If you are having problems with your fascia boards and you are looking to install a new one but do not know how much fascia boards cost and which material too choose, you will find this guide very helpful.
Fascias are the horizontal board that caps the edge of rafters around the outside of your building. The fascia can also have a guttering attached to it. This makes them important for improving water drainage from your roof and keeping it in good condition.
Just below the fascia is the soffit – the smooth surface below the fascia and rafters which overhangs the walls of the building. It is also known as an “eave”. Soffits have no particular structural purpose but provide a clean, finished look to your house and hide rafters which may be unsightly.
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Choosing the right type of fascia board
Fascias come in vinyl, aluminium or wood. When choosing which material to have for your home, there are a few things to consider. Think about what colour you want your fascia to be and choose one that matches the colours of the rest of the house.
Wood Fascia Boards
Advantages of Wood Fascia Boards
- It is a very multifaceted and beautiful option.
- It is very affordable.
- Cedar maintains a rustic exterior.
- It is water resistant.
- There is a substantial increase in its resilience when it is painted.
Disadvantages of Wood Fascia Boards
- The cost of maintenance and repair is high.
- It’s durability is dependent on it being painted and primed.
Composite Fascia Boards
A combination of recycled wood chips, sawdust and plastic held together with epoxy raisin make up a composite lumber. It is not very well known but can be used in the production of fascia boards. Here are some advantages and disadvantages of composite fascia boards.
Advantages of Composite Fascia Boards
- It is rot-resistant.
- It is colourfast and doesn’t decay easily.
- Like conventional wood fascia boards, you can cut, nail, screw and install composite fascia boards.
- It is very durable.
Disadvantages of Composite Fascia Boards
- It is very expensive.
- Cost of repair is high.
- It cannot be refinished.
- The choice of color is limited to the color it comes with and the color it fades into. (it can’t be repainted).
Aluminum Fascia Boards
Aluminum fascias has become the choice of many people because they are an improved version of the local wood fascias. They are more expensive and more durable than other materials. Even with the upgrade, they still come with some advantages and disadvantages.
Advantages of Aluminum Fascia Boards
- They are very versatile.
- They are used with wooden fascia boards to protect the wood against weathering.
- They are quite flexible and so can be wrapped around the wood fascia.
- They cover the fascia completely compared to their vinyl counterpart.
- They are easy to cut and install.
- They have high durability and low cost of maintenance.
- They are easy to paint and they come in different colors.
Disadvantages of Aluminum Fascia Boards
- They are expensive to install.
- They are prone to scratches and dents.
- They rust on reacting with steel nails.
- Thin aluminum gets dented easily.
Vinyl Fascia Boards
If you would like to carry out the installation of your fascia boards by yourself, vinyl might be your best option. Vinyl is commonly used for soffits and it is accepted nationwide under building code standards.
Advantages of Vinyl Fascia Boards
- It is distinguished for its durability.
- It is easy to install
- It comes in a wide array of colors.
- Its cost of maintenance and repair is lower than that of wood.
- You can easily counter discoloration by spraying it and wiping down.
- It comes in a DIY kit (for those that are looking to install it on their own).
Disadvantages of Vinyl Fascia Boards
- It expands and contracts drastically with every change in season. (using J and F channel components for installation helps)
- It needs a very tight seal to keep it waterproof.
- You may need to repair part of your roof if moisture seeps into the house and causes damage.
- It fades after long exposure to the sun.
Soffit Length and ventilation options
The amount that a soffit extends out from the house depends on the amount the rafters overhang from the building. A soffit can be anywhere from a few centimetres right up to three feet in length. It is also possible to install vents into a soffit to aid ventilation of your house.
Vents tend to be available in circular or rectangular shapes and are required by the Building Regulations Approved Document F2 to provide a 10mm or 25mm continuous air gap. If your soffits do not have vents or you are not sure whether to buy some at the time of soffit installation, it is possible to buy vents that can be retrofitted at a later date.
Ask a Fascia contractor
Fascia and soffits can be difficult to install. It is recommended you hire an fascia board contractor who can fix anything that might appear wrong after the work is done, else you may cause damage to your home rather than repair it. It is also dangerous to install fascias yourself. Speak to several professionals and see who is offering the best quote, then ask them which fascia and soffits would be best for your home.