Fascias are a bit like the finishing touch to the exterior of your house. Taking care of them means that your house looks the best it can, but it also means that your roof and walls are protected from leaks and damage caused by dampness. Unfortunately, over time, fascias can become worn and mouldy, rendering them ineffective and ugly.
If you have decided to replace your fascias you might be confused about what materials to go for, thanks to the wide range of options available to you.
We’ve put together some of the basic differences between the different types of materials available for fascia boards, in order that you can choose the most appropriate one for yourself and your home.
1. Wood: this is a lovely traditional material and is often found in character homes or homes of a certain period. Wood requires regular maintenance – cleaning and painting – or the wood can dry out, split, warp and rot.
2. Aluminium: most often found in fascias of houses built in the mid-1900s. The benefits of aluminium are that it does not rust and is easily moulded to fit any shape – be it an eve or a window frame. Does not require painting and easy to replace.
3. Plastic: growing in popularity thanks to its durability and price. Plastic is very cost-effective and easy to manipulate, so perfect for DIYers who are worried about making expensive mistakes. The other benefits of plastic fascias are that they are easily cleaned with soap and water, unlike wood, which requires lengthy maintenance. Like aluminium, plastic fascias never need to be painted.
Fascia is a broad term which covers all and any horizontal surfaces that span across the top of a wall or columns. When it is used with the latter we get a clue of the origins of the word. Fascia comes from the Latin word meaning doorframe, and it was commonly used in classical architecture to describe the wide band which sat directly above a column.
In modern day building terms, the image of a fascia is less romantic but just as vital. The fascia refers to the UPVC board nailed to the ends of a roof rafter, frequently supporting guttering in steep-slope roofing. In lower slope roofing, fascia refers to the horizontal trim located at the perimeter of a building. Fascias provide the finishing touches to the exterior of your house in much the same way that window frames do. Taking care of them keeps your house looking good – and protects it, too.
Depending on what material your fascias are made of, you may find that they need maintenance. You may even find that they need replacing altogether. If you decide that your fascias need replacing, ensure that you have the right skills, tools and experience to take on the job, otherwise you may be better off enlisting the services of a professional.
If you are replacing the fascias yourself, take care not to damage the guttering if it is in good condition because it can be reused. Clear and remove any damaged or rotting wood before attaching the new fascias with screws or nails.
Give the new fascias a new coat of paint if any damage done to them is minimal, but if it is more long-lasting, it can be much more productive to replace them by sourcing new UPVC fascia boards at Bliby Plastics.
