What is the difference between a barge board and fascia?
March 29, 2021Barge boards and fascia boards are very nearly the same thing. They are both long, straight boards that run along the lower edge of the roof. However, fascia boards run horizontally, carry the gutters and support the bottom row of roof tiles. Barge boards run diagonally and are located at the gable end of a property.
As experts in all things roofline, we have created this handy blog to tell you everything you need to know about barge boards and fascias.
What is a barge board made of?
Traditionally, barge boards were made from wood. However, modern varieties are mostly built from uPVC. uPVC is low maintenance and offers excellent resistance against UV and weather exposure. It can also be coated in woodgrain foil finishes, giving it the appearance of timber if desired. Many people choose decorative barge boards to enhance the aesthetic of their home, although there are other decorative products that you can use to visually enhance your roofline.
Should there be a gap between gutter and fascia?
Gutters are fitted almost flush to the fascia boards because this allows rainfall to run off the roof and into the gutter. Every rainwater system has its own brackets, which set how close the gutter is to the fascia.
If you’ve been thinking of replacing the gutters on your home, our 5 top gutter replacement tips can help you find the best products for the job.
What is Eaves Protection System (EPS)?
This is a bent length of plastic that is tucked under the roof tiles and over the gutter. It works by stopping water from dripping or splashing behind the gutters, diverting it into them instead.
An eaves protection system prevents the roofing felt from sagging and water from pooling, which can cause rot within the roof timbers. If you would like this protection for your property, get a free, no-obligation quote today.
Do gutter companies replace fascia?
This will depend on the company. Here at Roofline Solutions, however, we offer a full roofline replacement service, so we can replace gutters, fascia boards, soffits and more.
Can you replace fascia board without removing gutters?
As gutters are fitted to the fascia boards, it is not possible to replace the fascia without removing the gutters first. For this reason, it makes sense to install new guttering whenever new fascia boards are required.
Do gutters cause wooden fascia to rot?
Leaky or blocked gutters can lead to excessive moisture meeting the facia boards. This can also occur when there is a downpipe that hasn’t been properly aligned. On timber fascia boards, this can cause them to rot over time.
How do you fix rotted fascia?
If the fascias have rotted away, they will need to be replaced. Here at Roofline Solutions, we can replace any rotten fascia boards for you.
Are fascia boards necessary?
Absolutely! They provide essential support for the bottom row of roof tiles and house the gutters. Without them and any guttering, there is no means for diverting rainfall away from your property, which can lead to damp and mould in the short-term. In the long-term, this can lead to rot and structural damage.
If your fascias are damaged or have rotted, it’s important to get them replaced as soon as possible to limit any potential damage to your property.
For any replacement fascia boards, simply get in touch with us to get started on the process.
What is the best material for fascia boards?
uPVC is the most used material for fascia boards and with good reason; it requires virtually no upkeep and is designed to resist warping, peeling and discolouration even after extensive weather exposure.
In the past, wood was the most common material for fascia boards and homes are still fitted with timber fascias and roofline today. However, there are many reasons to choose uPVC roofline over timber. uPVC fascias also come in several woodgrain finishes, such as Light Oak, Rosewood and Mahogany, so they can recreate genuine timber aesthetics.
How thick should fascia boards be?
Although the thickness of fascia boards varies by manufacturer, they should be between 16mm and 25mm thick.
What colour should the fascia be?
White is the most common colour for fascia boards because it pairs well with most styles of home. When deciding on a colour, however, there are several aspects to take into consideration:
- What colour the property’s windows and doors are
- The roofline of neighbouring properties
- Whether your property is modern or traditional
When deciding on a fascia colour, many of our customers ensure it complements the aspects covered above. As our fascia boards are available in more than 150 RAL colours, we make it easy for them to do this too. However, if you’d prefer it if replacement fascias did not match them, this is possible too.
You can also combine different fascia and soffit board colours to create a variety of unique looks.
Looking for replacement fascias boards, barge boards and more?
Roofline Solutions are a leading roofline installer based on the Surrey and Hampshire border. We provide replacement fascias, soffits, gutters, cladding and more to homeowners in and around Surrey, Hampshire and Berkshire.
For more information on our products and services, give us a call on 01252 852 336 or contact us online.
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