Our Guide to Fascias, Soffits and Bargeboards
04/09/2015
Do you know your Bargeboards from your Soffits? These may sound like the names of hobbit families from The Lord of the Rings but they are actually key features of the roofline of your building.
Here’s our guide to some of the technical terms we use in roofing:
- Roofline: This is simply the line where the walls meet the roof. Did I say simply? As we will see, there is a whole lot going on there that should not be taken for granted.
- Fascia: The fascia board is the long board that sits vertically at the roofline and supports the guttering. As such, the fascia plays an important role in protecting the rafters that support your roof from the effects of bad weather.
- Soffit: The soffit board sits horizontal beneath the fascia so will be directly visible when you stand at the base of your wall and look up towards the guttering. Ventilation to the roof area is often provided through the soffit. Without adequate ventilation, condensation can form and where there is wood and condensation, rot soon appears.
- Bargeboards: These protect the horizontal timbers that would otherwise be exposed at the gable end of your roof. If desired, they can be made into a quite decorative feature.
- Eaves: The part of the roof that meets or overhangs the walls. Historically, the eaves would have a large overhang to direct rainwater away from the walls. This made a handy place to shelter from the elements and to listen in to the conversations going on inside the house. Hence the term: ‘eavesdropping’!
