When you are remodeling or building a home, every detail is vital. You most likely have a fundamental idea of what you want for roof shingles and siding, however if you look closer, you are going to notice there’s a lot more going into finishing the exterior of homes than most might have realized.
One vital design detail is the roofs soffits. When your home has roof eaves that are overhanging their walls, even by a couple of inches, you most likely have soffits. Soffits are the material under the eaves that connects from the far edge of your roof to the exterior walls of your home. Soffits are usually vented. Besides being beneath your eaves, soffits might also be underneath of a porch roof.
Do You Need Soffits?
When your roof is designed with eaves that are overhanging the walls — and most homes nowadays have several complex roof lines that do just that — the answer is absolutely. Devoid of soffits, your home would have open eaves and exposed rafters, in which could attract insects and pests. Furthermore, when the rafters are exposed directly to snow or rain, they are going to require more maintenance to hinder rot or other damages from moisture, in which could impact their structural durability.
Vented Soffits
Soffits come in two primary types: vented and solid. Soffits that are vented might be perforated or could be produced with an addition of vents to a solid soffit every couple of feet.
Ventilation is vital for the health and the lifespan of your attic. If your attic is an open space, proper air flow is going to keep your house cool during the summer by enabling excess heat to escape. Surprisingly, allowing cold air to flow into your attic at your eaves is also vital in the winter months. When your eaves get too warm, it allows snow on the roof to melt throughout the day and then re-freeze throughout night — a process that is the cause of destructive ice dams. When cool air flows through soffit vents, it decreases ice dams and assists in extending the life of your roof.
Because of this, it’s vital to be sure that your attic insulation does not hinder the air flow through soffit vents, which results in retaining excess moisture and issues with ice dams. It can also strain your HVAC systems more, so be sure to keep soffit vents open.
Not every home requires vented soffits, nevertheless. When your attic has other vents on their gable ends of your roof, these might provide proper ventilation. If this is the case, a solid soffit is sufficient.
Soffit Options
Luckily, soffits are easy for contractors to install, and they add elegance to the exterior of your home. Soffits come in a variety of materials, and it’s wise to choose something that is going to stand up to the elements without rotting or be required to be repainted often. Composite boards come in several finishes designed to be smooth or provide a rough-sawn appearance.
When you’re designing your home, remember that your soffits are a critical design element that can elevate your home’s look. Meaning that getting the color exactly right is vital, and you can choose from a wide variety of hues to get the perfect look. You do not have to decide on white unless you love it!
G Keith Roofing and waterproofing in New York
At G Keith Roofing and waterproofing, we know choosing a Roofing Contractor in the New York Area is a tough job. We are here to help make it easier! Locally owned and operated, G Keith Roofing and waterproofing has been providing roof installation and roof repairs throughout the surrounding New York areas since 1995. With each new roofing project, we strive to provide professional, timely service at a fair price. Contact G Keith Roofing and waterproofing right here!
