Know the roles of these two key roof players
Soffit and fascia both protect your home from moisture.
Fascia is most often made of wood; soffit is often aluminum or steel.
Fascia runs parallel to the roof edge, and the soffit runs underneath it.
If you're building a home or repairing your roof, you may wonder: What's the difference between soffit and fascia?
These two roof parts work together to help protect your house from moisture, but they’re located in different areas and are sometimes made of different materials. Learning about soffit and fascia can help you know when to call a local roofing repair pro if you suspect any issues with these two roofing features.
Soffit and fascia work together to keep moisture away from a home, but they have some key differences.
Fascia are the horizontal boards that line the section beneath a roof overhang. They attach to the gutters and run parallel along the roof edge all the way around the perimeter of a house. They are also front-facing and can be easily seen from the street.
On the other hand, soffits are a venting mechanism that can be installed underneath a roof overhang—or eaves—to allow better airflow and keep moisture out of attics and roof decks. This is why they’re sometimes called eave soffit vents. Unlike fascia, they’re not easily visible, nor are they always necessary. There are a number of other roof ventilation options worth considering as well.
| Type of Difference | Soffit | Fascia |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Under eaves | Parallel to roof edge |
| Purpose | Improve airflow | Protect main structure from moisture |
| Cost | $1 to $3 per linear foot | $1.50 to $4.50 per linear foot |
While fascia and soffit serve similar purposes, there are some slight variations in the way they function.
For instance, fascia is considered a type of trim, whereas soffit is not. In addition to providing extra protection from moisture, fascia also supports the roof edge and keeps the gutters in place. This is also why it’s a mandatory feature while its counterpart is not.
By contrast, soffit doesn’t reinforce the roof structure in any way. Instead, its main purpose is to circulate fresh air underneath the roof to prevent water-logging and mold growth—two of the main culprits behind common roof damages. Soffit can also be a boon for other home features located in or near the roof, like attics or roof decks, as it’ll keep them dry and properly ventilated and make it more difficult for pests to get inside.
These two roof features differ in where they’re located, design, and material.
One of the biggest differences between fascia and soffit is where each is located. Fascia being a type of trim, runs parallel along the roof edge and is easy to see, whereas soffit is installed beneath the roof edge or eaves and is parallel with the ground. You can only see soffit if you’re standing directly beneath your roof and looking straight up.
Since soffit isn’t easily visible, you don’t have to worry about what it looks like as much as you do with fascia. By contrast, you can’t miss the front-facing feature that is fascia, which is why it must meld well with the rest of your home’s exterior. Factors like material, color, and style for fascia will play a more important role in the decision-making process than it will for soffit.
Although soffit and fascia can be made out of all the same materials, some are more commonly used than others. For example, standard and pressure-treated wood are among the most popular picks for fascia, but you can also find options made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC), aluminum, vinyl, and fiber cement.
On the flipside, aluminum and steel are the most commonly used material for soffit. However, soffit can also be made from wood, PVC, and fiber cement. Each option comes with pros and cons, so it’s a good idea to get to know the differences between soffit and fascia materials.
How much you pay for soffit and fascia will depend largely on which materials you use. Fascia costs range from $1 to $3 per linear foot of wood board and up to $5 to $8 per linear foot of vinyl boards. All in all, you can expect to pay between $150 and $3,800 for fascia projects ranging from 25 to 300 linear feet in scope.
The cost of wood soffit starts out slightly higher than fascia, at between $1 and $4.50 per linear foot. However, other choices are less expensive, like vinyl soffit, which costs $1 to $2 per linear foot.
The lifespan of soffit and fascia depends primarily on which material they’re made of. Soffit or fascia made from wood will survive between five and 15 years, whereas those made from more solid materials, like aluminum and PVC, can last anywhere from 10 to 20 years or longer with the proper care.
The best materials for soffit and fascia are largely determined by preference. Wood options are more adaptable to different styles and colors, so that might be the best option for you if you like to mix up your exterior from time to time. If endurance is what you’re after, aluminum and PVC varieties will stand the test of time—and with little maintenance required.
While it’s technically possible to replace soffit without removing fascia, it’s not recommended. Doing so runs the risk of damaging existing fascia and slowing down the replacement process as a whole because soffit will be harder to access if anything stands in its way. Similarly, both soffit and fascia should be completely installed before setting up your gutter system.
