SOFFIT VS FASCIA – KEY DIFFERENCES
Roofs are installed with soffit and fascia. When these two roofing components are installed together, mold and mildew caused by moisture are prevented from entering your home’s rafters. Soffits and fascias also help to ventilate your property and protect portions of your home that are tough to paint. Soffit and fascia are sometimes mistaken because they are often used interchangeably, yet they are two distinct components with distinct functions.
Soffit
The flat, horizontal piece of material that covers the underside of the roof’s overhang is referred to as soffits. It is commonly used to seal the gap beneath the eaves on the home’s façade, spanning the side of the structure to the eave’s border. They play a crucial function in keeping the attic well-ventilated, and are often riddled with holes or slits.
Fascia
Fascias, on the other hand, are a board that spans the length of the building, creating a barrier between the roof’s edge and the outside. They provide a smooth look for a home’s roofline in terms of aesthetics. They safeguard the entire roofing system from weather damage in terms of operation. They are, in reality, used to connect gutters and drain pipes.
Soffits are more susceptible to the weather than fascia and perhaps other external house components. They are frequently vulnerable to water run-off produced by shingles and gutters that have been damaged. In addition, animals such as birds and squirrels utilise them as nesting sites. It’s vital to replace them, especially if they’re showing indications of deterioration.
Purpose
A soffit is often installed beneath the eaves on the outside of a home to seal the gap beneath the eaves. The soffit stretches from the structure’s side to the eave’s border. Fascia is a material that is used to provide a barrier between the roof’s edge and the exterior. It gives the edge a nice finish and protects the roof from weather damage. Fascia also serves as a connection point for gutters and drain pipes.
Installation
Fascia, which is normally located beneath the roof line and behind the gutters, is a vital part of a correctly designed roof. Fascia is fastened to the exposed ends of rafters or the tops of exterior walls and wraps around the whole building. Soffit is a type of fascia board that runs from the outer wall to the fascia board. It’s buried beneath the fascia and under the eave. The roof may be flush with the edge of the outer walls at times. Soffits for venting may be included in the fascia in these circumstances.
Materials
Vinyl or aluminium are the most common materials for soffit, however wood is also used in rare cases. Soffit is generally made of vinyl or aluminium and comes in a range of colours to complement the home’s siding. Fascia boards are often constructed of wood, although they can also be made of plastic or aluminium. Plastic and metal fascia come in a variety of colours.
Durability
The soffit is more exposed to the weather than any other portion of the house. Torn shingles, broken or corroded flashing, and damaged or defective gutters regularly expose soffit to water. Birds and squirrels, if they can get in, prefer to build nests in the area beneath soffits, which can cause damage to the soffit. If the soffit is damaged or decaying, it should be replaced. Although fascia boards are not as prone to water damage as soffit, they can detach and need to be replaced if they have been exposed to water and show indications of decay.