Schedule Your Free In-Home Consultation! Click Here

Why Does Your Home Need Soffit and Fascia?

Soffit and fascia are an important part of your home's defense against the elements.
Close up of home showing soffit and fascia

Soffit and Fascia Have Two Purposes for Your Home:

1.  Ventilation

Ventilating your attic is essential to prevent moisture and mold from growing in your attic’s insulation. Soffit acts as a passive ventilation unit for your attic—air from the soffit cycles to the vents drawing heat and moisture away from the house. Evenly venting to the roof prevents damp patches, and ultimately helps keep the roof from rotting. The gathering of this moisture is a breeding ground for mold. Mold can cause several problems, from roof rot to poor indoor air quality. Click here to see eight signs you may need to replace your roof.

2. Protection

Soffit and fascia play crucial roles in your home’s defense system. First, they are a barrier from pests like bats, birds, ducks, raccoons, and squirrels. These pests can make your house their home by nesting in your attic, causing damage to your roof or electrical system. Next, they protect your home from intense weather like rain and wind. They also guard under the eaves, preventing outside objects like dirt, leaves, and snow from blowing into your roof.

Learn More About Soffit and Fascia

Image of Western Products Crew in Front of Home

What is Soffit?

The roof of your home often extends past its walls.  The underside of this overhang, when given a finished appearance is known as a soffit, meaning “something fixed underneath.” The soffit is any finishing material installed to cover the underside of your roof’s overhang. Homes that do not have overhangs do not have soffit.

Collage showing several types of soffit

What is Fascia?

Fascia is material that’s installed on the lower end of the eave rafters or rafter tails and wraps under your shingles. The role of fascia is to form extended, horizontal support for the lower edge of the bottom row of your shingles. Fascia helps the rainwater flow directly into the gutters and away from your home. Think of fascia as trim around your roof, which protects the exposed ends of your rafters. Your gutters are anchored to this fascia material.

Collage of Home with Exposed Eaves vs. Eaves Protected with Soffit

What are Eaves?

Eaves are at the ends or edges of the roof that overhang the exterior face of a wall and project over a building’s side. The main reason to build a structure with eaves is to divert rain and snow away from the building. Eaves can also be an architectural element enhancing the character and style of your home. The depth and size of eaves can vary significantly from home to home.

Image of Western Products Crew in Front of Home

What Type of Soffit is Right for My Home?

There are a variety of colors, styles, and materials that soffit and fascia come in. Discover how a commitment to quality products, professional installation, and exceptional service has made Western Products the most trusted name for soffit and fascia in the Upper Midwest for more than 75 years.

Let Us Help!

Our home improvement experts are committed to helping turn your home renovation dreams into realities! Stop by one of our showroom locations in either Fargo or Bismarck, or give us a call at 800-743-3632 to set up a free in-home consultation or a virtual consultation. We can talk to you no matter where you are through our virtual consultation service.

Share with your friends | Stay tuned for more blog posts