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Understanding the soffit and fascia

Even if you plan to hire a roofing contractor, it's important to understand the various components that make up your roof. Knowing what role they play in protecting your home can help you more accurately detect a problems as they occur.

Studying this information can also allow you to understand the importance of different parts of the roof, and what might be affected if these parts were to become damaged.

Two of the most important parts of the roof — the soffit and fascia – are detailed here so homeowners can understand how they contribute to the overall structure.

The word soffit is derived from the French word for "formed as a ceiling" and the Latin term for "to fix underneath." It is the exposed surface beneath the overhanging section of a roof eave. It can also refer to the horizontal underside of similar architectural structures such as an archway, a staircase or a ceiling.

Part of the function of the soffit is to assist in ventilating the attic. The soffit typically features a plain design with small holes that provide air circulation. The air from the soffit cycles to the vents to draw heat and moisture away from the house. This is a highly important function because moisture in the attic can develop rot in the sheathing and rafters.

Most soffits are made from vinyl, an effective material for withstanding the degradation that comes from heat and moisture exposure. This is especially important considering that the soffit can be easily exposed to moisture due to unkempt gutters and wet weather conditions.

For this reason, you should always choose vinyl to compose your soffit, since this material is both water-resistant and cost-effective. Vinyl also saves you energy, because it helps regulate the temperature in your attic and throughout the rest of your home.

The fascia is a vertical finishing edge connected to the ends of the rafters, trusses, or the area where the gutter is attached to the roof. The primary role of the fascia is to act as a layer between the edge of the roof and the outdoors, and is meant to protect the wooden board against water damage that can occur during certain weather conditions.

Aside from its functional role, the fascia also plays a very important aesthetic role since it creates a smoother, more even appearance for the edge of the roof. In addition to protecting the wooden board from water damage, the fascia protects the entire roof and the interior of the house from weather damage by blocking its entrance to the home. The majority of homes will feature a fascia board, but some older home styles lack this component.

If the soffit or the fascia were to develop rot or show other signs of damage, it's important that you contact a roofer immediately to prevent exposing your home to damaging weather conditions due to a lack of proper protection.

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