Not many people are familiar with the terms, "soffit" and "fascia." As a homeowner though, it's important that you understand all of the components of your home. Understanding the differences between soffit vs fascia can come in handy when it's time to make upgrades or repairs. If you're not sure what the difference between the two is, then you've landed in the right place. Below is our guide on 3 key differences between soffit and fascia. Continue reading to discover these differences!
Soffit Closes the Gap
A soffit is the underside of an element of a building. It's most commonly referred to as the piece of material that's connected to your roof's overhang. If you were to walk up to the side of your house's exterior and look up, you'll see the soffit.
The soffit is installed to close the gap beneath the eave that connects to the house. The soffit extends from the side of your home to the edge of the eave of your house. There are usually air vents located on the soffits to increase airflow, decrease trapped moisture, and prevent the wood from rotting.
Fascia Creates a Barrier
The fascia on your house is installed on the edge of your home and is the piece of material that your gutters are most likely attached to. Fascia is what connects the soffit to the roof as well. When you look up, you see the soffit.
The soffit is attached to the fascia. Fascia is installed on a house to create a barrier between the edge of the home and the outdoors. This is what'll protect your home from weather damage, and it also gives your house's structure a more smooth appearance.
As mentioned before, fascia is also used to support drainpipes and gutters as well.
Soffit Is Made of Vinyl or Aluminum
The material that the two are made of differs as well. A soffit is normally made of vinyl or aluminum. These two material options are popular because they come in a variety of colors to match your home's exterior.
In some cases, a soffit can be made of wood, but this is less common. Fascia is commonly made of wood. You can find fascia made of plastic or aluminum as well, but this is less common.
If you do install a plastic or aluminum fascia, then you'll have a few color options to choose from.
What's Your Take on Soffit vs Fascia?
What's your own understanding of soffit vs fascia? We understand that the two terms aren't spoken about often enough for them to be used as common language, but we hope this guide has given you a better understanding of the two.
Interested in learning about more important homeowner terminology? See our post on gutter parts and terminology for soffit enthusiasts!
