Know Your Roof · Soffit & Fascia

Fascia Board: What It Is and What It Does

Quick answer

A fascia board is the long, straight board that runs along the edge of your roof. It caps the ends of the rafters, gives your gutters something solid to attach to, and finishes the roof edge so water and animals stay out.

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What roof fascia does

Fascia carries the weight of your gutters and the water in them, closes off the rafter ends, and gives the roof a straight edge. It also keeps rain and wildlife out of the roof edge.

What it's made of

MaterialGood to know
WoodPaintable and traditional, but it rots when water sits on it
Aluminum-wrapped woodThe metal cover protects the face and cuts down on repainting
PVC or compositeDoesn't rot, and holds paint or comes pre-finished

Signs of damage

Peeling or bubbling paint. Soft spots you can press a screwdriver into. Gutters pulling away or sagging. Gaps, cracks or dark stains along the edge. Animals getting in behind the board.

Fascia damage almost always has a cause: overflowing gutters, an ice dam, a leak at the roof edge. Replace the board without fixing the cause and it'll rot again.

Looking for another word? See the roofing terms glossary, A to Z.

FAQ

Fascia Board: common questions

What is fascia on a roof?

The board along the roof edge that the gutters mount to.

How long does fascia last?

It depends on the material and how much water it sees. Painted wood with working gutters can last for years. PVC and composite last longer.

Can I just paint over damaged fascia?

Paint hides rot. It doesn't stop it. Soft wood needs repair or replacement.

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Related terms

  • Soffit vs Fascia

    Fascia is the board along the edge of your roof, and your gutters hang on it. Soffit is the panel you see when you look up under the overhang, between the fascia and the wall. Fascia finishes the roof edge. Soffit closes in the underside and usually lets the attic breathe.

  • Fascia Board Replacement

    Fascia board replacement means taking off the damaged fascia and putting up new boards along the roof edge. Small rotted spots can sometimes be cut out and patched. If the rot runs along the board, or it won't hold the gutter anymore, replacing it is the better fix.

  • Rotted Fascia

    Rotted fascia is wood fascia that has broken down after water has been reaching it for a long time. It feels soft and crumbles or flakes when you poke it. The board is a symptom. The real problem is usually a gutter overflow, an ice dam or a leak at the roof edge.

  • Gutter Apron

    A gutter apron is a strip of metal flashing along the roof edge that guides water off the shingles and into the gutter, so it doesn't run down behind it onto the fascia. It's a type of drip edge with a longer lip that reaches out over the gutter.

  • Drip Edge

    Drip edge is a strip of L-shaped metal flashing along the edges of a roof. It sends water off the shingles and into the gutter, and keeps it from soaking the roof deck and fascia. It's a cheap part that protects wood that rots easily.

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