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What Is Fascia on a House? Trim vs. Fascia

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Written by Angela Bunt Updated 04/01/2024

Fascia is the flat board on the edge of the roof. Homeowners can use fascia to update a roof’s style and protect important parts of their home from the elements.

In this guide, we’ll dive into roofline elements, fascia costs, and how to choose the right fascia for your home project.

Elements of a Roofline

The essential elements of a roof include the fascia, soffit, bargeboard, and box end.

Fascia

Soffit

Bargeboard

Box End

Fascia is the horizontal board that runs along the lower edge of your roof, connecting the roof to the home’s outer walls. Fascia boards give the roof a neat, finished appearance and serve as a protective barrier against moisture and the elements. They also support the gutters that channel rainwater away from your home and contribute to the roof’s overall structural integrity.

Soffits are the panels installed underneath the fascia, enclosing the underside of the roof overhang. They contribute to the overall finished appearance of the home’s exterior and play a key role in attic ventilation, helping prevent moisture buildup and potential damage. They are available in solid, fully-vented, or center-vented varieties to accommodate airflow needs.

Bargeboard, or vergeboard, is a decorative element that safeguards a roof’s vulnerable points and enhances a home’s visual appeal. It’s typically installed just above the fascia board and extends out from the top edge of the wall to cover the triangular area where the roofline meets the wall. Bargeboards often feature carvings or intricate designs to add character to a home’s exterior.

The box end, or gable end, is the triangular section of wall situated just above the fascia where the two sloping sides of a gable roof meet. It provides structural support for the roof and helps enclose the house’s interior. Gables can be fully enclosed, but many feature a window or gable vent to improve attic lighting or ventilation.

What Is the Function of Fascia on a House?

Fascia acts like a shield, protecting an important part of your home from rain, snow, and other weather. Without fascia, debris can get into the gaps between your house’s roof and walls, potentially causing water damage, rot, and other structural issues. Damaged or rotting fascia can lead to water infiltration, damage to the roof structure, and even attract pests.

Fascia also gives the roof a polished appearance and supports the home’s gutter system, helping extend the life span of your roof shingles. During heavy rain, fascia prevents water from seeping behind the siding and into your home’s interior walls. Regularly inspecting and maintaining your fascia boards is essential to ensure they effectively protect your home.

Fascia Materials

Fascia can be made from many different materials, including the following:

Wood: Wood fascia is reasonably priced and readily available. However, it is susceptible to insect damage and needs repainting or restaining often to prevent rot. Its life span varies based on wood type and climate. Common woods used to make fascia include spruce, fir, and pine.
Pressure-treated wood: Pressure-treated wood offers enhanced resistance to moisture and insects. However, it costs more than untreated wood, requires periodic maintenance, and can warp or crack over time.
Fiber cement: Fiber cement is an extremely durable composite material made of wood chips and sawdust. It resists rot, moisture, fire, and insects and lasts much longer than standard wood. However, it is one of the most expensive options and cannot be easily repainted.
Aluminum: Aluminum fascia is available in various prepainted colors to match your home. It’s a highly durable and low-maintenance choice that won’t rot but may dent. Although it costs more than other fascia types, it lasts much longer.
Polyvinyl chloride: Also known as PVC, this plastic fascia is resistant to insect damage and all types of weather.
Vinyl: Vinyl fascia is a cost-effective alternative to aluminum and is highly resistant to rot, moisture, and insects. Like PVC, vinyl may become brittle with age and is less rigid than other options.

Is Fascia Considered Trim?

Fascia is considered a type of exterior trim. Trim is a general term for molding and millwork that adds finishing touches or covers gaps.

However, while some trim is merely decorative, fascia boards have a more functional purpose. They act as a protective barrier for the roofline, support the gutter system, and contribute to the finished appearance of the home.

How To Choose Fascia for Your Home Project

Remember these tips when choosing fascia for a roofline update:

Check for weather resistance: Prioritize brands that can withstand harsh weather conditions, including UV rays, rain, and snow.

Factor in your budget: Wood tends to be the most affordable option, while aluminum is typically the most expensive.

Compare color options: Make sure you achieve a finished look by choosing a brand with a wide range of colors to match your home’s exterior palette.

Consider materials: Durable materials such as PVC, aluminum, and composite are long-lasting and low maintenance.

Weigh installation options: If you’re planning a DIY installation, your skills and comfort level may influence material choice. Some materials, like fiber cement, are more difficult to work with.

Look for warranties: Select brands that offer comprehensive warranties.

Shop by style: Choose a fascia style that complements your home’s existing architectural design.

Research reputation: Only consider reputable brands with a history of positive reviews from other homeowners.

Comply with local regulations: Check with your local building department or HOA (if applicable) to see if there are any restrictions on fascia materials or colors.

If you’re unsure about the best fascia for your needs, discuss your project with a roofing contractor or experienced exterior designer.

Fascia Costs

The average cost to replace or install a new fascia board can be as low as $7 per linear foot or as much as $40, including labor. Materials alone cost $1–$3 per linear foot for wood, $5–$8 for vinyl, and $8–$20 for aluminum. Labor, meanwhile, ranges from $6–$20 per linear foot.

Most homeowners pay between $1,300–$6,000 when it’s time to replace their fascia boards and soffits, with an average of $2,300. The final new roof cost depends on the chosen roofing material, the size of the roofline, local labor costs, the roof shape, and whether the fascia requires added features such as ventilation or built-in lighting.

Adding different types of gutters to your wood fascia board can also increase installation costs, especially if you need roof repair simultaneously.

*Cost data in this article was sourced from Angi.

Fascia Care and Replacement

Ensure your fascia stays strong with these practical steps:

Add a drip edge along the eaves and rakes for extra protection.
Address wood rot repairs as soon as possible. Fascia boards should be replaced every 20 years or so. If you can’t replace the fascia immediately, seal any cracks with caulk for a temporary fix.
Consider Consider replacing fascia with fiber cement boards for an eco-friendly home improvement project. with fiber cement boards for an eco-friendly home improvement project.
Prevent Prevent ice damming by scheduling a roofing expert to inspect your attic ventilation. by scheduling a roofing expert to inspect your attic ventilation.
Regularly clean your gutters.
Replace aging gutters once they’ve reached the end of their expected lifespan.

To learn more about drip edges and how they protect your fascia boards, check out this video where general contractor Tom Silva tests different drip edge options:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sDTCTbyyg1su0026ab_channel=ThisOldHouse

Our Conclusion

Fascia boards play an important role in keeping the exterior of your home in good condition, enhancing the appearance of your roofline, and protecting against water damage. Be sure to research different types of fascia for your new roof, whether you’re renovating, building from scratch, or updating.

FAQ About Fascia

What is the difference between eaves and fascia?

Eaves are the entire overhanging edge of the roof that extends beyond the exterior walls of a house. Fascia is a specific component of the eaves, the vertical board running along the lower edge of this overhang. The fascia protects the roof’s edge, supports the gutters, and gives the eaves a finished appearance.

What's the difference between soffit and fascia?

Fascia is the vertical board visible from the outside running along the lower edge of the roofline. Soffits are the panels installed beneath the fascia, covering the underside of the roof overhang. Fascia protects the roof edge and supports the gutters, while soffits typically have ventilation to promote airflow in the attic.

Is fascia part of a roof or siding?

Fascia is part of the roof system. It attaches directly to the ends of roof rafters or trusses and acts as a finishing point where the roof meets the house’s exterior walls. While fascia may appear visually connected to siding, it serves a distinct structural role in the roof system.

When does fascia get replaced on a house?

Replace fascia when it shows signs of damage or deterioration, such as rot, warping, splitting, holes, or if it’s no longer securely attached to the house. Wooden fascia can last up to 15 years, vinyl fascia can last up to 20 years, and aluminum fascia can last more than 20 years. You can replace fascia during a soffit replacement or full roof replacement.

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