A soffits is a hard-wearing board attached to the underside of the roofline assembly, which keeps the underside of the rafters secure and dry. It is the exposed surface beneath the overhanging section of the roof eave. It can also refer to the horizontal underside of similar architectural structures such as an archway, a staircase or a ceiling.
Soffits are boards that are located between the wall and the rear of the fascia. These help to seal the space under the eaves of the roof. They too were originally made of wood, and as such were very prone to the same problems as the fascia boards. Their exposed condition makes them especially vulnerable to water damage as a result of bad weather, they can also be damaged by bird nests. We replace damaaged wood soffits with new uPVC ones which last longer and are more resistant to both the elements and birds nesting.
Part of the function of the soffits is to assist in ventilating the attic. The soffits board typially features a plain design with small holes that provide air circulation. The air from the soffits cycles to the vents to draw heat and moisture away from the house. This is a highly important function because moisture in the attic can develop rot in the sheathing and rafters.
Most soffits are made from vinyl, an effective material for withstanding the degradation that comes from heat aand moisture. This especially important considering that the soffit can be easily exposed to moisture due to unkempt gutters and wet weather conditions.