Roof Soffits: 3 Things They Do for Your Home
September 13, 2021 by Heritage Roofing
Most sloped roofing systems have soffits located between the edge of the roof and the top of exterior walls. They may not be as obvious as the other components of your home’s exterior, but they play an important role in your home. Local roofing and restoration service contractor Heritage Roofing discusses three of them below.
1. Clean, Uniform Appearance for Your Home
Most home styles have soffits to cover the exposed rafters that make up the structural framework of the roofing system. They usually match the trim colors, although that will depend on the color palette of your home’s exterior. While soffits are often made of wood, there are other materials to choose from, including vinyl, fiber cement and aluminum. When making your selection, always keep in mind that they will be exposed to the local weather like your roof and siding.
2. Adequate Roof Ventilation
Ensuring adequate ventilation is essential to the health and performance of the entire roofing structure. Soffit vents allow the entry of fresh air into the attic through negative pressure. When this happens, hot, moist air inside the attic rises and escapes through the exhaust vents located at the top of the roof. Without the soffits, heat and moisture gets trapped inside, causing major problems for both your roof and home.
3. Protection for Your Attic
In addition to providing adequate ventilation for your roof, the soffits also protect the attic from dust, debris and small animal infiltration, as well as damage caused by wind uplift. A home with an exposed roof overhang can give the wind enough strength to separate the whole roof from the rest of the house. Roofers make sure these soffits are affixed to the roof to prevent this potential scenario from happening.
For your roof inspection, repair, replacement and maintenance, turn to the certified roofing professionals at Heritage Roofing. Call (803) 393-8703 or fill out our contact form to schedule a free estimate.