Ever wondered what the underside of the roof is? No, of course not, everyone would just call it a roof. If you do not know, the bottom of the roof is called a ‘soffit’. It may seem of no use, but it is incredibly beneficial. The roof is made up of vital components that protect the house, such as soffit, eavestrough, fascia, etc. that provide the house with different kinds of protection. Let us go through one such element that is soffit.

What is a Soffit?

A soffit is located on the exposed underside of the roof, with longboards. The soffit may not have an appealing factor because it is not visible far away from the house, although it is evident when you stand near the house or underneath it. Many people opt for colours and designs for their soffit either to match the siding of the house or according to the homeowner’s preferences. Soffit itself does not require maintenance when installed raw and natural. You have to keep in mind to choose the right material for your soffit depending on the climate conditions of where you live.

There are various types of materials used in the making of a soffit. You select the material that best suits your house in the climate of where you stay. Vinyl and aluminum are the most popular and adaptive materials of soffit for your house. Wood is the most natural type of material and is used by those who want to give their home a natural feel. It is the most expensive amongst all but does not last very long. However, wood soffit is not recommended because it is prone to rotting and decaying quickly, thus not being able to do an excellent job at protecting your house. Aluminum soffit cost moderately, but are not as durable either. These metal soffits are usually best-suited for those living in humid conditions because they avoid water damage and rust. Finally, comes the least expensive and most durable option, vinyl soffit. These provide better insulation as compared to the other two as well as saving up on the energy costs.

Nowadays, longboard soffits are coming into the trend. These are distinctly different than wood, in terms of the look as well as the benefits. They provide a wood-textured appeal, a perfect choice if you want an earthy look. Longboard soffits may use environmentally harmful stains, but they last longer and require less maintenance. Despite, wood being stained with recycled stains, does not last very long and you will need to have regular maintenance just for the painting. Besides, longboard soffits are recyclable and free of volatile compounds. In the end, you have to select an appropriate type of soffit that is durable for your house, be it vinyl, longboard soffit or any other.

How Does Soffit Protect Your House?

Protection in Summers

Soffits, in general, are meant to balance temperatures of the house regardless of the season. But what does it do to protect the home in several ways? In summers, it reduces the temperatures of the entire house by providing proper ventilation. The house structure is more likely to rot due to moisture and extreme temperatures. Excessive moisture damages the whole roofing system, which is not a good thing but during monsoons and snowfalls, it may cause the roof to leak. This condition in monsoons is commonly known as the attic rain, that you can avoid with home remedies in less extreme situations. But the soffit provides defence against these damages. Not to forget, it also eliminates the high repairing costs during such a situation. High temperatures will also bake the roof, in case of an unventilated attic, commonly known as a ‘hot roof’. A soffit does the job of keeping the attic ventilated all the time. Proper ventilation reduces moisture, heat and the potential threats of moulds and rust. The type of material also impacts a lot; a longboard soffit or aluminum is preferable than a wood soffit. Wood will rot over time no matter what, and that is the reason you should refrain from using a wood soffit.

Protection in Winters

The extreme temperatures of summers are not the only thing to affect your house. The winters play a huge role too. In winters, your home is more likely to accumulate freezing temperatures in the attic. If all this builds up in the attic and the attic does not get proper ventilation, it will cause the wooden structure to form mould and mildew. The primary reason for decay and damage for a home’s structure is improper ventilation of the attic. As long as your roof can circulate the air, your house will stay protected.

Besides protecting the house from damages, soffits also give the house a better and finished look to the exterior. To add a more attractive look to the home and the roof, you can always opt for longboard soffits, as they are durable in any weather and are made to look good as well. However durable your soffit may be, there is a little maintenance of the soffit required. You can always add a soffit to your roof if your house does not have one already, or renew your look with longboard soffits by contacting a reputed home construction company. The professionals will have suggestions about the types of soffit that will be suitable for your home.