Where does a vented soffit go?

What is the purpose of a soffit?     

The soffit has two purposes: aesthetics and functionality. The aesthetics of a soffit give the home exterior character in a variety of colors and designs. The soffit creates an interesting façade from a distance as well as close. The functionality of the soffit is to provide protection from the elements for the rafters. It keeps moisture away, thereby reducing the possibility of mold and extending the overall lifespan of the roof. 

There can be a third purpose for a soffit depending on the roof system’s design; this is natural ventilation from the soffit to the attic. While the soffit installation itself isn’t vented, it does camouflage the vents found in a roof’s overhang. It is in this part of the roof where the intake vents are located, allowing air to exit through the roof’s peak vents. 

Modern homes are constructed with attic ventilation, improving indoor air quality and increasing energy efficiency with natural cooling. This additional venting has proven to be another way of offering moisture management to prolong the lifespan of the materials used in the construction of a roof. 

What material is used for a soffit?

The soffit on your home can be constructed from a variety of materials, with each having its own attributes. The better choice for your home will depend on what your home needs, taking these attributes into consideration. Choices in soffit materials include: 

• Wood: This material has been around forever in features such as wood siding, and is still used today. Soffits made of wood will have wood grain and texture, a visual many homeowners desire. They often come perforated or have vents in them from the factory; some will come completely solid.
• Wood soffits can be painted, but like wood siding, they will need constant care and maintenance. They can be attractive to look at but are attractive to insects and wood rot, too, especially if left unpainted. 
• Vinyl: This option came along in the 1950s and is a low maintenance choice that can be painted or not, as there isn’t any wood rot to worry about. Vinyl soffits have a wood grain appearance and come in perforated and vented styles. However, vinyl is susceptible to cold weather as it freezes and cracks, and in intense heat they can melt. So with that in mind, they may need replacing more frequently than you want to worry about. 
• Vinyl soffits can look like plastic as well, and have overlapping seams instead of a flush fit. That overlap can cast a shadow that takes away from a home’s appearance.
• Aluminum: This material has also been around for decades. It doesn’t rot and is almost maintenance free. It’s available in a variety of colors and textures, including simulated wood grain capable of mathing any architectural design. They come perforated for venting or solid and are insect and rot-resistant, as well as flame retardant. This choice will weather better in the cold or heat. 
• Do note the color will fade unevenly and can become chalky, which can minimize the beauty of a home. Aluminum also dents easily and if the paint is scuffed off, it tends to rust. To minimize this chalky surface, frequent repainting is needed. 
• Fiber Cement: Soffits made from fiber cement are durable like the siding made of the same material. This material is made from cellulose fiber, sand, silica, and Portland cement blended together, creating a non-porous material that is insect and moisture-resistant. It is a flame retardant material that is rot-resistant and won’t fade like painted wood or get a chalky surface. Fiber cement soffits are available in a cedar-look or smooth surface, perforated or solid, and natural wood stain or a range of colors that will complement any exterior appearance. 

Do I need a soffit?

Yes. The most important reason your home needs a soffit is for the purpose of ventilation. The soffit covers the roof’s underside and a portion of the attic space. Heat then builds up inside the attic from the sun above and the energy inside the home. That heat needs to be vented or it can create wood rot on the rafters and decking.

A soffit also provides the roof a more finished appearance. Without soffits, your home’s exterior would show the roof rafters in the overhang, which is not an appealing look for any home.

What is the difference between an eave and a soffit?

The key difference between the eave and the soffit is what they do and where they are located. The eaves are the edging of the roof where it overhangs, facing the walls of the house. The soffit is structural, located under the fascia where it fills the space between the roof edging and the walls of the house. 

Are vented soffits necessary?

Soffit vents aren’t the only air intake method, and the other methods are sufficient. However, the more ventilation your roof has, the better. If the soffit is sagging, it may be from rainwater collecting behind it. Removing a few pieces of the fascia will allow you to see what is going on and make any needed repairs. Leaving it as-is can lead to roof or siding damage as well as costly repairs or replacement.