What is Fascia & Soffit and why is it so important?  

Fascia and soffit are used to form the ‘roofline’ of a building, which is where the walls meet the roof structure. Due to the fascia and soffit being exposed to severe weathering, it can be one of the most vulnerable elements of the home. If the roof structure is not properly protected and maintained, it can become susceptible to rotting and mould, as well as pests (such as rodents and birds).

PVC is one of the most durable materials you can use for fascia and soffit, it’s also affordable compared to other materials, easy to install and requires minimal maintenance.

In most cases, it is necessary to ventilate the roof space to prevent condensation from causing damage to the roof structure. Where ventilation is required, ventilating at eaves level through the soffit is an easy way to achieve the ventilation requirements without compromising the level of protection to the roof.

Wood Fascia and Soffit

Wood fascia and soffit is the traditional choice, but is more expensive and requires more maintenance than other materials. Wood rooflines have been used on buildings for centuries and are usually a lot more difficult and time consuming to install.

If not properly maintained, wood is highly vulnerable to the elements and is susceptible to rot and mould. Maintenance is also necessary to maintain the appearance of wood.

Wood is maintained by applying preservative or paint, which must be reapplied every couple of years to prevent the wood from rotting and to maintain its appearance. Although wood is perceived as an environmentally friendly material, the application of paints and preservatives over the lifetime of the wood can easily cancel out any environmental benefits.

So although wood fascia and soffit can look fantastic, it is very time consuming to maintain. Unless you have the time, patience and budget to properly look after wooden roofline, it may cause you more problems than you think.

Aluminium Fascia and Soffit

Although aluminium fascia and soffit is not as aesthetically pleasing as wood, it provides far more long-term benefits. Despite this, aluminium roofline is usually more expensive than wood or PVC, so if you are looking for a cost effective solution, this may not be the material for you.

This material is very low-maintenance with most aluminium fascia and soffit lasting around 25 years. Aside from this very long replacement period, aluminium can be cleaned very easily using a standard garden hose.

Aluminium roofline can come in a variety of colours to match house styles or external material types. It is relatively easy to install, but the length of installation depends on the size of the building, which only increases that high original cost.

PVC Fascia and Soffit

PVC fascia and soffit is an incredibly popular choice of material due to its relative low cost, durability and the vast array of colour options and designs. When installed correctly, the material will not rot, crack, warp or chip.

Two of the main benefits to using PVC fascia and soffit is the price and the maintenance cost.

PVC roofline is the least expensive on this list whilst providing many, if not more benefits than alternative materials. The remarkably low-maintenance also hangs in its favour – while it may need very occasional cleaning, no treatment is required to maintain it.

Similar to aluminium fascia and soffit, PVC is very durable and can come in a variety of styles and colours to match any home. Choose a colour soffit to match or contrast the colour of PVC fascia. PVC fascia and soffit is also available in woodgrain finishes, so that you get the look of timber without the high-maintenance and cost. Woodgrain and colour finishes are becoming increasingly popular for PVC window frames, so you can match your roofline to new windows.

PVC is relatively simple to install, however, unless you have the required skillset and experience, it is recommended that you hire a professional to ensure that you get the longest life and ensure your home is protected from the wind, rain and sun.

PVC is a long lasting material.  Some manufacturers offer a 50 year guarantee on their PVC fascia and soffit, so choosing PVC gives you lasting lifetime performance.

What can Freefoam offer you?

If you think you are ready to update or switch to PVC fascia and soffit for a more stylish, durable, long lasting and low-maintenance home, then Freefoam can help you every step of the way. Find a local supplier or take a look at how our Roofline is installed in our installation guides. If you have any other questions or queries, feel free to join our live chat or contact us for more information.