Soffits and All You Need To Know About Them

There are many important parts to your home, many of which you may not know you had or how they function. Many people know what roofs and gutters are and why they are important, but equally significant and often overlooked are soffits.

What are Soffits?

Soffits play a vital role in protecting your home from the elements of nature. Not only do they help supply proper ventilation to your home but they also protect your home’s windows, trim and foundation.

How can I tell if I have them?

Soffits are the lining found under the exterior overhanging section of a roof eave. If you stand directly under the side of your home and look up, you should see the part of your roof that extends beyond the walls of your home. If you have soffits, you will see a covering or board (sometimes with small vents) that sits between the outer edges of your roof and the adjacent wall of your home. If you don’t, you’ll notice your rafter beams exposed.

Why do I need Soffits?

Soffits serve an aesthetic and functional purpose. If you have them, that’s great! But you should inspect them for damages from time to time, especially if your home is older. If you don’t have them, we recommend that you get soffits installed for a number of reasons. Soffits provide proper ventilation to protect your home from moisture buildup in your roof and attic, preventing your home from mold, mildew and structural decay. They also direct rainwater away from your home’s foundation, keeping water from wearing it down over time. And if being environmentally conscious is important to you, soffits can also help you lower your utility bill by keeping the upper area of your home from overheating.

Which material is better: Vinyl vs. Aluminum?

There are a few different types of material used for soffits. At Moreno & Moreno, we recommend the following two:

Vinyl comes in various colors, so it’s easy to install soffits that match your home’s exterior color. It is water resistant and is very good for insulating your home. And while vinyl is not prone to cracking and chipping, it can discolor over time due to high heat.

Aluminum is an extremely malleable and durable material for soffits. It will not rot, chip or crack and tends to be more fire-resistant and water-resistant than many other materials. However, if impacted, aluminum soffits may dent.

Soffits are an incredibly important addition to your home. If you’d like to learn more on replacing your current soffits or having them installed to your home, give us a call 407.300.4500 or book a free estimate here.