Soffit and fascia are part of the roofing system, protecting your home from stormy weather. They can become damaged by environmental pollution, squirrel invasions, insects, and repeated exposure to heavy winds. When replacing soffit and fascia, here are some things to keep in mind.
Appearance
Loose soffit boards or fascia panels allow animals and birds to get in behind soffits and into the attic or crawlspace. While the elements are mostly responsible for soffit and fascia damage, visible gaps in soffit and fascia can also be attributed to being installed incorrectly. When having soffit and fascia replaced, ensure that the contractor uses quality materials and industry-standard installation methods.
New Materials
If your home is older, the soffit panels and fascia boards are most likely made of wood. Over time, they can become warped, split, or rotted. Today, popular materials for soffit and fascia are aluminum, vinyl, and fiber cement because they are more durable than wood, aren’t prone to rotting and insect infestations, and require less maintenance. Upgrading sooner rather than later will help better protect your home and increase its resale value.
Cover or Remove
One of the installation choices is to cover the old soffit and fascia with new vinyl, aluminum or fiber cement soffit panels and fascia boards. Before deciding upon this installation method, a thorough inspection of the existing soffit and fascia will have to be done. This will determine:
- the presence of rot
- how much rotting has occurred
- whether soffit venting needs to be repositioned and/or increased
- leaks and where they’re coming from
If no problems are found, then the old fascia and soffit can directly be covered with new panels.
Colour Choice
You might not be aware of the visual impact soffit boards and fascia panels have on your home’s exterior. While soffit and fascia are designed to keep water out, they are an exterior finishing detail (aesthetics). Take the opportunity to select a new colour. More curb appeal is never a bad thing.
