Soffits

Whether You’re employing a professional or doing it yourself, it’s important to know the components of your roof. An exterior soffit is that material located right below your roof and the fascia is the exposed horizontal ring that you see in the finish overhangs of your home. These are essential and crucial parts of your roof and do a lot more than just add visual focus and a finished look to a house. They help protect a house by preventing water from seeping into your interior and stop pests from getting in and calling your attic or basement home.

Let us begin by analyzing what soffits are. In most cases, they’re the component of siding right beneath the roof overhang. Many people think that soffits improve the aesthetic expression of your home. However, soffits also improve your roof’s functionality and actually rarely increase your home’s curb appeal. Soffits and fascias are often mistaken for one another and it’s our goal in this article to help you understand the differences.

Soffits are much more noticeable when one is standing close up but even then most soffits blend into your home’s siding, making them that much harder to notice. Although a very disguised part of your roofing system they provide a very necessary purpose for the roof.

Most soffits are comprised of either wood, vinyl, or aluminum and when you select your soffits or fascias, you should think about not only the aesthetics but also how they will stand up to your climate. For instance, most wood soffits, although very pleasing to the eye, are a bad choice for cold and damp climates or those that have harsh winters. If not treated regularly wood can deteriorate rapidly in the wrong climate.

Fascias

Fascias are the pieces of your roof located just above the soffits, and it is generally installed under overhangs and exposed parts of the roof. Unlike soffits, your fascia will be much easier to spot from a distance and will impact your curb appeal much more than you may think. Your options of fascias almost mirror that of the soffits, you can pick between wood, vinyl, and aluminum. One simple trick to keep in mind is that using the same material for your soffits and fascias will help your home not only look great but it will also make maintenance and upkeep easier.

When replacing fascia and soffits you will most likely also need to replace another major component of your roof, your vents. Vents are probably the most overlooked roof elements but are extremely essential. They enhance the flow of air between your roof which decreases moisture buildup and helps limit mold and other moisture-related issues.

At least once a year, homeowners should inspect their soffits, fascia, and vents. If any of these components are not maintained or inspected regularly, it can cause terrific problems that could have been easily avoided. One major problem that can occur is a failure in the drainage system because your fascia and gutter aren’t connected properly or have loosened over time. This can allow water to collect inside your roof and if not fix can create huge problems for your home even a total roof failure if the damage is bad enough.

Now that you’re familiar with how soffits and fascia function, it’s time to discuss the aesthetics aspect of these materials. There are a lot of options and it’s best to choose one that fits both your desire to make your home look great but also one that is suitable for its style and its location.

Vinyl soffits, and plastic pliers, and trim are great alternates to natural choices if you live in a cold and/or wet climate. In the past, many high-end homeowners shied away from vinyl because they felt like it looked cheap and plastic, but over the last several year’s manufacturers developed amazing vinyl options that not only look great but can also endure Mother Nature’s winter wraith.

There is now an amazing variety of styles to choose from and no matter how lavish your home may be, you can be assured there’s a vinyl option that will compliment it nicely. If you’re not price-conscious and want an eco-friendly option, there are a variety of new products available made from 100% recycled materials.

If your a traditionalist and decide to choose wood for your soffits and fascia, bare in in mind that you will need to do regular checkups and maintenance. WE suggest that you take the time to check on wood fascia and soffits at least twice a year. The best time to inspect them to avoid problems is right before and after your winter season. It’s also a good idea to treat them every year with waterproof stain or linseed oil to help prevent water seepage.

No matter the material you choose, making sure your soffit and fascia are installed correctly and are watertight is your very best strategy to not only have a great looking home but one that will give you peace of mind. Remember damaged gutters or flashing that’s not secure or not installed correctly will enviably cause you to pull out the remainder of your hair or at best give you an ulcer, especially if you’re trying to fix them in the middle of a winter storm. So make sure you test them out well before the snow starts falling.

In the event you locate some mold while conducting your inspection, get on it immediately. Use a soft brush or broom and a cleaning solution made from a very slight amount of bleach or vinegar and water to wash it down. If the infestation isn’t too bad this usually can stop it from spreading to the other parts of your roof or home.

If you still unsure what to do or just don’t have the time, give us a call. We are happy to help ensure your roof’s systems are working properly. With everything that’s gone on lately, we understand cost can be a concern, but you can breathe easy when you hire Eliff Brothers to help. Our professional inspection services are very affordable and if a problem is discovered it’s usually a simple inexpensive fix.

The absolute worst thing you can do is to bury your head in the sand and hope it goes away. This can lead to very expensive issues to arise and can even lead to multiple structural problems that far exceed just a roof repair.

If you find yourself in a pinch or over your head with a roofing problem, give us a call at (517) 627-7999 or fill out our online form here, to expedite the process. We will coordinate a time to come and inspect your home thoroughly.

Our team of professionals knows exactly what to look for and how to remedy any roofing issue, no matter the size. We also pride ourselves on being affordable and transparent. If we happen to find a problem, we will work with you to find the right solution.