How to choose the right soffits for your home

Important things to consider when installing your home’s soffits

Soffits: they may not be the most glamorous feature of your home, but they provide numerous invaluable benefits. They play an important role in both ventilating your home and protecting it from excess moisture buildup that can lead to mold, mildew and even structural damage. To learn more about the importance of soffits, check out our previous blog. Keep reading to learn how you can choose the right soffits for your home.

Profile

There are two options when choosing a profile for your soffit: U-Groove and V-Groove. The difference between the two boils down to the shape created between each panel, seen in the image above. While both are durable, there are important differences to note between the two. The U-Groove’s softer lines allow for a cleaner look and are ideal for smaller spaces. If you are looking to cover a larger area, the V-Groove may be a better option. Due to its ridging and strengthening integration properties, the V-Groove is often stronger than a U-Groove soffit and is the ideal choice to cover larger spans. An experienced soffit installation company will be able to advise you on which profile style is the best fit for your home.

Soffit with U-Groove profile

Soffit with V-Groove profile

Beaded Exposure

The exposure profile of your soffits refers to the size of your panels, which vary from centimeters to feet, and functions as hidden ventilation for your home. Most commonly, your options will be between 3.3” and 5”, with 4” being the standard. This ventilation is meant for cooling non-living spaces such as attics, so the exposure profile right for you will be based on your area.

Texture

The texture you choose will mostly come down to your aesthetic preference, however each option has both advantages and disadvantages. The most common textures are either wood grain or a smooth material such as aluminum or vinyl. Smooth aluminum and vinyl soffits will give your home a sleek appearance. They are more expensive but require the least amount of maintenance — they’re resistant to decay and only need to be painted once, if you choose to paint them at all. The wood grain option is often less expensive, easier to construct, and will provide a more natural look for your home.

Venting

Venting is essential for any home to prevent mold and other harmful growth caused by excess moisture buildup. The amount of venting required depends on your individual home. When determining how much ventilation you need, you should consider wind loads and other environmental factors in your area. We suggest looking up your local building ventilation codes for this information. An experienced company that specializes in soffit installation will be able to advise you on these factors, and how much ventilation your home needs.
If you’re overwhelmed by the numerous different soffit options available to you, our team can help. At Moreno and Moreno, we have many years of experience designing and installing the ideal soffits to suit our customers’ homes. Our skilled contractors will offer expert advice on the best profile, exposure and amount of venting you need to keep your home well-ventilated and completely protected. If it’s time to install or replace your soffits, contact us today to book your free estimate. We are your Central Florida soffit installation experts.

Image source: www.plygem.com