Advice on Fascias and soffits..

**woody123**

Hi,

The timber on the front and back of our house is looking a bit worn so my dad wants to buy some fascia/soffit plastic to fit over the timber and have a go at doing it ourselves.

We have been told by some people that its best to replace the whole lot because if you fit plastic fascia over timber when the timber rots you have to replace the whole lot again.. And by removing the timber altogether and replacing it with plastic the plastic expands over time..

I would like to hear people's experiences with fascias, soffits etc...

The house is about 16 years old.

We are also having problems finding out the sort of stuff we need to order and where to get the sizes from and which bits go where which is another story..

Thanks in advance..

safesound

I used http://www.nationalplastics.co.uk as they had a store close to me, but the guy there was a god send. He explained everything to my DH who didn't have a clue what he was doing, he even recommended which nail was the right type (d'oh). We ended up just covering ours as the timber was fine but the colour (dark green) just didn't look right and we didnt want the hassle of repainting them (we'd seen the nightmare my neighbour had with his and he's a painter and decorator by trade). I still have the front of the house to do, as its a little more complicated (has wires and stuff tacked to it).

Loobysaver

We had all our timber replaced by plastic. When they took it all down it was totally rotten underneath so we are glad we did!

Surely just covering up the wood would be a false economy?

ifti

we just got our house's timber covered up, front and back and the arch on the front of the house too, the wood was fine underneath, just really needed painting, the only time it rots when rain water goes on it, but if its covered by pvcu then i think this prevents the rain touching it, i dont think covering the wood is a false economy,
i think replacing the wood is much harder that just covering it up. the amount of hassle you will get making it look nice and filling in the gaps will be quite abit.

im not sure what the thickness of our pvc was but it wasent 16mm which is the replacment for the wood, the covering up is thinner.

hope this helps

vansboy

We're looking at having ours done - together with 2 neighbors, so it'll be interesting to see the £$£$ quoted.

The builder is planning on cutting out some old rotten timber, then cladding it, as well as the good existing stuff.

Sounds like a better idea than just covering it all in one go.

VB

LandyAndy

If you are planning to sell in the reasonably near future the cover option may be better (ie cheaper) but the replace option is the only way to avoid future problems. Purchasers may ask if the job was a cover or replace.

jimbo_the_jetset

ifti wrote: »

the only time it rots when rain water goes on it, but if its covered by pvcu then i think this prevents the rain touching it, i dont think covering the wood is a false economy,

Covering with PVCU may stop further rain getting to the wood but it also stops the moisture already within the wood escaping, hence the reason why it rots. Wood needs to breathe. What would happen if you were to wear PVC trousers (god forbid), you would sweat like a pig. Similar principle

Ms_Chocaholic

When our fascias etc needed doing, we asked for a price for covering with PVC and removing wood and replacing with PVC, price wasn't that much different as I recall. I agree, false economy to just get it covered over with.

BTW, how much does a pig sweat !!!

**woody123**

Thanks all for your comments..

My dad has just ordered some plastic to cover the timber.. We are going to start on the bottom part of the house first and see how we go..

The plastic is being delivered tomorrow.

vansboy

[quote=

BTW, how much does a pig sweat !!![/quote]

They don't!

& if you have a pig or 2, best keep them in shade, this hot sun can cause them nasty sunburn - lots of factor 9 helps, though!

REALLY!

VB

ifti

hmm, what are the prices to get it covered and the prices to get itr replaceds, i think the poster said he was going to do it himself. i think for him the cover is better but the moisture problem is somthing to think about.

didnt know that though!