Warning Signs You Need New Siding, Soffit, Fascia, or Eavestroughs

The weatherproofing of your home begins with the roof; however, fortification doesn't end there. Is your roof in good shape but still finding water along your foundation? Siding, soffit, fascia, and eavestroughs are essential components to your cladding system. Siding is the weatherproof barrier that protects your home from the elements. Soffit is an overhang that serves as a transition from the wall to the roof. Fascia is a vertical trim that protects the ends of the rafters from water penetration. Eavestroughs are the horizontal components that divert water from your foundation, protecting your home from water intrusion.

What are an eavestrough, soffit, and fascia anyway?

Eavestrough

Eavestrough is an integral part of roofing systems and is explicitly designed to channel rainwater around your home. The channelling of the water through the eavestrough allows for water to be channelled out of your house to outside your house. The primary purpose of the eavestrough is to protect the foundation of the house. If water is not channelled out of your house, then the water will flood the foundation of your home. Water penetration can lead to significant damage to your home. Eavestroughing is the semi-circle or square-shaped trough-like channel that catches water run-off from your roof and direct rainwater away from your home's foundation. Eavestrough collects run-off rainwater or melted snow from your roof. The collected water is then drained away from the house's structure through downspouts. They are located at the end of your downspouts and over the end of the driveway. Ensure it is installed correctly, or water will get into your foundation, causing damage to the wood structure, painting, flooring, and appliances. The eavestroughs can be made of vinyl, aluminum, or copper. However, aluminum is more popular.

Soffit

The soffit is any finishing material, such as wood, aluminum, or fibre cement, that covers the underside of your roof overhang. There are a few reasons why you would want to install a soffit on your roof overhang. First, attics are a hot space. If left alone, an attic will reach up to 150 degrees, leading to mould growth, water damage, and even animal infestations. Soffits are an easy way to improve your air circulation, which can help prevent these problems. Directing air into the attic is also a great way to reduce the likelihood of air escaping into your home. Soffits can also be used to conceal your roofing materials, support beams, and other unsightly features. Second, it helps you quickly access your attic and the utilities running to it, such as air conditioning and electricity. Soffits can also help to increase the value of your home and deter animal pests such as mice and squirrels from trying to set up nests near your attic.

Fascia

The fascia is the attractive board that lines the edge of the overhang and the roof. The fascia board helps the roof appear more finished and gives the appearance of having more support beneath the roof. The fascia also helps with water run-off because it directs it away from home. A fascia board is required if you are installing the eavestrough on the overhang. With the eavestrough, aka gutter, attached to the fascia, the water will drain down the face of the fascia board. The fascia of a home plays a vital role in the design and function of the home, and it controls airflow and ventilation. The soffit and fascia work as a team to protect your home from the elements, and they add additional support to your roof. Fascia is available in many different designs to decorate your home and enhance its curb appeal, so don't overlook them!

How can you tell if you need to replace your siding?

As a precursor, we will mention there are many kinds of siding. Rotting is a big sign that siding needs replacing if your property has wooden siding. This is a symptom we don't see in composite siding or vinyl siding. However, the next sign is cracks and gaps, which vinyl siding is susceptible to. It goes without saying the cracks and gaps in your siding and cladding can allow moisture to penetrate your home. It also allows opportunities for pests to invade your property. Drafts are also an indicator that your siding isn't doing its job. You may also see your bills increase, especially energy or heating bills. Siding panels can also warp and bulge out; this not only diminishes your siding's effectiveness but also creates safety hazards and looks terrible. Also, if you see mould or mildew, this can indicate moisture that's building up. Luckily, vinyl siding doesn't require as much maintenance, and mould or mildew can be hosed off so long as it's been professionally investigated that there are no concerns.

How much does replacing siding, soffit, fascia, and eavestrough cost?

The costs of replacing your siding, soffit, fascia, or eavestrough have a lot of factors. The slope of your home and the amount of hips, valleys, and ridges your roof has all factor into the cost of eavestrough. The length of the roofing overhang, as well as placement of the eavestrough, will factor into the costs of your soffit and fascia. And the square footage and linear footage, as well as amount of doors and windows, will affect the pricing of your siding. Then there are a wide variety of finishes and types of materials that we use for all. Now to answer the question of "how much does it cost to replace siding, soffit, fascia, and eavestrough?"

We see that the average cost to replace fascia boards and soffits is approximately $2,200, but prices may range from $500 on the low end (costs of materials only with some no-charge friend labour) to $6,000 on the high end. This pricing probably entails decorative fascia. The cost to install fascia ranges from $5 to $22 per linear foot in labour alone. Soffits are cheaper at about $1 to $3 per linear foot. The price difference is because contractors must remove the eavestrough or gutters to replace the fascia board.

Eavestrough costs are heavily dependant on the material selections. The cost to install galvanized or aluminum eaves is roughly $4 to $9 per foot; again, this is only the cost for labour. As a rule of thumb in construction, take the materials and double them to estimate how much an entire project could cost. Now, vinyl eaves are easier to install, so they cost less at the $3 to $5 per linear foot range.

On the other hand, siding has a broader price range because there are so many materials, finishes, and cladding options to choose from. Our average cost to install vinyl siding is an estimated $4,700 for a single-story bungalow. Vinyl as a material could cost anywhere from $1.50 to $9 per square foot on average. Vinyl is the least expensive and lowest maintenance siding material, but you can see cost breakdowns and a home siding costs calculator if you're curious. It's a great time to let you know we offer free estimates and will gladly give you a quote for how much it cost to replace siding, soffit, fascia, and eavestrough would be for your property.

How installation of new siding, soffit, fascia, or eavestroughs affects your home's value?

The power of curb appeal is undeniable. According to Realtor Magazine, properties with high curb appeal tend to sell for 7% more on average. When looking at realty listings, the exterior of properties are often the first images we see, and we say we don't judge a book by its cover. Still, exteriors uncared buyers a negative first impression. You can update your mailbox, swap out your house numbers, and update the sconces or light fixtures. Still, the values of the property are more affected by solid and long-lasting eavestroughs, new energy-efficient siding, and soffit & fascia installations.

You may have had a roofing company come out to inspect your roof, and they said it looked fine. But despite a clean bill of health from your roofing contractor, you may still be noticing water leaking into your basement or around your windows and doors. The fact that your roof looks good doesn't mean that your exterior siding, soffit, fascia, or eavestroughs are in good shape. Your siding could be the culprit of a leaky roof! That's why it's a good idea to have a roofing contractor who specializes in all exterior cladding and fixtures inspect your exterior, too.

Contact us at United Roofing & Exteriors today for your free estimate on exterior products & services: siding, soffit, fascia, eaves & more!