Soffit and fascia are important to every house. While these components are small, they add a lot of curb appeal and bring functional benefits by helping to prevent the fascia board rot. Since they work together to protect your home, you won’t want to wait if you think a replacement is necessary. Follow our step by step guide to learn how to install soffit and fascia.
These two materials have a few things in common. They complete the design and function of your siding, are installed along the roofline, and are installed right next to each other. It’s easy to think they are the same thing or confuse the two, but they have completely separate jobs.
Soffit panels come vented with thousands of perforations that allow air to flow through. The number one reason to install soffit is for ventilation. It covers the horizontal area underneath a roof overhang, and the vents allow air to go in while keeping insects out. Another reason is for the aesthetic. It provides a cover for the rafters, which would otherwise be visible under the overhang.
Meanwhile, fascia boards go vertically along the side of the overhang. It helps support the shingles and allows a surface for the gutters to attach. A metal fascia wrap over those boards protects the boards from rot. As well, the wrap prevents the need for continuous painting.
Now that you’ve learned a little more about the materials, it’s time to learn how to install them!
Before installing soffit panels, they must be measured and cut to the appropriate size. Panels are available in 12 feet in length and 12 or 16 inches in width, and they will fit into the F-channel or J-channel, the trim that holds the soffit in place. While wearing safety goggles and protective gloves, cut the panels using a pair of heavy-duty snips, or a portable saw with a fine-toothed blade turned backward. They’ll need to be 1/4 inch shorter than measured inside of the receiving channel to allow for thermal expansion.
Slide the first soffit panel into the receiving channel. A carpenter’s square will help with squaring up the panels to the house. Then nail the panel to the fascia board, a piece of wood installed at the end of the roofline that helps protect your home from the elements. Join the next panel by slipping its grooves into the previous panel and nailing it in, and continue this process for the entire length of the wall.
Fascia wrap is either made from coil stock or can be purchased as pre-fabricated pieces. Folding custom fascia from coil stock requires a brake, which requires some expertise to use. Pre-fab, as it is known in the industry, is less complicated for DIY people. Once confirming this size is correct, the fascia wrap is put on the fascia board. Make sure to snug up tight to help hold the newly installed soffit panels. Secure with trim nails. If gutters have not been removed, you will need to size the fascia wrap accordingly as it will only fit up to the gutter anchors.
Call in the Experts at Ferguson Roofing
Installing new soffit and fascia is a small investment in the long life and beauty of your house. Ferguson Roofing has served the St. Louis community for over 80 years and knows this firsthand. With various sizes and designs to choose from, our experts can help you decide which soffit and fascia looks best on your home and ensure that your home is covered properly. Give us a call at (314) 521-6917 or contact us to schedule for your free inspection!