What Is Fascia Board? Find Out in Our Complete Homeowner’s Guide
Whenever our roofing services specialists explain to a client the steps of installing or repairing a roof, they are often asked: what is a fascia on a house? Do I really need this on my roof? Unfortunately, there is a lot of confusion between the roof fascia board and the soffit. Any house needs both a soffit and a fascia as part of the roofing, but these are two separate elements.
We want to help our customers understand how we work, and that we don’t just throw in random elements to increase the final price of the roof. Thus, we decided to prepare a complete guide on roofing fascia board for all homeowners who want to know exactly what goes into their roof. We will start by answering the basic question: what is fascia board?
What Is Fascia on a House?
The term for fascia board on a roof comes from Latin. Fascia means “a band or strip of material.” And this is exactly what fascia is. Wooden fascia boards are strips of wood installed horizontally at the junction between the wall and the roof.
Now that you know what is a fascia board on a house, you may wonder: but is it really necessary to have it installed? As we will explain to you immediately, you cannot have a reliable and watertight roof without a fascia.
The Importance of Fascia Boards in Roofing
The purpose of the fascia board is to:
- Keep water from leaking inside the roof
- Offer support and an anchoring point for gutters
- Cover the rough ends of the rafters for aesthetic purposes
- Prevent small animals and birds from entering the attic
It is, essentially, one of the elements that finishes a roof, making sure that there are no empty spaces that would give access to the parts into your home – and this is what any decent roof should do.
Now that you know the role of a roof fascia board, let us discuss the various types of materials used to make it.
These Are the Most Common Types of Fascia Boards
Modern companies provide a wide selection of materials to choose from. These are:
Wood Fascia Boards
Wooden fascia boards are still the most popular choice for homeowners. They are affordable and easy to install. These fascia boards are usually made of spruce, fir or pine wood.
The downside to choosing this type of roofing fascia board is that they are not water resistant and need to be constantly primed and painted in order to extend their lifespan.
Vinyl Fascia Boards
This type of board for roofing is not used on its own, but together with a wooden fascia in order to extend its lifespan. This is due to the properties of vinyl fascia boards (also known as polyvinyl chloride – PVC): resistance to water, insects and rot.
Aluminum Fascia Boards
This type of fascia can be used either on its own or together with a wooden fascia. Aluminum fascia boards can effectively cover the wood, by bending or wrapping around it. This will greatly increase the lifespan of the wooden fascia, but it also comes with a higher installation cost.
UPVC Fascia Boards
UPVC fascia boards are an excellent choice if you want a standalone fascia with a long lifespan and minimal maintenance requirements. Unplasticized vinyl fascia is also water and chemical resistant.
Composite Fascia Boards
You can choose composite fascia boards made from recycled wood, sawdust, plastic and epoxy resin. This will give you the best of both worlds: the look of natural wood and the resistance and long lifespan of modern materials.
When to Replace Fascia Boards
Some boards last longer than others, but they may develop various problems requiring replacement as soon as possible. You have to consider the importance of keeping water and pests out of your attic, so you should call roofing specialists for fascia board replacement in the following situations:
Signs of Damage from Rot, Mold or Fungus
A roof fascia board is definitely in need of replacement if you can see rot, mold or fungi growing on it. The board is already vulnerable at this point – especially wooden fascia boards. You should not wait at all, because mold and fungi will soon enter your home, causing severe problems, including to your health.
Damage from Animals or Trees
A severe storm blowing away tree branches or a rodent can cause damage even to modern fascia boards made of vinyl, aluminum or composite. For this reason, you should visually inspect all the elements of the roof on a regular basis and immediately after a storm.
Cracks, Holes and Bowing
The purpose of fascia board is to seal the joint between the wall and the roof. If you see any crack, hole or even a bend in the board, then it is not doing its job properly anymore and you need to have it replaced.
Call Our Specialists for Roof Fascia Board Installation and Replacement
Otis Roofing is your trusted local contractor, always ready to help you with any type of roof installation, maintenance, repair and replacement works. We can advise you on the adequate roofing fascia board for your roof and promptly answer any request for inspection or replacement.
Call us to get a free estimate: 512-717-5852!