There are three main products that make up a roofline: fascias, soffits and gutters. These work together to seal your roof, stop animals like birds from entering, and prevent damage from rain or moisture.
If your roofline products are looking worse for wear or if you've noticed condensation/damp in your attic, it might be time to replace them.
What does roofline mean?
In simple terms, a roofline is where your roof and walls meet. Like the picture above, the connecting point isn’t left bare – it’s reinforced with soffits and fascias. If it were left exposed, your loft/attic would be exposed to moisture-related problems like condensation and damp, which could lead to expensive maintenance work.
You may have heard the term ‘roofline performance’ – this refers to how well protected your roofline is against moisture and pests. As long as you have the right roofline products, they’re installed correctly and there is no visible damage or signs of rotting, your roofline should remain effective for many years.
What are roofline products?
Fascias and soffits are two separate boards that line your roof. They work together to protect your roof and make it look more aesthetic.
Fascias
A fascia sits parallel to your exterior wall just below your roof tiles. It’s more visible when looking directly at your property compared to a soffit (which sits underneath it).
A fascia can be used to:
- Stop rot or damp on your roof rafters
- Make your roofline look neater
- Provide a solid base to fix the bottom row of roof tiles
- Offer a base to attach gutters
A good quality fascia should be weather resistant and durable, especially if you live in a wet or stormy climate.
Soffits
A soffit sits just underneath the fascia and has a similar purpose – to protect the roof eaves and stop moisture damage.
There are two different types of soffits: vented and non-vented. Eurocell’s vented soffits have in-built ventilation slots to improve the airflow in your attic/loft. This stops moisture building up internally and causing condensation or damp.
Go for vented soffits to improve your attic’s air quality and meet Building Regulations, which require roof voids to be well ventilated. Non-vented soffits are ideal for smaller, narrower eaves where vents can be attached during or after installation.
The material of your fascias/soffits plays a big role in how well it protects your roof. For example, a low-quality timber soffit could rot, warp or crack making way for animals to nest in your roof or causing rot and damp within your attic. uPVC, on the other hand, is weather resistant as it doesn’t absorb moisture, so there is less risk of it rotting or cracking.
Guttering
The majority of houses have gutters at the roofline to channel water away from the property. Without a gutter, rainwater could erode the walls or foundations of your house and cause mould under the roof. Gutters are especially important if you live in a wet climate like the UK.
Gutters are typically fixed onto fascias. A quality fascia can take the load of your gutters, reducing the risk of cracks and leaks. Any gutter leaks would most likely impact your fascia first, which is why a moisture-resistant material like uPVC is a good choice.
Capping
While fascias, soffits and gutters are your main three roofline products, there are extras like capping boards which are designed to go over timber fascias to improve the appearance.
Eurocell’s Capping Board is manufactured from uPVC to make it weather resistant. It comes in matching shades for a cohesive finish and has a 20-year guarantee against cracking, warping or discolouration.
Finishing trim
When it comes to a sleek roofline – it’s all in the detail.
The trim on a roofline is called finishing trim. This can be fixed onto your fascia/soffits at the corners for a neater finish and internal corner trim creates a stronger joint. You can add decorative finial trims for character, a vertical trim to disguise two connecting boards and end caps to conceal endings.
Ventilators and accessories
You can also go a step further to secure your roofline with ventilators and accessories:
- Panel joint: Otherwise known as a H-Trim, this can be fitted where two soffits connect for a watertight and polished finish
- Disc vent: This is a small, round vent, which can be fitted into the soffits to improve ventilation and stop damp or rot
- Soffit vent: Designed especially for hollow soffit boards, a rectangular soffit vent works to improve ventilation
- Over-fascia ventilator: A fascia ventilator can be attached on top of the fascia for continuous ventilation to the eaves
- Board clip: Strengthens the roofline by holding soffits or support trays in place
Comparing roofline products
So, roofline products are essential – but what types are available and how much do they cost?
For example, Eurocell’s soffits come in three types: utility board, hollow and vented. Hollow soffits are lightweight because the inside is hollow and ideal for installing vents. On the other hand, utility board is solid.
Costs vary for each roofline product depending on its size and features, and for gutters, the material.
Check out our buying guides for more information:
- Soffit buying guide
- Fascia buying guide
- Gutter size guide
Best materials for your roofline
Timber and uPVC are popular materials for soffits and fascias.
Timber is relatively low cost and looks stylish but it can also rot, warp or crack and discolour. This is a major disadvantage because the primary purpose of fascias/soffits is to protect against moisture. You can waterproof fascia board if it's timber using a suitable paint/stain but it will require ongoing upkeep and working at height.
This is why many people think uPVC fascias are better than wood. They are weather resistant, hard wearing and easy to wipe clean, and also come in a woodgrain pattern for a natural appearance. Eurocell’s uPVC fascias and soffits are designed to last for up to 30 years and go that extra step further:
- 20-year guarantee
- Low maintenance: Don’t need painting or staining
- Resistant to cracking, warping or discolouration
- Weather resistant
- Pest resistant
- Reduce risk of damp
- Easy to install
Eurocell’s gutters are manufactured from uPVC because of its excellent water-resistant properties and the fact it’s affordable. Gutters are also available in a cast iron effect and galvanised steel, which has a magnesium zinc alloy coating for extra strength.
Why do roofline products matter?
Roofline products are essential for a number of reasons: protecting your roof and home, and improving its lifespan and aesthetics. The better protected your roofline, the less maintenance and fewer repairs you’ll need to do in the future.
That’s why it’s essential for homeowners to invest in quality products and materials with minimal upkeep. uPVC is a good choice when it comes to fascias, soffits and gutters because it looks stylish and doesn’t crack, discolour or rot when exposed to moisture.
Explore Eurocell’s roofline products.
*All prices for Eurocell products are correct on the date of publishing. Please check the individual product pages for exact prices at the time of reading as these might be subject to change.
