All About Soffit

Are you wondering if your building has a soffit? All you have to do is take a look at your roof, if there is material linking the side of the building and the roof overhang, your building has soffit installed. On most buildings soffit is installed on the main roof but it’s also commonly found anywhere on a building that has a visible ceiling, such under columns and arches, under porches and under the stairs.

What is the purpose of soffit?

Soffit while aesthetically pleasing, it also has an important role in the roofing system of your property. Consider it the skin for your eaves that keep your rafter beams covered and out of sight. Soffit comes in a range of materials, colors, and styles making it the perfect way to add your personal style to your property. In addition to looking swanky, soffit provides protection from the elements for your rafters. Unprotected rafters can form mold and begin to rot which not only is costly to replace, it’s also unhealthy for the occupants of the building.

Soffit that is vented also allows your property to breathe by providing ventilation to your attic that encourages proper air circulation. A solid soffit is also an option for homes that have vents installed in the attic to reduce moisture. Both options help reduce electricity bills in the summer by providing ways for the hot air to escape and fresh air to circulate inside the space. It also helps reduce condensation and moisture that can build up during the winter, which left unchecked could easily leave you with an attic full of moldy rafters.

What material is best for soffit?

Vinyl soffit and aluminum soffit are by far the most commonly used in the home thanks to its ease of manufacture, install and decreased weight. An aluminum soffit is highly malleable which makes it easy to mold to uncommon spaces. Being what it is, aluminum soffit simply won’t ever chip, rot, burn or crack. It is more expensive than other options and is harder to insulate, but overall it’s a great choice. Vinyl soffit is very affordable and easy to insulate. You can count on it to resist rotting, chipping and cracking while also being stylish since is highly customizable. It can lose its color over time as well as get brittle with extended sun exposure. It’s most suited to normal areas since it’s not malleable and won't bend to fit odd angles.

Soffit also can be made from wood, but it is much more costly and prone to rot over time. Steel is also a durable option that has lasting power but is very heavy and very costly compared with other materials. You can also purchase soffit made from fiber cement if you don’t mind the high cost.

Eavestrough and Siding Installers of Oakville is always here to answer your questing regarding the purchase, customization, and install of soffit or any other exterior gutter solutions for your property. Just give a call and we’d be happy to answer any questions you have or provide a no obligation quote for your project.

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