Fascia

Fascia is the vertical board or trim fastened to the ends of the rafters or trusses along the eaves. It is usually wood, though composite, PVC and aluminum-wrapped fascia are common because they resist rot.

• Closes off the ends of the rafters or trusses from weather and pests.
• Provides a solid surface for mounting gutters.
• Supports the bottom edge of the drip edge and roofing.
• Gives the roof edge a finished look.

The two are easy to confuse. Fascia is the vertical face along the roof edge. Soffit is the horizontal underside of the overhang, between the fascia and the wall. They meet at a corner and often fail together.

• Rot: usually from water getting behind the gutter or a missing drip edge.
• Peeling paint and stains: often the first visible sign of moisture.
• Sagging gutters: gutter fasteners pull out of soft or rotted fascia.
• Pest entry: gaps or holes let birds, squirrels and insects into the roof edge.
• Gaps at the drip edge: water runs down the face of the fascia instead of into the gutter.

Damaged sections are cut out and replaced, and the cause, such as a missing drip edge or a leaking gutter, has to be fixed at the same time. Fascia is often replaced during a roof replacement, when the gutters and drip edge are off anyway.