Importance of High Performing Soffits, Fascias and Gutters

Many people get confused when fascia and soffits get mentioned, as though you are speaking another language! This is surprising seen as they are so important and essential to every home. Timber soffits have been around for a long time, a lot of homeowners do not realise that homes made before the 1980s were constructed with un-treated timber fascia and soffits, which will usually require replacing. We now have UPVC available for fascias, soffits and guttering. This has allowed the life expectancy and performance of fascias, soffits and guttering to raise significantly.

Why should I change to UPVC?

Ventilation

This is a reason that most home owners actually do not think about! However, it is one of the best features of UPVC soffits and fascias. They create ventilation, allowing airflow to pass safely through the your loft. Unlike the previous timber fascias and soffits, the UPVC gutter systems come with vent strips on the underside, this aids to moderate the heat from the house. This dramatically reduces the chance of condensation, and prolongs the condition of the roof. When condensation is left unresolved, it can cause damage to the structure of your roof.

Low maintenance

UPVC fascia and soffits need very little maintenance. They do not need to be painted every few years, or need any treatment. They are also available in a variety of different colours, the most common is white, but you can get a wide range of colours, allowing you to choose the one that will match your home the best. As all gutters do, they will hold debris, but a leaf guard can be purchased to reduce the amount of time and money it would take to clean this out. The life expectancy is 25 years and you can usually get a ten year guarantee.

Damp issues/ Rot:

UPVC is water resistant, so it does not have the same issues as wood. Untreated timber would become porous after years of weathering and start to rot, which is very difficult to reverse. No matter how much money you spend trying to treat or repair timber, it often needs to be replaced. When they are not replaced and are left to rot, the damp will spread to the rafter feet, making the eaves felt succumb, and significantly increasing the project expenses. When it comes to guttering systems prevention is always better and less costly. UPVC is much better as it does not have these issues.

Hopefully you can now see the importance of having high performing fascias and soffits. If you do not have high performing fascia and soffits your whole roof structure could be significantly damaged, putting you and your home at risk. That is why it is important to do research and choose the safest and most reliable option. Which is undoubtedly UPVC, in addition to this it is the most aesthetically pleasing material to use, as well as the most durable.