For something so integral to the functioning of a roof, the soffit is very rarely discussed, and as a result, very few people know what it is or its purpose.
Put simply, a soffit is a specific part of your roof. Often, roofs will hang over the exterior walls of the home or commercial space they are covering. The underside of that overhang is called a soffit. More specifically, a soffit is the material that is used to cover and protect the underside of your roof.
Soffit is important for a number of reasons. In addition to giving your home a finished, polished look, the soffit also serves a number of practical purposes. For instance, the soffit provides needed ventilation for your roof and, most importantly, your attic. Without the soffit, your attic would be far more likely to build up heat, leading to potentially higher air conditioning bills as your air conditioning system fights to keep your whole home cool. In dark, sometimes damp, places like attics, ventilation is also key to preventing the growth of things like mold and wood rot.
The soffit also serves to protect your roof. While the actual roofing materials may be vulnerable to the elements on their underside, soffit materials are chosen specifically to protect the underside of the roof.
The soffit is an often overlooked, but still key, element of any home design and a good number of commercial ones, too. If you would like your soffit installation, repair, inspection, or replacement to be handled by professionals, please do not hesitate to contact us with your needs.