Fascia is the long, straight board that runs along the lower edge of the roof. The fascia is fixed directly to the lower ends of the roof trusses and usually does all the work of supporting the lower edge of the bottom row of tiles. The fascia board also carries all the guttering. Soffit often refers to the exposed underside of a roof overhang, or eave. It is usually the board that you see most of from street level. The soffit can be ventilated to allow the flow of air into the roof area. Including vents in your soffits should be seen as an essential feature due to the moisture created on a daily basis. Simple activities such as cooking, showering and washing clothes creates airborne moisture, and if this moisture is unable to escape through any vents, it’ll settle as condensation inside your home; which will eventually lead to damp and mould related issues forming.

It is strongly recommended that you replace fascias, soffits and guttering together to eliminate rot, mould and leaks. It is often a practical and economic solution to replace wooden fascias with uPVC fascia boards because uPVC requires very minimal maintenance, is weatherproof and more durable.

This is an entirely individual choice – it can make the appearance of your home look cohesive and complete if your soffits and fascias are matching the colour of your windows, but it is up to individual taste and preference.

If your fascias are beyond repair, covering them up with new ones won’t solve the problem, and can cause further deterioration with the new fascias. In these instances, it is strongly recommended to take out the old ones entirely and do a complete replacement.

The main culprits for causing the most damage to fascia and soffits are the sun and rain. The combination of getting wet one minute and dry the next causes the paint to flake and the wood beneath to crack.