What is a fascia?
The fascia is the long board fixed to the ends of the rafters along the bottom edge of the roof. It carries the gutter and supports the bottom row of tiles.
What is a soffit?
The soffit is the board underneath the overhang, between the fascia and the wall. It closes off the roof space and usually includes vents so air can move through the loft.
Signs of trouble
- Peeling paint and soft or crumbling timber
- Gutters sagging or pulling away
- Stains or damp on the soffit
- Birds, squirrels or wasps getting into the roof
- Gaps opening up between boards
Why capping over is a bad idea
Fitting a thin plastic cover over old timber is quicker and cheaper than replacing it, but any rot carries on underneath where it cannot be seen. The damaged timber should be removed first, and the rafter ends checked, before new boards go on.
uPVC or timber?
uPVC needs no painting and does not rot, which is why most replacements use it. Timber suits period properties and conservation areas, and lasts well if it is kept painted. Either way, the soffit ventilation should be kept or improved.
Why gutters matter
Most fascia rot starts with a leaking or overflowing gutter. If the boards are being replaced, it makes sense to check the guttering and the felt at the eaves at the same time.
