What is a Soffit?

A soffit is a key part of a roofline, designed to keep it looking smart and protected against the elements. Unlike more of the popular and fashionable elements of your homes exterior, soffits are not as attention grabbing and therefore can often be overlooked but they play a crucial role in the longevity and appearance of your building.

We want to help you understand what a soffit is, how it functions within a roofline structure, the various materials and sizes available, and, most importantly, why it’s such an essential part of your roofing system.

Soffits

A soffit is, in the simplest terms a panel covering the underside of the roof, where the roof extends beyond the exterior wall. Soffits are installed beneath the roof edge and between the wall and fascia board, connecting the fascia to the side of the house. Whilst many may not be aware of what a soffit is, this simple piece remains a crucial element to your roofline and work quietly in the background providing vital protection.

Key Elements of a Soffit:

• Soffits seal the eaves, protect your roof structure from water, debris and even any insects and animals that may enter the roofline space.
• Vented soffits work well to reduce any condensation, therefore preventing the chances of mould and rot forming in the attic. Solid flat soffit boards  provide a clean finish whilst hollow soffit boards are considered a cost effective option for larger spaces.
• Without a soffit, the roofline structure remains incomplete, with the gap between the roof and wall edge remaining exposed, a soffit board will provide a neat, finished look to the overall aesthetic of the building.
• The key feature of a soffit board is to work with fascia boards to form a completed roofline.

 

Types of Soffit Boards

Most specialist providers offer soffits in a range of length and width sizes. Popular sizes of soffit boards include 300mm sized boards in both 3m and 5m lengths but more specific sizes can also be found quite easily. However specific your size requirements it is easy to find what your looking for and most supplies (including us!) are happy to help with any queries.

Size issues aside, another key question most people will ask is what material is best for a soffit board? For both new builds, older buildings and any renovation projects, the material does depend on your design requirements however the most common options are uPVC, wood and aluminium.

Wood is more of a traditional option however wooden soffit boards would require regular maintenance and painting. uPVC is the most common material and what we specialise in at The Plastic Centre, a common option favoured due to it’s durability, resistance to any weather damage and low maintenance. Soffit boards can also be found in aluminium however, at a higher cost it is often beaten out by uPVC.

 

Top Soffit Installation Tips:

Our full soffit installation guide goes into depth on correct installation and maintenance but below are a few of our top tips to consider:

• Use the correct fittings (trims) to ensure a secure finish
• Consider the type of board you need – if your roofing structure is vented then a solid board will work fine.
• Upkeep is important to minimise any risk of damage to your roofline. This is why uPVC is considered the best option, as boards may just need occasional wiping down with no need for regular repairs/replacements.
• Consider a full system. When replacing or fitting your roofline structure, match your soffits and fascia boards to ensure a clean finish.

 

For most people a soffit isn’t often something they may think about when considering the external aesthetics of a building but what may seem so minor is in fact such an important part of your roofline structure. A good quality soffit will provide vital protection, ventilation and will improve the overall look of your building which is why choosing the right soffit is so important.

Explore our full range of soffit boards online at The Plastic Centre today and find the right option to create a solid and reliable roof structure.