Resisting the switch to PLASTIC fascias & soffits!

gutovicky

Thank you everyone for your insight...

Hey Niv, please, please tell me more!

What problems did you experience with the uPVC trim that has made you switch to timber?

And, is that correct, you've decided to install UNPAINTED timber soffits & fascias?
What's the thinking behind that decision?

Much appreciated.

Niv

gutovicky said:

Thank you everyone for your insight...

Hey Niv, please, please tell me more!

What problems did you experience with the uPVC trim that has made you switch to timber?

And, is that correct, you've decided to install UNPAINTED timber soffits & fascias?
What's the thinking behind that decision?

Much appreciated.

Nothing wrong with the uPVC - its just uPVC and doesn't have the look I want. Unpainted but treated wood will give a much better look (imo) to the house and will be paired with metal guttering. Main thinking is that its a 400+ year old house and I am trying to remove some of these modern additions to give it back its traditional feel.

As a side note - the roof is getting done and I want to remove the plastic guttering so doing it all in one hit while the (very expensive) scaffolding is up.

gutovicky

I hear what you're saying Niv!

My bungalow is just 50 years old and I'd rather stick with timber at the roofline than switch to plastic!...  [even though ALL the neighbouring bungalows have made the switch to uPVC over the years..].
In most cases, I feel that uPVC cladding/capping around the box ends (corners), and the strips of plastic trim that cover the expansion gaps needed, makes the whole thing look a bit clumsy - not particularly elegant or attractive.

Niv, you plan to install "unpainted but treated" timber..      But please tell me more about your thinking...  
How will you get away with it? - I thought a painted surface protects the wood from weathering [splitting? warping?].
What timber are you using? 

Thanks for sharing.  & Best wishes. 

ThisIsWeird

gutovicky said:

I hear what you're saying Niv!

My bungalow is just 50 years old and I'd rather stick with timber at the roofline than switch to plastic!...  [even though ALL the neighbouring bungalows have made the switch to uPVC over the years..].
In most cases, I feel that uPVC cladding/capping around the box ends (corners), and the strips of plastic trim that cover the expansion gaps needed, makes the whole thing look a bit clumsy - not particularly elegant or attractive.

Niv, you plan to install "unpainted but treated" timber..      But please tell me more about your thinking...  
How will you get away with it? - I thought a painted surface protects the wood from weathering [splitting? warping?].
What timber are you using? 

Thanks for sharing.  & Best wishes. 

Totally agree with you, GV. Almost all the over-cladding I've seen done to houses looks just hellish. Joints, edge trims, nails a-go-go.

Little doubt, I think, that timber - or a derivative such as exterior ply - gives a much better finish.

With modern paints such as Zinsser AllCoat, there's no good reason why this shouldn't last for decades, and requiring a recoat only after a good number of years - 8 or so. Provided it's prep'd properly, and coated well to begin with. And in dry weather...

(I imagine Niv is going to allow the timber to weather naturally, so it'll 'grey'. It can be protected from rot by using clear preservative.)

gutovicky

Thanks for that ThisIsWeird.
I really am in need of reassurance - I've been undecided for several years and the state of my present roofline has become desperate!  

Does anyone else have any first-hand experience of installing timber fascias/soffits in the last 5 years or so?
What's been your experience?  Any warping/splitting?
  
I'm particularly interested to hear how new timber (fast-grown, poorer quality?) copes after a few years of direct sunlight (...we've been having some hot summer temperatures....).   

& Does a capping of uPVC actually offer new timber protection against intense heat?    (or is a uPVC board equally vulnerable to warping etc under these circumstances?)?

Cheers.