Fascia Board

What is a fascia board? Sometimes also called soffit board, fascia is a board running horizontally under a roof edge. It covers the openings between the rafters of the roof. Typically consisting of wood, wood substitute, or metal, the fascia board along with the soffit, encloses the attic space of the home. The fascia commonly helps to hold up, and stabilize gutters.

Fascia

Fascia can be found in many of today’s modern homes. However, older Colonial or Victorian homes with ornate rafter tails will not have fascia boards. These older homes were originally created without fascia because it was believed that the big roof overhangs, created by these ornate rafter tails, were adequately large enough to repel water far enough away from the foundation of the home. Although this is often the belief, it is not always true. Water can still find a way back into the foundation of your home. This water can also damage siding, paint, windows, and doors.

If your home’s fascia is damaged, rotted, or missing completely, it is recommended that this is fixed. The Brothers that just do Gutters can repair your fascia with an aluminum fascia wrap, which comes in multiple sizes, or we can replace the fascia completely.

It is often difficult to tell if the fascia is rotted without first removing the gutter itself. However, if water has been running between the fascia and gutter for some time, then there is a high probability of rotted fascia. A rotted fascia board cannot properly support a gutter system designed to withstand the heavy snow accumulations.

Soffit

Soffit is the layer of wood, vinyl or aluminum that extends from the bottom of the fascia to the top piece of your wall board. Together, they protect the rafters from weather, moisture, and allow air to flow through soffits and vents. Airflow is important in the enclosed attic space to keep the temperatures equal. If your home’s soffit needs to be replaced or you do not have soffit, we can install it for you. We currently offer and install perforated vinyl soffit.

In the cases where a home has no fascia, and installing fascia is not an option, The Brothers that just do Gutters are able to install a gutter without the fascia by using roof straps. The roof straps attach to the hidden hanger inside the gutter and secure right onto the roof. If the roof is older, it is not recommended to lift up the shingles to insert the strap. This can damage or break shingles. In most cases the roof strap must be secured on top of the shingles. Installing a gutter system using this process is strong, but is not often as strong as installing with a fascia. Roof hangers are also not as aesthetically pleasing. If your home has a slate, tile or cedar shingle roof, it is highly recommended that you do not use the roof strap method.

Here are some reasons why having a fascia board (in good condition) is the best option:

•   Fascia provides a layer of strength to help stabilize the gutter.
•   Fascia allows a place for the soffit to attach and close off the attic space
•   Soffit is vented which prevents winter ice, water from entering the home, and keeps the home cooler in the summer months.
•   Open rafter without fascia get screwed into the end grain of the available wood. It is not as strong as screwing it into the perpendicular wood of the fascia board (more strength and stability when you are able to screw into grains of wood that run horizontally).
•   Open rafters with no fascia often allow for insects and animals to find their way into your home.

Another option for homes that currently do not have fascia and/or installation is not possible, is to build out the overhang. Then install fascia on this extended overhang, which we’d then install the gutters on.