How to Install Fascia and Soffit

Eaves are often home to critters such as birds and squirrels.

The soffit and fascia are two architectural members which provide exterior protection to the eaves of your house. Due to their location, the soffit and fascia are subject to rain and water runoff from the roof and can sometimes suffer water damage as a result. Therefore it is critical that your soffit and fascia are correctly installed and adequately waterproofed. Read on to learn how to install your soffit and fascia right the first time.

Things You'll Need

• Galvanized Screws
• Power Drill
• Measuring Tape
• Workhorses
• Circular Saw
• Regular Saw
• Pencil
• 1-inch Plywood
• Pressure Treated Lumber
• Wax Based Sealer
• Primer
• Wood Putty
• Putty Knife

Instructions

1. Measure for your new fascia and soffit. The fascia should extend across the entire face of the eave. Remember to make an allowance for any mitered joints. The soffit should extend between the fascia and the wall of the house, under the eave.

2. Cut timber sections to make your soffit and fascia. Use pressure-treated timber for the fascia and moisture-resistant plywood for the soffit. You will need to cut multiple lengths of fascia and soffit if your eaves are very long.

3. Apply sealer to the edges of each section of plywood that will be used for the soffit. This will stop any water getting into the plywood and prevent moisture damage. Allow the sealer to dry, then apply primer to every face of both the soffit and fascia pieces.

4. Fix the soffit to the rafters using galvanized timber screws. Secure the fascia into place using galvanized timber screws.

5. Apply putty to each of the screw holes once the fascia is in place. Paint as you wish.

References

• This Old House: How to Repair a Rotted Soffit