The quick way to find a local uPVC Fascias / Soffits / Cladding specialist

Soffits and fascias are the humble heroes of your home. They play a vital and often underappreciated role – not only providing an elegant finish to your roof line but helping to keep your home warm and dry too.

Fascias are boards which are fixed to the edges of roof rafters, while soffits sit between the wall and the edge of your roof. Working together, they ensure the roof and wall cavity of your home are protected from moisture penetration while retaining maximum heat.

Wood was traditionally used for both fascias and soffits. But as it’s prone to warping (and needs maintenance), UPVC is now preferred by many home owners. As well as being durable and maintenance-free, modern UPVC fascias and soffits are available in a variety of colours and finishes, so there’s something for every style of home.

New fascias and soffits don’t always require your existing boards to be ripped out. UPVC panels can be installed on top of existing soffits and fascias as cladding, saving time and labour costs.

How much does UPVC soffit and fascia replacement cost?

Replacing soffits and fascias usually requires scaffolding, and that will hike the price up. To refit a standard 3-bedroom house, expect to pay:

• Scaffolding: £500–800
• Soffit and fascia board costs: £150–£200
• Labour: £600–£800

What are soffits?

Soffits are typically found on the underside of a rood edge. Historically they were made from different materials like fibrous boards, cement, steel and wood. But today, UPVC is the most common choice. As we’ve mentioned, UPVC is cheaper and less hassle than most alternatives.

Soffits are there to protect your roof rafters from weather, preventing moisture penetration and rotting. Some varieties of soffit are vented and can help airflow to circulate around the home. And UPVC soffits offer improved insulation compared with other options.

Modern UPVC soffit boards are available in a wide range of styles and colours, so you’re sure to find one just right for your home – no matter whether you live in a modern townhouse or a country cottage. And being water resistant, UPVC makes for a much lower maintenance option – easy to clean, and with no need to sand and paint the board.

What are fascias?

The clue’s in the name – fascias are boards that face out from your roof. They’re placed along the lower edge of the roof and fixed directly to roof trusses.

Fascias have a number of jobs to perform. They provide support for the lowest row of roof tiles and guttering, as well as delivering a neat finishing touch and protecting your home’s interior from the elements.

Traditionally, fascia board was made from wood. But wood requires painting and regular upkeep to ensure it stays weatherproof. And no matter how dedicated you are to those maintenance duties, wood will eventually rot.

That’s why most homeowners opt for UPVC fascias. As with UPVC soffits, plastic fascia boards are extremely durable, requiring next to no maintenance and they’re very easy to clean. Available in a wide range of colours and styles, you’ll be able to find an option for any age, era of size of home.

The qualifications your tradesperson needs

Your tradesperson won’t need any qualifications to install new soffits or fascias, but they should arrive with plenty of experience (and evidence working on projects similar to yours).

Some older soffit boards may contain asbestos, and your professional may therefore need a license in order to able to remove or work on them.

Planning permission for soffit and fascia replacement

You won’t need consent from your local planning office to replace soffits or fascias. The only thing you’ll need to consider is whether you could be contravening the “visual amenity” of your home if it’s listed or sits within a neighbourhood with a very specific style.

Insurance your tradesperson needs

With work that involves ripping board from your roof, usually accompanied by scaffolding, there’s always the potential for things to go wrong when replacing your soffits and fascias.

So, make sure your tradesperson holds public liability insurance. This will protect them and your property in case of any mishaps or damage

Questions you should ask your tradesperson

• What material would they recommend for your soffits and fascias?
• Can they clad your existing soffits and fascias rather than removing them?
• Can they use vented soffits to help with airflow?
• Can they refit your gutters after attaching your soffits and fascias?
• What maintenance is required for your soffits and fascias?