If you’ve ever spent any time around roofing contractors or carpenters, you’ve probably heard of the term “fascia” to describe an important building and roofing element. Wondering “What is fascia on a house?” You’re not alone. A crucial component used in the structure of a property and roofing system; fascia plays a vital role in the protection of your house.
There’s a lot that goes into building a new house or commercial property. With so many components to consider, it’s hard to keep up with the purpose of each structural element for your home. What’s more, older houses regularly require maintenance, including replacement of roofing and siding elements. If you’re in a position where your roofer has just stated that you need new fascia trim or board installation, you’re probably wondering what that actually means.
So, what is fascia on a house? What is fascia trim on a house installed for? Vertec Roofing are here to explain what is fascia on a house, and why fascia is an essential component in the protection of your property.
Let’s start with the basics. Fascia comes from the Latin term that translates to a “band” or “strip” like material. In terms of human anatomy, fascia refers to the connective tissue that wraps around organs, vessels, bones and muscles to hold them in place. Not dissimilar, the fascia on a roof is more or less a horizontal piece of board that covers the exposed roof rafters, trusses and cavity where the rooftop meets the exterior walls.
Fascia is a common architectural term that refers to the board that typically sits under the roof edge or roof lining. The fascia on a house runs behind the guttering, protecting the rafters and interior components of the roof, from the exterior elements. When building a house or maintaining an older structure, fascia is an essential building component that offers defence and shielding from the exterior elements.
Fascia and fascia trim are used to protect various elements of a building. Fascia boards are the part of the roof’s structure that is closest to the gutters. The proximity of fascia to the guttering system means that the fascia board is the first element to be damaged by water if the gutter’s become clogged or begin to fail.
Fascia boarding is an incredibly important component of a structure that keeps the exterior elements outside of the interiors of the roof cavity. Supporting the lowest part of the roofing materials and gutters, fascia acts as a vertical barrier between the outside and the edge of the roof and the inside of the roof cavity and interiors of the house. Fascia replacement is one of Vertec Roofing’s key service offerings.
Besides supporting the guttering and roof like of a building, the facia on the house has many purposes. Fascia boards and trim are essential to every home. Fascia provides a solid foundation and support system for the gutters, while also working to keep pests out of the roof cavity. In many cases, fascia works with soffits to provide essential ventilation to the roofing cavity and interiors of a home.
The main purpose of fascia trim on the house include:
If we look back at Australian residential architecture, many of the classic old Queenslander and Victoria style homes actually had no fascia trim at all. This was not purely a cost-cutting element and resulted in many houses deteriorating from the increased damage from exterior elements. If you don’t use fascia trim on the house, there will be no barrier between the exterior and the interior; you’re putting the interiors of the house and the roof cavity at risk of damage.
Depending on what the roofing materials are made of, fascia boards can be produced in a number of materials. The most common fascia board materials include:
Wooden fascia is the most common choice, as it is typically the most affordable option. Wooden fascia generally entails spruce, fir or pine wood. Wooden fascia is not water-resistant and can result in rot and mould over time. If you want your wooden fascia to last, it needs to be primed, painted and maintained continuously.
Aluminium can be used alone or as a means to weatherproof wooden materials. Aluminium is a great choice because it can be bent or wrapped around the pieces of wood, extending the lifespan of building components. Aluminium fascia may come with a more expensive installation cost than wooden materials.
Also known as Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC), vinyl fascia includes plasticizers for additional flexibility. Vinyl fascia is often used wooden fascia, to enhance the property and increase the lifespan of materials. Vinyl fascia is water, insect and rot-resistant.
Similarly to vinyl fascia, UPVC is a great option for fascia materials. Rigid and durable because it does not contain plasticizers, UPVC enhances kerbside appeal and requires only minimal maintenance. Offering excellent water flow and chemical and water resistance, UPVC is a great choice for fascia materials.
So, if like many non-tradesmen, you began this search wondering “what is roof fascia boards on a roof?” now you know! Fascia boarding and fascia trim on your house plays an integral role in the protection of the roofing cavity and your home’s interiors. The fascia trim is absolutely crucial to the safety of every Australian home.
Vertec Roofing are Sydney’ leading specialists in gutter and fascia repair, replacement and installation. Using only the best materials, Vertec are here to ensure that your fascia components are long-lasting, durable and enhance the appeal of your property. If you’d like to enquire about fascia repair or installation today, get in touch with the experts at Vertec Roofing.
At Vertec Roofing, we believe roofing is about protecting homes and enhancing comfort.