Choosing the Best Fascias and Soffits for Your New Home
You may think that choosing a fascia and soffits for your home is straightforward, with just a few options available. However, there are now myriad designs and colours from which to choose, from woodgrain to plain, and white to black to anthracite grey. To help you make the best choice for your home, we’ve put together a few hints and tips on how to choose the best fascia and soffit for your home.
Consider Your Home's Style
Fascias and soffits, particularly PVC ones, are designed to last so it is important to choose the right style and colour first time. To help make this decision, we would recommend taking a step back and looking at the outside of your home.
Consider its style and age. For example, does it have rendered walls or is it built out of a distinctive colour of brick? Both will have an impact on how your chosen colour of fascia and soffit will look once installed. You should also consider the colour of your window frames and external doors and choose a colour of soffit and fascia which complements, rather than contradicts.
There is now a wide range of coloured PVC fascias and soffits on the market, from classic white and traditional timber to contemporary grey.
Colour Choices
A Classic Choice
White is the classic, and still most popular, choice for fascias and soffits. Not only does it suit most homes, regardless of style, but it creates a sharp, clean finish. Many homes also have white window and door frames, so choosing white fascias and soffits will help them blend beautifully into the finished external aesthetic.
Contemporary Sophistication
A more contemporary choice is anthracite grey. Once considered only a suitable option for more modern dwellings, anthracite grey is fast becoming a popular choice for those who want to give their homes a contemporary twist. Whilst grey soffits and fascias can look sophisticated on any style of house, they will work best with complementary window and door frames.
Back to Black
Although considered a harsh choice, black can be extremely stylish and effective on white houses – either older buildings or those with a white rendered finish – and can provide a clean, distinctive look.
Wonderful Wood
Choosing a PVC soffit and fascia will provide you with a wider range of colour and finish choices. One such option is wood effect. With all the beauty of natural timber but the benefits of PVC, wood effect provides a beautifully natural finish for any style of home.
Evaluate Durability
Fascias and soffits have been specifically designed to protect the outside of your home. As such, you want both to be as strong, sturdy, and durable as possible.
Traditional timber fascias and soffits may look attractive, but they require regular treatments and maintenance to keep them protected from the weather. Even with consistent care, over time they may begin to rot, splinter and warp, leaving your home vulnerable and open to the elements.
An alternative material to consider is PVC. PVC fascias and soffits are durable and designed to last, helping to protect your home for longer. They do not require any treatments to defend from them from the weather, are extremely low maintenance, and with warranties of up to 20 years, provide you with peace of mind that your home is protected.
Look for Low Maintenance Options
Even on single story buildings, fascias and soffits are hard to reach and even harder to maintain. The answer is to choose the option which requires the minimum amount of maintenance. Compared to their timber counterparts, which need regular attention, PVC fascias and soffits require very little effort to keep them effective, safe, and looking like new. They do not need any treatments or paints to protect them and can be easily cleaned with soapy water when needed.
Consider Cost and Budget
Budget is always a key consideration when embarking on any home improvement project and replacing fascias and soffits is no different. You may have a cost in mind that you are willing to pay, but before you buy, it is worth considering the lifetime cost of your choice and not just the initial outlay. For example, timber fascias and soffits may be a slightly more cost-effective option, but the maintenance costs associated with keeping them safe and attractive will mount up over the years.
Alternatively, PVC fascias and soffits may be a more expensive choice, but they have been designed to last with very little care and attention, and often come with lengthy warranties. Combined, these will reduce the amount you need to spend over their lifetimes, saving your money in the long run.
Review Installation Requirements
Another cost to be considered is that of installation. The installation of timber fascias and soffits will most likely require the skills of a professional, due to the nature of the material. This will obviously carry quite a hefty cost.
In contrast, it is possible to self-install PVC fascias and soffits – with the correct guidance. With any job which requires working at height, safety should always come first, and if you are not comfortable or do not have the correct safety equipment, do not attempt to install fascias and soffits yourself.
However, whichever way you choose to install your fascias and soffits, it is worth factoring installation into your overall budget to make sure there are no hidden surprises.
Evaluate Energy Efficiency
Fascias and soffits are your roof’s first line of defence. However, as well as protecting your home, both elements can also help with energy efficiency. Correctly fitted fascias and soffits can prevent moisture and drafts - both of which have an adverse effect on the temperature of a building and consequently your heating bills - from coming into your home. By keeping these at bay with your fascias and soffits, you home will hopefully be drier and warmer all year round.
If you have any queries about your choice of soffit and fascia, or would like further information on the options available, call our friendly, expert team today on 0800 22 77 77.
