What Anne Arundel Homeowners Need to Know About Soffits and Fascia

Have you recently found mold, moisture, or peeling paint inside your attic? Is your soffit or fascia damaged? The exterior trim around roofs in Anne Arundel County isn't just for show. It does provide added aesthetic satisfaction—especially if it's well-made and installed correctly—but it has functions beyond looking nice.

The exterior surfaces of buildings in Anne Arundel are every property owner's first line of defense against problems that originate outside. Inclement weather, pests, and even daily sun exposure all wear down building materials over time. That's not something you want for your interiors. Exterior features like roof soffits and fascia boards are there to stop outdoor effects from ruining your life indoors.

The Anne Arundel County home improvement professionals at Mr. Handyman of Anne Arundel and North PG are here to make sure you know all there is about soffits and fascia. Not every homeowner in Anne Arundel County—or even Maryland—knows about those features, but most residential properties have both roof soffits and fascia boards along their exteriors. All those outdoor features are essential fixtures. Critical knowledge about soffits and fascia is the first requirement for getting help—and avoiding costly repairs.

What are Roof Soffits? What is Fascia Board?

Don't worry if you need a refresher for these particular members of your outdoor property protection team. They don't need maintenance as often as siding, decks, and other exterior areas, which is one reason why so few homeowners in Anne Arundel County know about them.

Even though you might not know what they are, we can guarantee you've looked at them before. Not all homes have roof soffits and fascia boards. Some roofs sit flush against exterior walls without eaves. However, most houses in Anne Arundel County and nearby areas make use of soffits and fascias. You could probably see some just by going outside, facing your siding, and looking up.

What are Roof Soffits?

The horizontal boards below your overhang are soffits. They cover the outer areas between your roof and your siding. Many soffits in Anne Arundel have vents or perforations to help draw in dry air and push out humidity.

Picture your roof as a triangle with a solid line of siding running up toward the bottom. The bottom corners of the triangle are your eaves. Your soffit is the bottom side of that triangle. As the material covering your overhangs, it provides a clean finish, aids ventilation, prevents pests from entering your home, and stops moisture from getting inside.

What is Fascia Board?

Fascia board “faces” you when you are looking up at the roof. The horizontal boards to which gutters are attached are fascia. If you’ve cleaned your own gutters, you have been face-to-face with fascia!

There are also boards that run along the sides of your roof, which are a type of fascia, usually referred to as “rake boards” because they follow the tilt or “rake” of the roof.

What is the Difference between Fascia & Frieze?

Fascia sits above your soffit; frieze sits below. Knowing where frieze sits is the easiest way to spot it. It also has a much simpler job than the other parts of your external trim. Frieze is exclusively aesthetic. It has no functional significance for properties in Anne Arundel County. That doesn't mean it's useless, but its only job is looking pretty. Frieze is to your exterior as crown molding is to your interior.

Why are Roof Soffits & Fascia Boards Important?

If you know what soffits and fascia are, then you already know why they're important parts of your exterior. Every home in Anne Arundel needs proper attic ventilation and protection against the elements. Just like your siding, the trim features that run along your roof are there to create better ventilation and increase your exterior defense. Of course, the fact that both features also affect curb appeal and result in beautiful homes almost goes without saying.

When Should You Replace Roof Soffits & Fascia Board?

In general, you should replace any part of your home when there's a substantial amount of damage present. Identifying extreme damage isn't always easy though. Problems like cracks, dents, and holes are obvious, but some types of damage in Anne Arundel County are subtle—even if they're widespread.

While you're working on an exterior wall or cleaning gutters, take the time to look for other warning signs. If you find any, don't hesitate to call a local Anne Arundel handyman for help with that exterior trim.

Replacement Warnings Include:

• Peeling, faded, or cracked paint
• Leaks & excessive moisture accumulation
• Holes, scratch marks & other signs of pests
• Large cracks, holes, & dents
• Rotting surfaces

Wood Rot in Anne Arundel County

All wood trim in Anne Arundel County is susceptible to rot. You're more likely to be affected when inclement weather or poor ventilation cause moisture build-up. All water damage is closely connected to rotten wood—not just in roof soffits and fascia boards, but in all types of wood trim. That's why cleaning clogged rain gutters is so important. If rainwater can't go down your gutters, it'll find somewhere else to go. That might mean water damage—and rot—below your roof.

Stopping wood rot is one of many gutter cleaning benefits in Anne Arundel County—especially when it comes to siding, roof soffits, and fascia boards, but you'll need more than preventative methods once those problems appear. You should consider immediate repairs and replacement if you see any rotten wood. A quick response today will stop it from spreading—and save you from frustrating situations in the future.

Signs of Rotten Wood:

• Patches that are darker than surrounding material
• Soft, spongy surfaces
• Cracks that also crumble when dry
• Shrinking surfaces
• Musty odors
• Fungal, mushroom-like growths
• White, yellow, or copper discoloration
• Red dust from spores
• Thin, white growths called mycelium

Should You Get Repairs or Replacement Services?

Unfortunately, exterior trim replacement is more common in Anne Arundel than repairs—especially if your issues have been caused by poor installation. That doesn't mean repairs aren't an option. It just means that there are far fewer scenarios where simple repairs will be enough to fix your misfortune.

If damage is relatively insignificant and isolated, repairs are possible. For example, a small patch of rotten material could be scraped out and filled with epoxy. Repairs are more common and much easier for wooden surfaces in Anne Arundel County. When it comes to vinyl and other materials, replacing an entire panel is less labor intensive and complicated than repairs.

Which Materials are Best for Roof Soffits & Fascia Boards in Anne Arundel County?

Replacement isn't something to fear. In fact, replacing your older surfaces is an opportunity to improve your quality of life—and peace of mind—by taking advantage of the benefits that come from higher quality materials. Any new installation is something everyone should enjoy. When it comes to roof soffit and fascia board installation, part of that exciting experience is researching all the different options for Anne Arundel County homes!

Wood

This is your most traditional option. Many homeowners in Anne Arundel enjoy its grainy, rustic texture. Perforations and vents are common, but these types of roof soffits and fascia boards don't always have added ventilation. Another benefit you'll get from this option is a wider variety of choices for potential paint colors. Sadly, that natural, customizable appeal also comes with frequent maintenance requirements and less protection against rot, pests, and moisture.

Vinyl

Originally, vinyl was marketed to residents of Anne Arundel as a wood alternative that could be painted on—while requiring less maintenance. Today, it's a common, cost-effective option. It can even mimic the appearance of natural grains. Vinyl is better for keeping away pests and other problems, but it's susceptible to extreme temperatures. It will melt when exposed to high heat and crack during cold snaps.

Aluminum

Similar to vinyl, this option entered the scene as a way to provide more durability than wood. PVC coated aluminum resists rot, pests, and extreme temperatures quite well, and it can be installed over the existing fascia or other trim boards. This is where the experience of a professional handyman like the technicians at Mr. Handyman of Anne Arundel and North PG is essential, as it takes quite a bit of skill and experience to bend metal to fit around existing trim. Your customization options with aluminum include faux grainy patterns and several color options. Those colors will look great, but they do become faded and chalky as aluminum ages.

Fiber Cement

Roof soffits and fascia boards made from fiber cement are durable enough to resist moisture, pests, rot, and even fire. They’re not as vulnerable to the effects of heat or freezing, and their color lasts longer too. Fiber cement has definite benefits when compared to most other materials, but it also costs more than materials like vinyl.

Are Your Roof Soffits and Fascia Boards Causing Problems?

If you live in any of the communities in or around Anne Arundel County, like Annapolis, Glen Burnie, or Severn, Mr. Handyman of Anne Arundel and North PG is here for you! Our team of experienced, insured service professionals have helped many people with their roof soffits, fascia boards, and siding! We even take care of other exterior needs like gutter cleaning and fence repairs!

If you want the benefits of professional service or need advice from an experienced Anne Arundel County handyman, call!