This roofing component works double duty, for both structural integrity and aesthetics
Fascia boards can consist of several different materials.
Use fascia to improve the aesthetics of a roof.
Fascia supports the structure of a roof’s edge.
People often pick fascia designs that rarely need maintenance.
You can hire a pro for fascia installations or do a DIY job.
Ever wondered what fascia is on a house or why it is such a crucial component of your roof? Fascia boards run parallel across the roofline where the rafters and trusses end. Fascias are not only beneficial to the well-being of your home, but also have an important aesthetic function to give a better finish to the exterior of your home.
The most commonly used fascia boards are made out of wood, but they can also be made of different materials, such as aluminum, vinyl, PVC, and plastic. These come prefinished in different colors and require very little maintenance.
A fascia board runs along the lower edge of a roof with its flat, broad side facing the street and perpendicular to the ground. It works with the soffit to protect the house from moisture.
The soffit is underneath the fascia, flat broad side parallel to the ground, its edge up against the house’s walls. Fascia boards help keep moisture away and are used to hold the gutter system that keeps rain away from your house and foundation. Want an easy way to remember what fascia is? Just think of it as the “face” of the edge of the roof.
Fascia on a house must involve a strong material, as it has to support the gutter installation and provide stability to the edge of the roof. Additionally, because fascia suffers constant exposure to weather, the material needs to repel water from rain and melted snow, rather than absorb it. Options for fascia materials include the following.
Standard wood: Spruce, fir, and pine are the most common woods to use as fascia boards, and they are reasonably priced; however, they need constant painting to protect them from weather. Consequently, many people place fascia trim, which consists of thin aluminum or vinyl, over standard wood to protect it and to reduce maintenance requirements.
Pressure treated wood: Occasionally, people use pressure treated wood for fascia because of its ability to resist water damage, but this drives up the cost of the job significantly.
Polyvinyl chloride (PVC): PVC is a type of plastic that is completely resistant to weather, and it works as fascia. It is available in numerous colors, but it can expand and contract noticeably with temperature variations.
Aluminum: Aluminum is an excellent choice as fascia. It is highly durable and lasts a long time in any weather, but you will pay far more for aluminum fascia than other materials.
Vinyl: Vinyl fascia is similar to aluminum in terms of longevity and weather resistance. It is also pricey, although it typically costs less than aluminum.
Fiber cement: Fiber cement uses a bonding material with wood chips and sawdust to create a composite material. Fiber cement is highly resistant to rot and weather, lasting far longer than standard wood. You can order it in a few different colors, but you cannot paint it later.
Often, contractors will match a fascia board with materials used for the soffit, providing a unified look.
Fascia boards are sometimes known as “fascia trim”, and people do use these terms interchangeably. Wooden fascia boards can have a layer of a metal sheet installed that wraps around the fascia board, which is also sometimes referred to as “trim”.
This fascia trim protects the fascia board from the weather and gives it a nice finished look, since you can pick a color that matches your siding. When you have a metal or vinyl fascia, these types of boards do not need to be finished with a different material or painted, since they come prefinished already.
Most homeowners have fascia boards made of wood because they tend to withstand the elements for a long time. But these can be susceptible to water damage when not installed properly or when aging. The average fascia board costs $7 to $23 per linear foot, with labor included.
The price increases when using different types of materials, such as aluminum or vinyl, which are more expensive and require more skills to install. These do offer great benefits, since they are low maintenance, provide a smooth finish, and come in a variety of colors, which can make them worth the extra cost.
Fascia comes in many materials and options that impact form and function. Here is what you should consider when choosing new fascia for your home.
Is your home located in a rainy, snowy, windy, stormy, sunny, humid, or otherwise harsh climate? Fascia has to stand up to all types of weather, and if your local weather conditions are extra harsh, you will want extra-strong fascia that can repel water and hold up against potential damage. Look for brands and models that are meant to last, even in bad weather. Additionally, some jurisdictions require structural fascia based on snow load or wind ratings and the depth of your roof eaves. Be aware of your location’s building codes or hire a contractor that you trust to follow all local building requirements.
Lower-quality fascia is not usually a good deal; while it might appear less expensive, it rarely lasts as long as higher-quality products. To get the best value, insist on quality materials and installation. One way to ensure this is to choose a quality complete fascia system, rather than a single barge board. This way, your installer will have enough space to attach the fascia so it does not shift or twist over time, and so that it can hold gutters or other elements without causing damage.
Fascia comes in a variety of material options, including aluminum, vinyl or PVC, composite, wood, and more. Aluminum and vinyl are generally low to no maintenance, while wood can require regular upkeep. When choosing the right fascia material for your home, consider your home’s style, age, and overall look, as well as your ability and willingness to provide regular maintenance.
The fascia you choose will be highly visible, and it can change the look of your home. So, you will want to match it to the style of your house. For example, modern homes often have larger fascia boards that make the home design look more contemporary, while Craftsman-style homes are more likely to have narrower fascia to complement their more intricate architectural details.
Not all fascia manufacturers have a wide range of colors, and that can leave options limited or your home looking not quite put together. While fascia color is not a threat to your home’s integrity, it can impact how much you like the look of your home and even resale value, so choose a color carefully. When deciding which fascia color to go with, factor in your home’s overall color and that of your roof and trim. Stick with the same color you already have if you like the look, or choose a new hue to give your home an updated appearance.
As with any home update, protecting yourself by choosing a quality warranted product is smart. Some budget brands may not offer warranties or guarantees on their fascia products, while manufacturers that emphasize a better overall value will provide warranties; this means you may pay more up front for long-term peace of mind. Keep in mind, too, that installation can impact the validity of your warranty, so follow all manufacturer instructions to protect your investment and your home.
Like any other part of your home, it is important to maintain your home’s fascia boards to keep them in good condition. As a homeowner, you need to make sure they are securely attached using galvanized or anti-corrosion nails; paint them as needed, depending on the material; and keep the gutters free of debris to avoid clogs, which are the main cause of fascia boards being damaged. The easiest way to maintain them is by wrapping them in metal.
Another way to protect your fascia boards is to get a professional roofer to install a metal drip edge if one is not installed on your roof. These drip edges help to keep water away from the fascia.
If you don’t act quickly when your fascia needs repairs, you risk water damage to the boards and your house. If you have the tools and skills needed to maintain the fascia yourself, always use caution when working on a ladder and roof. But if not, you can hire a local roofing contractor near you for the job.
If you are still struggling to visualize what fascia is on a house and how it fits into the overall roof design, here is how the basic parts go together.
Trusses and rafters serve as the frame for the roof. Trusses are boards constructed in a triangular shape to form the shell of the roof, while rafters are single boards that connect to other support boards to form the shell. The roof truss cost is less than the rafter’s cost, as it uses smaller-sized boards. You can learn how to build roof trusses on site, or you can purchase them prebuilt. You can cut rafters to fit on site.
The covering of the roof, consisting of flat plywood or oriented strand board (OSB), connects to the trusses or rafters. Then attach the weather-protective materials over the top. These include the visible materials on the roof. You may want to learn how to install metal roofing or shingles as a DIY job to save money. Installing alternative roofing materials is possible, too. These materials will wear out after a few decades or more, necessitating a roof replacement cost. Pressure treated wood in trusses and rafters should not wear out, though.
If you are wondering what a roof drip edge is and whether you need one, the answer is almost certainly yes. This is a piece of metal that fits at the edge of the roof around the entire home. It fits under the shingles and directs water away from the fascia and soffit and into the gutters.
The fascia boards connect to the edge of the roof’s trusses or rafters, providing a finished look for the roof, while also delivering structural support. The boards provide support for gutter installation. Soffits mount horizontally underneath the fascia and eaves of the roof, giving the roof a finished look. They protect the rafters from wind-blown rain coming from below. The soffits allow ventilation for the attic, too.
José R. Mendoza contributed to this piece.
The difference between soffit and fascia is easy to figure out—just look at the location. Soffit is located underneath the overhanging eaves of roofing. If you stand under your home’s roof overhang and look up, the flat broad material you see covering the underside of the overhang and running parallel to the ground is the soffit. It is often vented for attic ventilation purposes, but it may be non-vented or have vented panels. Fascia is the exposed horizontal trim that forms a 90-degree angle with the soffit; it is forward-facing—meaning, you can see it facing you from your yard—and it helps support the roof decking.
You cannot replace fascia without replacing the soffit because the soffit is located under a roof’s eaves and fascia boards. You need to remove fascia boards first in order to access the soffit. Besides, since the two are so dependent on each other structure-wise, you do not want to replace one without replacing the other or else it could compromise the integrity of your roof and home. When you replace damaged fascia or soffit, or when you replace your roof, you will want to pull off all fascia and soffit and replace it with new, strong weather-resistant material to prevent water from seeping in.
The average life expectancy of fascia is about 20 to 40 years. High-quality aluminum and vinyl fascia last longer, averaging 20 to 40 years if it’s been installed correctly, while high-quality wood materials can last 20 to 30 years with good installation and regular maintenance.
Your home’s location and the climate where you live will impact the longevity of your fascia. Extreme weather, including strong storms, very rainy climates, and high humidity, can take a toll and shorten the life of exterior housing materials, including fascia.
