Add some flair to your rooftop
Enhancing your home’s curb appeal comes in many forms, and one subtle yet effective way to boost any home’s appearance and value is with fascia boards and soffits. But shopping around for the perfect soffit and fascia materials can feel daunting if you’re not sure what to look for. Both fascia boards and soffits help keep your attic pest-free, so you don’t want to skimp on durable, long-lasting materials.
Here are 10 types of soffit and fascia board materials to consider for your home’s roof.
1. Wooden Fascia Boards
Lumber is a popular choice for fascia boards because it’s easy to paint and can match the wooden structures already present in your home. Cedar, redwood, fir, and pine are a few tried and true wood options for fascia boards. The best wood for fascia boards is one that is rot- and moisture-resistant.
2. Wooden Soffits
Wooden soffits add warmth and a modern look to any home. Solid wood or plywood are two common options. Be sure to choose a pressure-treated wood to prevent rotting and damage from pests like carpenter wasps. Keep in mind, that a wooden soffit style is more flammable, less durable, and less resistant to moisture than other options like aluminum or vinyl. You’ll want to factor in fascia and soffit repair costs when opting for a material that is prone to water damage and rot.
3. PVC Fascia Boards
Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is a durable yet lightweight plastic material that is commonly used in piping but can also be found in sidings and fascia boards. PVC is one of the most budget-friendly materials, however, it contains phthalates and BPA, which are potentially harmful fumes that can be emitted when PVC is exposed to high temperatures.
4. PVC Soffits
Just as you can use PVC products for fascia boards, you can also use them for soffits. PVC soffits are a low-cost option for adding a soffit to your home. The material is effective in protecting homes from water leaks and rot, but it might not be a good option for the avid environmentalist looking for a more eco-friendly option.
5. Unplasticized Vinyl Fascia Boards
Though PVC is a type of vinyl product, it’s important to note that it’s just one type of vinyl material on the market for fascia boards and soffits. Unplasticized polyvinyl chloride (uPVC) is a more durable and environmentally-friendly type of vinyl than PVC, so if you want to choose a sustainable fascia board material, opt for uPVC. This material is an ideal replacement for wood in the construction industry and can be engineered to look like all kinds of materials, like wood, metal, stone, and more.
uPVC is less likely to warp, stronger, fire-resistant, and recyclable, making it an ideal choice for fascia boards—especially for homes in hot and dry climates where heat and fire hazards pose a threat to the stability of the plastic polymers.
6. Unplasticized Vinyl Soffits
uPVC is a great option for soffits because of its smooth surface and water resistance. If you live in a region that gets lots of storms, uPVC is an ideal choice for soffits. Though you’ll pay slightly more for vinyl soffits compared to PVC soffits, you’ll get much more variety in the appearance of your soffits than you would with PVC along with a more eco-friendly soffit material option.
There are three types of vinyl soffits: solid, vented, and hollow.
Solid: A common and affordable soffit type with a simple design that seals the attic off from outdoor air
Vented: Contains small perforations to boost air circulation in the attic
Hollow: A solid design with pre-drilled holes for ventilation to increase air circulation in the attic
7. Aluminum Fascia Boards
Aluminum is pricier than uPVC and has less insulation properties, but it’s an easy material to work with, making it a top choice for homes with unique roofing designs. Aluminum is water-resistant, rot-resistant, fire-resistant, lightweight, and paint-friendly, so you can customize the appearance of your aluminum fascia to match your home’s aesthetics.
You won’t have to do much to maintain aluminum, but you might need to invest in attic insulation. Another downside is that aluminum can get bent or dent easily, which might negatively affect the appearance of your home’s fascia.
8. Aluminum Soffits
Aluminum works well as a soffit material option because it prevents water leaks and protects your home from bugs better than wood. As with aluminum fascia boards, expect to pay more for aluminum soffits than you would for most other materials. An extra bonus is that well-vented aluminum helps prevent ice dams and the damage that can occur in your gutters, roofing, and edge materials.
9. Fiber Cement Fascia Boards
Another sustainable option is fiber cement fascia boards, also called composite fascia boards. This material consists of recycled woodchips, sawdust, and epoxy resin. Due to the unique combination of materials, fiber cement is more durable and resistant to mold and water damage than traditional wood fascia boards, but it also costs more.
For this reason, most homeowners opt for a more affordable material. But keep in mind that fiber cement boards will last longer than wooden boards, potentially saving you money in the long run.
10. Fiber Cement Soffits
If you have a deck made of composite materials, you’ll find that fiber cement or composite soffits will pair nicely with the overall look of your entertainment space. Fiber cement is another material choice for soffits that combines the aesthetics of a wooden surface with the water-resistant characteristics of plastic to give you the best of both worlds.
This material has a clean wooden texture that measures up well against temperature changes, water and moisture damage, and pests. The best part is that you don’t need to treat composite like you do with traditional wood, so there is less maintenance.
