Fascia boards are used to secure the gutters as they act as faces between the sidings and gutters. The main purpose of using is to hold them in a firm place especially when the weather goes bad such as storms or heavy water flow due to rainfall. They add an aesthetic appeal to the utter design but overall their main purpose is the secure positioning of the gutter and not the aesthetic appeal. Fascia board roofs are also extensively seen. However, theses need to be replaced after regular intervals. If you are also planning to replace your fascia boards then this post is for you. By the end of this post, you will get a transparent idea about the material, types and how to install these boards. So, let’s begin! In this article:
- Prices of Fascia board materials
- What are the fascia boards?
- The material of fascia boards
- Wooden fascia boards
- Aluminum fascia boards
- Vinyl fascia boards
- Composite fascia boards
- Fascia boards replacement cost
- How to install fascia boards
Generally speaking, the prices of fascia board materials aren’t very expensive. Fascia board prices vary according to the type of material and some other factors. However, if you are planning to hire a professional service to fix and install your fascia board, then you might end up paying a lot more than you expect. The process of installation requires you to pay some extra fees to the contractors as well. Moreover, their price also depends upon the type of material you choose. Some materials come at a very reasonable price while others might be expensive depending upon the name of the brand as well as the quality of the material. Typically, the average range of fascia board materials falls between the range of $1 to $25 per linear foot. Fascia board sizes depend upon your own needs and hence prices also differ accordingly. Along with it, if you hire a professional service to install or replace them on house then the price may go as high as $600 for up to 10 hours of work. Other than installation costs, there are also other costs involved such as the cost of sanding and the cost of finishing. So, altogether it can become $700.
What are the Fascia Boards?
You might have seen those long and rigid boards on the lower and outer edges of old-style roofs. Such fascia board roofs are typically present in rural areas or old buildings. Those long strips are known as fascia boards. They are used to keep the roofline firm and fix the structure in one place. Mostly, they are connected to the lower parts of the gutters. That is why fascia boards and gutters are closely connected. That’s the perfect definition of fascia boards. The primary purpose of using them is none other than securing the gutter of the roof in one place. They also help in boosting the aesthetic appeal of your home. Due to the presence of these boards in various materials and designs, you get a chance to choose from a variety of different options. Thus, they transform your home into a highly appealing masterpiece. Besides, they are also a need for your home. Usually, they are composed of wood, vinyl, aluminum or a combination of these. They are long-lasting and they last for a long time but they still require repairing, maintenance and in some situations, 100% replacement.
The material of fascia boards
Like most of the home elements, these boards also come with tons of options. Although, you can make them out of any material some primary materials are considered ideal for them. These materials are given below along with their prices:
- Wooden fascia board materials range from $1 to $3 per linear foot.
- Composite fascia boards fall between the price range of $1 and $8 per linear foot.
- Vinyl fascia boards range between $5 and $8 per linear foot.
- Aluminum fascia boards are between $8 and $20 per linear foot.
Now, let’s discuss each material one by one to get a better idea about them.
Wooden Fascia Boards
Wood is perhaps one of those materials that are commonly used in any home décor and home element. Fascia boards are no exception. Usually, they are made up of wood consist of pine, fir, spruce or cedarwood. The same wooden material is also used in decks. However, let’s go through the pros and cons of these board so that you can come up with a better decision.
Pros of wooden fascia boards:
First of all, fascia boards that are made up of wood are the most reasonably priced options available out there. You cannot find any board that comes in a price lesser than wooden material. Other than affordability, such boards on a house are also one of the most versatile as well as beautiful options available. It helps in maintaining the rustic exterior of your home. Another benefit of using them is that cedarwood is water-resistant and it becomes even more robust when it is passed through paint or stain. The installation cost of wooden material is also low as compared to other materials when it comes to such boards. That is why wood for these boards is highly beneficial in many ways.
Cons of wooden fascia boards:
Wooden fascia boards also come with some disadvantages. Firstly, the repairing and maintenance cost of the wooden fascia board is highly significant. You need to carefully paint and prime them to secure them for a long them. without proper maintenance routine, it is hard to maintain the durability of wooden boards. Thus, you need to keep spending money on painting and maintaining them. One of the crucial cons of them is that you can not leave even a single scratch or damage on them. The presence of fungus, algae, molds, termites and even heavy rainfall seepage can damage them. That is why wooden fascia board might be cheaper initially but once you get them, then you need to keep on filling the maintenance cost to keep them in a good shape as fascia board rotting is a common problem associated with wood.
Aluminum Fascia Boards
Aluminum fascia boards are known as the quickest and the most convenient options because they are long-lasting as compared to wood. Although they cost more than wood, in the beginning, you don’t need to waste your hard-earned money every other day on their maintenance. The following are the advantages and disadvantages.
Pros of Aluminum Fascia Boards:
These boards are highly versatile and sturdy as compared to made with wood. That is why they are often used in combination with wood to prevent the wood from moisture and humidity. Commonly, it is bent around the wooden fascia boards to make a better combination. If we talk about the design, then they are lightweight and easy to cut. You can also install them easily as compared to made with wood. The maintenance routine is also very slow and they durable for a longer time. Moreover, you can tons of color options when it comes to aluminum fascia boards so you can match them with the theme of your home. Lastly, they are easier to paint as well which is not the case with many other materials. Paint is used to customize them according to the demands of the users and aluminum is the best option in this regard.
Cons of Aluminum Fascia Boards:
One of the massive drawbacks of using aluminum fascia boards is their cost. They are highly expensive as the material is highly durable. Moreover, the installation cost is also very high. However, as mentioned before, the maintenance cost is very low so you can consider this option. Although they are highly durable they are still prone to dents and scratches. Moreover, since nails are always made up of steel so both of these materials can also react with each other which can cause rotting. Lastly, if you are planning to go for thinner aluminum then it can be damaged easily due to which fascia board repair becomes difficult. However, if you opt for thicker aluminum, then that can cost you just too much.
Vinyl Fascia Boards
Vinyl fascia boards are a good option if you want to install your boards on your own. They also require less maintenance as compared to the wood hat, in turn, reduces the long-term maintenance costs. For instance, in case the color fades away, you only need a spray to replace it. It also comes with a kit using which you can repair minor defects. These kits are available easily in all hardware shops. Thus, the fascia board repair cost isn’t high if you use vinyl.
Pros of vinyl fascia boards:
Vinyl boards are highly durable and easy to install. They are also available in a variety of colors. Moreover, they don’t require much maintenance. Even if the color fades, you don need to repaint it and apply a good spray.
Cons of vinyl fascia boards:
Vinyl has the nature of contracting and expanding with seasonal changes. It also requires a tight seal to stop water seepage or else moisture can seep inside your house. Moreover, with prolonged sun exposures, the color of these boards also fades away. To prevent this problem, you need to get a sealant which will further add up the cost.
Composite Fascia Boards
It consists of a mixture of chips, plastic, and sawdust. Epoxy resin is used to hold it in place.
Pros of Composite fascia boards:
This material is environmentally friendly so it is rot-resistant and the color also doesn’t fade away easily.
Cons of composite fascia boards:
The price of this material is much more than that of vinyl and wood. However, in the case of a heavy storm, the whole material can be damaged. The repairing is also not easy. Furthermore, many paints are also not ideal for this material as paints cannot adhere to this material and don’t hold it. You can not even refinish them as well.
Fascia boards replacement cost
The repairing cost of the fascia board entirely depends upon the extent of damage as well the type of material used. So, overall, the repairing cost goes as high as $300 and may even exceed it. Thus, per linear foot, the cost is u to $40.
How to install fascia boards?
Installing them is the easiest job. All the complications revolve around their removal. That is why it is vital to hire a professional service to get it installed. As aluminum is easy to install so let’s go through the points that are involved in its installation:
- Measure the length and nail the bottom section.
- Now cut the fascia to the measured length.
- Hold the fascia in the right position and angle so that it overhangs at the front corner.
- Now mark the front corner at the bottom and wrap it over the other end.
- Crook the overhanging part that was an angled section.
- Nail the material in place.
- Measure the front part and cut it in the right length.
- Now slide the board.
- Nail the bottom corners to secure it into place.