Maya Ellison
Fascias and soffits enhance the appearance of your home and also play a practical role in keeping your roof tiles in place and preventing damp. Before fitting a plastic soffit board, it's important to ensure that any preservative treatment used on your roof's structural timbers has completely dried out and that the fascia has been fitted correctly. Soffit boards should be fixed using a maximum of 600mm centres, with two fixings at each centre, 20cm apart. When cutting the soffit board, remember to leave a 5mm expansion gap at the end of each board, or 8mm if the soffit is foiled. For corner returns, cut the soffit at the required angle and join with a centre trim. It is important to follow the manufacturer's guidelines carefully when installing soffit boards.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Installation | Requires attention to detail and following the manufacturer's guidelines carefully |
| Tools required | Sturdy ladder or platform, hammer, saw, tape measure, spirit level, protective clothing (gloves, face mask, hard hat), safety glasses |
| Preparation | Ensure any preservative treatment has dried, fascia has been fitted correctly, and old boards have been removed |
| Board characteristics | Choose boards that are 1 inch (2.5 cm) thick and 8-10 inches (20-25 cm) tall to fit rafters; cut to length with a circular saw; mitre ends to 45-degree angles for clean corners |
| Fixing | Use nails or capped screws; leave a minimum 4mm expansion gap at board ends (8mm where two boards meet); use low-modulus silicone and primer when bonding to specific materials |
| Ventilation | Roof voids must be ventilated to prevent condensation, which encourages rot and mould growth |
| Soffit cutting sizes | Soffit width = opening size + 4mm (18mm bullnosed board) or +21mm (other fascias); leave a 5mm expansion gap (8mm if foiled) |
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What You'll Learn
Prepare and protect
Before you start fitting your plastic soffit boards, it's important to prepare the area and protect yourself and the surrounding area. Here are some key steps to follow:
Prepare the Area:
- Ensure any old fascia and soffit boards are removed gently and carefully. Use a pry bar to remove them and a claw hammer to take out any nails in the rafter.
- If you have timber fascia boards, you can also use uPVC capping board, which fits over old timber fascias. Ensure that the timber is sound and rot-free before using this method.
- Clean the area by removing any remnants and dirt that has accumulated.
- Check that any preservative treatment used on the roof's structural timbers is completely dry before starting to fix the soffit.
Protect Yourself and the Area:
- Wear protective clothing, such as gloves, a face mask, and a hard hat, to safeguard yourself from debris and falling tools.
- Use a sturdy ladder or platform to reach the work area, ensuring you don't stand on the top step of the ladder to avoid slipping and falling.
- Put on safety glasses when working with power tools or cutting materials to prevent injuries.
- If you don't feel comfortable with the installation process, consider contacting a professional roofing service for assistance.
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Measure and cut
When measuring and cutting soffit boards, it is important to follow the manufacturer's guidelines carefully and pay attention to detail. Here is a step-by-step guide:
Firstly, ensure that any preservative treatment used on the roof's structural timbers is completely dry, and the fascia has been fitted correctly. Soffit boards should be fixed using a maximum of 600mm centres, with two fixings at each centre positioned 20cm apart. Remember to leave a 5mm expansion gap at the wall side and into the edge trim, as well as between boards.
Next, measure your roof lengthwise from each end using a tape measure. Look for outdoor-treated boards that are 5cm taller than the rafter ends. Mark the cutting lines on your board so you know where to cut. Put on safety gear, including glasses, gloves, a face mask, and a hard hat, before operating any power tools.
Use a circular saw to cut the boards to the length of your roof. Measure the angle of your roof and adjust the saw accordingly, then shave the top of each board. Place the boards on a miter saw and adjust the angle to 45 degrees to create clean corners. Cut the ends of any boards that will be placed on corners.
Finally, measure and cut the box end from a deep board. The front edge should tilt up to match the height of the fascia board. Then, measure and cut the fascia to form a return to the gable wall. Remember to leave a minimum of a 4mm expansion gap at the end of each board, or 8mm where two boards meet.
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Fit and secure
Fitting and securing plastic soffit boards is a relatively straightforward process, but it requires careful attention to detail and adherence to safety guidelines. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you with the installation process:
Preparation:
Before you begin, ensure that any preservative treatment used on the roof's structural timbers is completely dried out, and that your fascia boards are correctly installed and secure. It is also important to wear protective clothing, including gloves, a face mask, and a hard hat. Additionally, safety glasses are crucial when working with power tools or performing tasks like cutting and sawing.
Measuring and Cutting:
Measure your roof lengthwise from each end using a tape measure. Select boards that are approximately 1 inch (2.5 cm) thick, as they will fit more easily onto the ends of your rafters. The typical rafter height is 6 to 8 inches (15 to 20 cm), so choose fascia boards that are 8 to 10 inches (20 to 25 cm) tall. Cut the boards to the required length using a circular saw, ensuring that you mark the cutting lines beforehand. Remember to wear safety glasses during this process.
Securing the Boards:
Secure the boards to the ends of your rafters, ensuring they are level with the top edges. For PVC fascias and soffits, you can use plastic-headed nails or capped screws. Remember to leave a minimum expansion gap of 4-5 mm at the end of each board, and 8 mm where two boards meet. This allows for the expansion and contraction of the boards.
Fixing Corners and Joints:
When fixing corners and joints, use a flexible adhesive like Fixall. Pre-drill each corner and joint, and fix with at least one plastic-headed pin to hold the fitting in place on one side of the joint. Avoid using a non-flexible adhesive or pinning both sides of the corners and joints, as this can result in cracking.
Final Adjustments:
Check that the soffit is well-positioned into the fascia rebate. Most fascia boards have a 26 mm deep rebate, but this can vary, so refer to the manufacturer's guidelines. Ensure that your roof voids are adequately ventilated to prevent condensation, which encourages rot and mould growth.
Remember, it is important to follow the manufacturer's instructions for your specific product to ensure a proper fit and secure installation.
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Guttering and ventilation
Before starting, ensure any preservative treatment used on the roof's structural timbers is completely dry, and the fascia has been fitted correctly. Soffit boards should be fixed using a maximum of 600mm centres (or 300mm if the soffit boards are foiled). Two fixings should be used at each centre, 20cm apart.
It is important to leave a small gap between boards to allow for expansion. When joining soffit boards, leave a 5mm expansion gap at the end of each board (or 8mm if the soffit is foiled). When two boards meet, the overall gap should be 8mm. This is important as it allows the boards to expand and contract.
To ensure proper ventilation, roof voids must be ventilated to stop warm air from condensing on cold surfaces, which encourages rot and mould growth. Eaves ventilation trays may be required to ensure airflow past the roof insulation material.
Gutters are typically attached to the fascia boards. Measure your roof lengthwise from each end using a tape measure, then cut the boards to the correct size using a circular saw. After cutting, secure the boards to the ends of your rafters. When you're finished, you can install gutters on the boards.
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Maintenance and safety
Before you start installing plastic soffit boards, ensure you follow all Health & Safety guidelines to prevent accidents. Working at height can be dangerous, so always be cautious and gentle when prying away old boards. It is recommended to use a pry bar to remove old fascias and soffits, and a claw hammer to remove nails in the rafter. Additionally, wear protective clothing, such as gloves, a face mask, and a hard hat. If you're using power tools, wear safety glasses to avoid injuries. Avoid standing on the top step of a ladder, as it increases the risk of slipping and falling.
When installing plastic soffit boards, it is important to follow the manufacturer's guidelines carefully to ensure a proper fit. Fascia boards should be cut to the correct size and secured to the ends of the rafters. Choose boards that are thick enough to fit onto the ends of your rafters easily. Typically, rafters are 6 or 8 inches tall, so boards that are 8 or 10 inches tall are ideal. Cut the boards to the required length using a circular saw. When cutting, wear safety glasses and ensure your hands are not in the path of the saw blade to prevent injuries.
To enhance the appearance and ensure the longevity of your plastic soffit boards, consider taking some additional measures. You can use aluminium or plastic covers that fit over the boards to protect them from moisture exposure. Additionally, check your soffit boards regularly, especially if they are old or you've had them for more than 10 years. Look for signs of damage, such as warping, rot, or insect damage, as well as issues like dampness inside your house.
Regular maintenance is crucial for timber fascia boards to keep them in good condition. Painting or applying a wood preservative is often necessary to prevent issues like dampness, warping, rot, and insect damage. If you opt for uPVC fascia and soffit boards, they can last for up to 20 years with proper care. These boards are maintenance-free and do not require the same level of upkeep as timber boards.
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Frequently asked questions
Wear protective clothing, such as gloves, a face mask, a hard hat and safety glasses, especially when operating power tools. Avoid standing on the top step of your ladder, as you may slip and fall.
You will need a sturdy ladder or platform, a hammer, a saw, a tape measure, and a spirit level. You may also need a pry bar, a claw hammer, a miter saw, and safety glasses.
Measure your roof lengthwise from each end using a tape measure. Look for outdoor-treated boards that are 5 cm taller than the rafter ends. Use a circular saw to cut the boards to the length of your roof. Measure the angle of your roof, adjust your saw accordingly, then shave the top of each board. Place your boards on a miter saw and adjust the angle to 45 degrees.
Soffit boards should be fixed using a maximum of 600 mm centres (or 300 mm if the soffit boards are foiled). Two fixings should be used at each centre and be positioned 20 cm apart. Ensure that the soffit is well-positioned into the fascia rebate.
Always leave a minimum 4 mm expansion gap at the end of each board, and 8 mm overall where two boards meet. Ensure roof voids are ventilated to prevent rot and mould growth.
