What Is Soffit Made Of? Understanding the Different Types of Soffit Material

An image of types of soffit material.

There are several different types of soffit material to choose from. Make sure you take a look a this guide to learn the differences between them.

3 min read

In 2019, home improvement was named as the fastest-growing retail category in the United States. With the popularity of HGTV and Pinterest, homeowners are more inspired than ever to make updates to their homes.

While the most popular upgrades tend to be the ones that result in incredible transformation photos, it's important to make sure you don't neglect the unseen parts of your home.

For example, how much thought have you put into your home's soffit materials? If your answer is "not much," you've come to the right place!

Keep reading to learn more about the different types of soffit and the important role it plays in your home.

What Is Soffit And Why Is It Important?

Take a minute to think about your home. Does the roof extend out over the side of the house? If so, what would you see if you looked up at the overhang? The answer is soffit!

Simply put, soffit is generally the underside of any construction material. However, it's most commonly known as the material that connects the overhang of the roof to the side of your home.

And, while it's something that's often overlooked, it plays an important role in your home's efficiency. Sofft helps with proper ventilation in your attic, allowing air to flow through freely.

It also helps keep moisture out, which reduces the chance of mold and mildew forming, preserving your home's building materials. This reduces the need for expensive repairs over time.

Finally, soffit also plays an aesthetic role, helping to improve the architectural design of your home.

What Are Some of the Different Types of Soffit?

There are many different soffit material options, all with their own pros and cons. Let's take a closer look at different soffit materials you can choose for your home.

Wood

Wood is a popular choice for soffit because it looks great with just about every home. However, it can be an expensive material and it's prone to rot and decay over time.

As a result, it requires regular maintenance and treatment, which can be expensive.

Aluminum

Aluminum soffit, on the other hand, is extremely durable and requires little maintenance. To keep it clean, all you have to do is gently spray it with a hose and wipe it down.

It's also resistant to rot and pests, making it one of the best soffit material options available.

Fiber Cement

If you like the look of wood soffits, but don't want to deal with the maintenance, fiber cement could be a good option for your home.

Fiber cement has the look of wood but requires little maintenance. However, it can run more expensive than other materials.

Vinyl

Vinyl soffit is another affordable, low-maintenance option that comes in a variety of styles to match your home. Like aluminum, it is rot-resistant and is easy to clean.

However, over time, the vinyl material may be susceptible to sun damage.

Steel

While a more expensive option, steel soffit looks great and does an excellent job of helping to ventilate your home.

It's also extremely durable and comes in a variety of color options to match your style.

We're Here for All Your Soffit Needs

Now that you know more about the different types of soffit, spend some time reading through our blog for more information about exterior home projects.

We've got a variety of products and guides to help you improve your home and increase your curb appeal!

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