Fascia 101: What Boulder Homeowners Should Know About Trim Repair

Although fascia is only a small part of your roof, it serves an important function and adds the finishing touches to your trim. But, if you're like most Boulder homeowners, you likely don't think about your fascia boards very often—if at all! In fact, most people don't know what fascia is, or what this small stretch of trim does for your home.

It's important for homeowners to know what fascia is, the different options available to you, what issues to watch out for, and when to call the service professionals at Mr. Handyman of E. Boulder, Broomfield and Erie.

What is Fascia?

Commonly referred to as trim or roof decking, fascia is a roofing material. It's a slim board that runs along the roof's eaves. It's not the planes directly beneath your roof—those are soffit boards—but rather these run parallel to your roof. Often, it's a decorative component of your home's exterior and gives the edge of your roof a finished appearance. But that's not trim's true purpose.

The primary role of trim is to insulate the space between your roof and the outdoors. Thus, it protects your home's interior and exterior from water damage, drafts, and pests. Lastly, fascia also supports your home's gutters.

Different Types of Fascia Board Material

There are many types of fascia, although usually it's made out of wood or metal. Some of these varieties include:

Vinyl Fascia Boards

This material is a popular choice for many reasons. It's highly durable, easy to install, and has relatively low repair and maintenance costs—compared to other materials, like wood. Also known as PVC (polyvinyl chloride), vinyl is a type of plastic. Unfortunately, it's primary drawbacks are that it's not good for the environment and—although it's available in a variety of beautiful colors—may fade over time.

Wooden Fascia Boards

Although wood is not as long-lasting as vinyl, it's still a commonly used material for both trim and soffits alike. Wood can last quite a long time if maintained correctly. Usually, this means monitoring it for signs of wood rot and ensuring it's properly painted and stained. Wood is also much better for the environment and fairly affordable. Wood rot is the greatest concern with this type of trim, especially after periods of heavy rainfall or snow melt. But a coat or two of paint or stain will protect it from moisture damage while also boosting your curb appeal.

Composite Materials

This material costs more than other types of fascia. But, it has many benefits that make it a worthwhile investment. Composite trim is made out of recycled wood chips and sawdust bonded with epoxy resin. Not only is this material long-lasting and durable, but it's also rot, mildew, and mold resistant. Available in a range of styles, it often emulates the look of wood.

Aluminum Fascia Boards

Aluminum is a very low-maintenance material often used to protect already existing wood trim because it's flexible and perfect for weatherproofing. It is also highly durable. Like wood, aluminum is easy to paint and available in many colors.

Proper Maintenance Routine

Like any part of your home, it's important to maintain your trim properly. If you don't, it'll wear quickly and result in potentially expensive repair and replacement services. Over time, moisture, strong winds and pests can all damage your fascia. Protecting your trim means you're also protecting both the interior and exterior of your home from wood rot, mildew and mold. Keep your trim in excellent condition by taking the following steps:

Install Drip Edge Boards

Your home should already include a drip edge. But if you live in an older house and it does not have one, you should hire a technician to install one right away. Drip edge boards are key for preventing fascia damage. An L-shaped piece of metal, drip edges direct water away from your trim to avoid damage from moisture.

Regularly Check for Damage

At least twice a year—once in the spring and once in the fall—you should walk through your property and perform a maintenance check. During this time, take a moment to look at your roof decking, soffits, siding, downpipes, and gutters, Check for:

• Cracks
• Discoloration
• Splinters
• Missing boards
• Exposed nails
• Peeling paint
• Rot/deterioration
• Staining
• Warping/buckling

Remove Insect Nests Quickly

Living in Colorado, you're likely no stranger to bees, wasps, and even hornets nesting on your property. Often, insects set up shop under your trim because it's up high and relatively protected from wind and rain. It can be difficult to safely remove nests, we suggest you call a professional to have them moved—especially bee nests, as they may be a protected or endangered species.

Keep Your Gutters Clean

Nobody likes to clean out their gutters. But it's a very important task. Gutters move rainwater and melt snow away from your home through downpipes. By directing water to a safe distance away from your house's foundation, you avoid problems with water seepage and erosion. When clogged gutters are left unattended, water spills over the edge and can seriously harm your fascia, soffits, and siding. In the worst-case scenario, full gutters may collapse.

Luckily, if you don't like scrubbing out muck or don't feel safe climbing up on a ladder, call the experts at Mr. Handyman. We're happy to take care of it for you.

When to Call the Pros at Mr. Handyman

Is your trim looking worse for wear? Or perhaps part of your fascia is missing? If so, it's time to call a top-rated pro from Mr. Handyman of E. Boulder, Broomfield and Erie. We will let you know what the problem is so you can make an informed decision whether you want a repair, replacement or installation service. We'll also offer expert advice so you can keep your trim looking and functioning great all year round.

We truly are your “one call does it all!” handyman service. With one appointment, we'll get all your exterior projects done. To book an appointment, we invite you to call our friendly customer service representatives. You can also reach us by submitting an online service request form.