A Guide to Fascias and Soffits

People often ask whether a fascia and a soffit are the same thing. That’s because they do similar jobs and are usually sold together. Let’s look at exactly what we mean by each.

A fascia – also known as a fascia board – sits behind guttering. It runs around the edge of the roof, fixed directly to the roof trusses. A fascia board is generally mounted where the roof joins the outer walls of the house, closing any gaps.

The main function of a fascia board is to protect the roof and home interior from moisture damage. Fascias also provide support for the guttering attached to it.

Key functions of a fascias:

Soffits sit flat behind the gutter and fascia, connecting the side of the house to the edge of the eaves. A soffit effectively forms the underside of the roof trim. It protects the eaves from weather getting in and improves ventilation to reduce moisture build up.

Soffits come as either:

• Solid soffits: Offering protection against the weather and enhancing the look of the eaves.
• Ventilated soffits: Featuring small holes or slots that allow air to flow into the house. They improve the air circulation in your home and limit the moisture that can get through, preventing damp and rot.

Key functions of soffits:

• Ventilation: Vented soffits provide essential ventilation to the roof. This helps prevent moisture build-up and reduces the risk of mould and rot.
• Protection: Soffits protect the underside of the roof from weather damage and pests.
• Insulation: Soffit boards are there to insulate the rafters, which can help improve your home’s energy efficiency. And without them, the rafters would eventually rot.
• Aesthetic appeal: They improve the look of your roof, especially when they complement the style of your home.

When it comes time for fascia and soffit replacement, material is a key consideration. You’ll want to choose a material that will suit your home and be hardwearing to stand the test of time. You’ll usually find soffits and fascias in the following materials:

• Wood fascias and soffits: Well-made wooden fascias can bring a more natural and traditional look to many homes. You may also need them for period or listed buildings. However, wood can be expensive and needs to be regularly maintained to keep it from rotting, so costs more over time as well.
• Metal fascias and soffits: Metal fascias are resistant to the weather, easy to maintain and look very smart. However, they are often a more expensive choice in the short term.
• uPVC fascias and soffits: uPVC fascias and soffits are moisture and rot resistant. Not only is uPVC affordable in the short term, but because it is hard-wearing and easy to maintain, it is less expensive in the longer term as well.

Why Choose uPVC Replacement Fascias and Soffits

We offer replacement facias and soffits in uPVC. Here’s what makes uPVC the perfect material for the job:

• Durable & low maintenance: uPVC facias and soffits are extremely durable and need little in the way of maintenance. They’re also resistant to weathering, fading and warping. uPVC fasias and soffits won’t crack, peel or rot either.
• Customisable and affordable: Choose from a range of colours to match with your home’s exterior and coordinate with your windows and door frames. uPVC is also one of the most affordable materials around.
• Improved energy efficiency: Our uPVC fascias and soffits help improve your loft insulation, reducing heat loss in the winter.

Many older homes have wooden fascias and soffits – or poorly fitted uPVC ones. More often than not, these need to be replaced. If your fascia boards and soffits have started to rot or are damaged in some way, it can lead to many potential problems. These issues can include;

• Roof damage: damaged fascias and soffits can allow the weather to enter your roof, which over time can lead to damaged or rotting roof timbers
• Wall damage: leaks from rooftrim can damage your walls – with water staining brickwork or render. Over time it can even lead to water ingress and damp.
• Pests: Rotted or damaged fascia boards make it much easier for unwanted guests to find their way into your home. This could be birds, rodents or insects.

So, how do you know when it’s time to replace fascias and soffits? There are telltale signs to look out for, including:

• Peeling paint
• Water marks
• Visible signs of rotting
• Cracks
• Leaking or sagging gutters
• Breaks – they may start coming away from the wall

Anglian uPVC soffits and fascias are made to measure, which means they fit perfectly with your home’s exterior. You can choose from six different colours to match with the style of your home and its other exterior fittings.

Our installation process is fuss-free with minimal disruption to you.

• First, one of our expert team will come and visit you at your home.
• We check your existing fascias and soffits to understand the potential damage and any issues they may be causing your home. We also inspect rafter felt and general condition of the roof at installation. In the even that there is any damage we replace any roof noggins that are rotten as well as fit any required eaves protector.
• We start by measuring the width of the space under the eaves and accounting for the overhang. We take all measurements so we can craft your new fascias and soffits precisely for your home.
• Our uPVC fascias and soffits are made in our factory in Norwich from a foamed PVC-UE core with a tough uPVC outer skin.
• We arrange all scaffolding requirements and aim to have your new roof trim system fitted in 1-2 days.
• We even take away and recycle your old fascias.

Anglian only offers a full replacement service where we replace fascias, soffits, gutters and bargeboards at the same time. Everything will be bespoke to your home in line with your colour and design choices. We strongly recommend replacing everything at the same time to stop rot, mould and leaks.

Can you Fit a uPVC Fascia over Wood?

Whilst it is possible to clad an existing fascia with uPVC, we wouldn’t recommend it. Cladding an old wooden fascia won’t stop leaks or moisture from building up. We would always recommend removing and replacing the old wooden fascia completely.

Can you Replace a Fascia Board Without Removing the Gutters?

No, you have to remove the gutters first before replacing the fascia board. This is because the gutter is mounted to the board. Whilst you can re-install existing gutters on a new fascia board, we recommend replacing the gutters at the same time.

Do you need Scaffolding for Fascias?

This depends on the size of your home and the complexity of the job. At Anglian, we’ll assess whether we need to use scaffolding and arrange it all for you.

We have more than 55 years in the home improvement industry, crafting bespoke roof trims for our customers. Anglian uPVC soffits and fascias are secure, durable and hardwearing. They’ll protect your home from moisture and mould and stop any unwanted pests getting in. Plus, they help keep your home as thermally efficient as possible. Our uPVC fascias and soffits are manufactured right here in the UK to the highest standards. Our white uPVC rooftrim system is BBA accredited, meaning it will last more than 20 years.

Looking to improve your home? Discover our fascias and soffits online or fill out our online form for a fee no-obligation quote.