FAQ AccordionWhat does a fascia board do?
Fascia boards are part of the roofline system that are fixed onto the end of the roof rafters under the roof tiles / sheets and is what the guttering is then fixed onto. The fascia boards have traditionally been wooden, but because they face the elements and would require repainting and maintenance, PVC fascia boards are now the preference.
What is the difference between soffits and fascia’s?
Fascia boards are the planks that are fixed to the ends of the roof rafters and are the vertical boards the guttering fixes onto; whereas soffits are the boards fixed to the underside of the rafters to enclose the roof structure overhang and are horizontal. Both fascia and soffits are normally made from the same materials (PVC or Wood), and they are usually both used together because of how roof structures are made.
What size do fascia boards come in?
Fascia boards come in a wide range of sizes and generally two thicknesses for either cap over fascia or replacement fascia. PVC fascia boards in 10mm standardly come in 5m lengths and range from in widths from 100mm to 600mm. These are easy to cut for smaller projects, and a range of joints are also available.
How do you attach fascia boards?
The most common method of fixing fascia boards to the rafters is to nail them on; for plastic fascia boards there are special colour coded nails. Screwing the fascia board on is also an acceptable method, and again there are often colour coded plastic screw caps.
Do you fit fascia or soffit first?
Normally the soffit board will be installed first because the plastic fascia boards have a return on them that would cap round the soffits edge. It is however possible to fit it the other way, but it is trickier to slip the soffit into the lip of the fascia and to then find the fixing points.
How thick should my fascia board be?
Plastic fascia boards normally come in two thickness ranges. The first is a capping board that is normally around 10mm thick and these are designed to be fixed over the top (cap) of an existing timber fascia so are heavily suited to renovations. The second is a replacement board that is normally between 16mm-20mm thick, these are designed to be attached directly to the ends of the wooden rafters and most popular on newbuilds.
Can I put new fascia over existing wood?
Yes, it is very common to use the capping fascia board to cover existing wooden fascia boards. It is important though to cut out any rot that is in the existing fascia to prevent it from spreading while behind the plastic capping fascia boards. Once covered the old original fascia will then have a weather barrier and give it protection and extend its life.
What is the common problems with soffits and fascia?
Fascia and soffit boards are normally exposed to the weather and are high up on the building; this means they are constantly exposed to water, UV light, and hot and cold temperatures. Wood under these conditions tend to suffer from wet rot, dry rot and warping, so are traditionally regularly painted or varnished to give a protective barrier. Plastic fascia boards do not suffer from rot and so do not require the regular painting and maintenance that can be so costly (especially with working at height implications), this means they are generally longer lasting and much cheaper over their lifespan. With plastic fascia boards the most common problem would be the use of capping board in an application where a full replacement should have been used because of the gutter attached and the water / snow weight that is then placed upon them.
Can I replace my own fascia board?
Fascia boards are often installed by DIYers on single story buildings like extensions, garages and garden sheds. Replacement of fascia boards at higher levels are normally undertaken by professional installers due to the difficulty of access and the requirements of Health and Safety while working at height.
Do new fascia’s add value?
If the existing fascia and soffits are in need of maintenance or painting then then having new plastic fascia boards will be a cost effective way of adding value to the property in the long term as well as the short term from looking new an shiny. A roofline that is in need of maintenance is often something that will put of potential purchasers because it is unknown if there will be other associated problems such as water ingress, animal infestation /nesting.
Do you need planning permission for replacement fascia and soffit?
You will not normally require planning permission for this type of maintenance and upkeep of your property. In some conservation areas or listed buildings there may be added restrictions to maintain the aesthetics of the building / region and so in these cases your should talk to local building control and you will most likely be already aware you are in such a region.
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