Fascias & Soffits

A PVC fascia board is the elongated, straight board positioned along the lower edge of the roof, where it intersects with the outer walls of the house. Its primary function is to support the lower edge of the bottom row of roof tiles, shield the roof rafters, and accommodate the guttering. Meanwhile, a PVC soffit is a flat board nestled beneath the fascia board. It conceals the roof overhang from below and safeguards the exposed section of the roof between the external wall and the fascia. For further information, delve into our comprehensive PVC Fascias and Soffits guide.

Proper framing and preparation are essential, whether you're replacing an existing fascia or fitting a PVC fascia in a new construction. Ensure that rafters are spaced at a maximum of 600mm, install soffit bearers, and utilize gable ladders to ensure proper fixing for the fascia board. With these preparations complete, you can proceed with installing your PVC fascia. Start by fitting the soffit boards, then select the appropriate height of Jumbo board before securing the fascia to each rafter end. For detailed instructions, along with important design and installation considerations, refer to our Design and Specification Guide.

You can easily take simple linear measurements at ground level using a tape measure. This will provide you with the total meterage, allowing you to calculate the number of boards required and optimize the use of any off-cuts. However, measuring gable ends and bargeboards can be more challenging due to their position on the roof incline. It's advisable to seek advice from a professional when determining these measurements to ensure accuracy and safety. Don't forget to count the number of joints and corners needed. Most joints are single-ended (300mm), but some are double-ended (500mm), which can yield two single trims if the fascia is less than 250mm. Soffits also require a soffit joint trim, which can be cut to fit the soffit width. Additionally, measure the width and depth of the fascia and soffit boards. Remember to allow for the soffit, which may rest on the top brick course or window head, so allocate at least 25mm to 50mm for this. Also, allow about 10mm for locating in the soffit groove of the fascia.

Full replacement (16mm -20mm thick) requires the removal of all existing timber boards before fixing the replacement board to the structurally sound rafter ends or suitable packers fixed to the sides of them.Refurbishment/capping boards should be fixed to good quality, existing timber boards or newly introduced backing boards (min 12mm marine ply). Never cover over rotten timber - cut out any suspect areas and replace with treated timber or replace the full length with a ply backing board.

There are two primary types of PVC soffit board: plain and woodgrain. Plain PVC soffit boards typically come in three varieties: general purpose, which is versatile and lightweight; hollow, offering a lightweight option; and vented, designed to facilitate airflow through the roof space to prevent damp. These plain soffit boards are available in a spectrum of colours, ranging from traditional white and black to more contemporary shades like black and grey. On the other hand, woodgrain PVC soffit boards are crafted to mimic the appearance of real timber. They also come in general purpose, hollow, and vented options. You'll have the choice of various tones, from natural browns to modern greys.