Being a homeowner, you are bestowed with the responsibility of maintaining a regular upkeep routine for all the parts of your house so that every component can function optimally. Amongst these, your gutter system is a vital part. It ensures that the sewage from your house is discarded properly and contributes to the overall hygiene of the house. Without a properly functioning gutter system, you would frequently be faced with leaks and plumbing issues, even to the point of risking the safety of yourself and of your family.

Keeping your gutters clean can be a daunting task if you are unaware of the process of doing so. Inevitably, you would end up with gutters that will not be used to the fullest degree. In some cases, when the repairs and maintenance are not done with care, it could significantly shorten the lifespan of these components and gravely affect their durability. This would also lead to unnecessarily incessant repairs that could be exorbitantly expensive.

Nevertheless, there is a correct manner to undertake the maintenance of your gutters that require very little effort on your part. Enumerated below are some of these measures that will help you take better care of your house’s gutter system.

Inspect Your Surroundings

Before you chart any repairs or undertake any measures for your gutters, make sure that you take a look around your surroundings. If you live in an area that has an abundance of trees and other foliage, you will definitely end up with a pile of leaves on your gutters over time. These leaves, coupled with the debris and dirt, have the ability to impede the flow of the gutters and even contort their structure. Therefore, it is imperative that you talk a walk around your neighborhood and identify the potential elements that might be harmful to your gutter systems. It would also determine whether you would have a need for any leaf gutter protection.
Clean Your Gutters

If you find that regular tree trimming or the installation of special preventive gutter components are too expensive for your budget, you could invest your time in a regular cleaning routine for your gutters. Cleaning them once a month could be beneficial to keep them away from the accumulated dirt and leaves from the neighboring trees and help them stay in their topmost condition.

Trimming Trees

If you have a considerable number of trees on your property, you must make sure to hire someone to trim them regularly. Hiring professionals to trim trees can be a profitable venture in the long run, and would completely avoid a situation where you would have to clean your gutters with increased frequency.

Install Professional Leaf Gutter Protection

If you are looking for a long-term solution for the maintenance of your gutter systems, you could consider investing in a permanent solution. This would put a stop to the problem for a prolonged period of time. A high-quality gutter system would permit rainwater to seep in, but block the leaves and the other debris from entering into the system. As it is a long-term solution, this could run a little expensive at first glance; however, you would be able to save up on time and money in the future by not having to conduct as many repairs on your gutter systems.

If you’re looking for high-quality and affordable gutters to be installed in your house, you can rely on the name of Century Aluminum to cater to all your needs.

Soffit comes from the French language and when literally defined, it means that there is something installed underneath. In construction parlance, it is actually very popular for those who are building a roof. Whilst it is mainly used for that purpose, a soffit can also be used for construction where there is a visible ceiling. It can be relied upon when building arches, porches or columns.

A soffit can be made from different types of materials. Each type of material has some features that make it stand out when compared to others. However, as you scrutinise each type of material, you will realise that there is one that will surely be the best option for your construction needs. Get to know the different types of soffit material and see what they can do. Weigh in on the pros and cons of each before making a choice:

Wood

One of the materials with which a soffit can be made is wood. Choosing this as an option will mean you have to prepare more money since it is one of the most expensive soffit materials out there. You will love it though since it adds a touch of warmth to your space. Add to that the fact that wood is natural and is a timeless beauty. Take note though that besides being expensive, wood will also take time to install. You might also need to replace the panels from time to time before it rots. You will also need to install vents for better air circulation within the room if you choose this soffit material.

Steel

A more durable soffit material than wood is steel. The great news about this material is it comes in a variety of colours that will definitely suit your style or the space within which you are going to install it. Like wood, however, it is an expensive material too. In fact, it can cost up to 40% higher than an aluminum soffit.

Fibre cement

This is considered the least popular amongst the different types of soffit materials. Add to that the fact that you have to spend more if you choose to use one for your construction project. The nice thing about using this option though is that you can order panels in different wood grain textures, colours and vents.

Vinyl

If you are looking for the right soffit to match your porch ceiling’s requirements, you can consider the vinyl material. It is very affordable and is considered one of the best materials for insulating your home. It comes in a variety of grains and textures and can be customised according to the look you want. It does not rot and is resilient to chipping and cracking plus it is easy to clean. It is water-resistant too.

However, you have to take note that vinyl can discolour quickly over time. It can be easily affected by heat as well and once exposed to regular sunlight, expect that it can become weakened over time. Mould can also develop on this soffit material during damp climates. It is not as malleable as aluminum as it is more difficult to cut and bend.

Aluminum

If you want a soffit material that can fit into varied spaces then you can consider aluminum. This malleable material is highly durable and will not rot, crack or chip. It is also non-combustible and like vinyl, it is easy to clean. It is also water resistant. It is likewise a good insulator and is also very affordable.

Looking for the perfect soffit and fascia in Toronto for your construction project? Browse through the list of services we offer and find out why our expertise can help you make an informed choice!

There are things that easily skip your mind as you go about everyday life. Toronto siding, soffits, and some unique roofing fittings are some examples. Soffit, for example, is among the home fittings that invariably goes unnoticed. The only time homeowners think about it is during home renovation. Well, you do not have to wait for renovation day to know certain parts of your house.

Getting to know them as early as possible can help you make the right choices when remodeling or selling your house. While most people may be unable to tell whether they have soffit or not, you can actually find out by taking note of the following factors.

Do you have a soffit?

First, you need to understand the meaning of soffit. Soffit is actually the underside of the eave. It is the point where the roof clearly extends over the side walls of your home. In certain homes, eaves do not entirely go past the sidewalls. Other homes have eaves extending beyond the sidewalls. However, the underside may not be necessarily hedged by soffit. There is a good chance that you actually have soffit installed in your home. How do you find out about it? By simply taking a stroll around your home, you can look at the roof. When you see the underside of the eaves without any rafters, you definitely have soffit.

Purpose of soffits

Each housing element plays a critical role. The roof protects you from the sun and rain. The gutters help with drainage whenever there is a storm. Just like many other parts of a house, the soffit plays a critical role by giving offering both functional and aesthetic benefits. Therefore, you can bet on great functionality when you install quality soffit. Secondly, you can be confident about your home value when it comes to sales because soffit gives your home an aesthetic appeal. The following elaborate more on the different purposes of soffit.

Functionality

Every manmade thing is subjected to wear and tear. There are elements that affect the physical integrity and structure of manmade things. The soffits play a unique role by protecting the rafters from harsh weather elements that may bring about wearing and damage. The life of the materials used to make rafters depends on maintenance.

Mold grows on the rafters over time due to moisture buildup. If the level of moisture is not controlled, molds will easily thrive and lead to other damages. The life of the rafter material will decline significantly but the good thing is that taking precautions by having soffit extends the life of the rafter materials. Soffits basically prevent moisture buildup and prevent material deterioration.

Aesthetic purpose

One of the most effective ways of making your home look more beautiful is adding soffit. It is a great option for adding character. Moreover, you can find it in a wide variety of designs and colors. This gives you the opportunity to make a great façade for your home. With soffit, your home will always have an appealing look whether you are relaxing outside or taking a walk in the street.

The design of your home roof is a critical factor when it comes to the functionality of soffit. This is because soffit can serve yet another vital functional role based on the roofing design. Soffit are not usually vented. That means that if your home has captivating roof overhangs, you can get the opportunity to get air into the attic space. This goes a long way to provide natural ventilation at home. For effective ventilation, there should be balance between the intake eaves and exhausts for the roof vents. Modern ridge vents are effective for exhausting a significant amount of air. This means that you need to find soffit that is a perfect match for that flow.

The time has come to come to get to work on your roof and roof fittings. When you do this job, it is really important to do the best work possible to ensure that you will not need to return in future years and have to do it all over again. Follow this guide that uses advice from the experts to do a really good job that will impress you, your family and your neighbors:

Step 1

Set up your ladders and scaffolding so you have good access to the roof edges of the tiles. By using a working platform that allows you to move along the edge of your roof, you will make your work that much easier. Once this is set up and you have checked that it is stable you are ready to begin. The first thing to do is to remove all the gutters, set them to one side or dispose of those that need replacement. Now carefully slide back the first row of tiles, so that you can have easy access to your work area.

Step 2

Now if you are working on soffit and fascia in Toronto, study the trim back and cut away any damaged felt that you may find. Carefully prepare replacement felt and inspect any of the roof tiles as you have your work platform set up, so you can see any signs of damage more easily from this close position. Double check the roof dimensions so that your replacement fascia and soffits fitting will be able to be installed without any problems.

Step 3

Having removed the tiles and the guttering, it is time now to check out the rafter feet very carefully. If there is any sign of deterioration or rotting you will need to cut back until you find the healthy wood of the rafters. Now you can prepare and install the rafter feet that you have cut to measure.

Once you are completely satisfied that you have identified and cut out all the damaged rafters and fitted the replacements, you can now turn your attention to the soffit boards. Make sure that you fix the soffit board tight against the brickwork. This is important as it provides a clean and sturdy edge if it is well fitted. The soffit should sit snuggly against the brick work.

Step 4

Having installed the soffits, you are recommended to install the latest design that has the ventilation slits to allow humidity and heat to escape from the roof area; you are ready to prepare the fascia boards. The experts recommend that you fix the fascia boards using double head nails made of stainless steel.

The reason why stainless steel nails are important is that they are resistant to rusting and so will not mark your fascia. This means that you can rest assured that no rust marks will blot your fascia boards in the months and even years after you have completed the installation. The recommendation from the experts is that you double nail to each rafter to ensure that the fascia is really well locked down.

Step 5

With your fascia and soffits completed, it is now time to turn your attention to your rainwater system. You will have a wide range of styles, colors and materials to choose from, so take your time to decide on which style works best for you. One of the most important aspects that you need to plan for is the fall factor from the gutters to the drains, this is important as gutters must allow the water to flow like a river to your drain or drains. If your roof has a slight tilt this will be easier, but in all cases you need to make sure that the rainwater can be carried away rapidly and efficiently by making sure that you have installed the gutters with an incline to carry the water away.

Step 6

Now is the moment to install the eaves protector to complement the rain water system that you have completed. The eaves protector has a really important job to play, as its name suggests, it is there to protect the eaves and it consists of the latest material that you will use instead of old style felt. The key difference is that it does not deteriorate or perish like felt. Another advantage of this material is that it allows the roof to breathe and comes with flexible combs that act as a rodent guard. It is also really effective at keeping birds out too as well as other unwanted pests.

Step 7

Your installation is now complete and the roof tiles can carefully be replaced in their original position. Clean the surfaces and clear away any waste construction material. Now it is time to dismantle your working scaffold towers and walkways and make sure any damage to the garden or house surrounds is made good. Well, the project is complete and you can give yourself a pat on the back for a job well done!

As a homeowner, it is important to know the composition of your house and the materials used in its construction. Not only that, it is also essential to have at least a bit of idea on how repairs are done. This is to enable you to make discussions with a handyman without being misled. It makes sense to do some researches.

In connection with this, the roof, particularly soffit and fascia repair, will be tackled. As an overview, soffit and fascia will be defined as to its location and use. The soffit is tucked under the fascia board and it is the part that you see from ground level. This can be constructed in such a way that air is allowed to circulate under the roof area. The fascia, on the other hand, is a long, straight board that runs along the lower edge of the roof. It is directly attached to the trusses.

Structural damage of soffits and fascia can be done by birds, animals and insects. It can also be hastened by amateurish jobs. Rot also plays a role in its deterioration process. But more often, these structures can be damaged by a faulty gutter that can result to water leakage. With these damages in mind, there are plenty of things you should know about when it comes to soffit and fascia repair.

Signs that indicate you need soffit and fascia repair

You must get your eyes on these indicating signs that your soffit and fascia need to be repaired. Amongst them are leaking gutters, water spots on your walls, water leaking or overflowing behind gutters and the presence of rotten or sagging wood found near the roof’s eaves. When you have seen this, there is reason enough to worry and make sure that the problem will be solved at once.

From the ground, you may think that the soffit and fascia just need a simple repainting. This is the notion of almost every homeowner but considering the fact the these items also need to be attended to, you must try to get a ladder and pry as to what the real concerns are because a simple repainting may not be the only key to your problem. Do some investigation because this may not be the only cause of concern.

There is a corresponding cost that comes with the repair

You cannot disregard the cost as this will be the basis if you’ll have it repaired or replaced. Here is a rough estimate of how much it would cost you if you opt to have it replaced. For a simple 1-storey home, it would cost you $600-$2000 for wood or vinyl and $800-$6000 or more for aluminum.

If you plan to have a do-it -yourself job, consider the following cost plus the effort of needing to climb a ladder to get those materials in place. Pressure-treated wood or vinyl soffits and fascias may cost around $1-$5 per linear foot. This is cheaper when compared to aluminum which may cost from $2.50-$15 or more per linear foot. However, you have to consider the fact that aluminum is a more durable option which explains the expense that comes with it.

You must also take a look at the entire soffit and fascia layout

If a small segment shows any sign of damage, most likely the other portions will go through the same course as with the principle of wear and tear. Remember that soffit and fascia repair involves cutting out the damaged part and sizing boards and beams to match the remaining portions. It also entails a lot of work because the added fixture has to be painted and remodelled according to the style of the house. The task also includes application of sealant.

Soffit and fascia repair can require a lot of effort

Now that you have an idea how tedious the task is, you may finally decide to hire some men to do it. As a tip, avoid anyone who quotes a price that seems too good to be true. Either it will be a substandard work or the guys will run away with your money. Always rely on an expert’s job and when we say expert that is someone who knows what he is doing from inspecting the portions that need repair to helping you assess the real cost that goes with it.

In view of this, you must always hire a reliable contractor that can perform the repairs in the best way possible. It is easy for one to say they are the best when it comes to repairs pertaining to soffit and fascia in Toronto. At the end of the day, however, you will have the last say on whether you should hire them or not. You can also raise any concern with your selected contractors if you are unsure about how the project will go.

Soffit and fascia are key elements that play quite a remarkable role in defining the look and function of a home. Soffits refer to the part that covers the under-hangs of the roof and gables. In addition, it keeps all animals that may intrude at bay. For intake ventilation purposes in the attic, it rightly suffices as a handy tool. Fascia mostly made of aluminum plays the crucial role of cladding that is covering bare wood. By so doing, it seals the ends of eaves creating a perfect room for the installation of eavestrough. To make your home look stunningly good, you need to pay attention to such details. When picking soffit and fascia for your home, keep the following in mind at all times.

Material build-up

Look at the material used to complete soffit and fascia and make certain that it is aluminum. Though there is a wide range of colors that mostly enhance the visual appearance of soffit and fascias, the most important thing is to consider the material. Aluminum does not rust and wear easily. This property makes it ideal for soffit and fascias and hence defines how your home looks. You do not want rusts seen all over your roof because of poor choice of material use. Soffit and fascia made and completed by aluminum is just what your home needs. Talking to your manufacturer about the type of soffit and fascia for your home also helps you decide whether you want custom-made soffit and fascia or what the manufacturer has at the time.

Hard access areas

Some parts of the soffit and fascia are hard to access. Mostly, wood soffits and fascias may require risky access or painting. Finding those that give you nothing to worry about concerning these hard-to-access areas is the best thing to do. It will minimize the need to access these parts for any reason such as damages. Good ones does not deteriorate easily particularly at the mentioned parts. Protecting these parts will go a long way to make them last long and minimize risk accessing and painting, which comes with extra cost.

Low maintenance

Ensure that the siding materials are available in a number of forms namely aluminum, vinyl and cement. These three will help a great a deal in the provision of low maintenance. Furthermore, it enhances durability meaning you will not have to worry maintenance costs over the course of time. You can acquire the materials in a wide variety of colors and styles depending on your home theme. Another added advantage is that they are waterproof. Feel free to ask any questions when talking to a contractor or a manufacturer in case you want to know more about specific things within your preferences.

Insulation

The type of roof determines the kind of temperature you may generally have at home. Ideal soffits and fascias need to be good elements of vapor retarders. They particularly come in handy for exterior insulation. Test the insulation of the soffit and fascia first before grabbing one.

Wraps at the corner and trims

Soffits require a channel wrap at the outside corner where they meet the roof edge head not to mention the inside where a better part of the eaves meets the home edges. Measuring the linear edges of these elements is a vital step, as it will help you in determining the right size of soffits and fascias when you present the measurements to a manufacturer accordingly. Corners help quite a lot with tying installation together particularly at the outermost parts of the soffit (the region where the roof edges meet).

Wraps and trims in custom

It is not necessary for all your soffits and fascias to conform to the manufacturers’ custom design. So long as you have most of the carpentry tools, making something of your own lies under the limits of your personal budget and creative mind. You can use woods and consequently run planks with a new material or a good recycled lumber. Rustic looks comes out when you choose to use metal sheets as your material. In addition, you may consider other options such as painting in patterns or drawings. The drawing mainly applies for the fascia boards for creative look. Optionally, the wooden materials cut and shaped into different styles still make the soffits and fascia look great.

Choosing the right soffit and fascia will give you the much confidence you need when you look at your home at the end of the day especially after the hustle and bustle of making the roof look better. As much as you want the roof to look good, keep in mind that selecting quality soffits and fascias will guarantee you more home safety and less cost. When this comes first, your home’s roof will be one of the great roofs of perfect homes.