At Integrity Roofing & Siding we know one of the best ways of transforming the look of your home is through exterior carpentry. Updating your house’s trim is an easy way to improve your home’s curb appeal and add value to your home.
There are a handful of ways that exterior carpentry can bring your home together, from the trim of your doors and windows, to the soffit and fascia. It’s important that you understand what works best for your home, as well as what looks best.
The three areas of exterior carpentry that Integrity specializes in are:
- Soffit
- Fascia
- Trim carpentry
Often overlooked by homeowners, these components work together to complete the look of your home, while providing protection to the roofing system and your home’s interior.
In addition to your roof’s shingles, flashing and gutters, soffits and fascias are two of the most important components of your roofing system.
Soffits are the underside of the roof overhang, and help ventilate the attic and prevent rafters from rotting.
The fascia is the vertical finishing material that connects your roof to rafters, trusses or gutter system. They serve as the barrier between the elements and your roofline.
Trim carpentry includes the molding and trimming found around windows and doors.
Properly installed and designed soffits, fascia and trim help unify your home’s exterior and appeal, while also adding protection.
Soffit
Soffits are more than architectural elements that add visual interest and give a visual interest to your home, they help protect the exterior by keeping out pests like birds, squirrels and bats. They can also disguise your attic’s ventilation.
How soffits protect your home
Soffits helps your attic’s ventilation with small holes in it that provide air circulation. This air movement helps prevent moisture in the attic which can lead to mold, mildew, and wood rot in the sheathing and rafters.
Soffit also keeps water from blowing into your home, and if it’s not well maintained water can begin to pool and collect. You should inspect your soffit yearly; keep it well painted, sealed and caulked to prevent problems down the line.
In addition, during the summer if heat isn’t properly ventilated and doesn’t receive the correct airflow, it can cause your roof to become superheated, which can quickly cause damage to your shingles. Damaged shingles can lead to water leaks and further damage to your roofing system.
Soffit materials
Traditionally soffits were constructed from aluminum or wood, many homeowners now select synthetic and composite materials like vinyl due to its easy maintenance and durability.
Vinyl soffits can be beaded or smooth or can even simulate wood grain. For homeowners who are eco-conscious, there are soffits made from recycled materials.
James Hardie also offers soffits as part of their fiber cement line, and are offered in both smooth and vented profiles.
Does your soffit need repair?
If you have any of the following issues, your soffit might need to be repaired or replaced:
- Insect and animal infestation
- Signs of interior water damage
- Leaking gutters
- Lack of ventilation
- Cracked or flaking paint
- Water/moisture in roof void
Integrity Roofing & Siding can repair or install soffit for your home. Our qualified team will inspect your home and provide a no-obligation quote. We can even work with your insurance company.
Fascia
Usually going hand-in-hand with your soffit, fascia is the exposed horizontal band you see at the end of the rafters, and this is often where the gutter is placed. The role of the fascia is to form a long, horizontal support for the lower edge of the bottom row of the roof shingles or tiles.
The fascia wrap has three main benefits for your home. The first is its protection of the fascia board from the elements which can cause rotting and molding. The second is the prevention of having to paint, because painting fascia can be quite taxing since the gutter is in the way. Lastly, a proper fascia wrap provides a clean consistent look to your home.
It’s the last line of support for the lower edge of the bottom rod of roof tiles or shingles. It carries all the guttering, and in a downpour, it’s important that your fascia is strong enough to withstand the weight during torrential downpour.
The role of fascia is also to protect the end of the rafters and to prevent moisture from beginning its cycle of decomposition on the roof. It’s meant to act as a layer between the edge of the roof and the outdoors, protecting the wooden board against water damage that can occur during certain weather conditions.
Your fascia and gutter system need to be designed together to ensure that the fascia is of an appropriate material to support the weight that’s required. It’s also to ensure that you don’t create problems further down the line with insufficient ventilation, which is why it’s important to discuss any changes to your roofline with an expert.
Properly installed fascia protects the entire roof and the interior of the house from weather damage by blocking its entrance to the home. It’s important to keep your fascia boards in good shape because a damaged board will lead to bigger problems such as rotting in the roof joists and may require repairs or even a new roof.
Aside from its functional role, it’s also an important aesthetic role since it creates a smoother, more even appearance for the edge of the roof. Fascia provides curb appeal to your home since it’s one of the most visible trim elements of the exterior
It comes in a variety of styles and they’re typically composed of timber or metal protects. Although older homes will frequently lack a fascia board, it’s necessary that it’s included in your roofing system.
There are many different styles of fascia. They are generally composed of timber or metal products. Some can be a minimal size that is primarily used to support gutters and finish the ends of roof rafters.
Did you know that James Hardie offers fiber cement fascia? Their HardieTrim line is the perfect combination of durability and style to add the finishing touch to your home’s exterior.
Trim Carpentry
Exterior trim carpentry revolves around the molding and trimming found on windows, doors and other ornamental pieces. It’s also called finish carpentry because the carpenters typically complete the job, and make the project look finished.
Integrity Roofing & Siding specializes in casing trim around the windows and doors. The main purpose of the casing is to surround all doors and windows, this will cover any space or gap left between the drywall and frame. It also helps define the architectural style of the room as well as transform the look of the space.
Window trimming involves different components, however they all provide the same protection your home needs to keep out rain and they make your windows more energy efficient. They’re made to cover gaps and add decorative appeal to your home.
Sills are an important part of the window trim, it includes the head casing, side jambs, and the apron, each playing a part in keeping the windows structurally sound and the elements out.
As well as window trimming providing an extra level of protection for your home, it’s important that your doors are also protected. It helps provide a transition between the door and the cladding, which helps cover the ends of the cladding, helps create a tighter fit for the door in its frame, and it helps keep moisture and other elements out of these important areas.
James Hardie’s HardieTrim line accentuates the corners, columns, doors and windows. It’s designed to perfectly match their siding line and complete your home’s look.
Contact Us
Integrity Roofing & Siding is fully licensed, insured and certified in order to provide you with the best carpentry products and services. We’re a multiple Angie’s List Super Service award winner, and always treat your home as if it were ours.
Contact us today at (210) 340-7663 for a no-obligation inspection to get started.