something else. In this case, the soffit goes underneath the fascia. A soffit can come in many different materials to match your home’s needs and your budget, ranging from affordable aluminum to sturdy steel.
What does the soffit do?
Its main job is to cover your eaves. The eaves are the top parts of the roof that “hang over” and create a bit of shadow over your house. Exposed eaves are vulnerable to moisture damage, mold, and pests. The soffit, however, protects them from rot and infestations while also making your house look better. Fun fact: If you want to know why families of possums move into some attics, the house may have a damaged soffit!
You may notice that your soffit has small holes in it. These holes keep fresh air flowing to your home. When there’s no ventilation through your roof, it can get stuffy and humid in your attic. However, the holes in the soffit protect your eaves and keep your attic dry, pest-free, and keep it at a reasonable temperature.
Get a roof inspection to make sure your soffit and fascia boards are in good shape.
As you can see, keeping your soffit and fascia in good shape is important. The best way to prevent costly roof repairs is to get a professional inspection. If you think there are any issues with your roof, get the help of Noble Roofing right away.
Noble Roofing is the expert you can turn to for residential roofing and storm damage services. For more than two decades, we’ve developed a reputation for sheer quality and dependability. We serve Centreville, VA, and other nearby areas. Give us a call today at (703) 429-0840 and experience our top-notch service for yourself.
In our next post, we discuss the characteristics of the most common roofing material, asphalt. Check it out and let us know if you have any questions.