In this article we will discuss all things fascias and gutters, your home’s unsung heroes, quietly protecting the investment on your home. Fascias and guttering are often overlooked, and this article will show you, and everyone, why they matter. This article will cover the cost considerations and the upkeep you need to do to maintain your roofline in peak, perfect condition. It’s not all about looks you know! Fascias and gutters can help to safeguard your home and increase your home's market value. Carry on reading to discover the underestimated importance of your home’s roofline.

What Are Fascias and Guttering?

Fascias and gutters are both important parts of your properties roofline and they play vital roles in protecting your properties structure from water damage and maintaining its integrity. So…

What are fascias?

Fascias are the horizontal and usually flat boards or panels that are mounted to the lower underside edge of the roof, they usually sit just behind the gutters. They are there as a protective barrier between the edge of the roof and the weathered elements, mainly in the rain. Fascias are not just for aesthetic purposes, to provide a clean look to your roofline and your home. They are also there to provide support to the lower edge of the roofing tiles or shingles if you have any. Without properly maintained fascias, water can get into the roofing structure and lead to aspects of your roofline rotting, moulding, and other kinds of damage.

What is guttering?

Gutters are the usually plastic channels that are typically attached to the fascias on your roofline. The primary function of guttering is to collect rainwater that runs off your roof and direct it away from your property’s foundations. Properly functioning guttering prevents rainwater from pooling at the base of the structure. If this does not happen then it can cause foundation issues and foundation erosion to your property. Gutters also play a role in preventing water and rainwater from getting into your property’s walls, basement or small spaces in the building that may not be as well protected as others. Regular maintenance of your guttering is essential to make sure that they stay clean and clear of debris allowing the water to flow freely through them and away from your property.

The Importance of Quality Roofline Components

The importance of roofline components such as fascias and guttering, is sometimes overlooked. However, there are many reasons why quality roofline parts are important. They include:

1. Structural Integrity: roofline components should be of high quality to provide essential structural support to your roof which is important to make sure that your roof remains stable and together. Roofline components such as fascias and guttering help to hold the roof’s edge in place and prevent sagging or other damage that can cause the structure's integrity to fail.
2. Water Management: your roofline components are also essential to manage the water and rainwater around your property. High-quality fascias and guttering make sure that the rainwater around your home is properly channelled away from your building to prevent the rainwater from infiltrating your roof, walls and foundations. Having these high-quality roofline components prevents water damage, mould and structural damage and deterioration to your property.
3. Aesthetics: your roofline components help to contribute to the overall aesthetic and appearance of your property. Well-maintained fascias and guttering enhance the curb appeal of your home and can make it appear more appealing to potential buyers and maintain your property’s market value.
4. Energy-efficiency: when your roofline components are properly installed and maintained it can help with your property’s insulation qualities and your property’s energy efficiency. Higher quality roofline components including your fascias and guttering can help to keep your home better insulated and prevent air leakages in your home, which can reduce your heating and cooling costs.
5. Prevention: using high quality roofing components and keeping them well maintained can help to prevent pest infestations in your home. Animals such as birds, rodents and insects can sometimes make their homes in your roofing components if they can find a way in, for example if your gutters aren't maintained or your fascias are cracked they can make their way into your roofline and cause it to deteriorate or cause damage to your property. Using high quality components and keeping them well maintained then they can save you money on these costly bills and repairs!

Cost Considerations: What You Need to Know

It is important to consider the costs of having high quality roofline components when planning for maintenance and replacement of your existing roofline components. Here are some things you can take into consideration when you are looking into this:

• Material Selection: your choice of materials can affect the cost of your repair, maintenance or replacement significantly. The most common materials for fascias and guttering are uPVC, aluminium and steel. uPVC is the most common and the most affordable material. It requires less maintenance than other materials however they do still need maintenance to keep them working properly.
• Installation Costs: hiring professionals for the installation of your components is highly recommended. The price of hiring these professionals will vary depending on different factors such as: location, complexity of the installation but also the materials in which they require to complete your project. Hiring these professionals and ensuring that the installation is completed properly and to a high standard will help you to prevent costly repairs in the future, ultimately saving you money down the line.
• Sizing & Design: the size and designs of your fascias and guttering can impact the cost of your project of course. Bigger homes with more complex rooflines will require more materials and also more labour. This ultimately will increase the overall cost of the project.
• Gutter Types: the style of gutter you choose can change the price of your project and installation. Standard guttering is usually less expensive, but options like seamless guttering, which are fabricated specifically, can be more costly due to specific requirements and precision needed.
• Maintenance: regular maintenance will extend the lifespan of your offline components, as it can prevent more significant issues from occurring. Thinking about budgeting for occasional cleaning and inspections as well as minor maintenance and repairs will save you money from replacing the whole system.
• Accessibility: if your roofline is hard to access or it requires special equipment to be installed or maintained it can add to the costs of your maintenance and also installation. 
• Guarantees: higher quality materials and professional installation will most often come with a guarantee. Here at Evesham Trade Centre [GM Roofing] we offer guarantees on our installations. If there is a problem with your fascias or guttering, we will come back out to your property and fix the issue with no additional cost *.

Material Choices: uPVC vs Aluminium

When you are choosing the materials for your fascias, and guttering uPVC and aluminium are the most common choices. Each material has its own advantages and disadvantages for you to consider. Take a look at these breakdowns, to help you to consider both materials and which one will be the best fit for your property.

uPVC (unplasticized polyvinyl chloride)

1. Costing: uPVC is most commonly the more affordable option compared to aluminium, making uPVC the more budget friendly choice.
2. Maintenance: uPVC is very easy to maintain. It doesn’t require any painting and uPVC cannot rot, corrode or rust unlike aluminium. uPVC can be cleaned with simple household cleaning products.
3. Durability: uPVC is a very durable material and can last a really long time. It can withstand harsh weather conditions including snow and icy temperatures without deteriorating.
4. Insulation: uPVC has great insulation properties that help to maintain thermal efficiency in your home.
5. Colour Variety & Aesthetic Appeal: uPVC is available in a whole variety of different colours to match your home's aesthetics and colour theme. They also come in a number of different finishes which allows you to choose the colour and finish that best matches the look you are going for and your home's aesthetic.

Aluminium

1. Strength: aluminium is a strong material and also lightweight. This makes it a suitable material for roofline components in areas that have common heavy rainfall and/or heavy snowfall as well as any heavy hailstorms. The aluminium material is highly resistant to dents, impact and scratches too.
2. Lifespan: aluminium is known for its longevity and lifespan. It is a corrosion resistant material and can last many years however it can be susceptible to rusting.
3. Sleek Aesthetic: aluminium is seen as having a sleek and modern appearance. This makes aluminium roofline components a great choice for modern and contemporary properties to keep with the aesthetic and look to the property.
4. Paint Finishes: aluminium can be painted or coated in powder to change the colour and provide a more customisable feature and provide you with the perfect combination for your property.
5. Eco-friendliness: aluminium is a recyclable material, which also makes it an eco-friendly material choice. Aluminium can be recycled over and over again without losing any features or any of its quality.

Cost considerations for choosing between uPVC roofline materials or aluminium roofline materials

1. Budget: if you are working to budget on this project, uPVC may be the most suitable choice as it is a more cost effective option than aluminium.
2. Climate Considerations: when choosing your roofline component materials, you should consider the climate you are in. If your climate has severe weather conditions like heavy rain and strong winds may consider the aluminium material more as it is the slightly more robust choice.
3. Aesthetic: your home's style and architecture as well as your personal preference will play the main role in this consideration. Both of these materials offer different aesthetic appearances and will leave your property with different looks, so choosing the one that compliments your home's architectural style and your preference design is the most important decision for this category.
4. Maintenance: uPVC roofline components require less maintenance overall, however they do require some maintenance with occasional cleaning. However, aluminium may require more maintenance with more frequent cleaning and painting or powder coating upkeep as necessary.
5. Lifespan: both materials have an excellent lifespan, and both are durable materials. However, aluminium is slightly more durable and does have a slightly longer lifespan.
6. Recyclability: both materials are recyclable however if environmental considerations are of great importance to you, aluminium is the highly recyclable material and a great choice for environmental considerations.

The ETC Installation Process

**Please Note: The following steps and process is a rough guide for fitting both fascias and guttering. Each installation is different and there are different ways to install different products and materials. These steps are basic guidelines for the process of each roofline component**

Please note for important installations such as these hiring a professional is recommended to avoid any further damages or costly occurrences. To get a free survey appointment and a free quote today call us on 01386 800600 or email us on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Fascias

Step 1: Assessment.

For the first step you need to assess the existing condition of the roofline and the condition of the old fascias. Determining whether there are any damaged sections or any rotting in the old fascia boards which should be removed.

Step 2: Measuring

Measure the length of the fascia boards that you need for each length of the roofline precisely and accurately.

Step 3: Cutting

Use a saw to cut the fascia board to length.

Step 4: Secure the boards

Starting at one end of the roofline, positioning the fascia board into place and making sure that it is level with the edge of the roof. Secure in place using nails spaced regularly.

Step 5: Alignment

Continue to secure the fascia boards and make sure they align properly and maintain a level profile.

Step 6: Overlapping [optional]

If you need to it is possible to overlap the facia boards using something called a scarf joint.

Step 7: Sealing Joints

Apply the proper adhesive or sealant at the joints to prevent water infiltration and water damage.

Step 8: Ventilation

If your roofline has eaves ventilation ports then you need to ensure they are installed properly to allow for adequate airflow into your spaces.

Step 9: Finishing

After the fascia boards are installed properly inspect the work for any gaps and make the necessary adjustments.

Guttering

Step 1: Assessment

Start off by assessing and looking at your property’s roofline and deciding what kind of guttering you need. Identify the best places for the downspouts based off of the roof’s slopes and the layout of the property.

Step 2: Measuring

Measure each length of guttering you need & cut the guttering into sections to the appropriate length.

Step 3: Corner & End Pieces

Fit the corner pieces and end caps and any other connectors to make sure there is proper flow and alignment, making sure to attach everything securely using adhesive.

Step 4: Mounting Brackets

Using the gutter brackets, secure the gutters to your home making sure they are spaced at regular intervals for proper support.

Step 5: Slope Calculation

The gutters should slope slightly towards the downspouts to ensure you have proper drainage and to make sure that the water flows down and away from your property properly.

Step 6: Mounting Gutters

Start by mounting the gutters at the end of a gutter section at a higher point usually near a corner. Secure the other end to the downspout and make sure the gutter is level and slopes properly.

Step 7: Joining Sections

If you have multiple sections, connect them using connectors or sealing caulk, making sure that you have a watertight connection.

Step 8: Downspouts

Attach the downspout to the gutter systems at the chosen locations and make sure they are secure and direct the water away from your properties foundations and walls properly.

Step 9: Sealing & End Caps

Seal all the connections to prevent any water leaks. Install all of the end caps on any other open ends to keep out debris.

Maintenance: Keeping Your Roofline in Top Shape

Maintaining your roofline and keeping your fascias and guttering in proper shape is important to save your home from water damage. Here are some top tips to keep your roofline in top shape:

Cleaning

Guttering - Cleaning your guttering at least twice a year is highly recommended. It is best to clean them in the spring and autumn time. During this cleaning process you should remove all of the debris, leave and anything else that could cause blockages or stop the proper flow of water in your gutters. You can use a scoop or a hose to clear out the system and flush it. 

Fascias - wipe down your fascias regularly to prevent the buildup of dirt and mould. Mild soap and water will work well to do this.

Inspections

Both - regularly inspect your roofline for signs of damage like crack, rot or corrosion. If you detect any issues, report them promptly and have the issue addressed as soon as possible to avoid any further damage and costs.

Downspouts

Guttering - Maintaining your downspouts by clearing them out and removing any obstructions or debris to ensure proper flow of water is continued.

Conclusion

It is easy to overlook and forget about components of your roofline like fascias and guttering, even though these components are your property’s first line of defence from water damage, structural issues and harsh weather conditions. By investing in high quality materials for these components, professional installations and conducting regular maintenance is one of the most significant investments you can make for your property.

A little TLC goes a long way on your roofing line, keeping you home protected from leaks, harsh weather conditions and looking the best it possibly can.