Do all properties need soffits?!

Suzkin

I'm in the process of acquiring quotes for new guttering and understand that fascias would also be wise, but was wondering if I should also be asking for soffits?

The overhang re. tiles on the property isn't very big (and I think at some point in the past someone silly put concrete tiles on the roof, thereby weighing it down..).

Anyway, I was wondering whether it all depends on the size of the overhang or not - or whether soffits could be attached regardless of the length of tiles over the verge?

BTW: hope this makes sense, I'm gradually learning the jargon...:o

iamcornholio

The fascis is the vertical bit, and the sofit is the horizontal bit. Also, gutters/fascias are at the eaves of a roof, and a verge is the edge of tiles on a gable - the triangle wall normally at the side of a house

Your property will already have a soffit or it wont - in which case the fascia is very close the the wall

If no soffit is there currently then you don't need one. If there is one, then its up to you whether it needs replacing or not when the fascia is done

oz0707

what about when the b/work staggers upto the tiles. What is that actually called (not corbelled is it)

Suzkin

Hi, Thanks for the explanation - although if there was no sofit there, does this mean that it wouldn't be necessary / there would be no benefit ever of having it in the future?

There is no sofit there currently, and what confused me is that the neighbours didn't have sofits until they renewed their guttering: now they have new guttering, fascia AND sofits, which is why I thought perhaps there might be some benefit in having this also, and perhaps (only on this occasion..) I might follow suit.

It appears the guttering rests against their sofits, and so means that if there are any future probs with the guttering (or in a heavy rain situation), then the external walls won't be damaged or exposed to potential water penetration?

Suzkin

oz0707 wrote: »

what about when the b/work staggers upto the tiles. What is that actually called (not corbelled is it)

I think that's called the 'upstand' ! :j

If for example on a hill, and there are two houses terraced, then one house will look slightly higher than the other ('staggered'). The part of the vertical wall between the roofs is the 'upstand' (but anyone, please correct me if I'm wrong!)

iamcornholio

oz0707 wrote: »

what about when the b/work staggers upto the tiles. What is that actually called (not corbelled is it)

Its a dentil or oversailing course. A corbel is an isolated projection

iamcornholio

Suzkin wrote: »

There is no sofit there currently, and what confused me is that the neighbours didn't have sofits until they renewed their guttering:

So the roof rafters must project past the wall by a certain distance and this must presently be open? And the neighbours have then inserted a horizonal soffit to box this in?

Soffits are cosmetic, so its up to you whether you want to fit one.

Edit:

Here we are, I've plagarised this from google

Suzkin

I'm not sure, iamcornholio. Just looking at it, it looks like a box (i.e. sofit) has been stuck along the horizontal of the front & back elevation, and then the guttering added against this so to speak.

We are on a slight slope, and the houses are terraced, and as my house is slightly 'higher' than the neighbours, there is an upstand between the two properties, but in terms of the roof, I'm not sure - all I know is that they didn't have sofits before the building work. I didn't see anyone from outside the property extending the roof rafters either?

Good to know it's all just cosmetic, so I probably wont go for it and save some MSE pennies! However, if it is simply cosmetic, then what really is the benefit and why do people have them - am I missing something obvious here?

iamcornholio

Take a quick picture and post it here - get a bit of yours and a bit of the neighbours in the picture.

Suzkin

Good idea! I'll do it very shortly.

I hope you'll see it and let me know what you think!