How to Replace Fascia Boards in 9 Detailed Steps

Replace those rotted, worn-out fascia boards with brand-new ones

Small house with wooden trim and red entry door
Photo: Iriana Shiyan / Adobe Stock
Small house with wooden trim and red entry door
Photo: Iriana Shiyan / Adobe Stock
SKILL LEVEL
Challenging
COMPLETION TIME
8 hours
COST
$500–$1,000
Get quotes from up to 3 pros!
Enter a zip below and get matched to top-rated pros near you.
Geo Icon
What you'll need:
TOOLS
  • Cordless drill
  • Utility knife
  • Oscillating tool (optional)
  • Hammer
  • Tape measure
SUPPLIES
  • Sandpaper
  • Nails
  • Fascia boards
  • Caulk
  • Paint and primer

Fascia boards do an important job when it comes to keeping your roof healthy. These pieces of wood are attached to a home’s roof rafters at the roofline. Fascia boards protect the roof rafters from damage caused by the exterior environment, like rain, wind, and snow. As a home ages, its fascia boards may need to be replaced. Read on for our step-by-step guide on how to replace fascia boards.

  1. Prepping to Replace Fascia Board

    Replacing fascia boards requires working from a ladder at high heights. Be sure to review proper ladder safety tips before starting this project. Additionally, you will need to work with at least one other person to replace your fascia boards. The other person will help you lift up the new fascia boards while working on ladders.

    You should always wear safety glasses, gloves, and a face mask while working with power tools during this project.

    Also, ensure your gutters are clean and in good condition before you start work since your fascia boards depend on clear gutters to keep them healthy.

    Gutters are essential to moisture control and drainage for your roof. Clogged or blocked gutters can lead to rotting fascia, pest infestation, and mold and algae buildup. Regularly cleaning your gutters is vital to keeping them working.

    There are many types of fascia materials to choose from when replacing your boards, such as wood, vinyl, and aluminum. Research the materials available and pick the one that will provide the durability and look you prefer.

  2. Take Down Gutters and Drip Edge

     Worker removing rain gutter from fascia board
    Photo: Andy Dean / Adobe Stock

    Before getting started with fascia board replacement, you must take down anything attached to the existing fascia. Most homeowners have gutters that need to be removed and may also have a drip edge secured between their roof and fascia.

    Unscrew gutters, gutter brackets, and drip edge sections and carefully take them down from your fascia with the assistance of a partner. Save all the pieces so they can be re-installed once the new fascia is up. If the gutter system is in bad shape, consider installing new gutters.

  3. Remove Existing Fascia Board

    To remove the existing fascia board on your house, start by stripping the old caulking between all of the boards and at corners with a utility knife. This will separate each board from the other so they are easily removed.

    Once the caulking is removed, use a pry bar to begin to take down the fascia boards. Specifically, place the pry bar near nail locations to loosen the attachment. You can choose to cut the fascia boards into smaller pieces with an oscillating tool to make it easier to remove each piece.

    Otherwise, you will need to loosen the entire board from the rafters, then work with a partner to carefully bring the board down to ground level.

  4. Prep Sub-Fascia and Rafters

    Once the fascia is removed, you will expose the roof rafters and sub-fascia. If you are replacing your fascia because it is rotting or worn out, there is always a chance the sub-fascia will need to be replaced too.

    Examine the condition of your sub-fascia and rafters, and determine if any of the wood needs to be replaced. Additionally, pull out any remaining nails in the rafters with a hammer and sand the wood, so it is clean of any sealants and ready for new fascia attachment.

  5. Measure and Cut New Fascia Boards

    Carpenter in her shop marking a measurement on a board
    Photo: AntonioDiaz / Adobe Stock

    Use a measuring tape to mark the length of your new fascia boards. You can also use the old boards as a guide to mark the length of the new boards. Typically, fascia boards have a 3/4- to 1-inch depth and have a width that matches the width of the rafters—usually 6 or 8 inches.

    Once you have the new boards marked to the correct lengths, use a circular saw to cut them. Place each board across a pair of sawhorses and clamp them down before cutting. Use a speed square to guide your circular saw and create a straight-line cut.

    At corners, you can either overlap the boards or cut each end at a 45-degree angle to miter the joint. A mitered joint tends to look more seamless. Use a mitering saw to cut the 45-degree angle on the board’s end.

  6. Test-fit and Install New Fascia Boards

    Builder installing new fascia board on a house
    Photo: kuchina / Adobe Stock

    To make sure your boards were measured and cut correctly, you can test-fit the pieces by holding them up into place before attaching them. There should be a slight gap between each board. If everything lines up, nail in the new fascia boards with a nail gun.

    Place two nails on top of one another every few feet, securing each one to a roof rafter board. Make sure the boards are level before nailing them in. Work with a partner to lift each board up into place.

  7. Caulk the Seams

    With every new fascia board installed, you can now caulk the seam in between them. Use a caulk gun to apply a bead of caulk in the gap between the fascia boards. Smooth out the caulk after it is applied for a seamless look. This step will protect your fascia from water damage, so it’s important to know how to properly apply caulk.

  8. Paint the New Fascia

    Painter using small roller to paint fascia board
    Photo: Andy Dean / Adobe Stock

    You should paint or stain the fascia boards to help them last as long as possible. You can choose a paint or stain color matching your existing home or an accent color for your fascia paint option. Apply a coat of primer and two coats of paint for a durable and appealing finish.

  9. Re-install Gutters and Drip Edge

    Workers attaching rain gutter to a fascia board
    Photo: Andy Dean / Adobe Stock

    With the new fascia installed and the paint dried, you can now re-install your gutter system and roof drip edges. Be sure to install your gutters properly with the correct slopes, so rainwater is drawn away from your house.

Mistakes to Avoid When Replacing Fascia Board

Once you understand the difference between soffit and fascia and decide to replace your fascia board, it’s important to be aware of potential mistakes. This way, you can reduce their risk and increase your chances of a successful project the first time around. Here are several of the most common mishaps to be mindful of before you move forward with your replacement: 

  • Faulty Installation: Improper techniques can easily lead to a loose fascia board that may cause damage in the long run. An incorrect installation might also take a toll on different parts of your roof, opening the doors to pests and moisture, both of which are expensive and time-consuming to resolve. 

  • Poor Insulation: Believe it or not, the insulation in your attic and the quality of your fascia go hand in hand. A lack of sufficient insulation may compromise your fascia and even increase your energy bills.

  • Cheap Materials: While cheap materials might save you a bit of money on your fascia board project up front, this strategy can cost you in the long run. If you use low-grade materials that cannot withstand outdoor elements, you may face cracks, deterioration, and other issues.

  • Ignoring Gutters: Even though gutters are often out of mind, they must be maintained to protect the structural integrity of your home. It’s your responsibility to clean them and remove any leaves or other debris that may lead to overflow and wreak havoc on your fascia. 

  • Insufficient Roof Slope: If your roof has a steep slope, wide fascia is required to prevent water damage. On the flip side, a low-pitched roof is better off with a fascia that has a large opening to ensure sufficient attic ventilation. 

  • Inexperienced Contractors: Not all contractors are equally skilled. It’s a good idea to look for seasoned professionals who have the specialized expertise and equipment to complete your fascia board replacement properly. Be sure to ask them specific questions about their work and skills to gauge their knowledge and experience level. 

Angi Tip

Gutters are essential to moisture control and drainage for your roof. Clogged or blocked gutters can lead to rotting fascia, pest infestation, and mold and algae buildup. Regularly cleaning your gutters is vital to keeping them working.

Samantha Velez
Content Editor, Angi

Replacing Fascia Board Yourself vs. Hiring a Pro

If you’re comfortable working at heights and have experience doing similar work, you can replace fascia yourself. However, you will need to work with a partner to lift the fascia boards into place. Making a mistake while replacing fascia can lead to costly repairs, so if you’re ever in doubt, it’s best to call in a professional roof repair company near you.

Replacing fascia boards yourself will save you money on the cost of labor, between $6 to $20 per linear foot in labor cost. Expect to spend around $600 on materials. Hiring a contractor to replace fascia boards will cost anywhere from $600 to $6,000, including labor and materials.

Frequently Asked Questions

You can use many types of wood to replace fascia boards including cedar, redwood, spruce, and pine. Cedar and redwood are one of the more popular fascia board options, as they are more resistant to moisture. However, spruce and pine will also resist moisture if they are properly primed and painted.

Yes, you can cover or clad fascia board. This is known as "wrapping" or "capping," and it's a way of covering and protecting fascia boards from the weather. Most common materials are aluminum, vinyl, PVC, or fiber cement. Homeowners usually do this to enhance the durability or change the appearance of their home’s exterior. 

Roofer or gutter pros are both qualified pros to replace fascia boards. The pro will help identify the cause of any damage, recommend if any other elements need replacing (like soffits or moldings), and provide maintenance tips to increase the lifespan of your new fascia.

Need professional help with your project?
Get quotes from top-rated pros.
The homeowners guide to roofing services
From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
New white rain gutter
Mar 3, 2025
Mar 3, 2025
The cost to install vinyl soffit on your home depends on several factors, including the soffit length, condition, and the working height.
Solar panels on metal roof
Mar 5, 2025
Mar 5, 2025
Discover the most significant factors regarding aluminum roofing cost to help you make informed decisions about your investment in one for your home.
A man works on a roof
Mar 6, 2025
Mar 6, 2025
Trying to save money with a roof overlay instead of a roof replacement? Learn all you need to know, including what is a roof overlay and whether it’s a good idea.
Roofer installing metal sheet roof
Mar 6, 2025
Mar 6, 2025
Furring strips support your metal roof and improve ventilation, but only if spaced correctly. Here’s the ideal spacing of furring strips for metal roofs.
A suburban house with blue siding
Mar 6, 2025
Mar 6, 2025
Doing a project on your roof? You may need to know the size. This guide will show you how to calculate roof square footage with or without a ladder.
Shingled roof of a home
Mar 6, 2025
Mar 6, 2025
When you're working on roofing projects, it's important to know the difference between roofing staples vs nails. Read this guide for all the details.
Share project details to get started.