Have you ever heard of the terms “soffit” and “fascia”? If you haven’t, you are not alone. There is a good chance that many people have not yet had to deal with these. However, they are some of the most important parts of everyday living.
The soffit and fascia are two of the many parts that are commonly found in roofs of houses. If not properly subject to regular repair and maintenance in Utah, they can actually spoil the entire look of the house. Hence, suburban communities ought to learn exactly what soffits and fascias are, and what they do for your home.
Here is an explainer on everything you need to know about them:
What are they?
The soffit refers to the material that forms the “ceiling” of a roof, being located just beneath the rafters. Though it may not be visible from the street as it is on the underside, it can be clearly seen from your porch or just in front of the door. The fascia, on the other hand, is the vertical wall that is mounted right under the rafters, forming a perpendicular shape in relation to the soffit.
Both the soffit and fascia serve a dual purpose for your roof. Not only do they help increase the structural integrity of the roof, but they also make your roof much better to look at. By adding a polished finish to your roof, it makes your house look all the more classy and finished.
What do they do?
Soffits and fascias have a practical purpose for your home as well. Their most important joint function is to keep pests, such as bats and birds, away from your roof and your home. However, they each have their own individual importance to your home.
Aside from making your roof look more complete, the soffit is there in order to disguise the ventilation system between your roof and attic. Without proper ventilation, moisture and heat can accumulate, leading to a buildup of mold.
The fascia, on the other hand, is where gutters are usually placed. Gutters are incredibly important fixtures on your roof as this is what collects any rainwater during a downpour. If the area you live in also happens to be windy, the fascia — as well as the soffit — can prevent rainwater from swirling up and blowing into your house.
Why are they important to maintain?
Because of the nature of their functions, soffits and fascias require regular maintenance. Rotting and dampening is a very common problem. As they are also very frequently exposed to the elements, peeling and flaking can happen quite frequently, thus requiring constant resealing and repainting.
Given that soffits and fascias exist to protect your roof, you might occasionally have to deal with a few infestations. Hence, you would need to clean out any pests that might have gotten trapped there, as well as any residual water or dirt that may have been blown there by winds during a storm. That way, you keep not only your roof — but your entire house — clean.
Even though we may not take notice of or pay attention to soffits and fascias often, they provide numerous benefits to our homes. Without them, keeping our house looking polished and orderly would be much more difficult, which is why it is important to conduct regular repair and maintenance to make sure they stay in tip-top condition and appearance.