If you are planning to have a new roof installed on your home, you may be in the process of deciding what materials you want for the structure. While your primary focus may be the roof itself and whether to have a metal or shingle roof installed, another element of the system you will need to decide on is the soffit.
An integral part of the roofing system, the soffits are the planks that run on the underside of the eaves to keep them ventilated and protected from moisture. While soffits are often constructed from wood or vinyl, there are a couple of advantages to choosing to have fiber cement soffits installed instead.
1. Fiber Cement Does Not Rot or Warp after Exposure to Moisture or Need Scraping and Painting
The advantage fiber cement soffits have over wooden ones is that they do not rot or warp. When you have wood soffits, the constant exposure to rain, snow, and ice will eventually break down the wood. This causes the wood to deteriorate and become misshapen, leaving the underside of your roof exposed to moisture.
Even if you paint the wood, you will still need to scrap and paint the soffits every few years to keep them protected. However, fiber cement soffits do not deteriorate when exposed to moisture and do not need to be scraped and painted.
2. Fiber Cement Soffits Do Not Become Discolored or Warp When Exposed to Hot Temperatures
When it comes to vinyl soffits, the advantage ones made from fiber cement have over them is that they do not succumb to hot temperatures. When you have vinyl soffits, they will start to become warped and discolored over years of exposure to sunlight and heat.
If the vinyl soffits become warped and leave the underside of the roof unprotected, you would need to replace them. However, fiber cement is able to withstand high temperatures so it will not warp or lose its color.
Not only do fiber cement soffits not warp, rot, or become discolored like their wood and vinyl counterparts, but they also come in a large range of colors. This allows you to match them with your siding and roofing to complete the look of your home's exterior. Speak with a roofer who offers new roof installation services to learn more about your options for materials for soffits and other parts of the roofing system.
