Are you looking for information regarding replacing fascia boards on your home?
By in large, replacing your fascia boards sounds simple, and it is – for an exterior remodeling company. Fascia boards are used to protect the edge of your roof/trusses from possible damage caused by weather elements, and unwanted pests, and at the same time, serve as a place to mount your rain gutters.
Today, we will share with you the basics surrounding fascia boards including;
- What is a fascia board
- Why fascia boards are important
- Fascia board types
- When to replace existing fascia boards & how much it costs
What Are Fascia Boards?
Fascia Boards are the sections of material – usually eight feet in length – commonly made out of wood that help cover the exposed sections where the wall and rooftop meet.
Sometimes you may not even notice the fascia boards around your home because they are often mounted with rain gutters.
To help you further understand how new fascia boards work, here are some points to note:
- Your home’s roof has trusses that stick out past the walls of your home
- The area between the wall and the edge of your trusses is ventilated, and soffit is installed to prevent rodents from getting into your roof and protecting your attic space (soffit replacement is another service).
- Fascia boards are what surround the edge of your roof as pictured in the photo below
- Your roof’s drip edge hangs over fascia boards
- Oftentimes, depending on the age of your roof and the material, dealing with a rotted fascia board or two is common
- A roof replacement does not mean you need to install new fascia boards, however, if there is a need your exterior remodeling company can let you know
- Most fascia board repairs occur when you get new gutters since new gutters can not be installed on rotted wood
- Most fascia boards are now wrapped in aluminum, are made of PVC or vinyl, or at the very least painted
Fascia Board: Why are they important?
Fascia Boards are important because they not only serve as a deterrent to pests and elements from gaining access to the attic space, but they also help serve as a support system to your gutters and their drainage duties.
Without fascia boards, you would routinely experience water damage to your roof, costing thousands of dollars over the long haul. Luckily, fascia boards allow for your gutter system to be mounted and withstand heavy storms.
Furthermore, fascia boards add an extraordinary aesthetic contribution to your roof as exposed rafters can be rough and uneven looking by giving them definition and symmetry. This boosts curb appeal and can and will increase your home’s value.
Your fascia boards provide protection for the proper functioning of your roof’s exterior in conjunction with the entire roofing system.
Types of Fascia Boards
Fascia Boards are not just limited to one material, in fact as we mentioned, they come in many to choose from!
1. Wood
Wood is one of the most popular choices on the marketplace due to its cost-effectiveness and generally comes in either spruce, fir, or pine wood to name a few.
Easily accessible at your local hardware store. However, it does have the propensity to be vulnerable to rotting and mold due to elements and does require careful, consistent maintenance is being primed and painted.
Many companies are now completing a fascia board repair by replacing the boards, but also by wrapping them in aluminum.
2. Vinyl
Vinyl options are traditionally used with wooden fascia boards in order to help deter rotting, the spawning of mold, and pests from entering your home. This also makes your home’s roof look more defined and will help its curbside appeal stand out!
They have a unique flexibility option that adds more durability to the fascia board. However, keep in mind, that because it is plasticized, it will be softer, which can detract from its durability as a whole.
Vinyl is a cheaper material overall when it comes to durability, but the price point is friendly and you don’t have to worry about it rotting, just chipping.
3. Aluminum
Aluminum material has the ability to be used both as a weatherproof compliment that can be molded to cover wood fascia boards thus helping the wood to last longer OR used as fascia boards itself. One of the most versatile selections!
However, installation of fascia boards, in general, is not a DIY project and will require professional installation that is relatively expensive as compared to other materials.
Related: Which is Better – Metal or Shingle Roofs
4. Unplasticized Vinyl
This variety of vinyl is truly a powerhouse due to the fact that it doesn’t have added material and/or chemicals to change its composition, making it strong and durable down the road! On top of that, it requires very little maintenance and is resistant to the elements. It does contribute to the curbside appeal and serves the interest of efficient water flow!
Keep in mind that its color, which there are many to choose from, can fade, and if maintenance is not effective, it can become more brittle as time goes on.
Replacing Fascia Boards 101:
You know how important your home’s fascia boards are when it comes to anchoring your gutters and protecting your attic space, roof deck, roof rafters, and shingles.
However, you might have a few questions with regards to when to install fascia boards and how much it costs. First, let’s start with the cost of a new fascia board or board.
How much does it cost to replace an existing fascia board?
A single fascia board can cost $65 or more to replace since they’re completed in sections of eight feet. However, the price can range depending on how much linear feet of the new fascia board has to be installed.
- Replacing fascia boards individually can cost as low as $8 per linear foot up to $20 per linear foot if wrapped in aluminum
- To replace all fascia boards, the cost could be substantial and is priced on linear foot
- A 3,200 square foot house with 240 linear feet of fascia board would cost approximately $2,000 to replace all boards. To wrap these boards or paint them (which is necessary) could run the costs upward to $4,500 or more.
The good news?
In most cases, unless you have an older home or the boards surrounding your roof’s edge are seriously damaged, most of the time boards are only replaced as needed.
How to tell if you need to replace fascia?
Damaged fascia isn’t always obvious. Sometimes nail heads or gutter brackets pull away from your fascia boards exposing issues but most of the time you might not even notice any issues.
Here are a few ways to tell if you need your boards to be replaced:
- Gaping holes that need body filler or replacing
- Rotting wood and discoloration
- Boards pulling away from the house or missing
- Dangling gutters
When is it best to replace fascia boards?
Old age can do a number on fascia boards and more often than not, it’s more efficient let alone cost-effective to fully replace as opposed to salvage particular sections. When you see bowing, cracks, presence of pests, rot/mold of any sort, that’s a huge red flag for you to act!
Can you do it yourself?
Sure, you might have a crowbar, circular saw, a hammer, and an electric screwdriver – but we don’t recommend using the DIY approach to fascia boards! Sure you might be able to paint, but correcting or replacing your fascia is a tough task that can also be dangerous.
Contact a local roofing company to help assess your situation, because it may be soon that it can give way!
What’s the Verdict?
Fascia boards don’t get the love that they truly deserve, but they sure do play a huge role on your roof’s exterior. Whether it be protecting the most vulnerable parts of your roof to anchoring the gutters, they warrant care and attention for your home’s exterior health.
Each type of fascia board is unique in its own right, but with any part of your house, always err on the side of caution and think long term! If you have any questions or concerns about your roof fascia boards, don’t hesitate to reach out to us!
Always be sure to use a certified roofing contractor!
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