How Much Does It Cost to Install Aluminum Soffit? [2024 Data]
Normal range: $2,100 - $4,500
The cost to install aluminum soffits is $3,200 on average, or between $2,100 and $4,500, depending on the size of your roof.
The cost to install aluminum soffits on an average-sized home is about $3,200, though it can range between $2,100 and $4,500.
Aluminum soffits allow rising air to flush stagnant air from your attic, preventing mold growth and ensuring your home has a fresh supply of circulating air. Learn all the cost factors to install aluminum soffits, including their location, the type of vents, and any demolition work necessary.
- Average
- $3,200
- Low end
- $1,200
- high end
- $7,000
Aluminum Soffit Cost Breakdown
Aluminum Soffit is often priced in linear feet as opposed to square feet. First, you need to find out how many soffit vents you need. An easy calculation is to divide your attic's square footage by 150, then add 2. So if you have a 1,500-square-foot attic, dividing by 150 leaves you with 10. Adding 2 results in 12 normal-sized, singular soffits required (at a minimum).
The same ratio applies to continuous soffits, but they aren’t a standard size, so you may need to calculate the square footage. Continuous soffits are sold in long pieces of between 4 and 12 feet.
Types
| Singular Vent | Continuous Vent |
|---|---|
| One single vent, many may be needed | Runs continuously under the eaves |
| Less expensive | Higher cost |
| Less effective | Better ventilation |
Aluminum soffit costs between $6 and $16 per linear foot to install, regardless of whether the installation is for singular or continuous soffit. Singular is the most common type of soffit vent and fits between joists under your eaves. It's just one singular vent that may have a gap separating it from other individual vents. A continuous vent runs along the entire underside of the eaves, which allows it to maximize the amount of air that is pulled in.
There aren’t many different types of aluminum soffit, as most of the different options will come down to materials (like vinyl and wood) so there isn’t much difference between aluminum options other than color. Most manufacturers will offer textured, often called powder-coated, and vented.
Size
When determining the amount of soffit needed, remember that every job is different. A new build will require much less labor as the soffit will be directly installed. However, on an existing structure, consider that skilled carpentry work is required, often at considerable heights. This all balloons a project cost, so don’t be surprised if there is a wide variance in quotes, and consider the costs below more of a guideline than a rigid cost basis.
| Attic Size in Square Feet | Linear Feet of Ventilation Required | Average Installation Cost (Including Labor) |
|---|---|---|
| 1,000 | 7 | $1,800 |
| 1,400 | 10 | $2,400 |
| 1,800 | 13 | $3,200 |
| 2,200 | 15 | $4,000 |
| 2,900 | 20 | $5,200 |
Labor
Soffit installation labor costs run between $40 and $110 per hour, and largely depend on the height of your roof. Labor makes up around 60% to 75% of the total project cost. This is normal, as installing the soffit usually involves removing existing soffit or cutting holes in the roof eave to fit them. While the labor cost may seem relatively high, remember you are paying for expertise and equipment that the average homeowner doesn’t have.
Location
The location of your vents can either make this job painless or cause significant headaches for either you or your roofing pro. If you have a three-story home, expect the labor cost to rise significantly due to the risk and the requirement of special ladders or scaffolding.
For most two-story homes, a professional will often use a ladder or scissor lift. Due to the location of soffits, even in single-story homes, we don’t recommend this as a DIY project.
Soffit Removal
Soffit removal can be straightforward or incredibly complicated, but it mostly depends on how easy it is to access the vent. For most vents, simply cut along the caulking and remove any screws, then remove the vent. For continuous soffit vents, you need to remove the entire section in one clean piece.
Ongoing Expenses
Maintenance
Soffit maintenance is fairly routine. For the most part, all you’ll need to do is make sure the vents aren’t blocked. This is a two-part job as you need to make sure there is no debris on the outside clogging the vents, but also ensure nothing in your attic is covering them. A tip to check soffits: do it at night with a flashlight. It can often make it much easier to spot blockages.
Repairs
Soffit vents, once installed, are not too expensive to simply replace. Considering the time it often takes to fix them, it can make much more sense to just purchase a single soffit vent and replace it.
DIY Installing Aluminum Soffit vs. Hiring a Pro
There are a few reasons why you should hire out this work and rely on a professional. Firstly, incorrect installation may mean the soffit won’t work correctly and can result in leaks and pest infestations.
There’s also the issue of safety. In many ways, soffits can be harder to work on than even roofs since you need to get underneath the eave. This work requires high ladders and safety harnesses, which is just another expense if you try and DIY.
Lastly, consider the carpentry skill required to fit the soffit. Call a local roofing professional to discuss your aluminum soffit installation process. Don’t assume you can tackle this job without professional help, and because of the safety aspect, we highly recommend that you not even try.
Tips to Reduce Cost While Installing Aluminum Soffit
Like most home improvement projects, there is usually some wiggle room in the project cost if you do the legwork. The easiest way to save would be to negotiate a lower labor rate by shopping around. Some other ways to reduce cost include:
Sign up for soffit sales or wait for a blanket discount code.
Consider hiring contractors in the off-season.
Shop around for the best soffit pricing.
Use recycled materials.
Buy in bulk if the pricing makes sense.
Research and buy the most energy-efficient soffits.
Frequently Asked Questions
Aluminum soffit is better than vinyl in every way except two—cost and corrosion. Aluminum soffits are one of the most expensive options and although the material is extremely durable, it has a tendency to corrode over time, especially in coastal climates. Aluminum lasts longer, however, so if you price out aluminum versus vinyl on a cost-per-year basis, they may come out similar. The plus is that with aluminum, you wouldn’t need to replace your soffits nearly as often.
Aluminum is a durable and attractive material and should last for many years. It’s also a material that’s easy to work with, is lightweight, fire-resistant, and environmentally friendly. That being said, aluminum is also expensive, corrodes over time, has a tendency to dent, and may not insulate as well as other options.
When soffits aren’t vented, they don’t work. What this means is that airflow can’t infiltrate your attic space which results in stale air trapped inside. Over time—sometimes very quickly—that trapped air can result in a moisture sink, causing rapidly growing mold issues throughout the home. Soffits should never be covered or closed, even in the winter months, as the ability to circulate air is far more important than the meager increase in heating costs.
Almost all houses require soffits. The exception is in houses where you know without a shadow of a doubt there is adequate airflow throughout the entire house including, and most importantly, the attic. Almost all modern homes have soffits installed whether you notice them or not because on most homes, the roof eave extends beyond the walls of the home, and is the perfect location for soffit placements.
You may need more soffits than you think. Installing them takes time, but it isn’t the most complicated task. While not necessarily DIY-friendly, soffit installations throughout the entire home can take a few days to a week depending on whether any demolition work is necessary. A new build will be the fastest, as it won’t require any carpentry work under the eaves in order to fit soffits correctly.