The essential purpose of a fascia is to guard your home from the elements by preventing water from penetrating susceptible locations and improving its aesthetics. Fascia is the section of the roof that conceals the trusses, rafters, and open cavity, which connects the exterior walls of your house to the roof. But is that all there is to fascia? You will find out more in this article, including the types, their importance, and maintenance tips.
What Is Fascia on a House?
Fascia is a term roofing contractors, roofers, and gutter installers use when discussing gutter installations and roof repair or replacement. If you’ve ever interacted with such roofing professionals, you may have heard it once or more. It is an essential part of the roof that you cannot ignore. It shields the space between the exterior roof and ceiling from water entry and holds the downspout and gutter system’s weight.
Fascia boards collaborate with the soffit to keep water from the roof cavity. The board goes over the surface of the trusses and rafters horizontally to conceal the open cavity, while the soffit shields the bottom of the roof.
This part of the roof system can be made of several kinds of materials, including vinyl, composite, aluminum-wrapped boards, PVC, and wood. However, you will find them more in wood material.
What Value Does Having Fascia on Your House Give?
Fascia protects your home from wind, water, and pests. They keep the downward edges of shingles or tiles intact, preventing water from gaining access to the wooden rafters.
This roof component forms a seamless passage between the roofline and walls, preventing ice dams from forming and guarding your home’s siding. It is not limited to one material, leaving you with options to suit your aesthetic or architectural preference.
Types of Fascia on the House
Aluminum Fascia
Aluminum fascia is sturdy and low-maintenance, so many homeowners choose it. It protects their roof from rot, rust, and corrosion. In addition, its sleek appearance makes their home more visually appealing.
This type of fascia is not without some drawbacks. Compared to fiber or PVC, aluminum fascia is more susceptible to scratching and denting. It is also more expensive than materials like vinyl or wood.
Fiber Cement Fascia
Fiber cement fascia is a common selection for housing construction projects. This doesn’t come as a surprise because it is sturdy and can resist reactions in the environment that will cause damage, is low-maintenance, and can complement different architectural styles. However, it may cost you more money than other materials. Because of its weight, you need a professional to install it.
PVC Fascia
PVC fascia boards are durable and resistant to insects, decay, moisture, and warping. They come in different colors and sizes and do not require staining or painting. In extreme temperatures, PVC fascia may expand and contract, leading to gaps or cracks. PVC fascia is not environmentally friendly because it is not biodegradable, and its manufacturing process involves harmful chemicals.
Vinyl Fascia
Vinyl fascia improves curb appeal, is resistant to moisture, is low maintenance, and is affordable. Although it has several benefits and is a popular choice, vinyl fascia can be brittle in harsh weather conditions and is not environmentally friendly.
Wood Fascia
Wood fascia guards the roof trusses and rafters from water damage, extending their lifespan. It is resistant to hail and wind but requires sealing to keep out moisture and prevent water damage and rotting. A downside to using a wood fascia is that it is susceptible to termite attack. However, when you observe the proper maintenance steps, you will have nothing to worry about. Homeowners choose this type of fascia for its flexibility, durability, and look. You can paint or stain it to suit your aesthetic preference.
How to Maintain Your Home’s Fascia
- Examine the fascia regularly: Inspecting your home’s fascia at least once yearly should be a habit. We also recommend examining it after every major weather occurrence to check for signs of wear or damage, including cracks and rots.
- Clean the fascia: One effective way to control or avert debris or dirt buildup on your fascia is to clean it regularly. You can achieve cleaning by using a soft brush and detergent to scrub the surface and rinse with water thoroughly and gently.
- Stain or paint the fascia: If the type of fascia you have is wooden, we recommend staining or painting it to shield it from the elements. This will help you control wood rot and other forms of damage while improving your fascia’s appearance.
- Fix damage: Fixing damages as soon as you can is always the best thing to do. The moment you detect damage, including cracks, get a professional on board to analyze the situation and proffer the best solution. You can replace damaged parts of your house’s fascia and use a wood filler to fill any spaces when crucial.
- Get a professional: If you don’t think you can examine your fascia yourself or do not have the time to do so, hire a professional. They will do a thorough job and give the best solution in cases where they find problems.
Importance of Maintaining Fascia on House
There are several reasons why maintaining your fascia is essential. When your fascia is not in the best condition, it can cause water damage to your roof or home. Water passing through the cracks in a fascia can cause the fascia to rot and encourage mildew, moss growth, and other damage to your home’s interior.
When you maintain your fascia adequately, you can keep pests away from invading your home. Pests like squirrels and birds can gain entry into your attic through gaps in your fascia. These pests can ruin the wiring and insulation of the house. This, in turn, could make your home uncomfortable and unsafe to live in and incur expensive repairs.
Fascia gives support to the bottom part of shingles or tiles. Hence, not maintaining your fascia regularly can compromise the integrity of your roof system.
How Does Fascia on a House Affect Roof Gutters?
Fascia is installed on the surface of the roof structure, directly beneath the roof lining or edge. In conjunction with the soffit on the roof’s underside, the boards conceal the trusses and rafters to keep moisture out of the interior roof cavity.
This board also supports the gutter and downspout system. Gutters are usually placed at the roof’s edge and fixed to the fascia boards. When it rains, water streams down the roof into the gutter. The water collected in the gutter then flows to the ground through the downspout. If the gutters are not properly installed or they detach from the wall, water will pass through the space between the gutter and the roof. When this happens, the fascia is exposed to damage.
On the other hand, a damaged fascia board won’t be able to hold the gutter system’s weight, and this could cause the gutters to collapse or pull away from the roof. As a homeowner, you have to ensure that the roofing contractor installs your gutters correctly and the fascia boards are in great shape to avoid compromising your home’s protection.
Conclusion
When choosing fascia for the house, consider its ease of installation, visual appeal, and durability. Once you have one, ensure that you take proper care of it to keep it in good condition. Fascia has important functions aside from improving your home’s curb appeal. Some of its other functions include protection from water damage and pest invasion.
We advise that you get professionals to handle your fascia maintenance for a thorough and effective job.
Frequently Asked Question
Does a roof need fascia?
Definitely, your roof needs a fascia. It is an important component of your roof system. It provides support to gutters, prevents water intrusion, and barricades your attic, insulating it from the weather.
Can you replace the fascia without removing the gutters?
You can replace your fascia without removing the gutters. However, the process can be tasking and may not yield the best outcome, such as good finishing. So, to avoid damaging your gutters and get the best results, we recommend removing the gutters before replacing your fascia.
How often do you need to replace the fascia on the house?
The frequency of replacing your roof varies and is dependent on several factors. However, your fascia might need to be replaced every ten years.
How can you tell if your fascia board needs replacement?
Cracks, peeling paint on your siding, and a leak in your attic are some signs that you need to replace your fascia.
