{"id":96,"date":"2022-10-24T10:23:54","date_gmt":"2022-10-24T10:23:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/diyhousebuilding.com\/?p=96"},"modified":"2022-10-31T14:57:18","modified_gmt":"2022-10-31T14:57:18","slug":"what-is-a-soffit","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/diyhousebuilding.com\/what-is-a-soffit\/","title":{"rendered":"What Is A Soffit?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

There are many different aspects of roofing all with terms you may never have heard of. One of these is a soffit. But what is a soffit?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"What<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

We look at the definition and purpose of this important element of your roof and why it is necessary. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We differentiate it from fascia and take a look at the different types and materials that soffits are made from. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Is A Soffit?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A soffit is the underneath of your roof\u2019s overhang. Sometimes the roof of a house will extend beyond the walls and this creates an overhang which has to be covered and protected. This is your soffit. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Soffits protect the underside of the roof from the weather, animal or insect invasion and provide a neat finish to this part of your roof. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It can be made from many different materials such as PVCu, aluminum, wood or fiber cement. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Different materials will suit homes in different climates. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wood is not the best option for those who have a wet climate while aluminum in a hot environment will increase the heat in your attic and require greater use of your air conditioning. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Soffit is used in conjunction with fascia which is the vertical covering of your roof overhang. This typically holds your guttering too. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s important to understand the difference between soffit and fascia in order to keep them in the best condition. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Is The Purpose Of A Soffit?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

One of the main purposes of a soffit is to provide ventilation to your roof space while also protecting it against the elements. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your attic space gets heated from both the inside and outside of the house. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Internally it is warmed by the heating system in your home, the use of hot water which adds humidity and the respiration of the people living in the house. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

All of this adds up to warm air which rises up until it reaches your attic space. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Externally, your home gets heated by the sun beating down on the roof and walls, by warm winds and moist air. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Coupled with the warmth emanating from inside the house this heat accumulates in the roof space and if left unchecked will rapidly cause multiple problems. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is where the soffit comes in. This horizontal covering allows airflow through the roof space to prevent a buildup of heat, moisture, and the formation of mold. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Is It Different From Fascia?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A word that you will often hear in conjunction with soffit is fascia. The two are part of the structure in the area around your guttering. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fascia is the vertical surface above the soffit that the gutters will typically be attached to. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This also plays an important role in protecting the roof space of your home and can similarly be made from PVCu, aluminum, wood or fiber cement. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As it is more exposed to the elements fascia needs to be carefully monitored for wear and decay. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It also supports the weight of your guttering which, if filled with leaves or debris can weigh heavily on the fascia and cause potential damage through overflowing gutters. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The soffit is more protected from the elements, but both are important aspects of the protection of the eaves area of your roof. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Is A Soffit Important For Your Home?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Is<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A soffit is important for covering the ends of the rafters that overhang the external wall of your house. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It serves more than an aesthetic purpose though and prevents water, insects and animals from entering into the roof space. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The most important job of a soffit however is to provide ventilation to the attic and roof space. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Without this ventilation the heat sources from inside and outside the house would cause damage to the interior of the roof space. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When your attic overheats it can cause damage to the shingles, which may break down more quickly. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It can also cause the formation of ice dams in the colder weather which in turn can lead to leaks. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Without adequate ventilation the heat in your attic can cause mold, mildew and more destructively, wood rot. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If your rafters begin to rot then the structural integrity of your roof may be compromised. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Types Of Soffit<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There are three main styles of soffit, solid, vented and hollow. The type you have in your home may depend on the local climate, aesthetics or personal choice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Solid <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Solid soffits have a solid face and are very simple to install. They are a flat board which is used to cover the exposed underside of the roof overhang. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Vented <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Vented soffits have pre-installed airflow holes to maximize the ventilation in your roof space. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This creates a balanced atmosphere in the attic which hinders a buildup of hot, moist air and the problems associated with that. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hollow<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Hollow soffit boards are a lightweight version made from PVCu and have an internal hollow structure which enables their light weight. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They have a solid face however, unlike a vented soffit which has airflow vents in the surface of the soffit. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Choosing A Soffit Material<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There are four main materials that soffits are typically made from. PVCu, aluminum, wood and fiber cement. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

PVCu<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This is becoming the most popular material for soffits as it is lightweight, relatively cheap and resists weathering. PVCu soffits are also low maintenance and typically only require occasional cleaning. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Aluminum<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Aluminum soffits are also lightweight, low maintenance and reasonably priced. But they can add to the buildup of heat in the roof space. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wood<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Wooden soffits are more expensive, and although aesthetically pleasing are high maintenance. If not cared for properly they can rot. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fiber Cement<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Fiber cement soffits are not the most popular but are often seen as vented soffits. They are water and insect resistant and low maintenance. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Final Thoughts<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

We hope this guide to what is a soffit has been informative and helpful. Next time you hear the word soffit you will know exactly what it is and how important it is as part of your roof.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=vK3eDbYiL3w<\/a>